Chez

I also watched the first game and he was in Gillesphey and Jones' pocket. He did have a very good season though. I wonder how hard our scouts have been in focusing on league 1 though.

I didn't think he was "very average". I thought he looked very classy and was creative. Putting some world class players aside, pretty much all wingers/flair players have games where they don't have an impact. He's only missed a couple of games in the last two years through injury. IMO we desperately need to add some more attacking threat, creativity and flair. If not Brooks, then someone else. Looking forward to learn who the attacking midfielder is we are targetting.

Why aren't Sunderland signing him? Do they feel he is not good enough for the Prem?

Makes more sense. The two clubs will have already agreed any deal before allowing him to do a medical. So it would be unlikely that the "deal" breaks down at that point unless there is an issue with the medical.

They have a squad good enough for this league, momentum and owners looking to get to the PL quickly. Back to back promotions is very feasible as we well know.

19 league goals in 31 games isn't bad. Five more in the efl cups. Brum played very much like us under Martin. Complete domination in terms of possession first, creating chances second. He's a decent player. Caused us problems two seasons ago. Brum were incredibly strong last season. The centre halves they signed were top notch. All the talk is of them signing players good enough for the PL. Under the new owners they mean business. If they get one or two of those type of players, I fancy them to win the league.

2022 summer we signed experienced pros too. Aribo, Caleta-Car and Maitland-Niles. Not marquee though. We realised we could not afford to compete in that market so went the 'buy top young talent' route instead. Made sense, but risky when your senior pros were lacking.

yes. Signed a four year deal in 2022. We are not the only side that gives players long contracts and then grows to regret it.

Seemed a very valuable squad player for them last season, but Bournemouth won't stand still. He's only got a year left of his contract, so moving him on now might make sense, but I can't imagine WBA have the budget to pay him PL wages this season (which they'd need to do)

...bet you couldn't score the blinder he got at ST Andrews though.

I don't hate any Saints players. That terminology is reserved for the likes of Heath and Bailey. That said, I never really liked Claus. I wasn't a big fan of Frannie either. There, I've said it. Claus, how can I say it, looked a bit gormless and played that way sometimes. Him and Bednarek seem very similar to me. I struggle to warm to CBs at the best of times. Yeah, I know, proper club man and all that.... I've nothing against Frannie - and I really like how he presents himself and represents the club now. He's a top guy. However, at the time, I thought he was out of his depth in the top flight and having mediocre (at best) players like him explained why we struggled year on year.

Not paying them is a breach of contract, but I suspect the players others would want, and with value, Djeidi Gassama, for example, will be paid first and so probably won't be available on a free.

Saints pay Charles his wages directly - so he wont have been impacted at all. SWFC pay us a fee equivalent to his wages. Not sure how/when that is paid, but potentially there will be a debt. As we know from our own history, the other football clubs get paid first, the other non football debts get settled afterwards.

we must see Bree/Sugawara as 'OK' otherwise RB would have been deemed 'critical'.

Seems a good price. I guess we think Sugawara will work out.