They do say that dogs are psychic, so perhaps he/she was helpfully trying to tell you there was going a development in the sale saga today?

“For those of us who lived through the Richard Dinnis and Willie McFaul experiences, the “Hughton wants the job” thingy is just so similar and likely to end up in the same tears……”

Why United111? What are the similarities between Chris Hughton, Richard Dinnis and Willie McFaul? And who would you suggest as a good managerial choice?

It’s important to learn from history.

I’d love to see Hughton get us promotion and go on to become the greatest United manager in history – winning the FA Cup, Premiership et al…….it’s just very unlikely as from what we have seen he doesn’t possess the necessary qualities and attributes. He’s undoubtedly a nice fella who can do a job – but he appears to lack the hardness and occasional ruthlessness of a “proper” manager.

In fact, I don’t think any manager can be judged properly in less than a full season and I think we, as fans, are guilty of having judged some of our managers too quickly.

IMHO a manager needs to have a pre-season, a chance to deal on the transfer market, face good and bad spells on the pitch … all those things before he can be properly judged, and I think that needs at least one season, more likely 2 or more.

A club is always taking a chance when it appoints a new manager because even if they have many years experience and success at other clubs, it’s no guarantee they will at a new club (although it certainly might be one of the better indicators of their chances).

Apparently there were rumours that Shearer had quit his MOTD role (unfounded it seems) and rumours that Ashley has told all NUFC staff to be in at 9AM sharp, although he might tell them that every day for all we know.

“If they offered me the job, would I take it? Yes, I would,” “I’m very focused. I have a responsibility with this team to prepare, with my staff, this side for football matches.”

“Management is something that has always interested me. My situation with the times I’ve managed, it’s been for a reason.”

It’s easy to argue against Shearer because of the poor return on his 8 games in charge. However, Hughton had a couple of stinkers when he had to step in. It’s as likely that the upturn in fortunes is due to poorer opposition and a better attitude within the group because of the reality call of relegation as it is to do with great management, i.e. the siutation has managed the players.

It’s almost impossible at this point to argue that Hughton has magically found a winning formula but I take nothing away from the guys and they should be applauded and rewarded, particularly Hughton for always stepping in and getting on with it, without any fuss.

That said, I’m not convinced Shearer is the only option, just a very decent one. There’s definitely an argument to say that having sold players on, we appear to have a better overall mix of personalities and attitudes at the moment. Whoever, takes charge permanently can hopefully build on that.

Presumably such a move wouldn’t be supported by the “Shearer doesn’t have the experience” faction – for the same reason….

Before contemplating such a move however, whoever runs NUFC these days should enter into a search engine the phrases “Richard Dinnis” and “Willie McFaul”…….

Nah, only worky has access to that part of the site so you can blame him but he’s been non-stop with developing the site so possibly neglected the admin side at the min. I’m sure he’ll get back to you asap!

Hope some news today, sold or not, either way I actually don’t care as long as we here something so we can move on.