11 Mar 2026 14:05:42
Ed001 I say back at the end of November I wanted us to lose to West Ham because I was frightened with the fixtures ahead we would limp on and that's exactly what happened.
Now are season is just about over we are not winning the champions league or fa cup and I don't see us finishing in the top 5.
I am not even expecting a win on Sunday against spurs this team has sucked that much belief out of me.
Slot has been truly awful but for me the biggest problem has been Hughes Edwards and Billy Hogan for letting this go on for so long all three need to go too. I don't what you think of all them three Ed.
{Ed001's Note - I can't comment on Hogan, as I don't know enough, but I never wanted Edwards back and certainly didn't want Hughes, who I didn't rate at all. I would defo be looking to get rid of those two, they are out of their depth and were never good enough to deserve the roles they got.}
11 Mar 2026 15:07:51.
I'd say Hogan is doing an excellent job. We are top of the money league and are clearly growing in popularity across the globe in terms of viewing figures and social media following/activity.
However, a chunk of Hogan's revenue depends on sporting performance. He would expect a floor of CL qualification for the sporting side of the business, with deep runs in the CL being aspirational. Not qualifying for the CL would put Edwards/Hughes under a lot of pressure, given the club has chosen to completely rebuild the squad and academy.
Edwards is clearly well liked and trusted by JWH and Mike Gordon. It's difficult to tell how happy Edwards is, as he came back on the proviso that he would be allowed to develop the multi-club model. There has been no apparent movement on that, despite getting quite close to purchasing Bordeaux and rumours of kicking the tyres on Malaga, Getafe and Valencia.
Is that lack of progress on Edwards or his bosses? We don't really know. FSG aren't short of cash after making a killing on selling the Penguins recently.
Re Hughes, if you bring a mate into your organisation, there will naturally be greater scrutiny of his work and performance by the higher ups. You would expect JWH, Gordon and Werner to be aware of that relationship, and you would also expect Edwards to want it to succeed in order to maintain his reputation. Or, if it does go badly, to try and make any exits look strategic/graceful!
The optics of being a stable club are important for current, future players and their agents, and current, future commercial partners.
11 Mar 2026 15:45:46
Good post Fpf. Very informative.
11 Mar 2026 15:54:20
Cheers, Rome1977. Not that I have any inside info. Just guesswork based on how things have played out in the past and how the levers in the organisation could potentially work if it follows other big corporates.
11 Mar 2026 16:21:22
Ed001 am not sure how much input Edwards is having it but our wage bill is spiralling like it did when he was here before.
The contracts given out to Gakpo and now Gravenberch is beyond ridiculous and just gives other players something to judge there wage on.
{Ed001's Note - exactly. He is clueless.}
11 Mar 2026 16:56:38
Ed001, spot on as usual.
I believe the fans are begging to see through Edwards and Hughes.
Slot and Van Bronkhorst are already obvious.
I don't understand FSG.
11 Mar 2026 17:37:52
Surely, FSG will put 2+2 together regarding the wage increases. I just hope Alonso is a strong manager like Klopp and puts a few people in their place.
11 Mar 2026 17:39:42
Yuri, on a personal basis, I couldn't care less about Hughes and Edwards. I've said on here a few times, and I may be wrong. Edwards oversaw the transfers of Alisson, VVD, Mane, Salah and Robertson. If FSG decide to get rid of both of them, and I very much doubt they will, I won't lose sleep. In the meantime, I couldn't give a flying fish.
11 Mar 2026 18:27:05
Flying Fish is a paint colour, Rome. Just in case you were interested.
11 Mar 2026 18:56:23
Thanks ever so much, Shanklys Ghost! I'm on it, mate. Trawling through Crown and Dulux websites (other paints are available) to see if it appeals to me. I'm very fussy, you know. Most folk will be wondering what the hell we're talking about!
11 Mar 2026 22:35:03
I make you right there, Rome. Edwards oversaw the most successful time in our recent history, so if that’s clueless then give me clueless all day long.
As for Hughes, he’s just signed 2 of the best players in world football. Something I thought was beyond us, but he pulled it off. It hasn’t worked out yet, but I have no doubt Isak and Wirtz will be amazing players for us moving forward. Hughes made the transfer window exciting for the first time in years. We are finally not only being linked with, but actually signing the most sought after talent in the world. I’m all for that.
There are reasons why Slot has not been sacked.
Reasons beyond performances and results, but none of us are in the conversations so we don’t know what they are, but you can bet there are conversations going on because nobody will be happy with the current form.
The people calling for Edwards and Hughes's head are just looking for someone to blame. They actually have no idea if Edwards and Hughes have done anything wrong, or they are any good at what they do, but the team aren’t winning enough so everyone is to blame.
I know nothing about them other than what I see, and Edwards did well last time around to build a competitive squad and Hughes has started off very well in my eyes.
11 Mar 2026 20:25:05
Hi Ed,
Is it Julian Ward responsible for negotiating these obscene contracts and handing out ludicrous amounts of money?
{Ed001's Note - he is supposed to be player development, so shouldn't be involved. This is Edwards and Hughes.}