wormy

Eurgh. That bolded just sent my mind in to overdrive. Could just imagine the new DOF somehow managing to snatch Messi for his final years, Mbappe on a free and trigger Haaland's release clause before Bruce barely scrapes top ten with them and we'd probably hear how 'they're not his players'.

I honestly forget Hughes had such a long run as a PL manager. Think I must have purposely blocked the Stoke years out of my mind.

As much as I want him gone before Sunday, it all makes sense, really. Not only do they need to find a manager, but a DOF. They need to make sure whoever they pick for each can work together seamlessly. As others have pointed out, sack Steve and the Steves and who's left? I still think it'd be more beneficial to do it and call up some youth coaches for a few weeks or something. But I get entirely why a fresh pair of eyes on the situation are taking a pragmatic stance of not culling an already bare-bones staff and risking utter chaos while they put together the team. There's only so much they could put in place in advance, isn't there? 'Hey <insert coveted manager's name here>, we're hoping to buy a football club soon but don't know when. Just in case, could you keep your diary free pls ty'. If that was the case Rafa would've been walking through the door with them. You can sound people out but only so much when you can't offer a single contract or promise until the takeover completes.

Hold on, now.. Maybe we keep Bruce around for one more preseason?

It's been a week. And this is from someone who really doesn't want to see his mashed up candlewax excuse of a face on Sunday.

Forgot about that. If we lose on Sunday a reporter should ask if he thinks his celebrations caused a distraction, citing Rafa's more low key approach just a few years prior. Or is this one of the naughty comparisons because it makes Bruce look a tit so we should actually stop shouting about Rafa all the time? I can never keep up with when we're allowed to compare the two.

Found this random Google result that indicates there was a 20,000 strong waiting list before the expansion from 36,000. If the club becomes a true challenger and, dare I say it, wins a trophy any time soon, I could see a 65k seater being regularly full. I think the sheer optimism alone would've broken the 60k barrier this Sunday if it was doable.

When I was younger and hadn't had a chance to get to SJP, it was synonymous with tuning in to the TV just in time to watch the match. Now, whenever I do get up for a match, it still gives me goosebumps to hear it in person.

Does anyone recall how long was the season ticket waiting list in the '90s peak? I remember hearing it was pretty insane but of course would need to bear in mind that peak was before the expansion to 52k.

The irony being if Big Al had any say, he'd Jenas it.

@Heron Please. I want to see how that plays out.

Imagine being such a creep that you trigger sympathy for Luke fucking Edwards. I imagine he's still prowling around this forum somewhere so if you see this burnsie, seek help. Really.

If he gets anything at all I really want the whole stadium to make a point of sitting on their hands in silence while it happens.

Maybe not a joke but I don't think many imagined he'd make this much of an impact in the PL again, myself included. I'd already written off the Liverpool title challenge as a flash in the pan tbh.

Spurs were starting to manage that even before we got in the way.

For all of the very understandable concerns of this deal, one thing I'm absolutely delighted by is how much it's made the 'big boys' cry. Absolutely terrified of being the ones left behind for once. Fuck off to your Super Duper League if you're so worried about the integrity of the league, eh lads?

I'd be more than happy with Potter.

That was fun. Fair play to him. I felt there was a chance he could be interested but equally not surprised if he wants to stick with Leicester.

Fuck sake. I apologise on behalf of East Anglia, folks.

It was probably that subconsciously nagging in the back of my mind.

I forgot how annoying next manager betting odds were. One of the most easily-manipulated markets going, isn't it?

I'm so glad I care enough about this club again to love this man.

Providing the new owners don't become Mike Ashley Mk II, this really shouldn't be approaching anywhere near a relegation scrap. There's 31 matches left, the club are 1 point from safety and a three match winning run from the top ten. There's enough in this squad for a competent manager to get a tune out of for three months whilst planning for the January reinforcements that should also be be way above relegation scrap quality. Rodgers in particular is a massive narcissist, isn't he? He would probably love the thought of a club that now has the richest owners in the world but with barely any infrastructure that he could build from the ground up in his vision, with the very realistic aim of a trophy to make him a literal legend in the eyes of a region that has been starved of success for so long. I think some people may be very surprised at the level of manager that may now be willing to lead this 'relegation scrap'.

Tbf he's no longer a shield for Ashley. He was part of the team in 'support the team not the regime'. Now he's the only thing standing in the way of success for a lot of people. He's the target now.

Was wondering if it would be too short notice for a Titantron to go up somewhere in the stadium.