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The only small consolation of the morning so far: "While it is believed that a factor in Allardyce's dismissal was Ashley's reluctance to let him spend more of his money in the January transfer window, the Daily Telegraph confirms that such 'prudence will be replaced by new big spending policies when he appoints his first manager since buying the club."

Portsmouth insist no approach has been received from Newcastle United for manager Harry Redknapp. Following Sam Allardyce's departure from St James' Park on Wednesday, Redknapp has emerged as odds-on favourite to take over in some quarters. The Pompey boss has already stressed that he is happy on the South Coast and that he has received no contact from Newcastle. That stance has been supported by Portsmouth, who state the speculation surrounding Redknapp's future at Fratton Park is 'unhelpful'. Compliment "We take it as a compliment that our players and personnel are often linked with some of the top clubs in this country, and indeed abroad," read a club statement. "It is testimony to the quality of their work. "However, we do feel it necessary to correct some of the inaccuracies in reports that have surfaced today. "The club has received no approach for the services of our valued manager Harry Redknapp. He remains as committed as ever to this football club and he recently signed a new, improved four-year contract with Portsmouth. Unhelpful "The club has made significant investments over the last two years in both players and infrastructure, and the results now being enjoyed are the fruits of those investments. "Last year the club finished in its highest position for 52 years and this season we're on course to better that. We've recently won nine out of 10 away games - a club record. "We're in the middle of the busiest time of the season because of the heavy fixture list and month-long transfer window and, as such, this speculation is unhelpful."

This is the oddest thing i've heard all day. I'd rather have Alan Buckley.

You absolute joker…

where's that from?

Totally different types of businessmen… Other than with the floating of the toon Shepherd had very little stock market involvement and just ran his own business like a family business. Ashley has not only set up and floated his own company from scratch, making himself close to a billion in the process, he has also acquired companies, learned to deal with shareholder demands and questioning, dealt with analysts and consultants on an almost daily basis. He, and his people, are incredibly business savvy… Look at what he did with Reebok and what he is likely to do with re-acquiring sports direct. Point me towards Fat Fred showing that kind of business acumen. In fact we are in quite a unique position as far as owners go, with having an established English businessman with a great track record in charge. Look around at Liverpool and Man united (US debt merchants), Chelsea, Man City and Portsmouth (foreign blood money), West Ham (strange) and I don’t see much I’d swap for. Aston Villa are the only other team with an owner I really like. To compare Shepherd and Ashley is very much folly. If we appoint Redknapp or someone of his ilk feel free to ram this back down my throat.

It makes no sense if he doesn't have someone lined up. It happened so quickly and who the hell would take the job now if it wasn't someone who had already agreed? Makes the new guys look almost as bad as the previous regime. I don't buy this 'slowly lost faith' bollocks, ashley is a businessman and must have someone in the wings otherwise he's screwing himself and his investment over

Was just about to post that... Hope to hell it's true

Juve are constantly being linked to Mourinho and the likes, so could maybe see Ranieri leave and his name come up if the job is available a while, which looks like being the case as I can’t see anyone wanting it!

Where's that quote from? Odds have suddenly increased and heading towards 3-1 now, which is great news... Might hedge my bet!

I've just stuck 200 notes against Redknapp on Betfair, I get £320 back providing he ain't appointed. That's how fucking sure I am Ashley and Mort can't be that fucking dumb. I hope to hell i'm right.

That's that then, our 3 players in...

Comments above Sadly, aside from Toon matches, Spurs and Arsenal are probably the teams I watch the most, living in London and having lots of mates who support both. It’s one thing taking players from Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester reserves (and even that has very limited success – see Smith, Babayaro, Geremi and even to a lesser extent Duff and early days Butt), but taking players who are rejects from a team below us in the league is unfathomable. None of them would offer anything extra. I can see why people say Defoe but if we’re going to spend £7-10m on a striker there is so much better on offer – Fred & Ashton are both players I’d rather see us spend that sort of money on. Defoe is a one trick pony who is nowhere near as young as people think (will be 26 this year) and will only get worse as he loses his pace a la Owen. I really hope we are slightly more inventive with who we look to buy than just taking chuck outs like this. I know we can’t aim for the very top drawer players but the least I would expect is to go abroad / to the lower leagues and try and pick up a gem rather than punt on average players we know will never be the best.

They're the same - Sky own them, teamtalk and planetfootball (which is now just a link to skysports.com!)

Out of contract in Summer

I can't start a thread but another decent possible incoming: http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_3031346,00.html

This guy is absolutely class. I’ve seen him play for Arsenal in league and cup this season and totally disagree about inconsistencies. To all of those raving about the job Faye did in midfield – he does the same thing but even better, meaning Faye could drop back to CB where we need him. He doesn’t just tackle, he makes good runs and his distribution is decent too. Reason he wanted to leave Chelsea and now Arsenal is because he wants to play – at Chelsea there were about 10,000 CMs in front of him and now he has Flamini in front of him and he wants to stay in the French squad – which he can do by playing. Reckon we could get him for a few million, I really really hope this comes off. Could definitely still do with an ACM as well though.

