Topic: Roy to be sacked & Dion Fanning article

[Robert_B]

By all accounts they have made the decision to keep Roy for the year giving them time to appoint a CEO and get in a long term manager who will take us forward. So I disagree that there is any falling, they have a vision and are sticking to it, it may or may not be wrong but they are showing some steel by not being swayed by the fans.

I dread to think about the amount of damage that will be done if Hodgson is here until the summer.

It's like buying a brand new sports car and then letting someone who can't drive take it out for a spin.

[John C]

Aside from that, I can see why people are getting concerned over FSG. But I think they need to be supported and given time. If they get it wrong, then that's a different matter. But right now I'm not bothered that they are taking their time. We need to get this right... act in haste, repent at leisure.

It's kneejerking, starting with Moores and Parry carried on by Purslow and some players/fans, that got us in this mess. We keep doing it, it will eventually prove fatal.

Yeah, despite what I've just posted above that's a very sensible take on it. Although RH has been getting told to "fuck off" since the first week in September, I said the same as you right up until last week when my patience finally broke down after the Wolves game.

The trouble is that as long as he stays now, there is a big risk of an empty Anfield more frequently.

[robgomm]

By all accounts they have made the decision to keep Roy for the year giving them time to appoint a CEO and get in a long term manager who will take us forward. So I disagree that there is any falling, they have a vision and are sticking to it, it may or may not be wrong but they are showing some steel by not being swayed by the fans.

I'd agree with this if they'd only make it publicly clear at a time when clarity is needed (ie: now).

[silver 5 star]

I'd agree with this if they'd only make it publicly clear at a time when clarity is needed (ie: now).

Ahhh......The old "Ignore your fucking paying CUSTOMERS" grand plan that worked SO WELL for Hicks and Gillet.

Not being swayed by 20% off the gate and a 12,000 signature petition.....


CLEVER...........

[Cadno]

I'd agree with this if they'd only make it publicly clear at a time when clarity is needed (ie: now).

We have been highly critical of the cancer era for airing our dirty laundry in public. Now that it seems that our owners are doing things the right way and not knee jerking or not making decisions in public we complain?  We complain that there is no one on the board to make football decisions but Kenny and now Rush have both come out and asked us to give Roy time.  I suspect that this is not because they believe that he is going to lead us forward but in order for us do do as well as we can this season to put us in good stead for the future when fsg really put their plans in action

[ReeNah]

I would love to see Coyle build a dynasty at Anfield like Fergurson has done at Man U.

Thought I'd my 2 cents. Go on ahead everyone it's okay to ignore this post!

[WorldChampions]

By all accounts they have made the decision to keep Roy for the year giving them time to appoint a CEO and get in a long term manager who will take us forward. So I disagree that there is any falling, they have a vision and are sticking to it, it may or may not be wrong but they are showing some steel by not being swayed by the fans.

Good luck signing decent players to improve the squad without any european football. Make no mistake if Roy is still at the helm come May then we won't even be in the Uefa cup or what ever bollocks name it is going by now.

[Get]

I would love to see Coyle build a dynasty at Anfield like Fergurson has done at Man U.

Thought I'd my 2 cents. Go on ahead everyone it's okay to ignore this post!

I wouldn't mind neither, But the risk is, how would he handle world class players ?, he's doing a great work and Bolton, but it could go either way.

But a very good candidate Among others i would love to see to build something at Liverpool

[Fat Scouser]

Yeah, despite what I've just posted above that's a very sensible take on it. Although RH has been getting told to "fuck off" since the first week in September, I said the same as you right up until last week when my patience finally broke down after the Wolves game.

The trouble is that as long as he stays now, there is a big risk of an empty Anfield more frequently.

And if we fuck it up mate... there's a danger it will stay like that for years.

I remember when West Ham brought in Trevor Brooking, as a stop gap. Results improved then there was people want to give the club legend the job full time. It ended up in a huge mess and fucked them up for years.

I'm not saying I have any answers. I'm just saying if they don't get this right, there's a definite possibility it will finish us off as a top team. The more I think about it, despite the obvious pitfalls, I think re-instating Rafa, on a rolling contract if needs be, is the wisest choice.

I've thought over all the pros and cons. It's not just my Rafatollah googles telling me this. It just seems to make sense to me. There's a rot still in Anfield. We cleared a load of it out. I think the rest might have to go before we start rebuilding. But I don't see this as the mamoth job the media and Roy would have us believe. I think Rafa would get us back to winning ways immeadiately. I think a few ins and outs in the summer would have us back challenging.

