Coventry Saint

Nope, me neither. Ah well, a signing we weren't previously aware of is precisely what I asked for, so... Edit: seven goals in 39 games for a team at the right end of the conference. Obviously we've taken a player from that level before who was an absolute disaster, but this might be the market we're in. Also: he looks tall.

It's the nature of transfers that you always want something new - we've all heard the McGinn, Halkett, O'Ware, etc speculation. I'd like to hear that we've signed a totally left-field new player that nobody was previously aware of being linked with us. A real early statement of intent. Liam Smith would be good, too

Hoping it's a nice positive one just as season tickets go on sale.

It's just because that's a name they've heard of. In the same way that the average fan down here hasn't heard about what a great job Ross did, nor have they heard about what a terrible job Rae did. Or, they've heard it from Rae himself and he didn't use the word 'terrible'.

I hope he stays. You're going to put a lot of noses out of joint next season. Staggering achievement.

Yeah, my thoughts exactly. Surely they've bottomed out now... you'd imagine. If a manager can clear out the rancid squad, get them playing attacking football again, the 40k+ crowds will be right behind them. I read something about Coventry the other day, saying this season was the first time they'd finished in the top six of any division since about 1971. Can you imagine what that would do to a fanbase. Fucking agony, for years. They'd take any success they can get - and came out in tens of thousands for one of those micky mouse trophies at Wembley last season. Same for Sunderland: if a manager can get Sunderland at the right end of League One, they won't care that it's not the Premiership - they'll get right behind him. It's fixing the club off the pitch that's the first job and the hardest part. Very similar job to the one Jack took on at Saints, but much, much bigger and much harder.

Congratulations guys. Hopkin has turned you into a strong, effective side who are an absolute bitch to play against. At this precise moment in time (albeit with a long transfer window to come) I think you are geared up better to survive in the top flight than us. Wonder if Hopkin will hang around for the challenge.

Really not. I've never seen anything quite like this (reaction), tbh.

The Courier's living in a parallel universe where Jack Ross is Dundee manager, tbf.

I was thinking about the old head/young head combo last night. Tommy Craig was rightly tainted for what happened, but you can't ignore the fact that he and Lennon were working really rather well together before that. I wonder if Goodwin would work with a more experienced assistant.

Tommy Craig? Ian Murray?

I wouldn't be unhappy with Neilson, McIntyre or Goodwin, in all honesty, I just think it's too soon for Jim. When he takes over I want him to be fucking amazing, and I just don't think this is the time for that. But maybe I'm wrong, and if he gets the job, f**k it, it'll be a ride. (The one shame, of course, would be that Derek Adams no longer has a gig in the top flight...)

Yeah, we've got McG, Div and Pod all saying the same thing, which points to him being away. The only strange thing is the delay. On the plus side: GLS is a shrewd operator, and his relationship with JR is great, so he'll be cracking on with finding a replacement. I feel like previous regimes might have been waiting to find out what happened and then panicking when he finally left.

Should he stay, or should he go now? If he goes he'll burst our bubble. If he stays, we'll win the double.

Not sure about McGinn, but did Thommo not really fancy the job at one point, too? I thought he'd done his badges, etc, and the word on the street was he was a bit put out when Goodwin and Teale were made Tommy Craig's assistants. Not that I think Thommo would necessarily be a good manager.

The cowardly shitebag returns! Have a green dot for your trouble.

Behave Surely a man of your renowned financial prudence would appreciate how hard it'd be to turn down this offer?

I took it too far with the discernible upward trajectory stuff, didn't I? FFS.

He did actually once play for Cov...

You'd imagine Flood would leap at the chance to be the best-looking guy in town.

Roland Nilson, the old Coventry player, possibly?! This guy isn't Swedish, but we can get this playing on loop when Jack leaves

I'm just as interested in protecting Goodwin's legacy, TBH. His reputation with Saints fans survived being a key part of the 2014-15 debacle, because we could all see that there was far more going at the club at the time. However, plunging him in in our first season back in the top flight could see him being part of a Saints relegation for a second time if it doesn't go well. I'd let him cut his teeth in the Championship with Alloa then see where we are in a season or two.