Dman

It was said in jest, but yes, if we can find someone who will go on to be an international striker then we’d have done very well. Unlikely though, it has to be said. On the subject of Broja, is it out of the question? Coming back from a bad injury, no doubt will need games? Far too good for the championship, would probably be starting for Chelsea now had it not been for the injury, but who knows how he’ll recover… championship would provide a lower pressure environment

realistically, I'd like to see something like this, although I wouldn't be surprised if a few of these left. New Keeper Tino Bednerak Stephens Perraud New DM (wouldn't be adverse to this being a been there and done it championship player, someone like Jack Cork...) Stu Alacaraz Sulemana New CF Tella --------------------- Leaving to make up a bench; Bazunu Bree New CB (depending on quality switch out for bednerak / stephens) - ideally an older head, bit of a leader. New DM Smallbone Aribo Edozie Tall Paul Mara Doyle Ballard

Isn’t Carrick a ‘northern lad’ up that way… perhaps he is enjoying living back close to ‘home’…

Didn’t they say that Jones had really good ‘stats’ of defending set pieces, and it was identified as a weakness.. What the stats don’t tell is that our players are keen to switch off and just fucking rubbish at marking players.

First, we need to define a strategy. Not just “buy young, develop, sell” but a style / way of playing. We’re all over the place at the minute. Ralph -> jones -> Poundland Ralph. We signed players schooled in a city style of play and then went to a Big Sam style manager. No consistency. Do we want to be a high pressing, attack minded team or a defensive, backs against the walls underdog type. Not saying either is right or wrong, but we need a 5 year plan and stick with it. Identify / higher a manager to our strategy, then let him have a say on players. We can split the player side into “for the future” manager input not needed “for the now” manager input needed.

Not really applicable to Lascelles, as it’s not going to happen for him, but the chance of many dropping down is very slim given the euro‘s are next summer. Also why JWP will not be playing in the championship next season.

Of course it was, we had idiots claiming Adkins should be the next England manager.

An England international level striker..? Wouldn’t we all.

If it’s the report I’ve read, that’s not quite true. It’s basically Richard Keys saying the pair of them should consider the job. So yes, I very much doubt it 😂

Do a job at CB for us then!

Look at Palace’s run of fixtures before / after Roy arrived (21st March), that’ll explain the upheaval in form.

Much like us then. They’d also be able to build a pretty decent transfer budget with their player sales. Would the FFP restrictions they face in the PL still apply to the championship?

Ignore the kid is obviously terrible, but I’ve absolutely no issue with them ignore full grown blokes who are waiting in a hotel lobby for them, the absolute dangers.

Ha, true. Brilliant in relative terms. I should have said, he’s surprised me. Agree RE stephens.

I think bednerak has been brilliant since returning, seems to have completely changed his attitude and looks to genuinely give a shit. one of the few is actually keep. Dare i say it, even a potential captain next season…

With decision making like this, you’d probably be in with a good shout of running the club. At least you can swim in the ‘sea’ without the risk of a shark attack, I suppose. Just oil and sewage you need to worry about down here. Weston Shore is a lovely little spot and a local beach, if the weather is nice!

How about we just avoid anyone from L1…. It’s not the time for risks.

That’s the sad thing, this was actually really avoidable given how poor everyone else is. The one season where it seems almost impossible to go down, we’ve done it… at a canter. Jones was a cluster fuck, but credit to the board, they made a change with enough time to turn it around. Selles was never going to be the right man to do that though, ridiculous decision, it was obvious we needed a firefighter type. That being said, had we not dropped this year, I’m almost certain we would have next year. Relegation in a weird way is what we need for a re-set, it’s been a long time coming.

I’d be very interested to find out from a genuine ITK if this is true, or just face saving for Mr Ted Talk (It was all them not me). After all, it all but confirmed that he’s off, isn’t it? What this does however show is Semmens obsession with Ralph and his inability to let go. He cost us getting Eddie Howe due to his blind loyalty Ralph and seemingly cost us our place in the PL by trying to replicate Ralph his his assistant. Regardless, the sooner this noddy leaves the club the better.

Does anyone know where he’s been playing for Stoke? Always struck me a more of an attacking midfielder / no 10, rather than a deeper lying / traditional CM, but then again so did JWP up until a few seasons back. If he’s been playing in the 10, surely if we keep Alcaraz, that’ll hinder his playing time?

Yep, sounds daft but very excited. I think a season (or 2) in the championship will do our young squad the world of good, as shown by the likes of Tella / Smallbone. I think Edozie could be a real asset in the league below as will (a returning from long term injury) Tino. I actually think the success of people like Vincent Kompany will play into our favour. It’s shown that being successful at that level can get you linked to some of the big boys. I could feasibly see someone like Vieria dropping down (if we can sell him the project). If we could keep Sulemana / Alcaraz, goals or more creating chances, shouldn’t be an issue for us next season.

Yep, us Everton Leeds is my 3 to drop.

One of the biggest tits to support our club and that takes some doing. Although this isn’t the worst opinion I’ve seen this week. some fucking moron was suggesting Theo should take the remaining games 😂

A couple of tits tried to get it going in the concourse yesterday. Looked to be way in their 40’s as well, odd blokes. Thankfully, it was ignored by most, which like you said, is surprising.

Whilst I don’t agree that he was ‘desperate’ for the job, I do think there was a degree of now or never for him, when we appointed him. Had he turned the job down in November, when it was clear Ralph’s time was up, he could have missed the boat. I think in the summer it was a title different and he probably knew that Ralph would have been sacked at some point throughout the season.