Phileas Fogg

The Lansdowns are the common denominator in our under achievement spanning many years

It's fairly tricky for us to accurately assess success of his role, but from what we can see - whilst he's been there they've been promoted twice, and employed a fantastic manager. "Let’s not overplay what he’s done at Ipswich." seems a bit disingenuous based on this. I know you nailed your colours to the mast on Ashton, so it's probably a bit of a kick in the nuts, but there's nothing wrong with giving him credit where it's due - and I think it's difficult to argue he's done anything less than a really good job based on what we can see.

I know he's an annoying git, but Ipswich's success definitely evidences the theory that it's the Lansdowns (not Ashton) who are the real problem.

You obviously haven’t checked out the Onyego range

Once again that’s you misunderstanding what’s being said - @Lrrr clearly that makes the point that in a better team Conway would improve - why is that tricky to grasp!?

I’ve always endorsed him being banned from the transfer forum - live by the sword, die by the sword.

Haha I saw this - haven't had a listen to those two intellectual titans chewing the fat just yet..

Would you pick Rashford? He seems to be a real Southgate favourite - but, imo, hasn't justified being anywhere near consideration.

My favourite grounds aesthetically are Ibrox, Anfield and Villa Park. I also really liked Maine Road, very unique looking ground. I also like The Valley. My least favourite type of stadium is that lower league bowl style - somewhere like Doncaster

Yeah - I don't think it's been planned brilliantly in terms of generating atmosphere - and the concourse areas feel unfinished - but it's pretty good. I remember the bizarre "bus stop" proposals for the new ground when that was on the table - at least we didn't end up with that.

I think generally people class a good ground as somewhere with history, status and tradition (Fratton Park, Villa Park, Anfield, Ibrox etc) or an exceptional modern ground that has world class facilities (Spurs new ground for example). What you don't want is to go from a traditional ground with character and tradition into a disappointing new ground/rebuild - (Man City, Coventry, Southampton, West Ham) that loses all character and tradition but isn't necessarily a massive upgrade. I think we've done relatively well with the AG rebuild in balancing both, it's not perfect but given the limitations I think it's pretty good.

I think the comments on this thread are ok really - so it shouldn't be disappointing that people don't hold the same opinion.

It’s likely a metaphoric goal about getting back to his best - makes sense to aim as high as possible.

This isn’t the middle ages - people don’t stay in one place anymore so I don’t know why you keep posting this. The general consensus from ‘chirpy cockneys’ West Ham about loudest set of fans to visit them this season? Us

I’d quite like them to let Jon Lansdown off the leash and use his creative genius honed at fever pitch to devise the most hated kit possible. Onyego as sponsor, Robin badge in LGBT colours, made by O’Neills, font in comic sans.. would really like to see what he’d come up with

…….

It’s all relative though - with their league position and wage budget - you’d expect automatic promotion fairly stress free.

Vardy’s finishing was odd - I appreciate he’s getting on a bit now, but you’d expect him to bury at least 2 of the chances he had. It felt like one of those football manager games they throw in sometimes where you’re doing too well so guaranteed to lose regardless.

Agreed - win Monday and I think I’ll be more open minded. I appreciate we’ve had lots of injuries - but I just feel so uninspired by it all. I was fairly ambivalent whether we won or lost today.

I thought we played well - but I had the nagging feeling we won essentially due to Leicester being on poor form. I doubt they’d have missed the chances they did if they were on form. Our game plan worked though, Manning got that right. Lots of managers would’ve subbed Mehmeti off before his goal - good to see Manning stick with him and it paying off. I’m far from convinced but he deserves credit for today - he got it right.

They aren’t clever enough I don’t think - it’s just a textbook JL blunder

Oh come on Tim. You know there any outrage, people are having a nuanced discussion about what is actually a macro issue about awareness and decision making. There is no need to dumb it down so much with a straw man.

People aren’t fussed about the clothing range itself - it’s the lack of awareness from the decision makers which obviously will bleed into meaningful decisions they need to make.

Agreed. Without wanting to turn this into a criticism of Manning, I don’t think this would’ve happened under Pearson. Actually I think most of our previous managers - perhaps Holden aside - would’ve had objections. How they failed to anticipate the response this would’ve received is beyond me.

Interestingly, Vyner hasn’t shared anything about it on social media. If this was his initiative - he surely would’ve done. Wonder what on earth he thinks of it.