You mean when it happens.

The problem was the people who sacked him. And they’re still the problem. How many hours do they reckon it takes a novice to become skilled in a trade or hobby ? I think I read 4000 hours. I served my time for 5 years and at the end of that 5 years I was worth employing. Just about. This lot have had 12 years and I wouldn’t send them to the chippy and expect them to get the order right !

Who’s going to be Ayala’s replacement when he cries off in the warm up again ?

He’s not good enough for the Premier League. That’s why he’s still at a Championship club.

Yeah it was really obvious that they’d reached for the nuclear option after being involved in the game for a dog watch and knowing the square root of nothing about football. What could possibly go wrong ? The first thing I did when I heard they’d sacked Sam was to get the league table up to see how many points we needed to get to 40. That’s the honest truth.

Yes, probably the best player on the pitch inspite of the score. Tremendous goal.

I was supposed to see them in 1964, just when they’d released their first LP. I had the ticket and got into the venue. There was supposed be mods v rockers trouble in the town that night and they never turned up. According to Bill Wyman they only missed two gigs in their whole career and that was one of them ! I did get to see them years later at the Sheffield arena. OK, but nothing special that time I’m afraid.

If that were todays football Ripley would be on the left and Wilcox on the right. Both coming inside all the time and crowding the play.

Rice is the nearest in style and position to Ronnie that I’ve seen playing for England recently. What we used to call a “ wing half “. The link between the defence and the advanced midfield. Unfortunately Mason Mount will never be the new Bryan Douglas even if he lives to be a thousand.

It’s the way he runs with the ball with his elbows cocked. Ronnie was the same. He’s just as busy as Ronnie was as well.

You know who Rice reminds me of when he’s on the ball - Ronnie Clayton.

Bloody hell that was tedious. Like having teeth pulled. Stirling missed one my mum could have scored. He’s been awful in this comp.

“Our squad isn’t threadbare, we need about 6 signings “ . Enough said.

So you’ve basically emigrated and you don’t intend to return then ? That’s not quite the same as moving abroad to do a job for a limited amount of time. It’ll be interesting to see if he brings his family with him, if he has one that is. That’s what you miss in my opinion.

The Stones gig at Anfield got 5 stars in todays paper.

That’s in his favour then, he ‘ll know about the “ culture “ and he’ll know what he’s letting himself in for to a certain extent. Was he married then though ? Being part of a group of similar guys in one thing, being in charge of them is another. “ The loneliness of command “ an all that.

I have my doubts Chaddy. I’ll tell you why. Putting his coaching background to one side. Has he ever lived in this country ? Have you ever worked away from home and family for any length or time ? I have and it’s hard, really hard. Only guys who never wanted to get married in the first place enjoy working away. I’ve known a few of those but mainly guys find it hard. Living out of a hotel room is crap, even if it’s a good hotel. That’s just one of the reasons why I’d rather have somebody who’s managed in England previously.

The ball can move faster than any player you care to name.

Weren’t we linked with the guy who was a Blackpool, now at Villa ?

Disagree all you like, the facts are that so far all the guys we’ve been linked with have gone somewhere else.

Yeah, and they’ve not let us down have they !

Let’s face it - you’ve got to be desperate to take the Rovers job under the conditions the Chokers have set out. Anybody with a choice is going to take the other option

Or the pilot has decided to deliberately crash the plane ! Ring any bells ?

Let’s have it right, he’s gone for the money. That’s what happens in football, and normal life if we’re being honest

Too easy. The Chokers like “ The added degree of difficulty “ in everything they do.