Seems something amiss. After his performances so far, he's an auto pick for me.

Wishing you all a peaceful and happy Christmas this year and every year thereafter. "Peace on earth will come to stay when we live Christmas every day." — Helen Steiner Rice

Not a chance of a meaningful window. With the likes of Telalovic, there's nothing left at the bottom of the barrel to scrape away. Might as well close the thread now.

Sign GOOD players not German 5th raters and overweight sick notes

Yep! When you 'lose' fans then it's a helluva job to get them back.

Will Ennis get beyond 20 minutes? Sign of the times that line up and bench. Watford 3-1 with best part of 20,000 going home disappointed.

A good, relatively low risk signing when you haven't a pot to p1ss in.

Needless to say, SS will be a huge miss. Surely, surely, surely, the match at Southampton should have been his rest when there was an almost certainty about the outcome. I just hope Rovers aren't 'protecting' him in advance of an imminent sale when the window opens. Nothing would surprise given how our club is, IMO, so appallingly run and bereft of ambition. Sadly, Watford to win without the inspirational SS. I really think we will struggle tomorrow.

According to LT article, Buckley has undergone shoulder surgery and looks like he will be gone for the season (SW paying wages and overseeing recovery). That's one January window option gone.

Not a snowball's chance in he'll.

Another overrated manager. Just what has he done as a manager to qualify him for a job with a huge club like Sunderland!?

On balance, I'd sign him. Been a bit of hit and miss but there is definitely quality there and no fee! Think he joined us with a 'groin issue' and I'm not certain he's ever been 100%, yet - might account for some ups and downs We have signed a lot, lot worse and for bigger money.

Again, you don't understand. I said the difference in odds between 15/8 and 7/4 is £1 extra in winnings for every £8 wagered (extra 7% winnings), therefore, if you wager £100 and your bet wins then that's an extra £12.50 - only a fool would turn down the opportunity of winning more. You are now twisting your argument by including stake money in winnings. Winnings are winnings are winnings. If I go to the races with £200 in my wallet and stake all £200 and come away with £500, my winnings are £300 as I already had £200 in my wallet! It's not rocket science.

Barely much!? The difference in odds between 15/8 and 7/4 is £1 extra in winnings for every £8 wagered (extra 7% winnings). Do you understand betting odds? To treble your money, you would need to back at 3/1 ie every £1 stake would give you winnings of £3. If I bet £50 on the outcome, my winnings would be £93.75, less than the 3 figures' winnings I said. I'll leave that one with you.

Think I'd change your bookie - got Southampton and Adam Armstrong anytime at 15/8. As for helping the Christmas 'war chest', depends how much you put on! My winnings will be well into 3 figures. Your bet at 22/1 would be great if you won but the comparative odds reflect the likelihood of the two predicted outcomes. Let's take a rain check post match.

Even though Martin is a vastly overrated managed, I see nothing but a loss for us on Saturday given the quality of player they have and our threadbare squad with many running on fumes. To mitigate the almost inevitable disappointment of losing, I'd stock your Christmas war chests with a double on Saints win and Adam Armstrong to score anytime. 4-1 to Southampton.

Very pertinent post. Doesn't matter what you are selling, your price points have to be right! I don't see any imagination around what Waggott and co do to sell our club both commercially and on the field of play. I would love to see the bonused objectives of our executive management - I pretty much doubt there are any. Waggott has been in post for 6 years now and must have cost the club close on £2MILLION in employment costs and for what? Nice work if you can get it.

You only need to look at sports' journalists at large to see how volatile and unpredictable football transactions (managers and players) are! @Tyrone Shoelacescomment about Neil is interesting. Personally, I think his Rovers' boat has sailed now though it once was very close to docking in the Blakewater! You never know, if JDT leaves, a desperate and 'cheap' Rovers might go knocking on Neil's door again.

Yes, there are some! Though after 40 years or so as an accountant, have met countless folk across all walks of life, including sport, leading to both friendships and enduring relationships.

Good luck Rory! Hope we go 3 up and the lad gets 5 minutes and nets a goal. Would be a wonderful night!

Really struggling to see why Eustace closely linked with all these jobs - just wtf has he done in football management?!

Client of mine has hospitality facilities at Stoke and is close to the club. He reckons new manager will be either Heckingbottom (impressed how quickly he turned it around at SU to get them up) or JDT (admired for his football and results given what he has to contend with). It's a super opportunity for someone given the backing of the Coates' family. If they decide they want JDT, he'll be gone. Friend lives close to the Neil home in Longridge but not seen him yet.

Absolutely. Most of our recent starting 11 must be running on fumes. Fresh legs, impetus and enthusiasm needed to start the game even if it means a dip in abilities - unless JDT shakes things up at the start, I fear another home loss.

JDT has worked wonders given the constraints upon him, however, with all our injuries and paper thin squad, I fear it will all catch up with us tomorrow and we are in for a right mullering. 4-1 to Leeds

Sunderland appointed Mowbray because they needed someone to steady the ship and make sure they didn't go straight back down. He did that and exceeded expectations taking them to the play-offs and making it extremely difficult for them to sack him at the end of last season. This season has been typical Mowbray and Sunderland should be applauded for having the balls to sack him rather than see the club drift along this season on a tide of Mowbray's bullsh1t. Mowbray can console himself with a big compensation package and a huge slice of lemon drizzle cake! Be amazed if JDT is not in their thinking but if they want to get up this season, Heckingbottom might be their man. As for Dack, pretty certain he'll be out of that club before Jan. window closes.