Unless he's being very crafty and keeping his cards close to his chest, it doesn't sound from the latest LT article as though Eustace has the first idea what is going on re: any potential January business or even if there'll be any business at all. Pretty poor if that's the case and especially bearing in mind how well the manager has done to date, we should have specified targets in mind and be going all out to get them, instead it's probably a case of "See if you can find me a no.9 and a left winger for a couple of sweet wrappers and a half eaten Mars Bar."

No it wasn't. I had a look back through the John Eustace thread and you were one of many who were particularly critical of him with no real justification. Perhaps that's your self defence mechanism kicking in trying to justify the unwarranted criticism. From our unusually lofty position now it's easy to forget what a mess we were in when Eustace took over. At that point we were conceding 2-3 goals a game had just sold Adam Wharton, and his replacement was a crock who lasted 15 mins. We were also struggling badly after the crazy decision to let Travis go out on loan and we can see what a massive difference he's made this season. Eustace had one job to do last season, keep us up, and he did it. End of story. We'll have to see where we finish at the end of the season but so far he appears to be replicating his performance at Birmingham and proving himself to be a very good coach.

I wouldn't touch him with a bargepole personally. If you need someone to miss a sitter - he's your man. Also exceptionally injury prone if memory serves me correctly.

No links whatsoever to Kentaro I don't think but I have heard a suggestion he started out as a driver or chauffeur for Venky's. He's obviously someone they place a great deal of trust in for whatever reason.

Come on, I rate Scott (highly) but he isn't a potential future megastar in the same way Adam is. Is he? Surely you can see the difference. And I'm sure if he was forced out of the Club as well to raise a few shillings to cover for the owners previous misdemeanours I'm sure he would still elicit a fair amount of sympathy as well. If you still feel the same way, simple answer, don't read this thread!

As would spending some money and achieving success on the pitch.

And you had the nerve to accuse me of smoking something fairly strong yesterday! You're miles off the mark on this one. I don't agree on the pricing per se either and if you think the prices are too expensive, that's absolutely fine and it's anyone's prerogative to choose to not buy a ticket on the grounds of cost. That's "not being taken for a mug". If however you know the price and then deliberately misrepresent your age in order to get a cheaper ticket, that's fraud, plain and simple. Nothing big or clever about it - quite the opposite.

Didn't he just.

I think a lot of people will be embarrassed by their contributions on Eustace when he first arrived. There was some sort of ancient newspaper cartoon "Useless Eustace" which was reproduced on here and he was perceived rightly or wrongly as the appointment of our very unpopular CEO Steve Waggott and someone who'd been brought in to be a "yes man" and who wouldn't rock the boat unlike his predecessor. Last season, whilst it was far from pretty, he kept us up on the final day which was the job he'd been brought in to do, and so far this season I think it's fair to say he's confounded everyone with his results out of a pretty poor squad. The only note of caution I would sound is that the way we play I think there's a very fine line between nicking games 1-0, or drawing them,or losing by the same scoreline. I think it's possible results might tail off (more down to the quality of the squad than anything to do with Eustace) and his popularity will probably wane again. So far though, together with his body of work at your Club he seems to have a certain indefinable something which wins football matches. Whilst we're going well I'm terrified a rival might come in and try and poach him as I don't suppose our useless owners or management will lift much of a finger to prevent it if it does happen.

Normally you'd have a point but I really think there are extenuating circumstances in Wharton's case due to the disgraceful way he was forced out of the Club thanks to the mismanagement of the owners.

You're probably right. I'd say it's a symptom of people who don't mind throwing money away first and foremost.

7 goals in 4 seasons. Nice work if you can get it.

There's actually a table for that? Some people need to get out more.

Couldn't agree more - he isn't good enough, not by a million miles. We did the same with Gallagher - took a player who should have been booted down the road at the earliest opportunity and offered him a new deal. Meanwhile we never come to terms with any one who actually warrants it (apart from Wharton) where the plan was to flog him immediately after.

Whoever would have thought it!

The minutes say bond/guarantee. Which one is it? (I think merely a guarantee)

Don't give up the day job. What sort of investment in January WOULD you consider reasonable? (Not that it will happen I don't suppose)

I don't think they will either but even an Armstrong type loan of a decent striker would make all the difference imo.

But you are certainly doing your best - 15 years later.

According to the Club themselves - we do. Business unaffected etc etc. I have absolutely no idea either why me not particularly rating one individual player boils everyone's piss so much. I don't mind in the slightest if people like him. We only stayed up on the last day of last season and no-one was particularly singing his praises at that point. A lot of people didn't even rate Raya but people don't call each other out about that.

Don't know why certain posters can't have a difference of opinion without being so objectionable either but it seems they can't.

Sorry, what part of "It's time for them to back the manager" do you disagree with? I didn't say I think it would happen. Go on, I'm all ears.

Yep. Anyhow back to the topic in hand - Eustace must stay whilst we're going well - we're not Blackburn Rovers 1973 without a pot to piss in - we have multi billionaire owners and it's time for them to back the manager.

They'd only been here a few months at that point though and had people advising them. At the time after Allardyce was sacked I would have liked Guus Hiddink.

Not really. We were never in the Top 5 under Big Sam - he just sort of did the bare minimum to keep us afloat. And before Matty kicks off again I did like big Sam and yes of course we'd take him in his pomp now; it's just that his style isn't for everyone but needs must in an emergency.