mikeroyboy

A lot can happen in 10yrs. Portsmouth are the current shining example and there have been umpteen other high profile, well supported clubs that have hit the buffers in that 10yrs. Virtually all had the same problem - poor corporate management and shocking financial judgment. The Conference is full of our type of club who have made the same mistakes. Here 'WE' are, still in L1 but relatively stable. It would be fair to say that even the most pessimistic Tics fan is more optimist for the coming season than the last five. As a company the club is still in business because we have been prudently run. Maybe it is now our turn to have a little luck with a team manager.

Take care folks! We could be revisiting this plot line again in the near future. 'Adam Rooney signs for Donny'.

JCH - based on his preseason performances - will be a prominent member of the first team squad. LJ, has acquired some crowd pleasing talent up front and he will not be afraid to shuffle them. A great scenario for focussing footballers minds and bringing the fans back.

Without going to over the top I like it better than I did last years drab home kit. In the 60s Vauxhall did a Victor in something similar and called it Carnival Red, I think.

The 'JOE ROYLE SUITE' Boundary Park. Meet the manager and players event. Tickets sold out in three days?

The only thing that's not a puzzle with bookies odds is why you can never get odds on bookies losing to punters on any given total bet. By 'lumping' I hope you don't mean your house.

Exactly!

Good find this report, jimsleftfoot. It helps us to focus on the consistency of Corney’s business acumen and his unchanged long term planning for the club. What has changed is the world’s financial infrastructure, the collapse of housing valuations and the building trade and not least a reassessment of people’s perceptions of what is value for money. Through all this Corney has steered an unexciting but steady course. I give him credit for that, for many have failed in these last nine years. For me this report confirms that the land owned by Brassbanks is still connected to the club by association and therefore would, IMO, be included in the sale of the club. Those who see little value or appeal in the club on a standalone basis are correct. Corney and his mates are honourable men, trying to extricate themselves from something that went badly wrong for them. In many ways this was outside of their control. But we are still in L1, a new stand nearer than ever and two potential buyers not coming up to muster for whatever reason. We should all hope that the 3Amigoes don’t weaken their resolve in wanting their money back.

From another angle; who provides the contract to be signed, player, club or League? Is it really conceivable that Rooney is claiming breach of contract on a document that has only one signature? It appears that all we know is there is a contractual dispute between Rooney and Swindon. We have to assume that Rooney has told Latics exactly what that dispute is and Latics believe that they have a very good chance of getting their man. They will also except there is a risk of training him and playing him and then not getting him, for whatever reason, not least he may well just bugger off somewhere else. Or we have got him to sign some sort of contract that stipulates if he doesn't sign/play for Swindon he will for us.

Andy Sweeney, between the halfway line and the penalty box.

That's a pretty good interview on the hoof Prozac How many chairmen would stop for a chat with a customer in any industry, let alone football. I am not surprised by Corney's reaction to unsuitable suitors. Nor will I be unduly surprised if he one day takes the bait. Like most football chairmen Corney has no natural skill or aptitude for running a successful football club. Most of the successful ones either throw money at it or are lucky with a manager who actually knows what they are doing. Corney has had no such luck with a manager nor is he stupid enough to throw money at it. He has never shown any appetite for relegation or we would have long gone. Just maybe his luck, and ours is changing regarding a manager. I hope so because I for one am in no hurry to see the back of Corney.

There is more detail in my grand-kids pocket money. The only outcome is that it will benefit the club any-which-way. A circa £15 million investment needs some serious potential for an income stream in any ones book. FIFTEEN MILLION POUNDS, that's a lot of someone else's dosh. The conference centre alone could introduce several score of business's a year to the club. The new stand is an essential prerequisite to any new buyer I would have thought. FIFTEEN MILLION POUNDS. If every living soul in the town gave £100 that would just about cover it. I suppose we could stick with the bloody big hole we have now, how much does that bring in? The piper calls the tune is a very apt saying sometimes.

I can't help thinking that the way the signings are shaping up and the outgoings have gone/going Johnson should have enough in the kitty to row the boat out a couple of times. Central defender, striker, for example.

Simply because of what he achieved in his first 10 matches I have gone for the 2nd but I am rational enough to realise that, like the weather, what happens in the next 100 days may bear no resemblance to the last 100. For a novice coach I think that Johnson comes into the job with far more insight of coaching methods, tactics and man management than the average retiring player. His ability to bring together players who can understand and carry out his theories on the pitch has yet to be tested. Amen.

Just as an example; Shrewsbury town the favourites for the drop were 11th in average league attendances last season. We were 16th.

The bookies are not so simplistic. Otherwise Portsmouth would not have been one of the favourites for relegation all last season.

Exactly! To raise or lower the odds bookies react to action, performance and quality signings or departures. We are pretty much where we were at the end of last season if not worse. A few of our better players have left to be replaced by (up to now) generally unknown quantities. Bookies are oblivious to sentiment and don't rely on You Tube. As it stands we will have to rely on results to lower the odds on relegation. And this is not the squad we will kick off with.

Man the life boats .

I thought that's what we were judging?

LJ may not be the messiah but there is nothing he has done on the field tactically that does not stand him head and shoulders above Dickov. Dickov was like an hare in the headlights, Johnson changes it, 3 subs at half time if necessary. He is in front of Dickov on points also - for the time being.

'Bit', I would agree with that.

This badge is the top coaching qualification and is essential at the highest level. Johnson already has the A and B enabling him to do the Pro. The Pro is run over 12months and I am sure I recall hearing or reading that he had already started the course on his appointment at BP. The guy is totally focussed on reaching the top and being the very best he can. My only doubt at the moment is how long will we be able to hang on to him. Of course time will tell, and pretty damn soon.

Pseudonym, is a wind up merchant of some intelligence. They didn't pick up that handle in the Sun that's for sure. The posters that have told them 'exactly' where to go should be congratulated.

A very good signing indeed. We seem to be heading for a very talented League1 squad. I for one am very happy we have Johnson deciding who plays where, when and how.

Chase em down and shake em up character, scores a few goals as well. If LJ signed him (unaffordable and maybe too old) he would have a plan for him as a team player. Allegedly, he was talking about going to the States before extending his contract at Sheffield.