STM

None of them have much pace TBF but Lascelles has the added problem of not being great on the ball.

Not sure on Stones specifically but yes, you buy better players and push the ones we have down the pecking order. If someone wants to buy one, you get your price and invest again. Realistically, even with heavy investment, we need to prioritize positions.

On Lascelles, hes perfect for a defensive minded manager like Rafa, who will protect his defenders tactically by sitting deep and stifling the ball. He would be hopeless in a open, passing, game. He hasnt got the pace to play a high line for a start.

Lampard and Terry were both part of a Chelsea squad before Abramovich arrived. It's wrong to suggest that there arent players in our squad that have a part to play post takeover. Rome wasn't built in a day, and we need a squad. At the bare minimum, I'd keep these: Dubravka, ASM, Almiron, Lascelles, Schar, Lejuene and the Longstaffs. These days you need 5 centre halves minimum (if a manager plans on 3 at the back), so unless we plan on signing 4/5 straight off, we need to retain some.

He'll crack as he'll be under massive pressure. He'll know that he's on borrowed time and that every eye is on him. Could be horrendous to watch. Na, the cunt will probably win all remaining games.

https://twitter.com/MoneyMikeAshley/status/1259185453896544263?s=19 :lol: Love that account.

I wonder if those that think Stones is a top level player, also want Rafa back? I cant imagine for a second him playing for a Benitez side. On the hand, Rafa would make a defender out of a potato.

Would you trust anyone else?

Unless its Rafa, I wouldn't bother asking a new manager. They are better off visiting the best training grounds in the world and coming up with their own ideas.

Just some healthy discussion on a potential new training ground. It's all good.

These lot are going to be under some pressure. They haven't even got the keys yet and they are getting stick for not having drawn up the blueprints for a new training ground. What happened to just being happy that we are getting rid of Ashley? :lol: The fact they want to improve the training facility is enough for me like.

I assume you are talking about players? I dont want any player who isnt prepared to move to the north east.

My guess would be a manager has been identified. Hopefully. I suppose it would be a bit weird if they hadnt already identified a shortlist.

It would also make things much easier because they would have somewhere to train whilst it was being built.

I'd imagine, to have a world class facility, they would need a new site.

Aye but if they havent seen the current training ground that makes a decision quite difficult. They are right to wait.

Just cant see it. Not until a manager is identified.

Yeah that's a fair point.

Who's obsessed?

Because that would be stupid.

Really? So you would be annoyed if we had say Shearer/Keegan or even someone left field like Dabizas/Ginola helping a manager recruit players? Or helping make sure a manager is getting the right support in terms of investment? Or as a middle man between the board and the coaching staff? Or as someone who could advise the board on whether the manager is doing a good job? Ultimately, it's not about whether they were an ex club legend but more about whether they are a moron. It would be light years from the current set up.

Said the other day that I felt like Shearer knew something. Hes hardly said a thing RE takeover and then he made that comment about winning trophies. Wouldnt shock me if Staveley goes to him for chief exective/DOF role. Would be a PR masterstroke.

Souness was right, in that sense, but he should never had said it. :lol: It's an amazing sport where someone like N'Zogbia could have more raw talent but because he had a worse attitude and because he didnt work for it, Milner has a zillion more medals.

I don't think I will ever see Milner as a great player. Hes a cracking professional and a Jack of all trades but most of trophies he has picked up have come from an unreal city side, which had silly money thrown at them and Klopps Liverpool. In both situations hes been used as a utility player and never as a long term first choice. I'm not saying he didnt contribute, he did, but in the same way that Darren Fletcher did for Man Utd. An honest player, a hard worker, a team player and someone you could trust to turn up on the biggest occasion but a great player? No.

It's the quiet days you need to watch out for.