Merrick's Marvels

A highlights reel from his time at Burnley and Hull would be useful. Short and sweet, no doubt, but of more relevance than him making muggs of L1 & L2 duffers. Anyone able to oblige?

That's not correct. He said several times he wasn't against loans, per se. But in his opinion they were the wrong option to take due to the state we found ourselves in at that time, ie based on both our financial position at the time and the type of squad we had at that time. So anyone thinking he was against loans is just plain wrong, lazy and not listening to what he actually said. Probably because they were pushing an anti NP agenda.

It isn't when the owner himself states he wants to get to the Premier League. And then repeatedly fails to deliver it - more than 20 years and counting. The owner has never said "8 years in the Champonship is what we want". Imagine spending hundreds of millions only to achieve that! Oh wait... he has!

An excellent point and one that deserves frequent repetition. Unless, like you say, it was just more bullsh1t. Surely not.

Preston's manager found a way to win yesterday. That involved doing things differently in the 2nd half. Our manager stuck by his "principles". It involved doing things the same way for much of the game and when he did change, it made things worse. Brilliant. It isn't about sticking to principles comexwhat may. It's about getting results. The only teams capable of playing the same way over and over are the elite teams who have the best players. That's not us, at this level. Never will be. Maybe in Division 3 but we don't want to be going back there. We're always going to have to compromise to find a way to win when things aren't going to plan When explaining what Preston did - "they put 3 up front, went long, got flick ons and the bits and pieces" - Manning made it sound like such tactics are beneath him. Which is bollox. He needs to find a way to win that doesn't involve doing the same thing over and over while he stands there going on about principles.

Its called sarcasm

I can't decide whether this is dedication or lunacy!

Interesting indeed. Part of what he talked about when he first arrived was going long - over the opposition's press - if we were struggling to pass, pass, pass our way up the pitch. Yet when the opposition do it to us...

Too polite.

Central defence isn't the problem! How many of these returning players are creative or goalscoring players? Not enough! You can't polish a wotsit, mate. And we're a bang average, nowhere near top 6, wotsit.

We need... New wide attackers - several, an upgrade on Wells (in the long term on account of his age nothing else), at least 1 no.10, 2 other CMs, and for me (tin hat, not based on today) another goalie. And players with edge, personality and physicality. Nice boys need not apply. And a tactical Plan B. That's a long term project. Again.

Speaks volumes for the rest of them unfortunately. Nowhere near enough leaders. Too many nice boys trying play nice football.

It was gone the minute they decided not to give the previous manager a penny of the Scott money, imposed a restricted wage ceiling and invented something called a "nest egg". You can't then switch course mid season and expect a new coach, with a fundamentally different approach, to deliver instant improvements. So the change of coach should have happened last summer - they didn't have the bollox - or next summer. A brilliant January transfer window might yet save our season but it's unlikely.

You forgot DoF.

This deal is "bringing our business forward from the summer". Just not in the way we expected. Goodbye and good luck, Andi. Thanks for everything - that hat trick at Bramall Lane was mental!

Out of interest, why? They're on a poor run at the moment but it's not exactly 9 defeats in a row is it? That's proper sh1te, right there. He's kept them mid table, playing better football than the cynical bore who managed them before. Also, they have no money, a small ground and I'll wager their record signing isn't 8 million pounds and 25 grand a week wages who ends up leaving for nothing. They are a well run club who consistently, year after year, finish above us. So lots to like there.

Bonkers.

Really? Bloody hell. Because they were doing so much better under the last bloke, presumably, and are currently under performing reeeeeally badly. Football fans. Bloody hell.

What about people our club have officially asked to scout for us?

Where's Mark Ashton when you need him

That's abso-f00kin-lutely brilliant. "Ehhhhm Carl Saunders? No la, we've never heard of 'im. Or them." Superb

And new players. Not sure many of the current squad are suited to a coach who preaches precise, technical, tactical football. I expect our squad to look quite different in 18 months time.

Indeed. And "understanding the game" is essential if you appoint a technical, tactical, modern style coach

Araoye captain.

Behind you!