Shteeve McClaren

While I would not want Holloway back in any shape or form it does concern me that McClaren felt we could do no more yesterday as I felt we were totally clueless in how to play against ten men for 80 minutes. We looked knackered as a team and just hope our big players perform against Rotherham and Bolton as I do not think this team has the stomach for a dog fight unless Rangel and Cameron return as both were a huge influence on those around them.

What shocked me yesterday Tarbs was how long it took us to have two out and out wide men on the pitch as width is how you beat teams with 10 men. Thought BOS was ok but he needs to work on when to release the ball but him aside we were absolutely woeful and was very suprised how little we got from the sidelines.

I agree Jimmy. Here's the thing I've observed in my many years of watching football at this level: managers can make a difference, of course, but by and large, with a very few exceptions, not that much difference. The squad is the thing that really makes the difference. Colin had a superb bunch of players at his disposal in that triumphant season, with the mercurial, brilliant Taarabt to the fore. And yes, Colin is one of the few exceptions, but there aren't many.

For me, one of the key things we've lacked for many a year is stability. The constant merry-go-round of sackings and hirings has done little to improve our fortunes. With the FFP sanctions imposed as well, we're pretty much seeing the best we can hope for at the moment. I don't think Schteve is a bad manager. Given a bit of good fortune here and there we'd be several places higher in the table. And luck tends to even itself out in the long run. I think we should stick with him. 

I don’t actually blame Steve for how bad we were against ten men I blame the players who game by game are showing is there pretty stupid

Against ten men don’t need manager to say make pitch big, keep ball moving and don’t lump it (which is stokes strength). Fact BFG and Hall kept lobbing it forward tells me there clueless

Wouldn't surprise me to see Sol Campbell as our next manager. He's on the ladder, ambitious, and we'd be a step up for him. I'm not saying it would be a good idea.....

maybe not but you read it here first

I wouldn't be surprised if McClaren walks at the end of the season. I don't think he appreciated when he took the job just how hamstrung by FFP we are. He doesn't know any players in League 1 or 2, which is our hunting ground these days, he's getting zero help in the transfer market from our DoF, and our 'Head Scout' isn't even employed by the club, he's a freelancer.

From what I've heard, McClaren promised the board a much better return this season than what he's delivered so far. I think the realities of trying manage a club with no money will be starting to hit home about now.

If he does walk, I'd say we have a ready made replacement in Gareth Ainsworth. He's accustomed to operating on a shoestring, he knows League 1 and 2 as good as anyone so will know where we can find players in our price range, he knows the club and the fans love him. Mind you, I said all of this about Ainsworth in the summer, doesn't mean the board will see it as I do!

Like Tarbs I've been touting Wild Thing as our next manager for some time (long before we got Schteve), but now, on consideration, is there any profit to made from going back to the same well? Personally I don't think Steve will walk at the end of the season. I think he knows what he's got himself involved with and it's a long-term project. The board seem to be solidly behind him, so I don't think he's under huge pressure from that quarter. I believe realism has at last come to bear. I think Hoos is a major factor here too, and he understands the benefits of stability, and he knows more than any that this is a long-term project and you're not going to help anything by changing the manager yet again. We fans may suffer (or some of us) in our longing for results and excitement, but this is a 3 year project with Steve I reckon.

Next season is going to be very interesting. I believe Freeman will be gone, along with several other players like Lynch, possibly Luongo and possibly even Eze, although I think we need to hold on to him for as long as possible. But a team with Chair and Smyth, experience of regular first team football under their belts, could be exciting, alongside the more seasoned regulars. But it might be an even more difficult season than this.

I think we can keep the first two but Wells might be expensive.

I think kenny Jackett is a better bet than Ainsworth
If i were Ainsworth I wouldn't touch QPR with a bargepole, mind you
KJ might think the same, how attractive do we think we are, some very big delusions about this club

I think it’s fair for us to expect candidates to have managed at least 1 season in the championship or at the very least a couple of successful seasons in league 1......something that Ainsworth and JFH haven’t done. Jackett is different and would probably fit the bill now. Let’s not put ourselves down all the time, we’re not Rotherham. We’ve had 3 seasons in the prem in last 10 years, other 7 were spent in Championship. We’re a London club with a good history. We will attract decent managers.

But isn’t that Les and Penrice job?

Is it time to sack him now? I wouldn' t give a shit anymore if it was.

Yes.