Bedred31

I think irony may be wasted on OTB! Obviously- or so I thought- this is a pro- Pearson comment. And, frankly, if I was a part time supporter, I wouldn’t have stuck it since my first game at the gate in December 1972.

What we need, I reckon, is a promising young coach, no real experience as yet, but lots of potential, talks a good game and good with jargon and innovative training ideas. Give him £20- £30m to burn, overseen by an experienced but slightly tricky CEO, and jobs a good un.

Could be a positive wake up for SL? Spend some of the £25m well and quickly or this could be a relegation fight by the next window.

Matt Murray dragged out of the bar to report the red and opine that we’re not going to get back into this one.

Sky haven’t been to AG this half, while the guy at Wrexham will be seeking a pay rise.

View better in the Dolman- not least because I like looking at the splendid Lansdown.

Ultimately this is what failure on the pitch looks like. It isn’t missing out on away trips to Anfield, or features on Match if the Day, or not signing players for £25m, it’s constantly- season after season- losing you’re best players to small, crap outfits like Bournemouth, Brighton and Brentford. And being able to raid good clubs like Derby for their best players isn’t a consolation for me. Nor is knowing that City will likely be a strong Championship club decades after the likes of Bournemouth have been bulldozed for a new John Lewis. It just sucks, because losing a good player is so much worse than losing repeatedly, as the dream just fades.

And there’s the City reference- 84th minute. I love you Jonathan Pearce.

Strangely reassuring that England women seem to be exactly the same as England men.

Dreadful decision. Ref gave it. Can only be overturned if a clear and obvious error. It was a stonewall pen. Utterly shocking decision.

Key quote from the Wolves link is ‘£25m is a huge sum in the clubs current predicament’: which begs the questions, why should a buying club’s ‘predicament’ have any bearing at all on the price of a player a club really doesn’t want to sell, and why should a player be enthusiastic about joining a club with a ‘predicament’. But then Brum was the ‘workshop of the world’, so ‘appen the know something about business strategy that appears lost on me.

League as a whole looks a fair bit stronger than in recent years. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Leicester fall away and I think Southampton could really struggle. Don’t think any team will run away like Burnley last year, and I would be surprised if any team is seriously adrift at the bottom. Keep an eye on Coventry and Millwall, and Norwich and Stoke could bounce back. I genuinely think we could struggle with relegation or just as easily mount a real challenge. Championship next season is really everything a competitive league should be and I haven’t looked forward to a new season as much in years.

Rather enjoying this- good start to a weekend. But, having watched footy for about 50 years, and having just had about the 50th reference to ‘transition ‘ can anyone explain what ‘transition’ actually is/means?

Sure, but you’re gonna fly to Guernsey, and there’s no appreciable time difference between the south coast and any major English city with an airport . I’ve taken the fast ferry from Poole to Guernsey quite regularly, and it’s a 4 hour, claustrophobic vomiton, so if you’re reading this Alex …

My guess is that his agent has been urged to hit the phones this weekend with an ‘anywhere in the Prem. before Bournemouth ‘ instruction. I understand and respect the food chain. They are ‘bigger’, better and wealthier than us, now and for the foreseeable future. Scott will welcome a huge wage rise that we can’t possibly match. But ultimately Bournemouth is dull seaside retirement home, with a Toytown ground and attendances about half of hours. And if you’re in the glory game, which football is, and you have options, which Scott does, that’s got to matter.

Yes, indeed. I now live in Bedford where the winning local rugby team was refused promotion because their (fantastic, town centre, community ground) did not meet the required Premiership standards. So lost out to Worcester. Who played at Sixfields. Who had parachute payments. Who subsequently failed to pay a large sum of tax owed to the treasury/ Britain’s taxpayers. Who then went into administration and were disbanded, leaving their own players unpaid and their loyal fans high and dry. Just saying.

That 90th minute winner v Liverpool in 1977 that gave us a chance of staying up! The official attendance was about 38000, I think, but people were 4 deep on the Dolman steps. He was a good, genuine bloke who lived a good, latterly brave life. Rest in peace Chris and thanks for the memories.

Didn’t we play Wrexham at the Gate in the 1970’s when we were in the top flight. I think we trailed 0-4 but fought back at the death to draw 4-4. Jumped around like a nutter. Then we went to Wrexham and lost 4-0 in the replay?

FA cup final on my birthday, for first time in about 40 years- it’s an omen, I tell e.

Any clothing manufacturer that sizes up to 6xl guarantees my total, exclusive loyalty.

It was 65 years- just consulted my Evening Post special edition ( stored under my bed these last 47 years) and the headline in the yellowed supplement is ‘65 Years of Ups and Downs’. Well done Luton. Can’t begin to begrudge graft, belief and hope against the odds.

In common with the last year, more quality will go out than likely to come in, so there will be a great premium on picking players with the right (ie the managers) mentality, and recruiting numbers, hopefully of solid Championship players with good injury records. SL talking a good game and aiming for playoffs, but I’d be happy with top half and above Ipswich.

Actually, can remember a lot of things to like about Millwall. Went midweek about 30 years ago- disaster game; we were 3-0 down after about 10 mins. Took my dad, who had just had an op and had to sit down, only it was standing only for City fans. The stewards were fantastic- got us both out into safe seating without any charge. Also went with an Arsenal mate in the late 80’s, to find all ticket and sold out. Steward quietly opened get and let us in, refusing payment, even though we were away fans. Yes, some real numpties, but a lot of passion and community, which I rather like.

Swiss Tony should be looking over his shoulder- Ipswich owner will be looking to trade up.

Perhaps, but not necessarily. We spent the money coming in on lesser players on higher wages.