I didn't mind his first brief interviews / comments, tbh. I always thought JE was droll and seemingly uninterested, just spouting buzz words in every interview. I could never put my finger on it, but I never felt like he was someone you could trust. Don't get that initial feeling from Big Val.

One of the biggest indicators of a toxic workplace is high turnover of staff. As far as football clubs go, I doubt we'd be beaten in that respect.

There's no way Pears plays first team football again, if I was picking the side. It's clear the defenders have zero trust in his abilities. Toth/Michalski Brittain Carter Hyam Ribeiro Travis Tronstad Dolan Cantwell Kargbo Gueye

Bookies odds have shifted heavily to favour Ismael - looks like something may have developed.

Yeah, but the point is, we'd not even spoken with Karanka. There's no basis to believe anything he writes.

Nixon had us appointing Karanka, following 2 non-existent interviews earlier in the week. If he genuinely knew what was going on, he wouldn't be writing gossip columns for the red tops.

I genuinely expect Waggott to walk away (ie retire) at the end of the season. It would make sense as to why no planning for beyond this season is taking place. The alternative is that he's completely incompetent in role and has literally no idea how to go about contract renewals. Gregg B was the last man to have any knowledge in this area, seemingly.

If that is real - as it seems it is - why are we treating senior professionals like high school students? And, more importantly why are 'Steve and Suhail' involved in something like this? Absolute amateur hour stuff. As for whoever described Pears as 'superb' this season is either on the wind up, or needs to pay their optician a visit. Yes, he's benefitted from a more organised defence for the most part of this season, but the mistakes have been present regular throughout (including poor positioning, reactions, as well as the literal mistakes). I get being positive and all that, but opposition single him out as our weak point for a reason.

I can't believe that we don't have better players in the Academy, or ones who wouldn't contribute more to the team.

He could have stood still and it would have stopped at his feet. So, literally, a cardboard cutout would have been more use.

We have an England Youth GK at the club, who is highly rated/regarded. Even if he makes mistakes in his early games, it can't be any worse than Pears.

You'd like to hope a new HC with any ability to judge a player would do the same. I take no joy in singling out any of our own players, but he is beyond incompetent and regularly costs us goals and matches. Enough is enough.

That's very, very kind to Pears. He could have stood still and either controlled or picked the ball up. He somehow managed to do neither and danced a jig, as the ball pea-rolled past him. Any GK, at any level, with a basic level of competence stops that first one.

I'd genuinely play Michalski ahead of Pears at this stage. The damage that first goal did can't be measured. He shouldn't play for the first team again.

Horrible. Being demolished by a very, very poor Swansea side. Let's hope we get a manager brave enough to pick our best players for the coming games.

It blows my mind that a few still back him as a proper Championship level first choice GK. He's passable as a 2nd choice, but he's never been anywhere near good enough and never will be. Benefitted from being behind a more organised defence earlier this season, but he's never going to stop being shit. That goal today was worse than anything my U10's side has ever conceded.

Absolutely disgraceful from Pears that. Amateur.

Hedges and Dolan have already almost cost us a goal each with sloppy play. It's just not good enough.

If there was any doubt, the last week or so has shown that Nixon knows bugger all.

Forrest Gump = dump. Could be onto something.

I'm not a fan of Hedges, but in fairness he did his job at WBA really well. Problem being we need to go at Swansea tomorrow - they are there for the taking. Be brave, start Kargbo.

I'm trying to work out how one has a forest in a pub. And how that links to Roberto Di Matteo.

Dyche is a level above us and would want wages we'd never pay. But if there was a slight chance, he'd be incredible for us. Anyone dismissing him because of who he once managed...give your head a wobble.

Final, without a doubt. Can't imagine a much sweeter final win (at this level) than beating that lot at Wembley. Conversely, the defeat would be that much more painful. Would make for a cracking game either way.

Completely agree. Has the know-how and experience, as well as being a very good motivator and man-manager. I saw somebody use his age as a reason why not to get him earlier in the thread. Give me a 70-odd year old man who knows the job inside out over someone who's been managing for 5 minutes. We need experience right now.