Can't say that I've quite reached that point. But Reed and co. have at least reached "benefit of doubt" status where even if I feel like it's a bad move, I'll wait and see. And so far, all the names being mentioned I'm fine with anyway. So we're really just talking about some crazy situation where like somehow we hire Jan Poortvliet or something.
On the other hand Alex Crook is one of the most consistently wrong or late sports journalists covering Saints, so much so that I sometimes wonder if the club feed him misinformation on purpose, with a nugget of truth only when the fans already have got it from elsewhere.
I don't think he's wrong on this occasion. Blackmore, Wallace and Wilson being fed the club line does not mean they've got the true story. They put the club's angle across through information given to them. The club line and the genuine truth are not one and the same. I maintain my belief that Eddie wasn't interested in making a move at this moment in time.
In fairness, you're probably right - I've just built up an annoyance of crook over a very long period of time & that's probably colouring my views to an extent.
Quote from Telegraph article: Howe was among the managers initially sounded out via intermediaries but both sides are understood to feel uneasy about the sensitivities of him moving the short distance from Bournemouth, where his work has gained him hero status in the town. So it sounds like Saints were interested, but agreed with Howe's desire to be faithful to his team (are you listening, Koeman?). If you look at it from Howe's POV, he decides to stay at Bournemouth (good for him) and says no (in a way that reflects well on him) to a team that may yet be his possible employers in the future. So, he was dropped from Saints' list and the headline is true. Crook just wants to put a bad spin on anything to do with us...it's his knee jerk reaction.
Claude Puel - a good read about him and his achievements with his most recent club, Nice: http://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2016/ogc-nice-the-alternative-football-success-story/
The text certainly looks more promising than his stats (which I acknowledge can often mislead). I think Garcia is 3rd place for me at the minute mainly because I cannot see his volatile nature resting well in the calm of Staplewood.
Puel would be more volatile, I suspect. Very much a 'my way or the highway' man, judging by comments from those in France.
Well, assuming it's between Garcia and Puel then I can get on board with either and will support whatever decision is made. Garcia is more high-profile and I think would be my choice, but Puel sounds interesting himself.
Is Puel the last to be interviewed or are we still guessing as to whom Saints have actually interviewed if any?
K Billy replied that Garcia and mystery man were believed to be 'the final two'. The Telegraph said there was a final three, of Garcia, De Boer and mystery man. Mystery man is believed to be Claude Puel. That's where we're at, as far as I am aware.
Puel still at 10/1 in places. You can get £10 on him, banking you £110 and cover it with an insurance of £10 on Garcia which would get you your £20 back if he's appointed. So worst case, you get your money back. Best case, you get £100 extra if Puel is appointed. Not that I'm encouraging gambling, of course.
If we're signing Redmond and if the Kostic rumours are true I'd be inclined to think Garcia was our first choice as they very much fit his style of play. From what I know of Puel he doesn't put much emphasis on wingers. Either way I'd be happy, Nice were playing some stunning football last season and I think Puel would get more out of Mane in a similar role to Ben Arfa.