I don't think we'll get Aquilani back, but if we could, along with Insua, I reckon we'd need to fork out on 3 first team/squad players tops, and we'd be right in the mix. We fuck up now, get the wrong fella in, we really could be doomed this time.

[Fat Scouser]

I would love to see Coyle build a dynasty at Anfield like Fergurson has done at Man U.

Thought I'd my 2 cents. Go on ahead everyone it's okay to ignore this post!

We'd all love to see anyone, anyone competent with a bit of integrity, who actually understood the club and what we're about, being given time to build a dynasty... I'm not sure if Coyle's the man to do that though. And when Rafa got the sack, he was the only British manager I said I'd have.

[Passmaster Molby]

Agree FS - Rafa on a yearly rolling deal would be a good choice just to see how it works under FSG. He would certainly stabilise us and I think get us top 6 if he were to take over now. See how both parties feel in the summer, and take it from there.

[John C]

And if we fuck it up mate... there's a danger it will stay like that for years.

Absolutely, its fearful that every single name is a gamble, we just don't know how it will gel do we, its all a risk. An appointment could be amazing or a mess after just a few short months. 

[TepidT2O]

We'd all love to see anyone, anyone competent with a bit of integrity, who actually understood the club and what we're about, being given time to build a dynasty... I'm not sure if Coyle's the man to do that though. And when Rafa got the sack, he was the only British manager I said I'd have.

Why are there so few top class British maangers?

Any good managers are limited as they are the redknapp/vendables type who have good motivational skills bit are more limited tactically.

[robgomm]

We have been highly critical of the cancer era for airing our dirty laundry in public. Now that it seems that our owners are doing things the right way and not knee jerking or not making decisions in public we complain?  We complain that there is no one on the board to make football decisions but Kenny and now Rush have both come out and asked us to give Roy time.  I suspect that this is not because they believe that he is going to lead us forward but in order for us do do as well as we can this season to put us in good stead for the future when fsg really put their plans in action

To put this in perspective, I'm positive on the owners and excited that they appear to be long-term thinkers.

This isn't about 'dirty laundry', though. The press are writing whatever they want, the fans are already in enough of a state without being led this way and that by media speculation and some real leadership is needed. Who didn't think Hodgson was done if he didn't turn it around on Saturday at half-time? Even he seemed to think that was possible. That's a pretty mad situation. NESV don't need to detail their innermost thoughts, but a simple statement that - for me - should make clear they aren't deciding anything based on one result here or there would help. I don't know, maybe I'm mad and it wouldn't help but I just don't like seeing NESV's supposed thoughts plastered over the papers instead of their actual thoughts.

[No666]

Thanks for that, thought as much but a relief to read it somewhere else.

Would those other sources be those favoured by Prince Henry ?

I don't know what other sources of information led to the story being out there simultaneously in the press, but it was Tony Barrett who said this, not Henry Winter.

[robgomm]

Ahhh......The old "Ignore your fucking paying CUSTOMERS" grand plan that worked SO WELL for Hicks and Gillet.

Not being swayed by 20% off the gate and a 12,000 signature petition.....


CLEVER...........

Emm, yeah, I know what you mean. But 'we the undersigned' don't run the club. We don't pick the manager or the owners. Maybe one day we will! Right now, our opinion has great merit in the maelstrom yet there is no reason to suppose the fanbase is to be listened to all of the time and that it is right all of the time.

[cornelius]

I've got a hunch that NESV don't want to been seen so early in their tenure to be influenced by the fans. It's an understandable worry for them I suppose because they might worry that next time an issue arises the pressure will return ten fold because people realise that making the noise should make the difference. It's admirable especially if Roy still gets the chop but they have waited for their number one target rather than created an extra dimension to the problem. That's a point of view I suppose. Not one I necessarily agree with but i've been thinking why nothing is being done and from their point of view they probably want to protect themselves and show they can't be influenced. After all, many people were fucking disgusted when I think it was Broughton who replied something along the lines of 'that's not what the press are saying' when someone was defending Rafa to him.

Good post and you're right. There are plenty of fair minded reasons why NESV haven't come storming in. I suspect that they have or are in the process of, writing off this season and will begin to implement their long term strategy over the course of it.

