PRL

Shearer has just gone from 20-1 on betfair to 4-1... Whichever of you guys are listening to talksport and are a few minutes ahead on what is happening could seriously make hundreds of pounds on betfair- this happened 5 mins after that news came out!

odds on Redknapp have just doubled on Betfair (still massive favourite but not seen a move that big since last night's breaking story that we were making an approach this morning). Fucking pissed off as tried to bet against him but just missed the odds i wanted and didn't re-enter bet, essentially just lost £80. Still will be worth it if there was a reason Ha, just announced shearer on SSn!@

SSN is such a joke.... why do they keep reporting that redknapp is in london with his family?! I also love the fact they are now reporting the Portsmouth fred bid and not even pondering any impact this might have on their 'main' story as this would undermine what they have been spouting all day. Nothing has happened for hours... very bizarre, thought either us or portsmouth might have said something.

Was it really that about Shearer?! Would be rather interesting. Source?! And on the other point, pretty sure there is no one other than Redknapp in charge of transfers at Portsmouth. Except Willie Mckay perhaps

What, like us making a bid for Diarra when Sam was sacked? Essential difference being that Portsmouth tend not to run their club as some kind of asylum. Don't think they would bid a potential club record fee just off their own back if they didn't know who would be in charge. Adams has been talked about as a possible replacement for Redknapp, maybe they're deciding to pursue targets as usual with this in mind. Valid point, never really considered that And Alan Curbishley? Do you actually watch football?!

What, like us making a bid for Diarra when Sam was sacked? Essential difference being that Portsmouth tend not to run their club as some kind of asylum. Don't think they would bid a potential club record fee just off their own back if they didn't know who would be in charge.

do u mean lyon Yep, excitement got the better of me - its spurs, portsmouth and psg that have had bids accepted

PSG just confirmed that Portsmouth have had an offer accepted for Fred (SSN) - doesn't sound like a team losing their manager. Portsmouth did say that was where Storrie and Redknapp went as well...

I was saying to my mate in the pub whilst that footage was on 'what the fuck is beye doing in training today?!', didn't even spot Joey Barton. tossers.

Think it’s a bit harsh to blame Jol for what went wrong money-wise. From the sounds of most reports Commoli was the one that spunked the money up the wall, not Jol. My fear with Jol would be his tactical naivety – he had an awful record against the top 4.

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