Fitzhugh Fella

As you know I watch Blackburn virtually every game and I agree he has had a couple of quiet games. It’s very rare he gets a rest, he’s been flogged to death this season and I think he is carrying a hip injury. I’m not sure he is the answer for us either although he has a physical presence and does know where the back of the net is. Think he will run his contract down. Going to the Sunderland Blackburn game on Boxing Day so I’ll keep my ears peeled.

Apart from the Torino manager of course

I know. I had about three days of vague acceptance and slight optimism after his appointment but now I’ve had time to reflect and think, the gloom has returned. We need a “Messiah type” to dig us out and not sure Jones for all his intent, energy and hard work is that man. I sincerely hope this post comes back to haunt me. You have my full permission to throw it back in my face come May.

I can’t help thinking that while he may well be a good manager in the long term he will be unable to give us the short term boost we are going to need to escape relegation. Everything is dependent on the first few results. If they go against us then the pressure will be huge on someone who is a PL rookie. Personally I would have gone for a short term contract with Sean Dyche, and maybe gone back for Jones in the summer but we are where we are but the next month will be defining.

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.