[Groundskeeper Willie]

This is my man.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704380504575530111481441870.html

[Johnny Foreigner]

Why are there so few top class British maangers?

Any good managers are limited as they are the redknapp/vendables type who have good motivational skills bit are more limited tactically.

Comes from the footballing culture I assume; down from the grass root levels.. Passion, committment and spirit are wonderful characteristics when you get it flowing and with a good mix of skills, but it doesn't breed good coaches/intelligent players..

Flipping through spanish/italian channels from time to time, and on their MOTD you get 70-year old bores discussing tacticts for hours, while england has got the sky "pundits"..

[Veinticinco de Mayo]

Good luck signing decent players to improve the squad without any european football. Make no mistake if Roy is still at the helm come May then we won't even be in the Uefa cup or what ever bollocks name it is going by now.

The stature of the club combined with the ambition of the new manager and owners will be sufficient to recruit the type of hungry young players we need for the rebuild.  Young players fit the moneyball strategy and are also less concerned about missing out on European football for one season.  The road back from Purslow is not going to be easy but it is doable.

[Brave Lee Flea]

It can - there was a case a while back where a fans forum was prosecuted for libellous comments by some of it's users. It's irrelevant whether the case was won or lost as the cost of legal fees could be crippling.

Fair enough, I was not previously aware of that! My poor ISP must live in mortal peril.

[ReeNah]

Coyle or Josep "Pep" Guardiola i Sala. Firstly, he is awesome. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, my name is Joseph. I don't think there are enough famous Josephs around.

Yes, I'm dreaming.

[TepidT2O]

Comes from the footballing culture I assume; down from the grass root levels.. Passion, committment and spirit are wonderful characteristics when you get it flowing and with a good mix of skills, but it doesn't breed good coaches/intelligent players..

Flipping through spanish/italian channels from time to time, and on their MOTD you get 70-year old bores discussing tacticts for hours, while england has got the sky "pundits"..

Italy us to have a nun who did commentary, we get Martin Samuel.

[Cadno]

To put this in perspective, I'm positive on the owners and excited that they appear to be long-term thinkers.

This isn't about 'dirty laundry', though. The press are writing whatever they want, the fans are already in enough of a state without being led this way and that by media speculation and some real leadership is needed. Who didn't think Hodgson was done if he didn't turn it around on Saturday at half-time? Even he seemed to think that was possible. That's a pretty mad situation. NESV don't need to detail their innermost thoughts, but a simple statement that - for me - should make clear they aren't deciding anything based on one result here or there would help. I don't know, maybe I'm mad and it wouldn't help but I just don't like seeing NESV's supposed thoughts plastered over the papers instead of their actual thoughts.

But we all know the British press. Anything that is said will be twisted every which way. If they choose to back Roy publicly they will get most of the fans offside, if they confirm they are looking for replacement they will get a pasting from the press.   By saying nothing they can get on with it behind the scenes. It's what I wanted from our new owners. Someone who will not pander to the shit media, players or fans.  So far they have done a lot right and nothing wrong.  I will trust them until a point where they show they cannot be trusted.

[danny boy the red]

I don't know what other sources of information led to the story being out there simultaneously in the press, but it was Tony Barrett who said this, not Henry Winter.

I meant would it have been a couple of 'senior' liverpool sources, e.g. Carra or Stevie,  but Barrett is credible anyway.

[marcus50bucks]

I think NESV/FSG have let themselves (and the club) down over all this.

It seems that there are deliberate leaks to the papers about how Hodgson is going to be replaced and a search for his replacement is ongoing.

What good does this do? 

It makes Hodgson's position untenable and increases the pressure on him and the team.  It maintains the pressure for Dalglish to be installed as his successor, either as a stop gap or more permanently and overall it increases the feeling that we are still a club in crisis with no one having a clue how to sort things out.

If the owners feel Hodgson is not fit for the job then what is the point in leaving him in the post to do more damage?  The supporters have made their voices heard and the falling attendances at Anfield are a stark warning of the damage being done.

At the moment it feels the club is in limbo.  Sure, we have new owners and are hopefully more financially secure than we were under the last lot, but we still don't have a clear idea what lies ahead.

The lack of a properly constituted board, with people on it knowledgeable about the world of football business and a CEO authorised and able to make decisions is a major drawback.  It seems that Damien Comolli is in charge of everything from finding the next bright prospect for the team to getting the right manager, but what exactly has he done so far that says he is capable of finding Hodgsons replacement?

