All outweighed by being shit.

That's not a counter-argument to my point that the manager should choose the style, not the director of football.

I feel that I...etc.

It doesn't bother you because not only does it not affect you, but you have an empathy void. That has long since been established. Why people sat at home are prioritised so much over people who go to games is beyond me. Well no, money. The EFL and Sky are the problem, it stems from the formers greed and lack of regard to fans, but the latter also solely focus on their best interests too, not the fans. Not the proper ones, anyway.

I think Burns and Pike are clearly not deemed at anywhere near the standard, so at least it got them some experience with finding a new club.

Rice is a level or two up from Phillips who is not a top player by any means. But just in terms of how he plays, it would be interesting to see how and where he fits in at such a great side who have a very specific way of playing. Their most defensive 2 midfielders need to be great on the ball, the more attacking 2 need to be really good in the final third.

But equally, its not fair to just have the same teams on every single week from the second half of the season. The problem next season is that although the notice issue will be better, because now its a joke. The sheer quantity of changes will cause so much inconvenience. Either way, match going fans will always be bottom of the pile when it comes to priorities from the EFL and Sky.

Even up until March/early April. Allows a spread of teams rather than some teams fans being particularly inconvenienced.

They should have to decide the TV fixtures now for the season too.

I guess it is something we have to reluctantly tolerate to be successful, but still, ideal scenario, we keep winning yet Sky cant look beyond Leeds and Leicester every week so we avoid kick off changes.

City seemingly close to signing Kovacic and Rice it seems. The Kovacic one makes sense in that you can see him just filling in for Gundogan who is leaving, albeit maybe not quite as effective. I wonder where Rice will play. They play 3 centre backs and 2 holding midfielders, one who is Rodri and one who is Stones, both very good on the ball. Will Rice dislodge Stones because I am not convinced he is that type of player, or play where Gundogan did next to De Bruyne?

Thankfully we avoided them in the first week at least. Hopefully we will avoid them as much as possible.

Bizarre how the style of play isnt decided by the manager.

The cost cutting really has gone too far.

4 games on TV! Hope thats just without the Prem. Happy with a 3pm Saturday home game at last.

Did he go to India in the end? I remember the furore when it was suggested that he might not. I do wonder how truly happy he is. He always seemed to have a chip on his shoulder post January shambles, he sounded at his limit post Millwall and I bet he had his heart set on Feyenoord.

Doesnt help that the Euro's is stupidly expanded now, with the World Cup to follow. But yeah, even the likes of Capello and Hodgson used to breeze to qualification with average squads.

Can play with a cigar in his mouth against minnows in qualifying, problem is against the big teams in major tournaments when it matters when we come up short. Players come through but he keeps getting picked. Going forward, competitive with anyone.

We will have to find a quick fix to the lummox playing at centre back then.

I cant say that I have once waxed lyrical over Brazil winning a qualifier. Obviously England are doing as well as could be expected, our team is full of good players (barring Maguire) at big clubs, we are miles better.

Another tough qualifier against no marks.

I dont get your last comment. So would you buy a shirt regardless of sponsor? Should others in your opinion buy it regardless of how it looks or moral issues just because its a Rovers shirt? Is there any sponsor you would be against? I am not as fussed as others regarding the moral dilemma specific to Totally Wicked, although I suspect its not a particularly lucrative deal.

Problem 1. No access to watching it.

Potter would be an upgrade for Bournemouth and Iraola seemingly has got Vallecano promoted and 2 very respectable La Liga finishes. Maybe method to perceived madness.

It is a bit of a strange one. I thought his appointment was a risk but he did very well to keep them up so easily. Suppose the example of Southampton when they were doing ok and sacked Adkins to much question and brought in Pochettino comes to mind as maybe something they want to replicate.