Godders

With an option to extend, we hold the cards. If it's his legs have gone, we don't extend the contract. If Bruce wants him for a season in the PL, but JT himself doesn't feel as though he'd be up to it, we don't extend the contract. If Bruce wants him in the PL and JT feels he's got another PL season in him, we extend the contract. At no point are we hoping that a 38yo JT would be able to do it in the PL. We're only extending the contract if there's a good deal of certainty that he can. Edit: assuming there is a option for the club to extend his contract.

What makes you think we don't have an option to extend his contract if we want? There's your long term plan. If JT proves he's still up to it, and Bruce has him in his plans for next season in the PL, we add another year on his contract. If he's not up to it, which by the way would probably be pretty obvious early on in the season, we don't exercise the option to extend and plan to get in a new CB for next season. Oh, and welcome John!!

Just for anyone interested, here's a link to the verdict in full. Grab yourselves a brew and a spare 30 mins if you want to read through; it's long http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/9398132/John-Terry-found-not-guilty-of-racism-the-verdict-in-full.html John Terry found not guilty of racism: the verdict in full

Ah OK. Apologies for misunderstanding! He's always maintained the only reason he said it was because Anton Ferdinand accused him of saying it, ie... AF: "did you just call me x?!" JT: "No I didn't just call you x!" X obviously being the phrase in question. If that version of events is true, it suggests he's not a racist, even though he used that language towards Ferdinand. Ultimately though, there's only one person who knows exactly what went down that day, and he's said it's this version of events.

It's incredibly misleading click bait. It's saying we're the favourites out of the Championship clubs. Not favourites overall (which is West Ham).

Guys, come on. It comes with a light sabre. Why wouldn't you buy this?!

I'm not one for using this language, but in the context of what's being discussed, it's probably inevitable.

Apologies, thought you were talking about his intent to use racist language. I seem to remember he resigned because he felt his position had become untenable. Certainly not an admission of guilt on his part. The FA would have had their own public relations motivations as well. Look, you think JT is a racist word removed based on his previous. I fully respect your opinion. I don't personally think he's a racist though.

That's not strictly speaking true. What couldn't be proved is whether JT was responding to an accusation from Ferdinand that he'd used a racist slur, or whether he'd made the statement without the accusation. JT had always maintained he was using the same words Ferdinand had accused him of using just prior, but as a question; as in "you really think I'd call you a ...?" The Judge also cited the FA report in his judgement (which was used as evidence by the prosecution), and said that the context of JT's interview was that he was responding to Ferdinand's accusation. I believe the FA found him guilty of using racially abusive language towards Ferdinand. That's never been in doubt - he's always maintained he used that language towards Ferdinand. What is important though, and the reason why he wasn't found guilty in court, is that it wasn't clear whether or not he was responding to an accusation made by Ferdinand that he'd called him that.

Agree with all of that @Eastie. I was disputing the original claim he's dropping down to get promoted with us. He's not- he's dropping down because he doesn't want to move abroad and we're the ones who have so far seemingly offered the best contract.

As we've seen reports around him wanting his coaches badges, and now around future management as well, I suspect that he's more mindful of that side of things now. I strongly suspect that if 'Arry told him he was retiring after the upcoming season, and the club board were guaranteeing offering him the managers spot when it happens, he'd be giving serious consideration to a SHA deal. Vreitti suggested that he was coming here for silverware. If that was his motivation, I'm sure clubs like LA Galaxy or Guangzhou would have him on more money than we could offer.

The reason he's expected to drop to the Championship is because apparently he doesn't want to play against Chelsea, so he's not going to sign for a PL team, and he apparently doesn't want to move abroad. Assuming that to be true, the Championship is the top league he's going play in now. He's had two offers that fit his criteria - us and Birmingham. He's going to sign whichever contract suits him best, which at the moment is us if you believe the press and bookies. Thats why he's dropping down, not necessarily because he still wants to compete for real, which he would probably achieve, with far more money playing in MLS or China.

