Between the lines. Home to Reading, Sat 21st Sept/ 3'oclock.

[TANGODANCER]

Time to talk of sealing wax and string. Nine places between us and Reading, but in reality just three points. A bit "now or never" about this one, at least if we have ambitions of fame. A win here before facing the mighty Arsenal and the mood may easily change. "Fickle" is the word for football, so lets get the hope back . Have at it....

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

I fear for this one. Unless its a barnstorming start for us I can see the players quickly retreating into their shells with the ensuing atmosphere heading Megson's way. Evatt probably needed an away tie next up.

[DJBlu]

I fear for this one. Unless its a barnstorming start for us I can see the players quickly retreating into their shells with the ensuing atmosphere heading Megson's way. Evatt probably needed an away tie next up.

If most fans are to be believed then it'll be like an away game as they're staying away. I do wonder how many people are bringing their bedsheets for the big sleepover.

[DJBlu]

I'm going to test a theory. Removing the highlights page to see if we score a goal.

[Worthy4England]

I'm going to test a theory. Removing the highlights page to see if we score a goal.

Tbf mate, we won't score any fewer in the League!

[The_Gun]

I mean, if we lose this one he’s definitely gone, right?

[Bertie Wooster]

I mean, if we lose this one he’s definitely gone, right?

No he's Mr Teflon, he'll go when he's ready & on his terms and no one on the board has the stones to stand up to him or disagree with him. He's now basically said twice in 3-4 months that he needs time to think about whether he can be arsed carrying on & the board have bought it - he doesn't give a toss about the club or fans its all about Ian Evatt & Ian Evatt's ego.

[BWFC_Insane]

I mean, if we lose this one he’s definitely gone, right?

No he's Mr Teflon, he'll go when he's ready & on his terms and no one on the board has the stones to stand up to him or disagree with him. He's now basically said twice in 3-4 months that he needs time to think about whether he can be arsed carrying on & the board have bought it - he doesn't give a toss about the club or fans its all about Ian Evatt & Ian Evatt's ego.

Yeah this. He will be sending players to non league sides next and asking for a January rebuild.

[KeyserSoze]

I'm going to test a theory. Removing the highlights page to see if we score a goal.

Upholster the couch. Get sonic to buy a new kettle. We are in unprecedented times.

[DJBlu]

I'm going to test a theory. Removing the highlights page to see if we score a goal.

Upholster the couch. Get sonic to buy a new kettle. We are in unprecedented times.

Everyone has gone simple. I'm putting a protective sheath on it to protect it from all the wet pants.

Not just Tangos corner!

[irie Cee Bee]

A draw looking like very long odds. Expecting another defeat but wishing for a miracle.

[Harry Genshaw]

Like most, I'm staggered with what's happened this past 72 hours. Only thing we can do as fans ,or should do, is give those in white our full backing.

It'll be a strange atmosphere but I think we'll win.

[Frank Drebin]

Sad to say, but for the first time since the dark days of 2019 I’m not looking forward to attending.

[Worthy4England]

I mean, if we lose this one he’s definitely gone, right?

There's a bit of a problem once you're on this bus. The final destination keeps changing and additinal stops get added on the way. I think despite some people thinking the Club should have just gone L2, 1 year, L1, 1 year, most folks recognised that 1 year might have been tough for L1 (not all, but most). Second year, with additional pronouncements of Godhood, we miss again, so the criteria narrowed for some more. Last year was supposed to be a pass/fail test, off went the goalposts again, in the summer - when IMO he should have gone. We then get "just 5 games (or 10, or 15)." It's now beyond farcical and feels like a management consultants, rescue mission. What's the betting if we can see some improvement over the next few the "green shoots of recovery" message will get rolled out?

I do think if we lose, they might have nowhere to run, but a scrawpy draw or a win, unless it's completely vitriolic, they'll think there's breathing room. We could nearly be mid-table. That's good, right?

[TANGODANCER]

Sad to say, but for the first time since the dark days of 2019 I’m not looking forward to attending.

Come on Frank, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get back to the positive. Bolton are tougher then that, we just have to scrap a bit harder.

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

I mean, if we lose this one he’s definitely gone, right?

There's a bit of a problem once you're on this bus. The final destination keeps changing and additinal stops get added on the way. I think despite some people thinking the Club should have just gone L2, 1 year, L1, 1 year, most folks recognised that 1 year might have been tough for L1 (not all, but most). Second year, with additional pronouncements of Godhood, we miss again, so the criteria narrowed for some more. Last year was supposed to be a pass/fail test, off went the goalposts again, in the summer - when IMO he should have gone. We then get "just 5 games (or 10, or 15)." It's now beyond farcical and feels like a management consultants, rescue mission. What's the betting if we can see some improvement over the next few the "green shoots of recovery" message will get rolled out?

I do think if we lose, they might have nowhere to run, but a scrawpy draw or a win, unless it's completely vitriolic, they'll think there's breathing room. We could nearly be mid-table. That's good, right?

Your bus is currently in a ditch and the driver is too stubborn to call the AA.

[Worthy4England]

We could send a replacement bus, but look, the tyres haven't popped!

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

[BWFC_Insane]

I mean, if we lose this one he’s definitely gone, right?

There's a bit of a problem once you're on this bus. The final destination keeps changing and additinal stops get added on the way. I think despite some people thinking the Club should have just gone L2, 1 year, L1, 1 year, most folks recognised that 1 year might have been tough for L1 (not all, but most). Second year, with additional pronouncements of Godhood, we miss again, so the criteria narrowed for some more. Last year was supposed to be a pass/fail test, off went the goalposts again, in the summer - when IMO he should have gone. We then get "just 5 games (or 10, or 15)." It's now beyond farcical and feels like a management consultants, rescue mission. What's the betting if we can see some improvement over the next few the "green shoots of recovery" message will get rolled out?

I do think if we lose, they might have nowhere to run, but a scrawpy draw or a win, unless it's completely vitriolic, they'll think there's breathing room. We could nearly be mid-table. That's good, right?

There are a lot more people to sack. Next bad result the groundsman gets it. Then the team chef. One after that the ball boys get yeeted out of the ground over the top of the stand.

[Prufrock]

Little bit of straw manning going on there. There aren't many people who thought L1 1 year was a target (rather than an ambition) who then switched.

As a "very recently had enough" myself, my quick verdict is:

Y1 - excellent job. Very rocky start but there were two senior players when he walked in and scattershot recruitment takes time to build on.

Y2 - Very good job, inconsistent but flexibility and a good January left feeling optimistic. Comfortable safety and a platform to build on.

Y3 - more progress, as you'd expect given backing. Exciting football, cup win, but play offs showed still work to be done

Y4 - mixed bag, first year with expectation. Missed out. On the one hand as close as you can get (3rd and play off final loss) but oooof Wembley was bad, and hurt. Question marks appearing. Next year is big

Y5 - to date, horrible. Made signings, changed shape, started with optimism, but the wheels have fallen off and he's breaking down. I think it's very very very hard to come back from this. Given he's not going anywhere immediately, I hope he can, but it's hope rather than expectation now.

Over time, that sheen of "he could be a really good one here" has given way to "I think the club have an eye for a player, and he's not a total idiot, but I don't think he understands the fundamentals and so I'm a lot less forgiving now". On the one hand, I don't need to know how an engine works to drive a car. But if you're billing yourself as Enzo Ferrari...

Looks like rearranging the deckchairs now.