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Roma signed up with Nike recently and they unveiled a new crest a couple of days before ours. There could be a trend here...

Found this article about Martinez written by a Wigan fan. Seems an honest and balanced view, although it's not clear when it was first published because the article is dated March 2013 but the comments are from a year ago. His opinions seem pretty relevant in any case: http://sabotagetimes.com/reportage/a-wigan-fan-tells-everton-why-roberto-martinez-is-the-man-to-replace-moyes/

If Neville is only doing his A licence course at the moment, that means he's still a level below that required to manage in the top flight and he has at least another year before he can finish his Pro licence. The UEFA Pro licence is the one they must hold to manage in the Premier League, although managers have received dispensation in the past if they're already studying for it.

Yes in cases like this, where there is no doubt whatsoever about their guilt.

Yes it would be some commute from Sandbanks!

Welcome Finners!

I don't post much but I've been a reader for ages so I've sent a tenner to help out.

I wish I understood what is the exact situation now regarding his contract(s) and who he's working for. SSN just carried a quote from him about Ferdinand signed a new deal and he's described as "David Moyes, Manchester United manager". Yet - as far as I understand - he's still contracted as our manager until 30th June. I know he said in an interview that he'd be doing a bit of two jobs for a few weeks, and maybe it's just SSN and their wording, but presumably SAF is also still contracted to Man Utd as manager until the end of June, too. I dunno, I think it's just peeing me off that Man Utd have had this seamless changeover and are discussing their summer transfers, while we're the club left searching for a manager when - unless some deal has been done with Moyes and Man Utd - in theory we still have one!

My absolute favourite. "For mash get Smash"

And of course the likes of Steven Schumacher, Nick Chadwick, Lee Molyneux, Peter Clarke etc who have all made a respectable career in the Football League. Bet there are loads more!

Better take Ruddy off too. He was 19 when he joined us and had played 40+ games for Cambridge.

Thanks, looking forward to getting more involved

Thanks guys.

Martinez was asked directly after the match if Wigan could come back up from the Championship and would he be there to lead them, and although he said Wigan have good finances and a positive future he avoided both questions.

And with Arsenal now leading 4-1 with minutes left and Wigan effectively relegated, hopefully Bill will be on the phone tonight. Well, OK, maybe he's decent enough to wait until the morning

^^ Agreed. Speculation's the name of the game right now. I enjoy it when it's about other clubs, but I'm already sick of this! Something I find annoying is the way the media say stuff like "Moyes could take Fellaini and Baines with him". It's an over simplistic way of reporting since it's up to the clubs to decide, not Moyes, and he can't just choose to 'take' a player with him, any more than we can say "Let's get Martinez and he can bring McCarthy and McManaman with him".

Man Utd don't tend to recruit players over about 27 and RvP was supposedly a big exception to Fergie's usual policy, so if that policy continues under Moyes then Jags won't be on their shopping list.

Having finally made a few comments, and with so much to discuss at the moment, it's time I said a belated hello. I've been a Blue since as far back as I can remember, probably the early 80s, so I've seen some ups and downs. I've been a reader and registered lurker here for a while and enjoyed the discussions, and now I'm looking in more regularly I'll try to join in the chat.

The initial mention of Benitez had me instinctively recoiling from the idea. My preferred option always has been Martinez as I like his style and ability to find and refine players, but the more I think about it the more I can see we shouldn't just dismiss Rafa out of hand. If I can put his RS association to one side (not easy, admittedly) he has a track record and a knowledge of English and European football and players that shouldn't be ignored, and I have a grudging admiration for the way he has performed on and off the field at Chelsea despite the poisonous atmosphere. Still don't like the bloke though. Heart says 'NO WAY!'. Head says he's worth some consideration, if we can't get Martinez...

Moyes has always said we don't sell cheap, so he'll know he can't come back with low ball offers if he wants anyone. Personally I'd be surprised if he comes in for any of our players.

Thought he might have been more ambitious than that. Sky mentioned a cash deal of almost £5m though, which would probably be a fair chunk of our war chest.

On Sky post-match Moyes said it was "more unlikely than likely" that there would be anyone signing.

He's a centre mid, age 23, bit of a powerhouse by all accounts.