Huge Summer....

[dave.woodhall]

It's funny how the parallels are always with doomsday scenarios and never with clubs like Spurs, who had a couple of years in mid-table then came back the better for it. Surely nobody would seriously compare us with Leeds and their financial position.

Levy was still sanctioning big signings during that time, they just went on the wrong players. Davd Bentley for 14m anyone? And it is fair to say McLeish is no Redknapp.

Everton are in the same boat as us. Again if they lose Moyes and make a poor managerial appointment, they would be another under big threat from relegation as Moyes works miracles there every season imo with the budget he has.

That's another club. Same history as us, similar scenario. Did they start having protests and worrying after they dropped to mid-table?

They probably have few dazzyg style dimwits of their own.

If they did and they were as well-organised and well-attended as his protests have been so far, it's no surprise that we heard nothing about them.

Their existence is embarrassing enough.

[Mazrim]

Pedantic I know but I must protest at the notion Everton have the same history of us. They wish.


Carry on...

[hawkeye]

So reading between the lines Warnock is a piss head? Collins and Tonne have both got previous there. Get Peter Barlow in to complete the set! On a more  upbeat note Joshua Webb Callum Robinson and Jordan Graham all performed well for England U17 the weekend.

Its sorted then, we just wait for them to grow a bit and we will be champions of europe

[SoccerHQ]

There was the protest against Bill Kenwright before one of the games this season.

[Billy Walker]

It's funny how the parallels are always with doomsday scenarios and never with clubs like Spurs, who had a couple of years in mid-table then came back the better for it. Surely nobody would seriously compare us with Leeds and their financial position.

Levy was still sanctioning big signings during that time, they just went on the wrong players. Davd Bentley for 14m anyone? And it is fair to say McLeish is no Redknapp.

Everton are in the same boat as us. Again if they lose Moyes and make a poor managerial appointment, they would be another under big threat from relegation as Moyes works miracles there every season imo with the budget he has.

That's another club. Same history as us, similar scenario. Did they start having protests and worrying after they dropped to mid-table?

https://viewfromtheroyalbluemersey.wordpress.com/2011/11/19/the-second-blue-union-protest/

Like us, they want to be up there challenging.

[hawkeye]

I dont think that it is any surprise that people are worried about relegation, we are 3 bad results from being dragged into it, we are also 3 decent results from mid table safety.Fortunately we have Wigan BBurn, Bolton and Wolves in the division.

[dave.woodhall]

It's funny how the parallels are always with doomsday scenarios and never with clubs like Spurs, who had a couple of years in mid-table then came back the better for it. Surely nobody would seriously compare us with Leeds and their financial position.

Levy was still sanctioning big signings during that time, they just went on the wrong players. Davd Bentley for 14m anyone? And it is fair to say McLeish is no Redknapp.

Everton are in the same boat as us. Again if they lose Moyes and make a poor managerial appointment, they would be another under big threat from relegation as Moyes works miracles there every season imo with the budget he has.

That's another club. Same history as us, similar scenario. Did they start having protests and worrying after they dropped to mid-table?

https://viewfromtheroyalbluemersey.wordpress.com/2011/11/19/the-second-blue-union-protest/

Like us, they want to be up there challenging.

And what seems to be a small and not particularly popular minority were protesting. They want to be challenging, so do we and so does every other club. What makes us so special?   

[eamonn]

Just had a guy come in to our place who says he knows some people connected to the club. I won't say who just in case. I didn't speak to him but some others did. I can't personally vouch for him.
Reckons that Lerner is selling up in March to some mega-rich folks. Mentioned "3rd richest" (in the world?) which could be (at the moment) Warren Buffet or could have meant Bernard Arnault. Maybe it is the Qataris as rumoured?

Yes, yes, pinch of salt but I thought I'd pass it on. Like I say, I didn't speak to the guy.

Mazrim do you work in a place called Heaven?

Heaven is a place, a place where nothing, nothing ever happens.

[Mazrim]

Oh, well I might work there after all.

[Risso]

I've said for ages that Lerner is looking to sell, and that McLeish is the equivalent of a "nightwatchman".  What Maz says certainly has the ring of truth about it.  I hope so anyway.

[Mazrim]

Well, I look at things from Randy's point of view and wonder where the enjoyment will be coming from.
Villa will always be in his heart I think but now he can hardly come and watch games and is no longer in a position to help us challenge consistently for honours (which is more football's fault than his).
It's nothing really more than an asset now and I'm not sure that's what he signed up for.

The situation with his son doesn't look like it will change anytime soon (and fair play, family come first) so he's going to be largely stateside for the forseeable.
If (and it's a big if) a suitable offer was (has been?) made I think he would accept. That's my gut feeling.
I agree with Risso that as soon as McLeish's appointment became known and the subsequent reduction in spending (in fact, recouping money) my first thoughts were "he's preparing us for sale".
It was like a slap around the chops but knowing more about his personal situation now it would make sense.

I'm not jumping the gun though. Until I hear or see anything concrete, I'm treating these rumours as just that, rumours. But I wouldn't be suprised at all. And like it was before Randy took over, the club is still a very attractive option for investors or buyers. It's relatively cheap (you would imagine) compared to it's potential.

[Dave]

In terms of who we should bring in, the first player that I would be after is Stuart Holden.

Seems to be the difference between Bolton being a top eight side and a bottom three side and plays exactly the role we need in exactly the place we are lacking.

[Mazrim]

You mean as a holden midfielder?

Interesting choice. Not sure I agree he's the general that we need but it's good to hear ideas from left field.

[KevinGage]

Even during our good periods, we've invariably gone for the better players at relegated or struggling sides. 

Holden and Ashley Williams at Swansea are two players who would come into that category who would improve us.  I wouldn't say no to Dann either.  Defence and midfield needs rebuilding, I think most are agreed on that.  That big outhouse Douglas at Twente was linked last week too. Newcastle -who seem to be the side most now point to as a model example of competing on a budget (amazing how quick things change)  have done well with reasonably priced players from abroad.  Definitely an area we can improve on.

Of the bigger sides towards the top of the table, we'd be better to target the younger players hungry to make an impact but perhaps not getting a game. Rather than seasoned, embittered pros who might think they're just doing us a favour by being here and are happy to coast. So Frimpong and Bertrand -ideally perhaps as loans with a view to a permanent deal.

[Mazrim]

Frimpong is a good shout if Arsenal would let him go and if he recovers fully from injuries.