PlymouthGeordie

So what are your thoughts to them keeping Bruce on for Spurs? As for managers above our level, nobody truly knows who we're after (that is a good thing from the ownership) but we've been linked to good appointments such as Fonseca, Emery etc but also to Lampard and Howe. I wouldn't say the latter two are above our level. After taking as long as they have, if it ends up being Lampard or someone of that ilk it'll be so underwhelming.

So strange that people are even afraid to question the new owners or debate their decisions. It's possible to be both happy they're here and concerned with some of their actions.

So another 8 games is too long but the 3 games they've had since taking charge aren't? Is another 4 games too long? At which point would you feel comfortable criticising the length of time taken? They got their first big decision wrong in not sacking Bruce before Spurs and they're yet to convince with the next big (in)decision. In answer to your question, define top class? If it's Ten Haag then yes, but it won't be. Fonseca/Favre etc would be good appointments but aren't "top class".

What about, if Jones loses the next 8 and we then get a good manager. So we'd be all but down. Would that have taken too long?

Wheelie bins are irrelevant to the point you're trying to make. Our search has taken too long, that can't be argued against in my opinion.

How have Spurs pretty much appointed Conte already? I thought a new manager took at least 3 weeks to appoint?

It is infuriating. He simply cannot run. Any opposition player with an ounce of pace just glides past him. He constantly ball watches and is just way out of his depth at this level. Lewis must be horrific in training.

Could be competing with Villa and Spurs for a new manager come tomorrow. Could throw a spanner in the works.

Thing is, a good CB with pace, a solid LB and a mobile, ball winning midfielder transforms our team. Only 3 players. And in defence of Bruce (for the first time ever) he was on his knees begging Mike and Charnley for a CM and CB. Even he could see our limitations. I'd bite someone's hand of for being 7 or less points adrift come January 1st. We can stay up, just need new manager in for Brighton and to have our targets signed in first week of January.

Imagine hoping that we go to the bottom of the league to improve our chances of staying up. F*ck me our situation is desperate.

I'd prefer bottom than 6 points from safety.

Something you know/have been told or something you've read?

I agree it's taking time and can't buy in to this blind faith of "trust the process". Until they earn our trust, we as fans have every right to ask questions of them and their "decisions". However, they're coming in to this blind. A DoF is a huge appointment, they will decide the football ethos of the club, how are they supposed to have a preferred candidate without numerous interviews with numerous candidates? Unfortunately it will take time. If there is no news by the time the next international break is here I'd then be asking what the hold up is.

Unfortunately that's because the majority of our players aren't very good.

I'd bench ASM for this. We'll need all 11 players busting a gut and not sure he has that in him. Keep it tight until 60th min, either drawing or only 1 behind (wishful thinking) and bring him on at that point. I'd be going something like: Dubravka (if fit) RB: Manquilllo CB: Schar CB: Lascelles LB: Lewis (sick of Ritchie who is constantly running through treacle) RM: Fraser CM: Hayden (holding) CM: Willock LM: Joelinton (Chelsea are a big team, his physicality will help at set pieces) AM: Miggy CF: Wilson 4-4-1-1 Could pick Murphy instead of Joelinton and play Fraser on the left. But I've gone for a team that has mobility and can get around the pitch. If Ritchie plays LWB then Reece James will have him on toast. Same with Kante and Longstaff/Shelvey, they won't get close to him.

January is going to be a tough window for us. I'm really not sure we'll simply be able to hoover up the likes of Tarkowski, JWP etc. I really don't think teams in the bottom half will do business with us. Tarkowski is out of contract come the summer but he could be the difference between Burnley going down or staying up. I dare say it would take 30m to get him and I doubt we'd pay that. Lamptey and Bissouma would be great signings and Brighton may well sell given their comfortable league position but again, you'd be looking at 30m for Lamptey and 40m for Bissouma. By all accounts we're not going to be spending that kind of money in January. If we're cut adrift by more than 5 point's you also have the difficulty in convincing players to come. If we can stay up, the summer could be a different story and we could possibly weaken some of our rivals by going for Lamptey, Bissouma, McNeil, JWP but I am worried about relegation. Given the fixtures played and point's accrued to date I think relegation is more probable than staying up.

It is odd how 5/6 days ago every journalist going was linking managers etc and for the last 3 days there has hardly been a peep. Really hope after the time they're taking the appointment isn't underwhelming i.e. Lampard or Gerrard.

Would love it, but he just doesn't break contracts. I do have a feeling it won't be one of the favourites though i.e. Fonseca, Favre, Gerrard.

Finally! So happy right now. We are now free of everything that has crippled us for the last 3 years.

If it happened at 2pm you'd have to think it would've leaked in the press by now. Really hoping all these rumours are true.

If he's in charge for Palace it is more than fair to ask questions of the consortium.

I know he's always been bang on with team line ups, just didn't know if he's got a history of being accurate beyond that.

Didn't he say similar about the takeover several times over?

This doesn't add any confidence to the claims he's gone. It even references there's a good chance he'll be in charge at the weekend ffs.

Hope to god this is true but there is a difference in him being told he's going and it being official. Will this be confirmed by the club today?