Freedman out!

[Prufrock]

As usual when in doubt, I blame West Ham. If they hadn't been so shite the week before and rolled over to that team (though with Sturridge) it might not have happened!

[Bruce Rioja]

I've been thinking. When was the last time we finished a season with absolutely knack all to play for? No promotion to secure, no relegation to avoid, no play-offs to put in a final surge towards?

This'll be the first time we've finished a season in mid-table obscurity since I honestly can't remember when.

[BWFC_Insane]

I've been thinking. When was the last time we finished a season with absolutely knack all to play for? No promotion to secure, no relegation to avoid, no play-offs to put in a final surge towards?

This'll be the first time we've finished a season in mid-table obscurity since I honestly can't remember when.

The season we lost to Stoke at Wembley? Nowt to play for in that run in.....

[BWFC_Insane]

As usual when in doubt, I blame West Ham. If they hadn't been so shite the week before and rolled over to that team (though with Sturridge) it might not have happened!

Think you're right there. It lulled us all into a false sense of security with a team selection that in hindsight was only ever going to lead to one thing......

[Bruce Rioja]

I've been thinking. When was the last time we finished a season with absolutely knack all to play for? No promotion to secure, no relegation to avoid, no play-offs to put in a final surge towards?

This'll be the first time we've finished a season in mid-table obscurity since I honestly can't remember when.

The season we lost to Stoke at Wembley? Nowt to play for in that run in.....

Not having that, Sir. Weren't we sixth or eighth in the table that day? I know that we were a decent bet for Europe until the wheels came off.

[Prufrock]

I've been thinking. When was the last time we finished a season with absolutely knack all to play for? No promotion to secure, no relegation to avoid, no play-offs to put in a final surge towards?

This'll be the first time we've finished a season in mid-table obscurity since I honestly can't remember when.

The season we lost to Stoke at Wembley? Nowt to play for in that run in.....

Not having that, Sir. Weren't we sixth or eighth in the table that day? I know that we were a decent bet for Europe until the wheels came off.

8th I think. Two years earlier under Meggo we came 13th and don't remember that being particularly exciting.

[Insert 'was it ever under that prick?' joke here]

[Bruce Rioja]

I've been thinking. When was the last time we finished a season with absolutely knack all to play for? No promotion to secure, no relegation to avoid, no play-offs to put in a final surge towards?

This'll be the first time we've finished a season in mid-table obscurity since I honestly can't remember when.

The season we lost to Stoke at Wembley? Nowt to play for in that run in.....

Not having that, Sir. Weren't we sixth or eighth in the table that day? I know that we were a decent bet for Europe until the wheels came off.

8th I think. Two years earlier under Meggo we came 13th and don't remember that being particularly exciting.

[Insert 'was it ever under that prick?' joke here]

Ah, but wasn't that because we'd just avoided relegation?

[Prufrock]

Don't think so that year. Solid mid-table.

EDIT: Just looked it up. Our last win of the season was at home to Boro on 4 April when we were 8 points clear of the bottom three with 7 games left. Finished with four draw and three defeats, 7 points clear. The nearest we were in that period was 6 points clear, so not really hairy.

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

I've been thinking. When was the last time we finished a season with absolutely knack all to play for? No promotion to secure, no relegation to avoid, no play-offs to put in a final surge towards?

This'll be the first time we've finished a season in mid-table obscurity since I honestly can't remember when.

The season we lost to Stoke at Wembley? Nowt to play for in that run in.....

Pride. The players most definitely had summat to play for after that shambles.

[BWFC_Insane]

I've been thinking. When was the last time we finished a season with absolutely knack all to play for? No promotion to secure, no relegation to avoid, no play-offs to put in a final surge towards?

This'll be the first time we've finished a season in mid-table obscurity since I honestly can't remember when.

The season we lost to Stoke at Wembley? Nowt to play for in that run in.....

Not having that, Sir. Weren't we sixth or eighth in the table that day? I know that we were a decent bet for Europe until the wheels came off.

Think we were 8th but it was one of those years where you needed to finish 5th to get into Europe iirc as Brum won the LC and Stoke got the European place for FA Cup runners up so there was only one league place. And that was known when we lost to Stoke.

So realistically there was nowt to play for after.....

[SmokinFrazier]

Going back to the black managers/racism thing, there's nowhere near the percentage of black people getting their coaching badges as there are playing. The question shouldn't be "why aren't black people, including former players, getting jobs in football" but rather "why are so few non-white trying to get jobs in football".

[TANGODANCER]

Going back to the black managers/racism thing, there's nowhere near the percentage of black people getting their coaching badges as there are playing. The question shouldn't be "why aren't black people, including former players, getting jobs in football" but rather "why are so few non-white trying to get jobs in football".

Best person for the job usually gets it regardless of much else. It's 2014.

[irie Cee Bee]

Going back to the black managers/racism thing, there's nowhere near the percentage of black people getting their coaching badges as there are playing. The question shouldn't be "why aren't black people, including former players, getting jobs in football" but rather "why are so few non-white trying to get jobs in football".

Maybe they dont like the "odds" they face. From someone living outside of England, i often wonder when I watch matches in England on TV, why can't I find any black faces in the stands?? Anyway, that's for another thread. Has nothing to do with Freedman....or does it ?

[Enoch]

Curtis.

[thebish]

Going back to the black managers/racism thing, there's nowhere near the percentage of black people getting their coaching badges as there are playing. The question shouldn't be "why aren't black people, including former players, getting jobs in football" but rather "why are so few non-white trying to get jobs in football".

I'm sure it's a complex question - but football (in general) has catching up to do on a few fronts...

very few indian/pakistani kids appear in the Premiership/championship/football league - despite their large population base here.. (and - no - they are not all playing cricket)

also - rampant homophobia...

[Enoch]

I don't think Curtis is a homosexual.

[Harry Genshaw]

Going back to the black managers/racism thing, there's nowhere near the percentage of black people getting their coaching badges as there are playing. The question shouldn't be "why aren't black people, including former players, getting jobs in football" but rather "why are so few non-white trying to get jobs in football".

I'm sure it's a complex question - but football (in general) has catching up to do on a few fronts...

very few indian/pakistani kids appear in the Premiership/championship/football league - despite their large population base here.. (and - no - they are not all playing cricket)

also - rampant homophobia...

In terms of players to managers ratio football does have some catching up to do. However it must lead the way in BME representation in the workplace. Aside from mini cab companies I can't think of a workplace with such a high concentration of non white employees. The Met would love a similar percentage right now!

The Indian/Pakistani situation is a curious one though. Cultural perhaps? I suspect we'll see that start to change soon

[jonnycooper]

Theres a massive ex-pat population in Spain yet we see very few[if any]brits turning out in La-liga......just pointing this out like!!!!

[thebish]

Theres a massive ex-pat population in Spain yet we see very few[if any]brits turning out in La-liga......just pointing this out like!!!!

when La liga needs fat and wrinkly over-60s then they will be flocking in!

[Harry Genshaw]

Theres a massive ex-pat population in Spain yet we see very few[if any]brits turning out in La-liga......just pointing this out like!!!!

when La liga needs fat and wrinkly over-60s then they will be flocking in!

SKD has just signed for Real Sociedad