leftsideoverhere

"Is that a Filofax in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me?"

This. It's the footballing equivalent of "no-one ever got fired for buying an IBM" which is how that company managed to dominate the first three decades of office computing. But then, eventually, people discovered that the younger, more dynamic, more creative computer manufacturers could actually produce better products, with much more customisation to people's actual needs, for prices way below IBM. It took ages for that information to actually change purchasing trends though because big corporations were risk averse. In football it's not the biggest clubs which are the most risk averse, but those in the bottom half of the Premier League. They are, arguably, the clubs with the most to lose if their decisions go wrong. A bad season for a top six team might mean a slight reduction in TV and sponsorship income, and the indignity of playing in the Europa League, but one wrong decision for the likes of Wolves or West Ham (or us, obviously) and they could be facing five or six years in the wilderness that is the EFL, with all the financial and recruitment consequences that go with losing their place at the Premier League trough. So it's no surprise that those clubs recycle the same "safe pair of hands" managers over and over rather than taking a punt on someone who is doing well in league one. If they appoint David Moyes and get relegated then it's Moyes' fault. If they employ an unknown option and get relegated then it will be seen as the board's failure.

What if his source was wrong, and this wasn't going to happen until someone from the club read @Skidmark's post, and thought it was a good idea?

Isn't it going to be "Big Wes, Little Wes, Filbert Fox"? No point signing him if we're not going to make the most of the opportunity.

He's good every time he plays against us.

Pre-match Skittles vodka?

I regret that I have but one "like" to give to this post.

Fixed that for you.

The problem you are missing is that "it" probably doesn't exist right now to spend. Arsenal, a much 'bigger' club, with deeper pockets and more resilience, has just made a whole bunch of staff redundant, citing the effects of the pandemic. King Power has gone through the chaos and uncertainty of Vichai's death (which is a major business issue because a lot of their status and success was based on his personal relationships with people in power in Thailand and elsewhere) and now international air travel has been decimated. Airlines are going bust, there are redundancies everywhere. Have we heard of any redundancies at LCFC? Anywhere in the King Power empire? VIchai and Top talk about their business empire as a family, and while that kind of talk is usually complete guff, they do seem to take seriously the idea that they have an obligation to 'take care' of the people who make them rich. Which means they're sticking with them when times are hard. No lay offs. In the same way that their players who at other clubs would be getting moved on sharpish are here getting contract extensions. That's part of what we like about our owners, but it comes at a price - and the price is that right now, it really seems like they're not in a position to over-extend themselves in the transfer market. I'd prefer us to sign three or four players this window, but (with the exception of Chelski, who have unique circumstances) no-one is doing that this year. So my second preference is for owners who take care of the staff we already have commitments to (playing and non-playing staff), and accept that they can't choose this year to "break the bank" on a marquee signing - because the alternative is the Cardiff / Hull City experience, imploding finances, and a long period back in the lower leagues. Look at the investment in the training ground, and in the stadium, and accept that missing out on the Champions League has consequences.

Actually feel better after reading that interview. It's not "Mahrez II", it's a much more thought out position that the young man is putting forward. More articulate than Riyad ever managed to be. In fact, for a 19 year old footballer it's a very intelligent presentation of his position, his options and the issues. I really want him playing for us this season. If he can deliver a thoughtful interview like that at 19, his potential isn't just about tackles and blocks.

You mean like... Oh Frankie Moussa We haven't got a clue Oh Frankie Moussa What to sing about you Oh Frankie Moussa We can't be arsed to try hard. It wouldn't kill us to do something original, would it?

We have to get that going. It's quality.

Assuming that second one is to the tune of "She'll be coming round the mountain", it would fit as a second verse to the song I wanted us to get going at Cardiff in the playoff instead of all that boring 'Ingerland' chanting: We've got the best fooking Welshman on the pitch. We've got the Best fooking Welshman on the pitch We've got the best fooking Welshman The best fooking Welshman We've got the best fooking Welshman on the pitch: Andy King! Has the benefit of being easy to learn but probably only works when we play Cardiff or Swansea.

Plus it's a stupid fooking song, which barely merited being sung in the 1970s never mind now.

So bored of the Ingerland chanting when we play Welsh teams, and embarrassed for Andy King every time I hear it. So... to 'if you're happy and you know it' (dunno why that tune sprang to mind, but everyone knows it)... We've got the best fooking Welshman on the pitch, Andy King, We've got the best fooking Welshman on the pitch, Andy King, The best fooking Welshman The best fooking Welshman We've got the best fooking Welshman on the pitch, Andy King! Any chance for tomorrow?

Is that from the 1970s?

Haven't seen it mentioned anywhere else, but I thought the slowed-down, Spurs-style, "When the Blues go marching in" sounded pretty good on Saturday at the top of the Kop. Dunno if anyone could hear it in the rest of the ground, but it was loud and almost tuneful. Reckon that's a keeper.

Don't know why, but this one had me giggling. Don't sing it today, or I will look like a fool. Yeah, I know, more like a fool.

ECB are reporting it as 303-5. Not a big difference, but a positive one. Good day by the sounds of it.

Heh.

Reckon you've hit it pretty squarely on the head.

Went to see Blind Side last night. Surprised how much I enjoyed it. Even more surprised, given that it's about an American Football player, that the rest of the family enjoyed it too.

This is good news. Boon's been doing a very difficult job of rebuilding the squad over the past few seasons, and his reputation and character have played a part in a number of our winter signings. For the first time in several years, I'm actually quite optimistic about a domestic cricket season.

So up for this.

Good day at work. Had a meeting where people actually listened to me, and seem likely to agree to my recommendations. I like my new job.