There seems like there's this feeling throughout the club that they want to annihilate the Championship and have a jolly good time doing so. Then on to the Prem!
You sure it wasn't Taylor's dad?Townsend's dad is supposed to have come out and said Townsend wants to stay. Think I heard it on the radio.
What??? It's been a long day.
You sure it wasn't Taylor's dad?

All of this.One of the criticisms of Rafa that is being thrown around by some of our rivals is that Rafa has no championship experience and doesn't know how to build a championship team. If he stays I don't think he is even going to try and build a championship team. If he stays it will be because he believes he can get us promoted and then onto better things. I suspect he would want to build a premier league team that has to play in the championship for a year. He certainly wont be staying because he wants to get us back up and no more.
I suspect some of the assurances he wants is that he won't have to offload anyone he sees as premier league standard and that the club will take the financial hit for a year, while also replacing the ones who do leave with players he sees as having a role to play for more than one season. I know we all have complaints about the way most of the squad have performed this year, but looking at the last six games it seems that Rafa can get something out of the players that MacClaren couldn't. He'll not want our squad to remain unchanged, but he may prefer to tinker with it rather than overhaul it. He'll know who is committed to the cause and who isn't - and I suspect there will be a lot more of our squad committed to it if Rafa is in charge and they can see that things are changing.
One of the criticisms of Rafa that is being thrown around by some of our rivals is that Rafa has no championship experience and doesn't know how to build a championship team. If he stays I don't think he is even going to try and build a championship team. If he stays it will be because he believes he can get us promoted and then onto better things. I suspect he would want to build a premier league team that has to play in the championship for a year. He certainly wont be staying because he wants to get us back up and no more.
I suspect some of the assurances he wants is that he won't have to offload anyone he sees as premier league standard and that the club will take the financial hit for a year, while also replacing the ones who do leave with players he sees as having a role to play for more than one season. I know we all have complaints about the way most of the squad have performed this year, but looking at the last six games it seems that Rafa can get something out of the players that MacClaren couldn't. He'll not want our squad to remain unchanged, but he may prefer to tinker with it rather than overhaul it. He'll know who is committed to the cause and who isn't - and I suspect there will be a lot more of our squad committed to it if Rafa is in charge and they can see that things are changing.
I like this though think there has to be some tempered reality injected. I can't see us adding too many players and suspect our already thin squad will shrink and some youth players promoted (Armstrong for example). We have avoided using the loan system in the past and you look at teams around us (Sunderland have scraped by on it for a few years now) and i think it is an economic reality for a season such as the one approaching. There will be Premiership clubs who are looking to have players get match experience in the Championship and I think we can offer good experience for such players if they are of a good enough standard. We need some bodies in (no idea how many yet).
If things are going well in January then we may have a dabble on some more players (like last time - Leon Best, Fitz Hall, Mike Williamson).
One of the criticisms of Rafa that is being thrown around by some of our rivals is that Rafa has no championship experience and doesn't know how to build a championship team. If he stays I don't think he is even going to try and build a championship team. If he stays it will be because he believes he can get us promoted and then onto better things. I suspect he would want to build a premier league team that has to play in the championship for a year. He certainly wont be staying because he wants to get us back up and no more.
I suspect some of the assurances he wants is that he won't have to offload anyone he sees as premier league standard and that the club will take the financial hit for a year, while also replacing the ones who do leave with players he sees as having a role to play for more than one season. I know we all have complaints about the way most of the squad have performed this year, but looking at the last six games it seems that Rafa can get something out of the players that MacClaren couldn't. He'll not want our squad to remain unchanged, but he may prefer to tinker with it rather than overhaul it. He'll know who is committed to the cause and who isn't - and I suspect there will be a lot more of our squad committed to it if Rafa is in charge and they can see that things are changing.
Can you imagine if Riviere sticks around and finds his level in a big way?
Why would Taylor's dad speak on behalf of Townsend?
I'm sure it was Townsend's dad. Well fairly sure it was. I think I am anyway. Possibly sure. Not 100% sure but it might have been. Wouldn't swear to it though. It could have been Taylor's dad. Wouldn't cross it out...
Okay I don't know for certain. You happy now. Everyone is back in doubt. Questions, questions, questions. What is it with all the questions? Dammit, I can't remember.
I need a drink...
I dont think we will get a great deal of money for these two .other scouts reports will probably read ,talented player though terrible attitude not worth the risk and certainly not worth the asking price.so i think they will get a shock when its Real betis rather than Real madrid that come callingWijnaldum and Sissoko are too busy ****ing each other off to care
It is interesting that the prospect of Rafa staying has seen quite a few players say yes. What we need to remember is that many of these players are not that good. However they are good enough for the championship, and many have potential due to age. If someone said to me that our squad would definitely contain the following I'd be pretty confident of a promotion:
Krul, Darlow, Elliot, Woodman
Mbemba, Dummett, Lascelles, Mbabu, Anita
Townsend, Aarons, Colback, Shelvey
Mitrovic, Perez, Armstrong
I think the likes of Tiote, Gini (who I'd like to keep), Sissoko, Janmaat will have options and will take them.
Obviously Saylor, Colo, Cisse, Riviere, Gouffran then time is up. Some of these could do a job, particularly Gouf but I just think its time.
What you do with Saivet, SDJ (who I think will have options back home), Haidara (who is ****e but good enough for the fizzy just about)??
The bottom line is though there are two factors to consider 1. If the right club comes in with the right wages the player will find it difficult to say no 2. If a club comes in with the right money Ashley is likely to recoup some - Gini, Tiote, Sissoko, Janmaat may not cover what he wants in the coffers.