I've been reading through every page of this thread and declined to comment until this point. Quite frankly, I couldn't give a rat's proverbial what people on twitter say, what someone who 'has connections' at Bournemouth say and care even less what the bookies say. The only person who has been privy to every confidential chat that has taken place (whether at Palace, Charlton, Burnley or Bournemouth is Eddie Howe). I am sure that CPFC2010 have a good idea whether he'll be our man or not, but they are powerless to resist if Charltno 'gazump' our offer.

What I will say is this....

Given the way that Bournemout fans speak so affectionately of him would suggest that they care deeply about him and vice versa. If that is so then I am sure it must come with good reason. I'd doubt that salary alone would make Howe 'jump ship' to Charlton and potentailly de-rail his former clubs chances of success....stranger things have happened though. Whilst not wanting to compare personalities or how strong both mens affection for their respective clubs are and were, but we were in a similar situation with Bruce a good few seasons ago. We were top of the league, playing some lovely football and he left for Birmingham who were about 12th IIRC...we were all stunned as to why he would go but he did. It seems that every man has his price.

I'd be gutted if EH ended up at the clowns as Itruly believe that he is destined for the big time, but if he does go there then we are well shot of him. We don't want a young manager who is mercenary when it comes to whether he takes the club on or not. As many posters have said if he rejects us to stay at Bournemouth then good luck to...if he takes on the Charlton role, then his character and integrity is not all it is cracked up to be and I'm sure a few Bournemouth fans will feel betrayed.

The main reason why I feel he will have 'sold out' to go to the clowns is because as a team currently sitting 4th in League 1, they have rid themselves of a manager. IMO Charlton we doing OK. They were not underachieiving, and so I think that EH must see that they have an itchy trigger finger at that club. I know our record isn't great, but surely Parish & Co. must have sold our package as a club that want long-term building...having said that many argue that GB was sacked too soon so there are always two sides to the coin.

Whoever we appoint as manager will have my full backing. I hope the CPFC2010 don't give into stupid games on this one and keep upping the offer to get him. I am sure he'll have been offered good terms to join (better than those on offer at Bournemouth) but if he wants to chase the gold over at the clowns then more fool him. I hope he'd enjoy his 30 peices of silver, and not look towards a challenge at a higher level.

I am not suggesting we are by any means a massive club, but surely taking on a relegation scrap in the championship is a tough ask to pull off - one that in time could prove to be the best move / stepping stone he ever took rather than take a team who are likely play-off contenders to the championship...

If he joins Charlton and not Palace then fine, he wasn't the right man for our job after all.

You've got to really WANT the job to have any chance of being a success at it.

Charlton have a better stadium than us, and still have a decent chance of promotion - especially if their new Board injects some cash for new players. He could go there and build something that doesn't necessarily have to be immediately successful. I'm sure Charlton are thinking beyond just the rest of this season.

At Palace he would need to hit the deck running. The playing squad - while not without talent - is dis-jointed and needs serious attention if we are to avoid relegation. And that relegation would almost certainly mean a wholesale change over of playing staff.And therefore a massive re-buildong job.

So...hate to say it, but the Charlton job actually looks a little more attractive in some ways.

But as i said for openers, if he decides not to join Palace then he wasn't the right man for the job anyway

Plus every-time he goes to a game he'll get to see clowns! Cant be a bad thing?