Who do we want? who will we get?

Could the reason SC may join Forest have something to do with the supposed 25million quid Chinese takeover reported in todays papers?

 

There are a few decent out of work and in work Managers out there - financially it makes sense to go for an out of work one - and Dave Jones definitely fits the bill - I think any Pompey fan would acknowledge the job he did up the road and of course ar Cardiff - tbh I can't be a**ed with Saints connections being an issue - I'd have had Kevin Phillips at FP in a shot - so he would be my choice followed by either Curbs or Billy Davies - the other two I'd consider would be Karl Robinson and Sean O'Driscoll - (Eddie Howe was my choice before we got Cotts)

 

Cotterill's departure is a massive blow for Pompey. As I've said on here before, he had the ability to trsnform your predicament and did well given the finnancial constraints within which he had to work. Oddily enough, a fellow Saints fan joked to me in August that he thought SC would get out at the earliest opportunity. Going to Forest is more of a challenge but I don't see it as a step up career-wise. Set aside the Cloughie era, their sole success was winning the FA Cup in 1959 and if anyone has read Duncan Hamilton's exceptional "Provided you don't kiss me:Twenty Years with Brian Clough," you will appreciate just how special Old Big 'Ead's reign was in this provincial club. Even Clough struggled with this club in the 80's as they couldn't compete again larger clubss and Cotterill is definately not of the same calibre. Expectations will be higher than Portsmouth where fans are more pragmatic .

One name I thought my be considered would be Lee Bradbury as he would be a cheap option. I'd forgotten that David Jones was available but I'm afraid that I can't agree with Beddytare as I thought he was shocking with Saints and I whilst treated poorly by Rupert Lowe, couldn't have seen him lasting too long despite the false allegations. I wasn't a Dave Jones fan by any means albeit he has done well with Cardiff and Wolves albeit he had the money to splash at the former. He will need money to transform Pompey.

O'Driscoll is another good call and he seems to have ability with smaller clubs whereby he transforms the teams to levels above which they might have hitherto expected. I don't think he is a big enough name for Portsmouth and the same would go for Bradbury - neither are really what Pompey need at this moment.

I think that Pompey are lucky Cotterill never went to Bristol as he would have reversed their positions from relegation certainties which would have out the pressure on. I've been impressed by the way David Lampitt has handled the situation in a fashion that is a marked sea-change from the manner in which Malandric , etc have dealt with managerial departures.

 

Like a lot of Saints fans, I think Cotterill did a bloody good job keeping Pompey ticking over while all hell was breaking loose behind him. The number of times he would have a depleted fit squad, only a day or two before a match, was scary. However, I don't think he was ever going to charge Pompey up the table. That's best left to people like Billy Davies. I think you need him badly. He'll either going to drive everyone into being against him, or he'll get you heading towards the playoffs. Time to decide which way you're going to go. Only one direction really. Good luck, and make the right decision.

 

You certainly need a strong character. Someone who can take on these headstrong and wealthy men and instil some discipline. The number of cards under SC has been ridiculous.
I just hope that they decide quickly, because the "I saw Dave Jones filling his car with petrol near Fratton" wums really get on everyones wick.

 

I'll give it a go.

 

I've given Pompey's mobile number to a bag lady I know, so keep an ear out.

 

None of my business and i care not but i think O'Driscoll would be an excellent choice for you lot given your circumstances. Your squad as we all know is thin but you have some decent players and the calmer measured approach of his would help you more than the wind up the troops approach of Cottrill you may actually put an end to your indiscipline on the park which is not helping the club

 

Ironic really, as so many Pompey fans were advising SC "2p off".

(With apologies to Benny Hill)

 

Radio Solent seemed to be very keen on Dave Jones which ould mean that at least Stuart Gray from the backroom staff would be more likely to be retained.

 

Did I say anything about Mark Hughes being a realistic option? Read again buffoon.

 

Dave Jones is a good manager and he has done wonders for cardiff even when he was mucked around every season by the then cardiff board, you could do a lot worse than him...