RedHarvest

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It's generally true we've played better (in patches) against the "big sides" - so I see what Roy's up to here: bigging up spurs so the players might actually give a s***

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He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy

Hadn't Kenny had watched Hazard pre Comolli? Re: Pacheco, definitely something funny going on, probably something to Kevs allusions to him acting up. Still doesn't excuse the old chaps blame-the-kids for Northamptom policy.

IMO the Arsenal model is sound and sane especially in the context of imminent fair play rules for the league. I can comfortably subscribe to this while wanting us to improve on the model by actually winning trophies. Another point is Wenger is only one part of the overall philosophy there, and it's only relatively recently that he's lost his winning teambuilding mojo.

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He's a ringer for Bubbles from The Wire

Obviously our manager is an impediment, I just think a lot of people are buying into Spurs press darling status and concluding we're gonna get "tonked". We have players who, if they dont hide ala the derby, can get something from this game. Glass half full and all that.

Spurs are being overrated. They're having a good run at the moment and Bale and VDV are on fire but they'll default to brittle at some point. On form we'll get beat but this season the formbook is all over the place. I see no reason for such pessimism about this fixture - unless it's misery insurance. If Kuyt, Torres, Meireles and Johnson have good games we'll win it. It's less about the manager in the bigger games than it is about the players, as the Chelsea game proved

True - a more recent example would be Malouda. He never got a chance. Hodgson sacrificed him to impose his own order (and Poulsen) on the club. There are factors we dont know about, like his own attitude and demeanor in training etc... maybe he was hankering to get back home, didnt adapt to the country - but I feel a player of his talent would've adapted eventually to the league.

It's still a punt I dont see NESV taking. They seem to be all about the long term ongoing profitability and success borne of this stat driven moneyball sports business model. An expensive gamble to achieve a CL windfall doesn't seem like their MO

Inter fan I know claims they're lining up Spalletti to replace Rafa

Be an expensive business though. Bielsa and especially Rijkaard would be looking for long term contracts on good money. My feeling is that whomever NESV appoint after Roy will be here for the long term. No stopgap manager; we'll finish mid table or a little higher - the season is written off as damage limitation and they're obviously not as concerned as many of us about our best players potentially wanting out. IMO the Kenny option just isn't in their thinking. As far as our new owners are concerned Hodgson IS the caretaker.

This is as good as announcing Poulsen will retain his place against Spurs

Good points and it's reasonable not to want to be drawn into a shrieking, baying Newcastle-esque mob - but if it waddles like a duck and quacks...etc ...it's patently obvious he's not got what it takes to manage this club. He's basically caretaker manager until NESV get their strategy in place and make their move for the new, long term manager. IMO that'll be in the summer; until then I wont be joining the witch hunt or posting (much) abuse and I wont be letting the mans paranoid ramblings and negative tactics ruin my pleasure in the few decent results/performances we pick up along the way.

I'd absolutely have kept him, no argument there. I was gutted when he was sent on loan cos I was looking forward to seeing him play himself into the first team (and further gutted when Poulsen came in). The point I was making is that the Italian league suits his game (as is evident on that clip reel) and he had yet to adapt fully to this league - some questions remained about whether he had the heart for it., but alas he wasn't given the chance by Hodgson.

Certainly classy and there's little doubt he'd improve us were he here but it has to be said the pace of the game is nowhere near as fast and hectic as the Prem league; he'd never have as much time on the ball

Mole please. Hate cats.

Roys upped his game considerably. The press gaffes are fewer, the Rafa backdown, the tactical flexibility shown yesterday and against Napoli. The results take the pressure off him obviously - but more than that the type of performance for most of yesterdays match is what we want to see and didn't up to now think he was capable of inspiring. He deserves credit, no doubt. But it doesn't mean he's the right man for the future. I still think he'll get the season and the higher we finish the more ruthless NESV will look when they replace him.

Very hard to call with such an unexpectedly great team performance from us. Everyone stepped up, Carra, Skrtel, Torres,,, Kuyt straight back into the team with a typical big game performance....anyway: Lucas - didn't put a foot wrong Pepe - Immense as usual, his contribution to the result shouldn't be underestimated Miereles - tireless, creative, direct

you have to say he's been great value for money, and our most consistent performer this season along with Pepe

Everything points to NESV playing the longer game. Roy will most likely be here for the season while Comolli/NESV identify and approach the new coach (and negotiate the dynamics of a DoF/coach relationship) . Hodgson, regardless of results picking up or performances exponentially improving, is clearly not the man for the future due primarily to his age. Camolli's appointment is the first nail in Roys coffin, I just dont expect him to be jettisoned anytime soon.