santolijador

I wonder if we will dive into South American recruiting - it seems clubs in England are beginning to tap this resource, in the PL with Brighton and other clubs, but also in the Championship - Norwich being an example of a couple of players coming over from Brazil and Chile and making an impact (Sara and Nuñez). Celtic seem to get bang for buck recruiting in Asia as well which is an interesting reference.

Just give it to our boy Selles, cba with all the faff for another manager and Ruben would clearly be a decent Championship manager if all else fails. (Not ruling anything out tho) The guy loves and is loved by the players, clearly has a big respect for the club, and comes from a v tactical Spanish background. Can't go worse than NJ and RS oozes class compared (not just to NJ, but put him next to a Javi Gracia or an Alfred Schrueder, I'm taking Rubén) Not necessarily a rational or thought-through opinión, but an opinion nonetheless

Potentially something to do with that club leak/news about Selles telling people to start putting in effort or not play again this season. Maybe he has seen a discernible lack of effort/intention from these guys? I am, of course, not sure at all, but other than that, I can't think why they wouldn't be in the matchday squad. I guess DCC will be off in the summer whatever happens, same likely with Salisu. Maybe Selles thinks that they just don't care enough to stand up to the challenge. who knows? edit: seen that Salisu is injured.

Relaxed and confident

This is exactly my suspicion too. Thorup is out of work as well and if brought in as an assistant, on mates rates, shouldn't be too expensive, and may mould Selles into our Championship manager for next season. Is it me, or were the players looking quite chipper in the official training photos the other day under Selles?

Back to this thread we come

Well seems like it's headed this direction. At least I can look forward to how we lineup at Chelsea. Intrigue all around. Would be funny if we took 6 points off them and went down.

If we have to go for one of these former England players, I'd take a punt on Rooney. Did a decent enough job at Derby given everything they went through, and tends to play a 4-2-3-1 which suits our players. He'd be a good Championship manager, and a big enough name to hopefully convince some players to stick around.

Have reflected on this today. I'd take Marsch if he signs up and stays even if we go down. Think he's a good name for the Championship and a style of football that fits on paper. I'd still rather others, but in the Championship, I'd take him.

I'd like to think that Marsch is being reported because of previous interest and his RB past etc. It seems like the kind of story that The Athletic can put out to react to this mornings news, and because in the past his name has been in the hat it's not a blatant lie, but there isn't much in it. I'd hope that they have a look at his more recent managerial history and move in another direction. Personally, I am resigned to going down but would throw everything into getting us into a rhythm to attack the Championship next year and come up. On that alone you might convince a 'maybe' player to stick around for a year, win some games and give coming straight back up a go. Maybe one of the Argentines makes sense - don't think Poch comes back, that sounds silly, but Gallardo or Bielsa have almost a free hit at getting the best out of us at the highest level and if/when we do go down, have some momentum and identity to bounce back. The Championship has been quite bad this season, I think you could sell to a Sulemana, an Onuachu or an Alcaraz a season of winning most weeks but that is only if you have a solid and clear identity and a coach that gets the best out of you and that people want to play for. Wouldn't be suprised to see one of these Danes/Nords come in either - Thorup or Knutsen, would also be interesting and quite Saintsy. But not Marsch. Please.

Thierry Henry left the Belgium set up as a result. Anyone take him?

Amazing. Love to see that.

Charly is a baller. Good start from the new signings (excl. Bree)

Mara was attracting interest from France in January. I'd like to keep hold of him, but can see a mid to upper table Ligue 1 team going after him. Perhaps more likely is a loan.

I may or may not have done that on purpose. He doesn't count, 750k bone thrown at Nate lol

Will be an interesting game for plenty of reasons. I for one hope that he starts the new guys. Intrigued to see our Tall Paul and the new J.Quick after a week of training, and potentially Charly balling in the PL. I have been discussing the squad, relegation ramifications and such with friends/fans of other clubs, and the general consensus is that we have some decent players on their day. Problem is that their days don't come often. I've seen Salisu put in some cracking performances and then the week after just pass the ball to the opposition on the regular. I am trying to ignore/forget about our precarious managerial situation - no matter what happens in the week, what is happening behind the scenes, or our terrible run of form, I still sit down at the weekend, put the game on and get excited every time we get the ball in the opponents box (albeit this is continually less frequent). Now with Tall Paul, hopefully he tears up the league like he has been doing in Belgium. Hopefully JWP gees them up a bit and gets them playing despite our Angry Nate. It's true what he says, players have to take it by the scruff of the neck whatever happens and show a bit of fight. I just hope that he uses the players the board have given him - Orsic, Sulemana, Tall Paul, Charly form part of a significant January investment and are all clearly talented. DCC + Lavia too, although signed under Ralph. I can't imagine the board would be thrilled to spend the money and then not have these players play regularly, or worse even, playing in the B team. Fingers crossed, however unlikely it is.

So depressing. It's just gonna ruin another Saturday as well - I'd argue it would be a cracking game to go to, just for the atmosphere, but travelling from Spain is not on the cards. So it's just going to ruin my day like countless other weekends for the last couple of years. Just sack him and get us onboard.

We have gone full banter mode. Nathan has at least.

someone please wave him off

Well, at least we look more solid playing the 4 at the back. Marginally.

All I can think about is the potential Big Paul - JWP chemistry. I am a proponent of big lamps upfront, sign him up.

Tbf, I'd take Big Paul as well

I actually watch some Portuguese football (although Paços de Ferreira are having a similar (actually worse) season to Saints) and I would love to sign Vitinha. I would bloody love that. The league is gash though.

I'd take Sulemana and Hjulmund. But with the condition that we give Mara an extended run up top. If there is enough creativity behind him, I back him to score the chances Che can't. He has a decent scoring record in his limited career and if given the right service I think he could come good yet. By all accounts and some research, Sulemana makes things happen. NJ might describe him as an aggressive forward-thinking player. I also signed Hjulmund as a midfield enforcer in an FM save as Kalmar FF in 2028 and he was fab so obvs I want him in.