Jack Flash

Interesting how the bookies odds are currently putting us and Ipswich neck and neck for promotion at 4th and 5th favourites. Check out here - http://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/championship/promotion

Frankly with Ipswich already on 50 pts they only need another 24 or 25 to virtually guarantee a play off spot at least, and that should be an easyish target for them at not much over 1 point per game. Same scenario for Bournemouth and similar also for Derby and Middlesbro.  Brentford look the most vulnerable, so will be an ideal opportunity to see what they''re like and hopefully take 3 points from them next Saturday. Wolves, just behind us on goal difference only, are a worry, with current form very impressive. Its down to 6 from 8 so lets hope there''s a couple start to lose a bit of form, though Saturday was typical with all top 8 except Derby winning.

Before Saturday I felt Josh was best used as an impact sub, which sadly didn''t quite work. He has got undoubted talent, and I am inclined towards the spell out on loan to grow his talent. Also we keep talking about him being a young player, but at 20 next month I think that argument is no longer appropriate.

Since Phelan joined the club we have averaged just over 2pts per game which for rest of the season would get us over 80pts and close to automatic. I really hope that Alex Neil and Phelan can work together as that gives us a well balanced management team for the last 21 games.

What seems to be overlooked in these discussions is that Delia is no different to almost every owner of a football club who has put their money into the Club. Look around the Football world and tell me where we are run differently from t''others? I recall when she first got involved and we were in deep doodo! Right up to our necks. Compare us now to then. If you want something different, then I give you ....Marcus Evans et al!

It seems to me that the critics on this messageboard wanted a nice,safe appointment, with no risks attached, which frankly would lead (IMHO) to safe, mid table mediocrity. Well, no thanks,  lets go for the old risk reward option - yes, of course this is risky, but thats fine by me. Lets give it a go, see how this all develops, OK maybe have a bumpy ride, but it could actually be fun! Sadly that is not what we see and hear from the serial moaners and do you know what - I don''t care any more what they think. Come on you yellows!

I think this is a positive appointment if it goes ahead, because McNally has to get this one right, to preserve his reputation, if not his job. Therefore I suspect a good deal of detailed research has already been undertaken, regarding style of play, temperament, man management etc.  And for those who throw the "cheap option" at this possible appointment, it would be far from that because if it fails and we have to pay him off say at the end of the season, then appoint a new man at probably high cost, the sums will not be insignificant.  This one needs to work, and we must give it a fair crack. Thinking back I started supporting City under a Scottish manager, Archie McCauley, have seen quite a few since, Willie Reid, Lambert of course, and hope AR will be successful!

With all this talk about the new Manager, and with many diverse opinions, whoever gets the job is likely to be under pressure from day 1. Do we really want that?  However if we accepted that Phelan is undoubtedly a good coach, with vast experience in that capacity at the very top level in the PL and of course Europe, this must be the right time to introduce a Football Director working with a Head Coach. Then it opens the door for an experienced and available man, such as Curbishley to be Football Director, or whatever we want to call it.

Yes

This was always going to happen after the Phelan appointment if things started to go wrong. So IMO its definitely going to be Phelan, who has had opportunity to assess the squad, and despite those who say he has had no experience, he has plenty to bring and I am OK with that. What I will be doing, whoever it is, is giving 100% backing for the rest of this season, as we are still in with a great chance of promotion.

Agree - in fact my instinct is that he was appointed specifically to be ready to take over at short notice if needed. I think his time at Man U was when Fergy was winding down, and Phelan was virtually running the Club - very different from Fergy''s previous number 2s.

I wonder if the Phelan appointment as number 2 was made on the basis of a quick decision could be made if Adams needs to go - if so, lets just get on with it. After all he virtually ran Man U for last couple of seasons.

The "we" actually relates to his own team in all of his ten a penny posts. He''s just so dim, he posts it here rather than his own site TWTD.

Can''t pass for toffee.A common theme amongst BJs lesser admirers but actually not true. He has a very good eye for a pass - OK like all players some will go astray but not anywhere near as this comment suggests.  His displays on the left of midfield have been the key for me in recent performances, and at this moment in time, his name would be the first on the team sheet for me!

"low quality route".......? So where does that put Mike Phelan, ex Man U assistant for how many years?And what about that McCarthy bloke at his own Club. Was he considered quality when appointed or just another Hoofball man. Perhaps I''ll ask him in his next thread.

From that reply of Ten a Penny he clearly didn''t watch the match but took his notes from TWTD.

Amazing just how many binners there are on here now - do they really think there fooling us. All of them have joined in recent weeks, and have a handfull of posts - in fact I''d sat they are ''ten a penny''!

Good summary too by the Sky guys, highlighting a very good performance and agreed 100% with the team selection and the substites timing. Pity abouit Cuellar''s tackle for the penalty, probably a bit unlucky as he was only focussed on clearing the ball - guess it was good play by Martin. I like the setup at the back now, and think we should stick with it.

But anyteam in this division is capable of beating any other - only a few weeks back Wigan won 2-1 away at Derby. So any away win is decent as far as I''m concerned.

Saturday 25th October, Derby 1 Wigan 2!! Makes our result yesterday look OK to me.

So some want the man who kicked Grant Holt out as soon as he could, hey?

Interesting to get the oppositions view, and in their local match assessment they gave Johnson the top mark for us.

Would have been harsh if given. Nowhere near as clear cut as their Manager made out and as for the five foot in the air comment, thats a joke!

Turning out to be the best bit of transfer business we have ever done. In fact all of our transfer business has been excellent - some £20M in and a lot less spent, for a better squad. Hard to believe that not long ago quite a few of our fans were very critical of McNally. Of course he has not got everything right, but overall his decisions have been first class. 

Pleased that we have done much of our business ahead of the dreaded final day of the Window.  Possibly a couple will leave and maybe one more in, but whatever we seem to have a really good squad assembled so well done to Adams & McNally.  Unlike poor old Ipswich, with a tiny squad, lack of real quality, a one dimensional Manager and no money! Its good to be Green and Yellow again.