austsaint

Very impressive, convincing presser from Selles. Easy to believe that the players will buy into his ideas and plans. The proof though will be team selection, formation and style of play. Loved his answer to early influences and role models.....from Benitez, through to Pep, Simeone and even a mention for Ralph. The other promising sign was the humility and quiet confidence he displayed which is light years away from what we have witnessed in the past three months.

Sulemana is certainly good enough to attract a big offer, in which case SR probably cash in. On the other hand he is only 20, has time on his side and SR (not-with-standing relegation clauses) hold the choice of whether to sell him or not. Imagine how improved our promotion chances are if Sulemana stayed - that's a big financial carrot for SR to mull over. Especially if they've already raked in 80 - 100 million from other sales.

I'm not so sure. Apart from the revenue sales (assuming relegation) of KWP, Lavia, JWP, Salisu etc will provide for buying decent replacements - I don't think it's a done deal we lose Alcaraz, Tino, Edozie, Caleta-Car....even Sulemana and ABK. SR might be keen to keep them and it might be appealing (for them) to be part of a strong squad aiming for automatic promotion.

I was assuming it might have been Marsch who wanted the longer contract, but you think it's the Club who were angling for a longer deal? End of season is definitely the right call.

How we could use Boruc (in his prime) at the moment. I was sorry to see him displaced by Forster, what, nearly 10 seasons ago? We haven't really had a decent keeper since. Saganowski was outstanding until he signed a permanent contract.

Just watched a replay of his late December interview after the 1-3 Man City defeat. Nothing like Jones - nothing bizarre or fantastical either. He spoke well; was measured, and gave a convincing summary of the game and the key moments. For many, the doubts about Jones were immediate - this is a decent decision by SFC. One thing I'm not sure of is the length of contract. Is it a short term deal with a review in the Summer?

The other thing which might happen if Marsch gets the job is we could see players like Sulemana, Alcaraz, Mara, ABK, CC, Orsic, Edozie happy enough to spend a season in the Championship. Installing a manager with a credible track record rather than a care-taker like Selles or certainly what we had a week ago is more likely to help retain a core of players who were probably close to texting their agents about their next Club.

There's such a small chance of staying up that the goal is surely to finish the season well, prepare for the Championship and give someone like Marsch an idea of what he'll have, and need for a bounce straight back to the Prem campaign. Bielsa and Benitez were never serious options. Turk's right, Adkins is a nostalgic memory of those heady days of Marcus and back to back promotions, followed by 4 or 5 failures at Championship Clubs. In the circumstances, Marsch is a worthy choice and I assume he is indicating a willingness to take on the Championship.

Sulemana is/will be a joy to watch. I see a bit of early Sadio Mane in him.

I'm renouncing my atheism. Praise the Lord, sacked one of his own.

But worse, having three far superior CBs two of whom weren't in the squad today. That alone should result in Jones exit, let alone the increasing pile of evidence pointing to Jones being an awful Manager.

All most supporters wanted today from Jones was to pick the best players and play a decent formation. He did not! Then to bemoan having to play against a side 1-0 down and a man short, without altering our set up to take advantage of it has taken his ineptitude to a new level. I offered the opinion a week or so ago that if we picked up a win or two it would be in spite of Jones management, not because of it - Old Nick thought that was rubbish - surely it couldn't be questioned now. In fact, Jones conjured a loss by not changing formation in time and not exploiting the advantage we were handed. The skills of Sulemana and Lavia not enough to get us over the line.

So no Lavia - and Bednarek in. Better double the police contingent from Fareham to 10.

Go on. Get up, have a pint or two, and go with some hope in your heart.

Crazy really. One of many damning fails racked up by Jones. He bleats about aggression and front footedness yet plays a relatively passive, well established dud in Bednarek when he has aggression, front footedness (whatever that means) and skill in spades with ABK and DCC.

That's the nub of it - pick the best team in a decent formation (minus the likes of Bednarek, Elyounoussi, Diallo) and he'll get some goodwill. I don't think the average person cares whether he makes a joke about Welsh girls or life in a mining village. If he showed a bit of humility/self-deprecation and stopped bigging himself up about Luton days and being the fittest bloke on earth - he'd be able to wear the underdog badge with a bit of authenticity. Do that, and get a result and the thawing process will be underway.

I only got 10 minutes in with the presser; I'll fast forward to 21 minutes. Just reading Dusic's post about (his) being able to see how Jones has been successful at times. Has he really been that successful? Two Clubs as Manager in his own right....the Stoke tenure needs no elaboration; then there's Luton. Most of his success took place at L2 and L1 level - then taking them to the play offs in the Championship - there must be many Managers who have done something similar - most have either never made it to Prem level or only had a brief look at it. That's why many doubted the appointment in the first place - lack of pedigree or prior demonstrated abilities to succeed in such a tough league.

He's got a lot of Brent in his make-up. With a bit of Gareth thrown in for good measure.

Yes, strengthens the case too for specialist full backs, ie KWP and Perraud - both who have good "Onuachu" crosses in their kitbag. If he plays JWP more forward I'd like to see at least two pacy "front four" players. Sulemana a must - then in order of preference Orsic (who needs to lift) Edozie, Arma.

You could argue that an over-reliance on statistics and algorithms (by Ankersen and friends) has resulted in this mess. AS it would likely in most job selection processes.

If he played that team I'd elevate him (Jones) just that little bit from a very low level.

Hence the spin inheritance.

What you "always said" in the lead up to Ralph being sacked was wrong then, and wrong now. It wasn't a case of being careful what you wish for - more a matter of recruiting a better replacement. A manager with some pedigree - proven strategic, technical and tactical abilities and importantly, a measured temperament able to deal with a range of people and personalities without too much rancour, defensiveness and blame shifting. That's Ankersen's mistake, not getting rid of a clapped out Ralph. Compounded now by delaying the inevitable need to get Jones out.

Yes, of course. He (Ankersen) will have majority goodwill if he removes Jones (Monday) and replaces him with someone credible - even if Selles is caretaker v Wolves. The preparedness to spend that money in the transfer window has already gone down well with the fan base. It would also release a lot of frustration and angst ahead of Tuesdays fans forum.

Won't happen of course - but wouldn't it be great. I'm sure he has a great affection for the Club and he probably believes he owes us a favour after the Spurs defection. Honestly, at this stage I'd take Nigel Pearson back in a heartbeat.