A friend who has worked for NYCFC recently sent me unsolicited praise for both PV and Kristian Wilson, saying they're two of the very best he's ever worked with, and "even better people outside the football pitch."

I am much more hopeful about their leadership than I am about our collective patience.

Agree on the general concern.

There was though one piece on him I read recently that suggests he may not be quite the purist he was once and has developed a slightly more pragmatic streak as he has progressed in his managerial career and got further from his Man City roots.

He certainly used a range of formations at Nice and wasn't committed to that form of tactical purity. In fact some of the criticism I'ver seen is that his teams at Nice were frankly muddled without a settled style of play or formation. He was strong on philosophy but weak on tactics.

That sort of ties in with what he says here.

"Taking risks to score as many goals as possible is something that I am ready to do. What matters for me is getting the most out of my players while playing well. I don’t think there is any system or style of play that is better than another. Great coaches like Mourinho, Wenger or Guardiola have different philosophies, but they have all won, like Antonio Conte has done at Chelsea.”

I've just been rewatching the episode in When Eagles Dare when the players and Parish revolted against Holloway and insisted that the Dougie system was reinstated. Let's hope history doesn't repeat!

Another trip into the unknown for us and one I’m looking forward to. A tough tackling box to box midfielder he was, and he will expect the same from his team. It’s been well mentioned that he wants to play the passing game and feed our attackers early and in dangerous positions, which is what we want.

A far cry from how Roy got us to play, so everybody has got their wish. Can you imagine Connor Gallagher breaking up play and feeding Wilfred, Tekkers and Eze early in the last third of the pitch?

Sure we will get some beatings, but hopefully nothing like last year where our defence was always in the treatment room and it showed in our goals against column.

I think we are in for an interesting season for a change…

We have for sure raised the quality of our squad in this window. Just hope the manager will be a bit pragmatic when the "play ball out for defence" does not work.
Our DNA consists of hard work and quick breaks. Joachim Andersen showed last season that he is capable of some great, long passes.

When the PV doubters are judging him in what is a very tough run of opening matches, worth bearing in mind how we did in the equivalent fixtures last season. Taking the first ten games bar Brentford, last season we got 5 points out of the 9 matches, scoring 4 and conceding 16

This is very true Dave, and it was only due to Roy having credit in the bank that he rode the storm out, 5 points out of a possible 27 is sacking material territory.

Just to clarify - I was looking at the first 9 games this season bar Brentford, and comparing with the results we got in those fixtures last season - eg in our first 3 games this season - Chelsea we lost 0-4, Spurs (H) 1-1, Liverpool 0-2. Trying to make the point that these first games for PV are tough matches.

I’m looking forward to the new season in a way I’ve not for 4 years. We all know how badly that turned out but it’s worth remembering we do still have an experienced team.

Yes a lot of players have left but most of them were not key performers. Jeez most of them weren’t fit to even get on the bench.

This means PV can take his time to impose a new style. As FdB promised he would.

I too have read that PV’s tactical approach at Nice suggests he’s not the purist that his Man City past would have you believe.

Most importantly, we’ve actually bought some promising youth. I’m most excited by the defensive additions.

Ball playing good defenders are hard to source and we’ve not had the funds - outside of Sakho - to get real young quality. Mate of mine who follows Fulham says we’ve got a gem in Andersen.

So fingers crossed we can retain some Royball at the start of the season. Keep it tight and sneak a draw or win until we have time to move into a new style.

Agreed, but we'll need a lot of luck injury-wise this season - namely our long term lads back earlier than expected and no new long-term problems.

He spoke well at the presser today and answered questions with patience. He clearly understands that he's taken on a tough job, but seems to be relishing the challenge it presents him.

I have to say I'm more excited about the coming season than I have been for some years now.

There's a lot going on in our club in a very positive way. Should be fun. Can't wait.

Dad and I watched games standing on the muddy slope of the Holmesdale Road end. He cheered and I rattled.