Fitzhugh Fella

So so quiet. Not even a silly rumour to ponder. Can not remember it being so quiet a few weeks before a window creaks open.

Had the misfortune to play under 2 underwhelming managers.

Thanks for cheering me up.

Not often you and I agree but I think you are right. I am trying to lose my inherited pessimism but unless we pull a big rabbit out of the hat in January’s window I don’t think Jones’s undoubted enthusiasm and dedication will be enough to haul us clear. The Board seem to be complacently pleased with themselves still (judging by that interview in the Athletic) and those of us who have witnessed previous relegations can clearly see the writing on the wall. I just hope my pessimism is misplaced.

I think we are all going to be sick hearing the name Gakpo for a long time, especially if we fail to sign someone decent in January.

There’s a photo here https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/tommy-jenkins/

Mostly waffle with little meat on the bone.

His contract runs out in the summer - he is free to talk to interested parties this January

Tommy Jenkins Upton Park 1970

Quite simply because he has left behind a squad that is not good enough to stay up. As I said in my original post the standard of our football has fallen behind clubs we should be on level terms with. Can Jones turn it around? Like to think so but he has got his hands full without a doubt and the odds are on us going down unless we have a miraculous January transfer window.

A lot of it was or at least the buck stops at him but that doesn’t mean others are blameless.

We are going down. Week after week I watch other teams like Brighton Fulham Brentford etc and the standard of football is simply better than ours. We have too many substandard players like Diallo, Elynoussi Djenepo Arma etc who wouldn’t be getting games for these clubs. Who’s to blame? Everybody. Lack of investment in the Gao era that saw the likes of Ings sold to balance the books. Semmens for believing the Ralph hype. SR for not being bolder in getting rid of Ralph in the summer and then for not delivering a forward in the transfer window. To end on a note of optimism if (and it’s a big if) we can hold onto the youngsters we have a manager who knows the Championship well and we have a fair chance of bouncing straight back. Clubs our size can’t afford to make too many mistakes in the PL and we have made too many.

He's probably worth a punt is the answer. It will be interesting to see him v Burnley on Sunday. A quality striker does bring others into play but BB hardly gets his head up.

I watch a lot of him (for obvious reasons) and am not entirely convinced. He knows where the goal Is right enough and works hard but he is ultra greedy and hardly ever plays in another person who is better placed. Flying out to Chile every other month is knackering him. He looked shattered last week. Maybe we can let them have AA back in part exchange.

Thanks for taking the time to give so much info. Good Luck

Well what’s done is done. We’ve voiced our doubts and recognised the huge gamble but we’ve no choice now but to wish him well and give him the chance to succeed. Good Luck Nathan, we are all going to need it of that have no doubt.

That was a particularly depressing evening. With the exception of Edozie none of our fringe players did anything of note. We are in a much worse state than I realised.

Agree but I think they think this guy could get us back if it happens. Don’t think they want relegation perse but perhaps regard us as a natural yo yo club? I dunno I am blundering around in the dark because I just don’t get this guy’s attraction.

The cynic in me has SR appointing someone who can get a tune out of average players in the Championship which is where they see us developing young players to sell on at a profit. I don’t think their vision is us competing in the PL with an outside chance of a Cup or European qualification. I think we are their money making club and Jones is part of that plan. I know this is slightly bizarre but for the life of me I can’t explain this very underwhelming appointment. Just hope I am very very wrong.

Back in your natural place. The boat has stopped its rocking

I’ve always been prepared to give all new managers a chance (except Wigley) who was such an obvious Lowe mistake) but I really do have misgivings about Jones. We need a proven manager who has experience of PL survival as we are in a perilous situation. Jones will be literally learning on the job and that’s not going to work. Sean Dyche (yes I know far from perfect) would be a short term solution. I just hope the Board know what they are doing and I am not sure they do.

There’s nothing wrong with him being religious. But after reading this article would you be happy with a manager who consults God on footballing matters? https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/christianity-football-faith-nathan-jones-luton-town-137163

The thing that worries me the most about Jones is that he is a bible thumper who is not averse to bringing his faith up in press conferences. Not against religion but it’s something that doesn’t fit with football (or politics). His lack of top-flight experience and his tanking at Stoke are a worry I would be prepared to put to one side, but all considered I think this could be conceivably be our worst appointment since Branfoot, if not of all time. Very depressed right now.

Just got this from a mate who does corporate Hi mate Hope you are a well I’m not sure what’s going on in the board room, as yet again not one of the new board in directors box yesterday! The mess we are in you would think at least one of them would be in attendance

Yes it’s very amateurish and a bit of a worry we can’t even efficiently dispense with a manager in a way that gives him a bit of respect (which he deserves). For me there are other culprits who should shoulder blame. Semmens definitely. He tied his colours to Ralph’s mast, admirable loyalty but wrong shout. Blackmore too must shoulder blame for losing his impartiality in the interests of feathering his own nest. He has not serviced his listeners interests. SD’s failure to deliver a striker has been the biggest failure and Ralph can feel really aggrieved there was no plan B (unlike Leeds who acted promptly when the Gakpo deal foundered and have since benefited from the young player they signed). I am not confident SD are in total control nor are capable of finding the right replacement which means relegation and the likely departure of the young promising players we signed. Jesus what a mess. Oh for some leadership right now