trousers

I think I may have solved our striker problem for the rest of the season...

Aye. As always, when considering alternate realities, we'll never know how well Martin would've performed with this squad (and visa versa), so it's a tad moot comparing the two managers when it's not possible to compare like with like given they had different squads, different contexts, etc, etc.

ITK...? Examples...? Ta

P.s. it's also 'interesting' to me that Blackmore finished off his statement with "...based on the past"... i.e. that the likes of Ankersen have a track record of interfering at squad management level...

Yeah, difficult to tell, but part of me thinks it's a tad out of character for Blackmore to put his head that far above the parapet with such a detailed 'supposition' when he could've simply said: "I've no idea what's going on with Spors"... My hunch is that he knows something and is using the 'supposition' language as a bit of a cover...

The way this season is unfolding, it certainly seems that Martin is a much better manager than Still at this level. Probably not the most startling revelation you've ever heard though, I would venture.

∆ That's a more pertinent question...

Transcription: Blackmore: "But I do want to say, if Spors is trying to leave for Juventus you have to ask yourself why. And it may be because Saints are in the Championship and he doesn't see them getting out this season, so he wants to be back at the top table. It may be he's not enjoying working at the club, he might feel he's got too many people around him like Ankersen or anyone else, who he might think are stopping him doing his job or interfering with him and making decisions that he's not in charge of and you won't want to be a technical director responsible if you're not making all the decisions. So, we don't know those things but I can definitely supposition say that's a possibility based on the past..."

It was Adam's hunch that it could be the latter, but Adam was clear that he was reading between the line ls rather than knowing this for sure. It's 12 mins 30 seconds into this recording: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0mbv33t I'll transcribe it in a sec...

The truth is, we'll never know what the impact of keeping Ramsdale could've been. Having a 'marquee' player in such a pivotal position could've inspired and galvanised the team as a whole and given the rest of our players more confidence than they have now, so who knows what might have transpired in such an alternate reality. As for his wages, yes, of course they would've been excessive for this division, but how does that compare with the cost of the possibility of having to replace the manager, lost revenue from receding attendance figures, etc? Of course, I'm not saying that it's inevitable that everything would've been rosey if we'd kept Ramsdale, but we can't rule out that he could've made a significant difference to overall team morale and performance. And that *might* have been a price worth paying. Who knows...

It's almost as if certain managers are OK at Championship level but out of their depth in the Premier League...

Gareth Southgate...?

Big Sam it is then

The more I read about Challinor the more I like the sound of him. Should definitely be on our radar IMO... https://therealefl.co.uk/2025/04/24/is-stockport-county-boss-the-most-underrated-manager-in-the-efl/ As the League One season nears its dramatic conclusion, Stockport County find themselves in the promotion mix once again. While the attention has often focused on money-fuelled campaigns from Birmingham City and Wrexham, the achievements of Dave Challinor and his side have quietly turned heads – but perhaps not loudly enough. Could it be that Challinor is the most underrated manager in the entire English Football League? A Managerial Journey Defined by Success Dave Challinor’s career in management has been nothing short of remarkable. From his early days guiding AFC Fylde up the non-league ladder, to stabilising and revitalising Hartlepool United, Challinor has demonstrated an almost unmatched consistency. His current stint with Stockport County has only strengthened his reputation. Across 14 full seasons in charge, Challinor has never finished lower than a play-off position. That statistic alone is enough to raise eyebrows, especially given the six different divisions he’s managed in. Whether in the National League North or now in the upper echelons of League One, Challinor has delivered results time and again. Promotions, title wins, and consistent contention have followed him wherever he’s gone. Flying Under the Radar Amid Flashier Campaigns One of the primary reasons Challinor hasn’t received the plaudits he deserves is the company he keeps this season. Birmingham City have blitzed the league with a record-breaking campaign. Wrexham, bolstered by Hollywood investment and global attention, have continued their own rise through the divisions. In this context, Stockport’s success has been comparatively subdued in the media spotlight – but no less impressive on the pitch. Sitting comfortably in the top six, and with a mathematical chance at automatic promotion, Stockport have done everything right under Challinor’s guidance. Unlike their more headline-grabbing rivals, they’ve relied on tactical cohesion, squad depth, and astute management rather than big budgets or celebrity ownerships. A System, Not a Star Perhaps the most telling feature of Challinor’s Stockport side this season is how they’ve responded to adversity. The January departure of Louie Barry – the club’s top scorer – could have derailed their campaign. Instead, the goals have been spread across the squad, and performances have remained consistent. This speaks volumes of Challinor’s philosophy: his teams are systems rather than showcases for individuals. From back to front, his players understand their roles, and that clarity has produced one of the league’s most balanced sides. There’s no single talisman – and that’s a compliment to the manager’s tactical organisation and leadership. Snubbed for Recognition, Yet Still Rising It’s astonishing that Challinor has not been shortlisted for League One’s Manager of the Season. His omission has even left neutrals puzzled. With the likes of Richie Wellens, Nathan Jones and Phil Parkinson nominated, it seems that Stockport’s subtler success has once again been overlooked. And yet, that seems to be the story of Challinor’s career so far – persistent excellence without the acclaim. It’s no wonder clubs higher up the pyramid, such as West Brom and Norwich, have been linked with the 49-year-old. If promotion doesn’t materialise this season, there will surely be no shortage of suitors looking to bring his winning ways to a higher level. Site Opinion There’s a lot to admire about Dave Challinor’s journey. In an era where managerial careers are often judged on PR campaigns and social media buzz, he’s built a record grounded in substance. No gimmicks, no controversy – just pure coaching acumen and an unwavering ability to extract the best from his squads. Challinor may not shout the loudest, but his results speak for themselves. As the EFL season edges towards its finale, it’s time the wider football world gave him the recognition he deserves. Whether he earns promotion with Stockport or takes the next step elsewhere, one thing is certain: he’s no longer just an underdog – he’s a force to be reckoned with.

Other than one or two puff piece interviews with Solent / The Echo over the last 4 years, what do we have to go on to be so certain of that..? (I don't count wasting loads of money on mediocre players as 'good intent')