Now If I was Dr Tone, I wouldn't mind offering JT this as a sweetener. However, I'd be stipulating that he won't be taking over within the next 3 or so years if Bruce goes within that time- he's basically on an apprenticeship that must be finished. Point is, we don't know the specifics of the clause, or even if it exists, so I would urge caution before jumping to the conclusion that we're hiring Bruce's immediate successor in JT.

Here's a conversation that may have happened between Terry's PR rep and the papers: PR rep: "Guys, don't run the story. You're misrepresenting the facts. She wasn't with Wayne Bridge when he slept with her. " Papers: "Sorry, this is golden for sales. We're running it. Front page." PR rep: "We'll just head on over to the court then and have them order you to not run it." There we have a court injunction granted, at Terry's request, even though in this scenario, he's innocent of any wrongdoing. Also I doubt that court injunctions are given out willy nilley anytime someone asks for one. I suspect (though I haven't verified this) that there has to be reasonable doubt that the report is inaccurate before a court grants an injunction. If that weren't the case, we'd be in a situation where the Government of the day could control the press through the courts, which kind of makes a mockery of the whole freedom of the press thing. You are of course fully entitled to draw conclusions using any evidence you choose. I'm just pointing out the fact that actually, getting a court injunction is absolutely not an admission of guilt. It is in fact more likely, I believe, to suggest that what we've read in the press may not be fully representative of what actually happened.

I don't like the term "Bruce out-ers": it's a bit of a mouthful. Perhaps there's some sort of portmentau we can come up with on Bruce and out. Brouters? What about exit instead of out. Brexiters maybe?

Whilst I will have the utmost respect for anyone man enough to admit they were wrong, Im also mindful of the fact that a leopard rarely changes it's spots. I suspect that, when promoted, this thread will subtly change into pages and pages of "yeah but, Bruce isn't a premier league manager. We should get rid now and bring in someone for the long term."

Alex Bruce??

You can, it's just you said "it's not just the reports in the papers" , implying you know him outside of what's been reported. I was just interested to see when you met him since this isn't the impression of him I've had from others who have met him. You are of course fully entitled to your opinion though, regardless of whether or not it's formed on the basis of press reports, or otherwise.

Really? I've generally heard the opposite from people. When did you meet him?

If we sign Terry, am I right in thinking that in the last couple of summers, we'd have signed a current PL champion? Nice to see we've still got pulling power if true, even in the Championship.

Yeah they'll have a point to prove- playing at a higher level with us, they'll want to prove they're capable of doing so: they'll be well fired up. Get them in young too - give them time to develop at our level. You could be on to something here SGC! We could call them young and hungry!! I mean, we could be getting our next star midfielder from someone like Crewe!!

My guess is it has nothing to do with Bruce, by virtue of the fact that Bruce and the board probably agreed who was staying and who was going months ago. Hence why Wyness is already working on ins. My guess is the players kicking up a stink. That's if there is actually a thing at all.

No manager is ever guaranteed success at any club, let alone immediate success. Look at Pep: best manager on the planet, bar none. Really really struggled this season at City.

I agree that just because he's been promoted before, there is no guarantee he will be again. I don't think anyone at all is suggesting he is completely nailed on to get us back up, and those of us in the Bruce in camp probably all agree with the notion that he has to hit the ground running next season otherwise he will be gone. The difference is that those in the Bruce in camp beleive he can, and will, hit the ground running next season (note that everyone will have their own reasons for reaching this conclusion and it probably won't be based solely on his previous 4 promotions). I completely disagree with the notion that things have changed now, and that Bruce is/is becoming a relic of a bygone age. He was last promoted from this league 12 months ago. No way in hell has the league changed that dramatically in one single season, regardless of how many foreign managers are now with us. And he did it with a Hull side that was one of the better teams in the league at keeping hold of the ball and scoring goals.

Sorry, should have said some of our supporters, but yes, I genuinely do. Some of our supporters were calling for Bruce's head during our late season surge because, despite winning games, we weren't playing nice football. I can't see some idely standing by if we lose 4-0 to Bristol City, or 5-0 to Fulham.