My uncle (Swindon season ticket holder) actually went out of his way to phone me and berate me following the signing, which is a rarity considering we probably only ever talk on Christmas day for about 30 seconds. He said every time he has seen Tozer play he has stood out head and shoulders above everyone on the pitch, reckons he’s the best young player he’s ever seen at the club and we’ve got an absolute bargain. Potential new owners wouldn’t have sold him but as the deal was already done they couldn’t stop it. Something vaguely positive at least.

And the article is followed up on the following page with a full page opinion article from some prick called Andy Dunn having a massive dig at Ashley and Mort for not backing Allardyce in public, when the article a page earlier said they had stopped doing so because it adds fuel to the fire... It's one thing being fickle enough to contradict yourself week on week but to do it on adjacent pages is an absolute joke. Really have to stop buying it!

is there another thread saying if Lassana Diarra insists on leaving Arsenal and we can in anyway persuade him to join, that we HAVE to sign him?!

I think it’s quite amazing how many people are willing to write off a player in the form of Cacapa who everyone was spanking off over until he had a bad 17 MINUTES WHILST CARRYING AN INJURY! Jesus, don’t be so fickle, give the guy a chance. Once again with Roz, people were saying he was one of the steals of the season early on and since he’s come back from injury he’s had a bit of a struggle finding his feet but you can still see if he settles he will be quality. We’ve played any number of different back lines this season so no wonder at times simple punts downfield cause confusion. There should have been a shout / interception from Taylor against Brum before the ball even bounced over Rozenthal for the goal and yes, the positioning was bad, but he has come from a league where punts over the top isn’t the way teams attack and he was one of the best defenders in that league, much like Vidic when he joined the Mancs, he’s struggled to adapt immediately but needs time to work out how to play against this and I’m sure that will come as we head into the second part of the season. The guy hasn’t played much more than 10 games for us and a lot of those games have been with a variety of partners. As for Enrique, he’s a hell of a lot younger than Faye, Beye, Cacapa and Rozenthal with a load less experience. No wonder Sam isn’t keen to just drop him into the team – listen to some of you guys on here, if that translated to general fan reaction at a game and he made a bit of a howler it could destroy his toon career before it even begins. Yes, people should be able to deal with pressure, but he’s 21, living away from home for the first time and adapting to a completely different way of life as well as a completely different type of football. I wouldn’t be too concerned if Sam kept him out of the team for most of the season and only played him in the cup and in easier or even away games, where there is less chance the fans would give him any grief. There’s so much whinging about why are defence has been rubbish for so long and the answer is so obvious – no back 4 is given any time to settle and as soon as there is an error people are on their back and the press catch on and deride us. Not sure if it was last season or the one before in which Tottenham, having finished 5th, conceded more goals than us with King and Dawson as their centre backs and people were lauding the two of them. If we back our defence in the same way we’ve backed the team in the last few days they will get it right and we’ll all be happy. C’mon lads.

DO NOT walk from Hammersmith – it’s miles! The tube is open to Putney Bridge which is all you need to get to the ground. Surprised to hear so many people talk so highly of the game to be honest, was my least favourite away game last year but that’s probably due to the awful football we played and the fact it was the only game I took the missus to; safe to say she did not enjoy being ‘out in the cold in the winter’. Still, I’m looking forward to the game nonetheless, being that I have recently moved to Fulham so it’s not exactly far to go! What pub do people normally opt for? I know there are loads around the area…

Totally agree with this. Had enough of taking Top 4 rejects and them not working out – too many English players at the top 4 clubs are made to look good by those around them (I think this even applies to some of the top 4’s supposed big English players with Gerrard flattered by the work of Alonso / Mascherano, Terry by Carvalho and Carragher by Agger – all have been exposed to a degree when these players are missing, not that I would say no to having any of them!). I think if you look at Brown and who he plays with – Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, he can get away with a lot as others will cover for him and as stated earlier the ball spends a lot less time in Man Utd’s half than it does in ours. I don’t think another defender is the answer in January, give our lot some time. Remember how long it took Vidic and Evra to adapt to the premiership and how much grief they got in their first (half) season’s? Hopefully (optimistic I know) the same will apply, to an extent, with Roz and Enrique. Both have had promising moments and some dodgy moments, but we need to give them time, they both clearly have the potential to be decent.

Metro and the likes down London have been pretty complimentary today. Most football press seems to be actually. Who cares though!? Will all change at the drop of a hat, hopefully they'll move back to Spurs if they have a shocker at the weekend.

heh, my comment at the beginning of 'good job you weren't playing warren, otherwise we'd have taken a hiding' was supposed to imply that ;-)