Yeah but in reality he sees the goalkeeper on the floor, doesn’t know what has happened so just gives a free kick. It’s the easy way out for the ref. 9/10 times it wouldn’t be mentioned again. If he’s being honest he hasn’t got a clue what happened, and the fact he spoke to Dolan just proves it. If Hyam gets no further action it’s cos the ref can’t admit he gave what he hadn’t seen, which is fine with me.

The referee couldn’t have seen it (properly) as he spent 30 seconds trying to reprimand Dolan before somebody (Dolan, their player or Travis) told him it was Hyam. Then he went over and spoke to Hyam. The referee had no idea what had happened.

I can’t grumble at the line up. You can grumble at the January recruitment in midfield

I put it in jest above, but if we still had a programme and those were Ismael’s first notes in said programme nobody would bat an eyelid.

I wouldn’t get to bothered about the letter. He probably just wrote it as his first program notes and the club just didn’t want it to go to waste.

I wouldn't like to make a call if Toth playing regularly would be better or worse than Pears. We just havent seen enough. But without doubt Wahlstedt, on a general game by game performance, was worse. Pears now and again just throws in the more spectacular stinker than Leo did.

I think he just lacked charisma for me. I probably said the same about Eustace. Don't get me wrong. He could just sit there and go "yeah, y'know, erm, y'know" for 15 minutes and if he gets results it doesn't matter.

Ok but just states the obvious that a new manager should be saying. Doesn’t give the ‘working class hero talk’ warmth that Uncle Tony did. In his first interview. Not that it did us any good long term.

Pretty disappointed. Well down my list of preferred candidates from those linked. However several of you will be pleased to know I will “give him a chance”

A more interesting quote from that article:- "Despite the poor start to the season, it was a surprise to see Ismael rewarded with a new contract recently, and it is clear to see that the Frenchman has pretty much complete control over all aspects of the first-team at Watford - that includes transfers after the services of technical director Ben Manga were recently no longer required." Sure he's going to love what Rudy gives him over the summer.

1/10 now. Looks like it's done. Good luck to him. He may need it.

Yes. They sacked Darren Moore, brought Bilic in and got promoted the following season.

Steve Cooper 25/1 into 12/1 on Skybet in the last hour.

Steve Kean has a higher career managerial win percentage than Sean Dyche and Big Sam. We got him all wrong

As I posted earlier, that's massively boosted by managing Wolfsburg II in the German pub leagues.

I always think Josh Sargent is the key to them going forward. Always thought he looks very good at this level and surprised nobody has ever come in for him This season he's been missing for almost exactly half of their games. They've lost 8 whilst he's been absent and only 3 whilst he's been starting. He's scored 7 in the last 6.

I'd have liked to have watched Preston V Burnley in the cup this weekend, but as we both kick off at lunchtime for the purposes of "live streaming" it won't be possible.

Cantwell's problem is he is Todd Catnwell. If he was Tim Coldwell signed from the lower leagues then he would be an good option to come in and out of the team. Because he's on big money and arrived with a reputation he is just a letdown. Sorry - completely off topic.

It's nothing to do with being accused of being hasty. It's people saying that fans aren't going to "give him a chance" because they dare to voice an opinion that they think he isn't right. It is possible to say "I really don't want him", but then give him a chance and support him once he starts.

FFS this again. It's a Messageboard. You're allowed to give opinions. As with practically everyone who comes to Ewood he will get supported. Besides, that win ratio is boosted by including the reserve teams at Hannover (49 games) and Wolfsburg (85 games) who play in the equivalent of the 4th tier, with Wolfsburg II always being dominant at that level. When he stepped up after those stints to mange at a higher lever he failed (Wolfsburg & Nurenberg). He definitely was successful at LASK and Barnsley but seen as a failure in his last two jobs at West Brom and Watford. And there seems to be a running theme that both of their fans through the football was terrible.

I don't want either of them, certainly not Ismael. However with half the squad out of contract and us currently seemingly unable to function any spend or commitment on players, we are going to slide down the table regardless of whoever we get. Eustace knew this. The question is just how quick will the slide be?

Carsley and Karanka have already been this short.

Mercer. Help. Stick a few quid on Ismaël. 😃

Ismael and Karanka were my two absolute no-no’s so I should expect it to be one of them. Wagner is like Klopp compared to Ismael. A West Brom fan i regularly work we says it was absolutely painful watching them under him. Watford fans online (a fan base who generally feel sorry for their managers that don’t last long) also slate him.