To quote Mrs Merton's legendary question to the (lovely) Debbie McGee; 'what was it that first attracted you to the millionaire Paul Daniels'

Can't say it's a situation that has ever arisen for me personally (or indeed is ever likely too either!!) so can't speak from personal experience in this regard

I’m still taking in all the news from yesterday but can’t feel anything but very positive moving forward.

For all his detractors when he was appointed (and regardless of his connection to Thirkell) I thought Myler came across fairly well and has made a lot of the difficult decisions that were needed.

JC for me just ticks all the boxes so far, sound positive, knowledgeable and believable and also someone who seems able to get the message across. I think getting him in to the club is pretty much best business the club has done for years.

Thirkell again spoke very well as you’d expect for a man of his standing in business but also spoke passionately about our club and seems to get/understand it. He knows the game very well and wants to achieve success.

AP showed relief in having the weight of the club removed from his shoulders. We know he’s made mistakes but we should be thankful and grateful for what he has done in his time as owner. Sadly I think Covid did for him without any other financial support or stakeholder to share the burden. He kept the club afloat and fought for us against the Allam lead SMC and has secured the future of the club in trusted hands.

What came across more than anything last night was that there seemed to be a genuine and natural togetherness/relationship between all 4 of AP, AT, JC & RM which is something we haven’t seen for decades and can only put us on the right foot moving forward.

It’s great for our club, great for the city and great for SL and the wider game.

I think some have rose tinted spectacles about the state the Boulevard was in by the end. That Best stand would be a health and safety nightmare in the 2020s, fans pouring in down a narrow alley, up steep steps to sit on wooden benches. Capacity would have been massively cut and I'd guesstimate due to the size of the site be down to 7-8k capacity. Even the 'new Threepenny' would be 30 years old now and it wasn't exactly state of the art when built.

Also there was a noticeable increase in women and kids going when we moved to the MKM due to the better facilities. Hard to play 'what if' but I dont think we'd have 3 Challenge Cups (and City 3 Premier League spells) without the stadium.

Pearson said last night that they've got the last 3 or 4 recruitment cycles wrong and it'll take 2 or 3 to get back to where it needs to.

Myler openly stated why we've recruited who we have for next year and why. None of this is going to change overnight, as has been pointed out to you for many weeks before this announcement.

Unless we move players on there won't be much cap available next year and definitely not enough for significant signings mid season

There'll be a few coming to the end of their contracts who need to seriously up their games or they'll be gone possibly early, Lane and Fash are two that spring to mind. There'll be movement, club has show it can be ruthless now

I hate sounding up myself in such situations but I was there so I guess I can say it!!

Fash needs a big season and it's his testimonial year too. Be interesting to see how he goes especially as he'll be playing catch up with missing a big chunk of pre season.

And won't be a shoe in for the first time in about 3 seasons

Fash and Lane won’t be FC players next season

I still have recurring nightmares about Lane

Fash is contracted for 2026 …

Obviously we’ll have to see how Fash starts the season, however I’d doubt he’ll make the first 17 and will be on the fringe.

Unless there’s a marked improvement in performance and his discipline I can see him being one of the next players moved on. I can’t imagine our new owners/DoR/Coach are going to sit on their hands and put up with any non performing players next season.

He’ll probably get plenty of games still, Ashworth struggled with injuries and Sao will no doubt have disciplinary issues. Also Asiata, who knows how he’ll fair games/minutes wise.

That’s why it’s important to get another forward in, so the likes of Fash aren’t playing out of necessity most weeks.

I thought Myler was quite good.

I’m expecting our discipline to be much improved next season. No excuses. Ligi and Fash were woeful in that aspect last season and it can no longer be tolerated. I doubt many teams win a game when have a player sin binned or sent off, especially in the first 60 mins.

I trust a fitter squad will also reduce some of the injuries. Although some will always occur in a full on contact sport.