Darth Crooks

Short of mastering necromancy, I'd hazard a guess de Jong is unavailable.

It's not right though is it?

Janmaat suits the story

Pretty much this, I'm confident the bloke is capable and we've made the right decision. Once again though it's been down to the desperate idiots in charge that so much pressure is on him and the team he has.

Don't know how you can go beyond 7 personally (like I know what that fucking means!). Rafa is definitely going to have an impact but what a situation and squad he's got to deal with.

Having a lot of shit players and a shit coach doesn't help. The recruitment has had an impact as it may well still with Rafa. To say he was hamstrung is ludicrous.

It's just jealousy really. We've had it drummed into us for the last 10 years that it's impossible to compete against the megabucks clubs, and yet here's a team which should be fighting relegation about to win the Premier and leave all those clubs in their wake. Yes it's one in the eye for the big clubs, but I wanted it to be US who poked them in the eye. That's the glory we missed out on with Keegan and I don't really want to see someone else grab it. I'm petty like that. Doesn't it just mean more clubs should do it then? It's not like this is the last time it'll ever be allowed.

Good thing he's done is step back and let the grown ups do their jobs.

I agree it's exciting and it'll be a while before we can tell whether change is truly here. He needs a window of his before we'll know but it's certainly counterculture

Honestly man, how can you be that thick? Really don't get this race to the bottom mentality. Why pick the best coach possible when you can have someone who can frequently finish lower?

You can always tell that moment when he knows he's got a win, he stops celebrating goals and struts about like Robbie Williams and smug cunt mode has fully engaged.

He's our boss from sunny Spain, so viva viiiva wor Rafaaaah.

Totally.....still cannot believe he's our manager. God bless this new TV deal or it never would have happened. Hah likely very true. Desperate times call for the actually best possible measures available I suppose.

We could potentially, should we shift the deadwood and actually let the man do his job.

I interviewed him for a UK newspaper during his 2nd stint at Twente and he was a condescending, arrogant prick. http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t322/frednut/dcv3oi.gif

Until I know it doesn't just mean salvaging TV money I won't go crazy mind. Rafa is a brilliant coup but its going to be Ashley's biggest test. If this fucks up we'll know more than ever the face of the devil.

Let's make this avatar happen.

It's certainly drastic enough a change to jolt your viewpoint.

The defence and likes of Mbemba being present is crucial

Steve Black had the most nothing job in sport.

I've been hearing it a lot. 'He kept Liecester up last year', forgetting that he led them into a relegation battle to begin with where as now with only a few additions they are 10 games away from winning the league. The John Carver school of salvation

Heard this mentalist on total sport?! Pearson better fit?

The man had black and white hair of course he is.

I should be dead happy but I'll only be so when I see he's not messed around in a transfer window or undermined. Do we know what basis hes in on? Control of transfers etc?

You forgot to change the baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaadge. I know man, I'm a busy man you know. Thanks for your help you pack o' bastards.