Then, in the background is Kenny - someone much loved by the fans and touted by many as being the right man to re establish the Holy Trinity at the club.

FSG have ignored Dalglish since their arrival.  While they have said that they want him to have a significant role at the club, their actions so far would seem to say the opposite.

They have had ample time to either get him installed as Hodgsons replacement,  give him a significant role at the club, a position on the Board etc and haven't done a thing.   

In a way, sorting out Kennys role is one of the most important things they need to do.  While they leave things as they are there will continue to be constant calls for him to take over which really just adds to the uncertainty at the club.

The fact that Dalglish hasnt come out and said that he is not going to be made Manager makes me think that he feels there is a chance it might happen - whether that is wishful thinking on his part or not I dont know - but until the owners make a firm statement about how they see his function those ideas will continue.

We need action.  A named CEO to take charge of the day to day running of the club, a proper role for Dalglish, and a decent Manager,
all the press speculation,  rumours, leaks etc are not helping.

Great post mate. The way nesv have been bahving has bordered on negligence.

[cornelius]

This is my man.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704380504575530111481441870.html

To me it just seems insane. Look at the guy, I can see the appeal of a young, dynamic manager but the way some of you lot are going on smacks of the same way we seem to be appointing our politicians these days.

I've said it elsewhere and I'll say it again, is now the right time to appoint a completely unknown quantity? It's a massive gamble IMO, great if it pays off, or we become like Spurs were a few years ago if it doesn't. I know there are no sure things in football but to my mind we need a much safer bet right now.

This guy, Klopps, Rangnick... they could be the next Wenger or Mourinho or they could just be a flash in the pan that we might have to sack again in 6 months time.

[Fat Scouser]

Why are there so few top class British maangers?

Any good managers are limited as they are the redknapp/vendables type who have good motivational skills bit are more limited tactically.

Even the best of them Ferguson, only really has one method, get the best players possible in, put them in the right position and pretty much let them loose. It works for Slurgie as he could spend multi-millions. It's working now for Arry because he's spending a few quid. But the likes of Hodgson, even younger fellas like Bruce and co, don't have the money or the scouting set ups. So can't compete in that manner and just settle for best they can get in the league and the odd cup run.

If you haven't got that type of money, you have to have some other strings to your bow. And it's probably going to get worse. Who knows, maybe some young fellas playing or learning their trade as managers now might come through in the future. But it's far more likely they'll just leave the game or go into punditry as the money and celebrity of the game now, makes that a far more easier route. And any English/British lads that come through as the next generation of managers, will probably come from the lower leagues. But if they aren't going to be just another generation of Allardyce and McCarthey type fellas, they will have to have studied the likes of Wenger. I can't see that happening for a long time yet.

[silver 5 star]

Agree FS - Rafa on a yearly rolling deal would be a good choice just to see how it works under FSG. He would certainly stabilise us and I think get us top 6 if he were to take over now. See how both parties feel in the summer, and take it from there.

THIS.

Rafa could come back into the club on exactly that type of contract to give Fenway an element of control.

Personally, I think the reason they are reluctant to do it is that - in spite of some of the muppets on here and elsewhere- he retains vast support and affection. They would find it very difficult to sack Rafa a second time.

They may think appointing a new face will unite the support - it won't. There will always be those that would have preferred X or Y.

At least leaving Roy in they guarantee fan unity - 95% want him GONE NOW.

You also need to consider this:

By having Roy in charge they have a perfect scapegoat and distraction away from all of the things they themselves are NOT doing, ie spending real transfer money and building the new stadium they themselves say we need.

[Veinticinco de Mayo]

THIS.

Rafa could come back into the club on exactly that type of contract to give Fenway an element of control.

Personally, I think the reason they are reluctant to do it is that - in spite of some of the muppets on here and elsewhere- he retains vast support and affection. They would find it very difficult to sack Rafa a second time.

They may think appointing a new face will unite the support - it won't. There will always be those that would have preferred X or Y.

At least leaving Roy in they guarantee fan unity - 95% want him GONE NOW.

You also need to consider this:

By having Roy in charge they have a perfect scapegoat and distraction away from all of the things they themselves are NOT doing, ie spending real transfer money and building the new stadium they themselves say we need.

