Sideshow Luiz

Been waiting to post this amongst all of the day-of-the-week music videos

Fair enough.

I thought it was both that we were linked with. Definately remember Romagnoli. Either way, it's an odd signing if it does happen. Of all the positions that need strengthening (with depth), CB isn't really one of them.

Weren't we linked with him last season or the one before? I thought he was seen as a left sided CB in a 3 man defence. It's odd that we're supposedly close to this deal with Conte and the 3/5 ATB on the way out the door (supposedly).

So, not really a gentleman's agreement as such. More like a formal (signed) agreement in lieu of financial compensation.

Typical!!

I'm coming to London this weekend (I haven't updated my profile), is the weather as hot as Pedulla says it is? Trying to figure out what to pack.

Not a link to a rumour or anything like that. An article on Stats Bomb about recruiting managers. https://statsbomb.com/2017/09/what-you-really-need-to-know-about-football-manager-recruitment/

There's that too.

I wondered that too. My guess would be the lack of trophies. The only club more concerned with a manager's trophy count than us is Madrid.

Conte. Unless Madrid come calling. We're doing the Napoli 2 manager thing. Also, how cheeky would it be to try to get Madrid to pay a buy out clause for Conte?

Can confirm the name and surname If he just said Elseid or Hysaj we'd be really curious as to who he's talking about.

Ouch. That is the impression I got from the spielverlagerung.com article.

So he wants to put Morata out wide, like he did with Cavani when Zlatan came in? I suppose this means that we'd be in for another striker, but surely it would be better to sell Morata and get an actual wide player.

No way.

There is also the chance that we will put in a token "matching" bid way too late.

In a nutshell: Everyone is so on edge that every piece of twitter this or that is brought up, analyzed, then debated. Cabin fever has taken hold. Lack of news is leading to in-fighting. Conte is still our manager.

The club and the manager have to work together. I think that the idea of the manager having the final word in the market is an English media thing. Clubs in England seemed to be the last to go to a director of football model. In fact, if I recall, they used to refer to it as a "Continental set-up". But, just about every club does it now, I think. Managers know that if results don't come, they get the sack. If it were up to them, the clubs would spend ridiculous amounts of money on players that are older, and have no re-sale value. Newcastle fans slated the club for not backing Keegan in his last stint, but his short list was ridiculous. The club needs to look after their long term interests, managers are usually all about "win now". Redknapp at Portsmouth is a prime example of how it goes wrong when a manager has too much power. But, they need to work together or you get the square peg in round hole scenario. This is where a club identity and style has to fit with the manager. It's well and good to have great promising talent, but if they don't get played, they risk being shipped off to somewhere like Wolfsburg for example before they really get a chance. As far as Seri goes. With some players, it doesn't matter who the manager is. A ball playing CM with vision and technique will fit in with just about any midfield.

That's how I read it as well. If this is really the case, then everything makes sense. 8M to get your 1st choice in was worth it, 8M to get someone in a month early is not.

So, am I reading this right? On July 1st, Sarri will be released if no club comes in and pays the 8M clause (which is not in effect anymore, but a negotiated fee)?

To be fair, if we had squeaked in to 4th spot, it may have saved Conte's job. MAY.

I'd read that. I didn't find it particularly exciting, personally. Especially that section on how slow PSG were to move the ball from build up to the final 3rd without Verratti.

Still think there's a chance that we'll still get Sarri and that these other names are a smokescreen. If ti were Blanc or Enrique, then what's the hold up? We've apparently contacted them before, at least Enrique.

I think he's been good. Not GREAT, but one of the top in the league, probably top 10 in the world. However, he's not bigger than the club, he's replaceable. If he doesn't want to be here, fine. Since he's leaving on a free next summer, we should just sell him and get something for him and move on. It's going to be this summer or next anyway.

With all of this faffing about, it's clear that there isn't someone that they (board) actually want. They just don't want Conte. Any half recognizable name attached to a warm body will do. I get the impression that the board just need a scapegoat for when they fuck up. We'll be right back here in 2 summers, max. P.S. I've also noticed that whenever anyone refers to the board, we use "them". Instead of "us" or "we". Pretty much sums up the way that the supporters feel about the running of the club these days.