Always intrigued that people can be so critical without knowing anything at all. Leaving aside that perhaps Howe and/or Lampard were offered the job but turned it down, or were interviewed but did poorly, there isn't a 'right' way for Parish to have played this.

When Roy said he was leaving SP could have:

1. Tried to appoint a new manager immediately.
2. Tried to talk Roy into staying.
3. Wait for the summer merry-go-round and see who we can get.

Immediate appointment.

For: Uncertainty removed, planning can commence early.

Against: Options limited to those available at that time (Lampard and Howe mainly, given the desire for PL experience). We might be settling for an average appointment when a really good one might become possible later on.

How many of us would have moaned if we'd got Howe, and then seen heard that Nuno or Favre would have been interested?

Roy Stays.

For: Continuity, stability.

Against: Opportunity missed to reshape the squad in a new man's image.

Plenty on here would have had an aneurysm, and been carted off to the funny farm ranting about a lack of ambition etc. Even as one who was happy for Roy to stay, I would have been disappointed at the opportunity being missed.

Try your luck in summer.

For: The options are greater than any other time.

Against: Uncertainty of outcome and knock-on delays to transfer/contract business.

Parish felt he would like to try and do a little better, so he held on and had a good go at getting Nuno and now Favre. Both deals fell through. We don't know why, so quite how anyone blames the club I don't know, but even if the cynical guesswork is accurate and both have walked away once they see the budget (which would be contrary to the better reporting on both counts), so what? If they aren't prepared to work within our means then they aren't the right man for us.

Holding on until summer and getting involved in the merry-go-round was a risk, but so were the other options. That risk doesn't look like paying off as handsomely as it would have done if Nuno or Favre had signed up, but neither has it yet failed. Even if we end up with someone further down our list of choices, that doesn't mean the risk was negligent.

If Howe or Lampard wants the job, they are still available. We are no less likely to get Dyche or Cooper from their current clubs than we were. So far all we have lost is time, but if we end up at this crossroads again then I'd go for the gamble again.

Edited by TheBigToePunt (25 Jun 2021 12.24pm)