Utter tosh.  A new face will unite the fans and as for the idea that Hodgson is a distraction?  Hodgson is drawing them more flak than anything else.  He's fuck off big target not a distraction.  He is also not their appointment remember.

Your spot on though about the transfers, I mean there have been loads of working days in January so far haven't there...  Same with the ground, I think it's shocking that they haven'y got it built, I mean they've been here 75 days, I managed to put our kitchen in in 65.  Useless bastards.

[Brave Lee Flea]

'There is no arguement from me about what he achieved as a player(despite his cowardly attack on Voeller) or even as the manager at Barce. On the footballing front what worries me most about Frank is what happened in the end at Barce ie. the fall outs with many a name at the club, followed by his poor showing at one of the biggest clubs in Turkey.....it begs the question about Ten Cate and his ability to manage a squad that doesnt consist of the cream of world football.'


I have a couple of issues with these points raised - firstly, the 'fall outs' are similar to Rafa's situation (Liverpool), as is the poor showing at another club (Inter). This is common at big clubs where initial success is not maintained, and the board do not provide funds/give the manager sufficient backing. If you look at the specifics of the fallouts at Barca and the reasons for the problems at Galatassary you'll see the true picture. Like Rafa at Liverpool, Rijkaard peaked early at Barca (2 la liga's and a champions league in his first 3 seasons), and he paid the price from an impatient board and fan base.

Secondly, there are lost of posters on these threads saying that the team Rijkaard inherited was the cream of football talent and he 'couldn't fail' to win trophies. That's not a correct assumption, and if anyone took the time to do an ounce of research they would see the aging stars, huge egos and massive media pressure Rijkaard was under when joining. He then worked closley with his assistant to bring Messi, Iniesta, and Valdes into the first team on a regular basis, and helped develop Xavi into one of the best (arguably the best) playmaker in world football.

Rijkaard is not without his faults, but he is being dismissed by people who then go on to say Pellegrini or Coyle are better options without looking at the facts.

Thanks for bringing a balanced view to the table.

There is still the question of whether Frank and Ten Cate together were greater than the sum of their parts.

[danny boy the red]

To me it just seems insane. Look at the guy, I can see the appeal of a young, dynamic manager but the way some of you lot are going on smacks of the same way we seem to be appointing our politicians these days.

I've said it elsewhere and I'll say it again, is now the right time to appoint a completely unknown quantity? It's a massive gamble IMO, great if it pays off, or we become like Spurs were a few years ago if it doesn't. I know there are no sure things in football but to mind we need a much safer bet right now.

This guy, Klopps, Rangnick... they could be the next Wenger or Mourinho or they could just be a flash in the pan that we might have to sack again in 6 months time.

good point. I  actually think Spurs's succes in the last couple of years had affected us in many ways. Aside from them dislodging us from our league position, they way they got rid of juan de ramos and appointed Arry was seen as the ideal template to follow by Purslow.

Get in an English manager and sanction British signings. So we get Joe cole  who we never, never, needed, instead of Chamakh, and we get Koncheksy for Insua, nuff said.

I think  Purslow failed to take into accounts the millions Spurs had been spending over the last few years to build up a very decent squad of 15-20 players.Also the fact that Levy has very acutely boxed off Arry, so that he is fed money to buy players with literally  no other considerations to take into account, meaning the chance of Arry ruining another club would be minimal.

As FSG said in the  phone in, there has been some disasterous short term decisions made at Liverpool in the last couple of years. 

To be honest the crazyness started when Houllier decided to plump for Diouf over Anelka. Rafa held of that kind of madness, but a month or two after he was gone were giving Juventus 6 million and Aquilani for a 30 year old out of form Poulson who was being kept out the team by Sissoko, who we sold to Juventus because he couldn't get a game for us. Insane.

[Brave Lee Flea]

Totally disagree with you mate.

He may have some whackey ideas and he may make them time and time again....

But he makes his points bloody well and clearly and he never ever resorts to abusing people he doesn't agree with.

It would be dead boring here without him, I don't want to hear just people I agree with all the time and I don't want people who call you a c*nt when you don't.

We are better for having xerxes here!

I agree. He's quite clearly as mad as a box of frogs but he argues the case for his madness well.

[fowlermagic]

If the manager you want for 10 years is not available until the summer and the piece of crap you have looks like it may not get you to the summer then what do you do? The decision may be a lot easier if we keep losing every 2nd game as if you cant rely on what’s here then any old trusty fill in will work…Thompson, Kenny as long as they are happy to step aside / work alongside the new guy. The ball is really in Hodgsons hands as if he cant get the team moving forward at all then he will be out within weeks.

