AntrimBlack

so would i doug. Absolutely not ! No way ! No how !

Don't know how many times this needs to be pointed out, but football can never be compared with what happens in the workplace. The use of analogies means nothing. I like Weimann's application, he makes good runs, gets into good positions, gets goals, is a much better player in the middle. See, you do not need analogies. And this hard working lad, who is unfortunately not good enough in your eyes, whom you will `cull', is a person. Some day someone may `cull' you, you might not be so flippant and unfeeling about it.

I would not be surprised to see him go out on loan until the end of the season. Then probably see more of him and possibly Robinson next season. Sherwood might well concentrate on the more experienced players for the rest of the season to be sure of keeping us up, and I could not blame him for that.

Brilliant. Forgot about that one.

Or we could just keep him as a very good centre back, the best one we have.

I think it was much more to do with our scouting set up and people like Paddy Riley than Lambert. So i'm not concerned one bit that our transfers will move away from trying to bring in the likes of benteke, sanchez and gill. I really hope you're right - certainly when transfers didn't work out Lambert was blamed so I'm guessing it's not as black and white as you suppose What if he's wrong, what if it was ALL down to Lambert (even though I think we both know the truth is somewhere in between). Does this automatically mean that Sherwood will be poor in this area? For somebody who remained positive in the darkest of times, I'm confused by your negativity now. I could never quite believe that any manager is responsible for scouting players, but would certainly have the final say. In that regard they of course have responsibility for good or bad outcomes, but initial recommendations it would make sense to come from the scouting network, which I understand is headed up by Reilly, and that presumably will not change, no matter who the manager is.

I thought that too, I don't know if it's just wishful thinking but he did say clearly that the short term goal is obviously keeping Villa in the PL, but long term the goal is to push on... I suppose this could mean towards a mid table finish... but I'd take solid mid-table to be honest, and build from there. i just think it meant exactly what he said, short term stay up this season, long term get stabilised in the league.

Is the scouting network that recommended Benteke and Gil to Lambert part of the club, or is it Lambert's network. I am never too sure how that end of things works. I believe Benteke and Gil where presented through the fruits of Paddy Reilly's labour. Funny that coutinho was a hair away from joining us and then he went to Liverpool. Not sure the exact timeline of Paddys 2 spells here but I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out he's the reason that coutinho went to Liverpool instead of us. But yes, I think (might be wrong!) that Paddy Reilly is the man responsible for the scouting network and has been credited with pushing the club to sign Benteke. Well, that is comforting, especially since Reilly has been involved with Cox in the choice of new manager.

No matter how we feel about the guy, he deserves a chance, and most on here are prepared to give him that chance. Lambert frankly was boring me witless, but Sherwood will certainly, in my opinion, make things happen. We badly need a boost at this stage to kickstart our drive to stave off relegation. Looking at the fixtures, there really are winnable games, and it is still very tight down at the bottom, so a bit of a good run could be enough.

Is the scouting network that recommended Benteke and Gil to Lambert part of the club, or is it Lambert's network. I am never too sure how that end of things works.

No more mollycoddling now, Mr. Benteke. The new manager has more attitude than you !

With him possibly having been to Villa Park, it would not surprise me that Fox had this already set up and has put some thought into the decision. Hope this is the right move. I am convinced we were going down under Lambert, so this at least gives us some hope.

If he keeps us up, he can wear a Birmingham City onesy for all I care !

It is becoming annoying to have constantly become the butt of so many jokes. Something else that has never happened before.

Obviously we don't want this to happen all game. But I think there is an argument for getting the ball into him via the air or ground even if it's just to get him used to doing what he does best again. He's been a passenger far too much in this current system It looked to me that they were back to hoofing it in the last game, but it made little difference.

Well in the context of my post it made sense...to me at least! Although off topic but I kind of miss Harewood, it was always funny watching him bundle around the pitch, you could generally see what he was trying to do he could just never pull it off, reminded me of myself when my Sunday league team gave me a go up front once (normally in goal) got a wondergoal at Anfield A goal? Ah, those were the days !

Well, it would not be unusual for the rest of the coaching staff to follow the manager out of the door. So he has the thankless task of `preparing' the team for the match on Monday, knowing that he will probably be losing his job quite soon. Enough to make anyone pissed off.

I just feel that with the Arsenal/Wenger connection, and the `attractive football' approach, Fox is likely to look to the continent.

They will continue to prepare the squad not take charge of the team. Usually they would say that they will take charge of the team until a new manager is appointed. Did not notice that. Possibly means the ground work has been done and they expect to have someone in quickly.

I must just say, so many of the posters on here are really well informed about the various managers, that I am well impressed. My knowledge is very limited by comparison, and with all the information and names being bandied about, I have no idea who would be best for us and no informed preference. However,with the connections he must have made, and his experience at Arsenal, I just hope that Cox can get the right man, to keep us up at least and hopefully take us forward.

I have no problem with a guy who makes misleading statements to a journalist to support his under fire manager, although he must already have known he would probably be sacking Lambert shortly. That is the sort of person his job requires, someone who will do whatever is needed to succeed. His job is not meant for a nice guy. If my opinion of Fox is correct, he will already have been looking at options anyway.

Is Krulak still involved in the club?

Careful. You get warning points for that comment. I presume this is a reference to the post that got deleted where you accused me of being on a wind-up for daring to praise Lambert. I think there's a bit of a difference. Edit: I wouldn't have deleted it myself, I'm sure you didn't mean anything by it, but I promise I wasn't trying to wind anybody up with my praise for Lambert. OK. Understood. No problem. My apologies. I was confused, but you have made that clear now.

Careful. You get warning points for that comment.

Richard might not be 'ITK' but he does seem to have an uncanny sixth sense for what's going to happen, only yesterday he was certain that Lambert was going to leave and that's what happened. What he has is an uncanny sense of saying little, and allowing others to interpret his words. Like Nostradamus.