I appreciate his loyalty to the fans but think the best thing he can do is quit on Friday if no signings are made.
Or is he just upping the ante and trying to force ashleys hand? Personally given the length of time it takes us to do any ****ing deals the likelihood of someone coming in before Thursday is very remote, we may get a loan or two in (I think we're allowed 2 more) but i can't imagine they'll be marquee names. He's gonna go anyways at the end of the season, part of me would like to see him stick two fingers up to Ashley and walk away but then I think he's far too professional to leave a job unfinished. At least if he goes now we can have the rest of the season to protest/demonstrate or whatever people wanna do to remonstrate with the regime.
I think he's smart enough to realise that if he can walk away with the club not in the relegation zone (and the harder part of the season gone) then it's better for him than gambling his reputation on keeping us up with a creaking squad. If Rondon sprains a toe, we're ****ed. And, even though it kills me, I don't blame him. Not least as he would then send a clear message to the fans not to renew their season tickets.
Possible. I think he will stick out his contract so that he can say to his next employer that he is a man who honours his commitments. Implying that he might quit might have been an attempt to nudge some loan deal or other over the line. That is, however, simply a guess.
I'd hope he is a bit more loyal than to jump ship mid season and send us spiralling into a crisis. I don't think he is that kind of bloke. Far more likely he'll see the season out, secure our PL status (which is very achievable) and then be professional enough to say, thanks but the project here is not for me. Best of luck for the future. If he dumps us in it mid season, I'd lose all respect for him. Just him playing his political games which he always does. People read too much into it, he's always been a manager who uses the press like this.
Interesting comments from a lad on Twitter (and he get grammar and spelling correct, so I'm in). Basically suggesting that Rafa's playing this game of brinkmanship out; allegedly sent a list of targets, some in the Man City league of attainability, to the board who cannot get close to signing. The further allegation is that Charnley/Barnes are making alternative recommendations which Rafa is blankly refusing - and many of these recommendations actually come from Steve Nickson and the wider team. Rafa knows where the fans are going to side and is, to a point, playing them too. There's no real interest or effort to renew his contract because he's seen as too political and causing too many problems. Like I say, I'm just repeating what I read, it's an interesting take on proceedings.
It's hard to shake the idea that he could just as easily be sending a list of players from the Burnley, Brighton level of attainability and be told that he's unrealistic. When was the last time we bought a player who you thought "he's Premiership standard"? We buy Championship standard players, at best, and will therefore gravitate towards life in the Championship. All a good manager can do is try to delay that happening, but it is firmly on the cards in the near future.
Rafa has them for constructive dismissal if they do as it will likely renege the terms of the contract, plus KK has set a precedent.