Just been said on MOTD.
Did we expect anything different?
Will Gary be tempted?
Why would he? If he wants to manage in the Prem next season he is currently better placed than he would be at the Clayheads. Not bias, just fact.
From his press interactions you get the feeling Gary Robert (sic) is a straight but fair talker. I would have imagined he had some pretty frank discussions with Mel over what he thinks is needed, both when he joined and ongoing.
The question is what do we need and when? Friday night showed us we are still a long way from a Prem team (besides Jose's kind words) and we're nowhere near able to feel comfortable in the automatics like Wolves are. That said, I'd suggest we are better placed now than any time since 2015 to actually make it. Add to that Mel must be more desperate than anyone to make it over the line.
With all of that I'd suggest a bit of interest from Stoke won't change much the tone of the discussion, but I'd be really surprised if we don't bring at least one player in this window, either a back up CB or a midfielder capable of opening up a defence a bit more, we could really push on if we just had that one player who can change the pace of a game - not just by spraying 50 yard passes around but sometimes just by running at 'em. Frank Lampard was the master at this, even Will Hughes had it when he first came on the scene.
I can't see him being interested to be honest but if he was what can you do! It's all ok saying he should could come out and say he's committed to the Rams but if you were on £10,000 a week and someone comes in and offers you £25,000 a week it's not going to be easy to turn down. At the end of the day it's a job and you only go to work for cash!
My brother-in-law a Stoke season ticket holder has phoned me to say the are interviewing former player Graham Potter tomorrow he's been managing Ostersunds in Sweden for seven years He has taken them from the fourth division to European football where they are drawn against Arsenal next month A lot of people at the club trying to convince the owners to to sign him up