Not too worried about the Jan window as surely Comoli is responsible for targets that he needs to get in that will work under Roy / any new manager in 6 months.

[silver 5 star]

VDM or Kevin or whatever, you defend Fenway to the hilt, weren't you one of the annointed that were ushered into their hallowed presence for tea and biccies?

Fenway's last stage-managed tripe on LFC TV told us nothing.

Nothing has yet moved regarding the stadium.

A manager who has us closer to relegation than to Europe is still in the chair -  despite insulting the paying customers, who BTW are staying away in droves.

Hodgson not their appointment? Yes obviously, why is he still here then? Surely it would make getting rid of him easier?

Exactly what are FSG waiting for?

[rafa4sure]

Don't get me wrong, I'm one of the biggest Rafa fans out there but I think bringing Rafa back would be a mistake. There's too many forces working against him. Certain players still at the club, the majority of the managers in the league, half the fans and 99% of the media. In an ideal world I'd bite your hand off, but the agenda against him is too strong.

I was hoping he'd do well at Inter and re-establish his reputation, so that one day he could return with the media more neutral towards him, but this never happened. It looks like the Inter fans and players never took to him either. Mourinho was an impossible act to follow it seems.

The truth is, there are a lot of people out there who hate his guts. I don't know why, because I love the fella, but this is the sad truth. On BBC's highlights programme today they showed some funny clips from 2010 and showed Rafa gesticulating on the bench. Gabby Logan responded by saying "Ah Rafa, we miss him", to which Colin Wanker retorted with "speak for yourself". Typical of the feeling against him.

Still, saying all that I'd love to see him back, and prove everyone wrong.

[Brave Lee Flea]

Seems they don't mind giving the opposite side their say an all though....
http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/time-for-pool-fans-to-show-some-kopon-2481483.html

Choked on my coffee when reading this. Especially this bit;

.... and Owen Coyle, who is taking a small, traditionally struggling Premier League club up the table while playing some attractive football -- which is pretty much what got Hodgson the job in the first place.

It seems to me that while we're considering whether Xerxes could get the forum sued with his allegedly libellous opinions that I should be able to sue the authors and publishers of that article for the cost of a new keyboard.

[Terry de Niro]

Same with the ground, I think it's shocking that they haven'y got it built, I mean they've been here 75 days, I managed to put our kitchen in in 65.  Useless bastards.

Haha !!!   

[Groundskeeper Willie]

To me it just seems insane. Look at the guy, I can see the appeal of a young, dynamic manager but the way some of you lot are going on smacks of the same way we seem to be appointing our politicians these days.

I've said it elsewhere and I'll say it again, is now the right time to appoint a completely unknown quantity? It's a massive gamble IMO, great if it pays off, or we become like Spurs were a few years ago if it doesn't. I know there are no sure things in football but to my mind we need a much safer bet right now.

This guy, Klopps, Rangnick... they could be the next Wenger or Mourinho or they could just be a flash in the pan that we might have to sack again in 6 months time.

Who do you prefer then?

[Fat Scouser]

VDM or Kevin or whatever, you defend Fenway to the hilt, weren't you one of the annointed that were ushered into their hallowed presence for tea and biccies?

Fenway's last stage-managed tripe on LFC TV told us nothing.

Nothing has yet moved regarding the stadium.

A manager who has us closer to relegation than to Europe is still in the chair -  despite insulting the paying customers, who BTW are staying away in droves.

Hodgson not their appointment? Yes obviously, why is he still here then? Surely it would make getting rid of him easier?

Exactly what are FSG waiting for?

I agree... no reason for VdM to bite. It's probably the inevitable new years hangover. But, he's still right... we have to give them time and support. We've been fighting for so long we can't seem to stop. And we won't until Hodge Podge has gone. But we still need to give them time to get this right. I don't really want to get drawn into this, but I stand by what I said... kneejerking got us into this mess. We have, as FSG said, made really disastorous short term choices. We have no god given right to be up where we won't to be. If we don't start running this club properly again, we could easily go the same way as Leeds or Forest. I'm old enough to remember Huddersfield being a force. I also know we wasn't knocked off our perch... we jumped. We can't keep fucking up, or soon it's going to prove fatal.