ray savino

Went to that with my dad. Jimmy Greaves scored both goals for Spurs, one a penalty if I remember correctly. Jantzen Derrick had a great game for City and it was rumoured Spurs were scouting him afterwards.

Granted the windy conditions look bad, but this is such a shit game. This looks a real end of season performance from us, very poor and disappointing.

We will win 4-2 I tell ‘ee. 4 bloody 2.

He’s a dead ball specialist that we’ve signed on loan allegedly. And yes he will score a corker direct from a free kick.

Oh and 0-0 till the last 5 minutes, so don’t leave early whatever you do.

We will win 3-1. Scorers Conway, Vyner, Twine for City. Grimes for Swansea.

I remember listening to that at the time and thought and still think that if we truly had ambition we should have moved for NP when he was 6 years or so younger at that time instead of LJ. But no, get in someone that you’re familiar, cosy and comfortable with. For me, the opposite of what happened to grow HL from what I’m led to understand.

We’ll be the ones in the red shirts.

Alan Dicks

The biggest signing SL should have made is a Sporting/Football Director (Stuart Webber type of Huddersfield/Norwich successful period) who was football world street wise, knowledgeable and experienced, to run and establish that side of the club. SL should have someone (GM is it?) to oversee the financial and business stability of the club. Finance after all is his expertise, football vision isn’t. I think SL thought he had done this with Mark Ashton, but SL’s hands off approach and JL’s inexperience seemed to let MA run riot. MA seems to be managed by Ipswich owners and SL give him too much freedom. I think that is why SL doesn’t trust football industry people through this and his dealings with agents so forth. Pearson, however good or bad a manager debated to death. But he told so home truths about the strange passive running of the club and comfy attitude. SL doesn’t trust relinquishing much control but he should have done to a football CEO/Director to run that bit. So what next? Can’t see Manning going easily, as this seems the Boards attempt of a planned football strategy and template. To me it feels a bit lightweight, but they have publicly announced it so they have to live or die by their decision. So if Manning does stay(barring a relegation catastrophe this season), then they have to back him properly if they have faith in him. But for me, as with his previous business at HL, he should have got in some pretty heavyweight experience in to run and structure the football model to the available budget to grow that side of the club. Sure of one thing, we can’t vote the owners out, we can only hope that they get an appointment right for a change.

We’ll win 2-1. I base this on I just can’t believe we won’t respond with some fight after the last 2 matches. And I also base this prediction on blind optimism.

Yep, emotionally it pains me to say stick with him and back him at the moment. He needs to be given the time and investment to try and do what he apparently showed after a pre-season and restructure in playing staff at Oxford United. Can’t judge him on MK Dons as you might argue that Russell Martin had began to build the guts of that team and LM was taking up the reins from a manager/coach who already played LM’s preferrred style. At Oxford it would be more a comparison with our situation. He will have had around 2/3 of a season to suss out the club, players and staff, who he wants to keep and who he doesn’t think will fit in. Then recruit for the gaps in playing staff to what he and Tinnion think is needed... and see where it goes. I have a feeling that this could end badly, or should I say mediocrely as per usual (hopefully not relegation as many past outcomes). But... reality is that he will be given time as the latest project to prove himself under his preferred conditions/terms. He won’t be sacked this season unless we go on an horrendous losing run and more importantly coinciding season ticket sales taking off with all the aeronautic capabilities of a lead balloon. The Board would then get a bit twitchy particularly if the fans reactions become toxic at games. This whole situation is ultimately on the Board’s heads. As fans we have to ultimately judge them, cos by past track record they sure ain’t gonna hire and fire just like that, so SL and JL will do exactly what they want. They’ve chosen the direction, they make the decisions and they will have to live with the consequences. Their track record hasn’t been good (in fact mediocre) on the football side, but I sincerely hope it works by them properly backing their man. If it works then we will all be delighted and they can bask in their success. If it’s a disaster they will get full pelters I should imagine. I too think, and have for ages, that we have needed to invest in the talented, streetwise football world-wise brains to run that football side of the club. As has been proven by the many clubs who have implemented strategies, plans and stuctures that have overtaken us over the years, particularly since Cotterill’s League One successful season. The present Board seem not to trust (possibly understandably after the profligacy of the Ashton CEO years) these models which have been successful elsewhere. But indeed, @ExiledAjax, that is a wider and perhaps the most important conversation. So, forget all the ”manager‘s crap, players aren’t good enough, the pie’s are shit whatever”, we look like we’re stuck at the moment with the only hope that the Board’s latest plan will turn out just fine. I genuinely hope it does because I would just love this club to taste a little bit of success at the top table for the first time in 45 years! And another thing we’ll beat Cardiff on Saturday and we’ll be Champions elect 2025, then lose v Ipswich and relegation looms again. The habits of a lifetime following this club! Hope, hope and more bloody hope!

Ha. Yes just trying to convince myself that it might all be worth it and stay positive. After 58 seasons of hoping (bar 4 seasons in the top flight, a few of enjoyable and creditable cup runs and lower tier promotions) it’s getting harder to feel positive believe me. I sometimes wish I could change my allegience but it’s too late now. It was all my Dad’s fault for taking me back in 1966!

All of my previous post would be for this season obviously! Next season a real crack at getting into the top 6!

Like it or lump it, that’s the choice we’ve got and always had. We can stick with following the team or not bother going down. Always been this way. Frustrating as it is, I know that I shall probably see my way to buying a season card for next year... more through heart, habit and hope than logic! What would soften the decision to buy my ticket and give me hope for next season? 1) A top 10 finish with signs that the new regime were turning the corner with more convincing attacking performances and more consistency. I think psychologically getting top 10 would be a clear progressive boost for the club and supporters. A platform to kick on. 2) A transition in style that does not rely on another ridiculous and over expensive churn of playing staff. Invest in a few/couple more quality key players to supplement a solid hard working squad (relatively expensive investment but not to put us up shit creek as before). Also we really do not have the cash for such a churn like before. 3) LM and staff to show more signs and vision to be be adaptable and pragmatic at times in developing his style to get results. Particularly to be more flexible and effective in changing tactics in game to bring results. If LM and the club can achieve this, then I believe it would start to reunite the fan base and create a less toxic, more positive atmosphere. I don’t want to be able to turn round and carry on spouting “I’ve heard it all before”, just want some hope but most of all some entertainment and the signs of some real success. Bonus: To beat Forest and get a nice little run in the cup. Be brave v Man Utd and give them a game (Beat them obviously). There. Not asking for too much is it. Or is it?