Chez

you are kidding, right?

Can he play at this level? Without question. He's not been great recently, but before that he was beating players right left and centre. Players that can do that are worth their weight in gold. Grealish scored 0 goals in first full season (he played just one game in the previous season), 1 in his second, then 5 in his third (in the championship).

If we pay him what his agent thinks he is worth, he might stay. If that is £100k a week or more and we are in the championship, that might not be feasible

the signing of Anthony Pulis and Paul Wotton may have scarred me for life.

I'm still surprised he signed for us. He could have all the big sides after him in the summer.

What's the score with Ramsdale's contract? Does he have any kind of relegation clause in it?

I didn't want him back here (I don't want to go into all that again, but mention it for context) but when I see him, he's on a different level in terms of touch and ability compared to most of the others. So I would imagine they will offer him a new deal. Not sure I'd have any objections either.

Do any talents stay at relegated clubs? It seems a long time since Defoe (for half a season) and Carrick stayed with West Ham after going down. Newcastle kept a few, which cost them an absolute fortune. What about Grealish. Had he made a mark on the Prem before spending several seasons in the championship?

That extra year is probably worth an extra £20m...

I wasn't aware if that. Very good news.

Ramsdale 2028, Bazunu 2027, McCarthy 2026, Lumley 2025 Sugawara 2028, Bree 2026, Walker-Peters 2025 Taylor 2026, Manning 2027, Larios 2027 Harwood-Bellis 2028, Wood 2028, Edwards 2028, Bednarek 2027, Bella-Kotchap 2026, Stephens 2026 Fernandes 2029, Charles 2027, Downes 2028, Aribo 2026, Smallbone 2026, Lallana 2025, Ugochukwu 2025 Brereton Diaz 2028, Edozie 2027, Sulemana 2027, Dibling 2026, Amo-Ameyaw 2026, Fraser 2026, Cornet 2025 Archer 2028, Armstrong 2027, Stewart 2026, Onuachu 2026 Very few out of contract players, so any major reshaping of the squad will rely on interest in our players from other clubs.

If he walked on a free in 2026, are we entitled to compensation? It's a while since I've seen the amounts the tribunals decide on. Are they fair or are they token amounts at todays transfer prices?

FF wasn't useless.

Luton have to go down as one of the most `unready for the prem' sides ever, but they gave it a bloody good go.

go back one page on this thread and you will find a few posters suggesting we need to get someone in. Personally, I think it will be very tough to get a player that can impact this season, but no reason why we should not sign someone in January that we think we need next season.

It's really hard to give a squad an overhaul. Long contracts are great when you unearth a Dibling, but restrictive when given to a Larios.

I seriously doubt he will be going anywhere until the summer, but having shown he can play at this level, he is not going to sign a new contract for a championship side in waiting.

...and Glen Kamara's agent has done his job with links in the press to all manner of clubs including Saints. Cornet back to West Ham and then out on loan again. I suspect the Lesley Ugochukwu loan might continue rather than be terminated as has been suggested. Ajax fancy Sulemena. Obviously Dibling was linked with Manchester United.

There was a Ronnie Edwards to Sheff Wednesday on loan rumour.

I suppose we can reminisce about the 0-0 draw away at Fulham where we got out of our own half once.

Taylor has another year after this one, Manning another two years (as does Larios). We will be paying them more than any other championship side is willing to pay. I'd be surprised if either went anywhere.

Can't see a Dutch international that has just joined Manchester United willing to join us on loan.

that is basically buying them, but delaying the payment. I don't think that is what he was suggesting. I've no objections to that, I just wonder whether a Chelsea or City star youngster will realistically sign for us on a permanent contract. From their point of view, a loan to a championship club next summer makes sense, allowing them to sign for a Pre side the following season like Delap did.

You are suggesting we loan someone? How does that help us get promoted next year? Or we buy them and if they are good, we sell them in the summer. How does that help us get promoted next year? I don't see the point (and the club won't either) of signing a guy for 5 months. Any signing will be partly with this season in mind but definitely with next season in mind. Let me rephrase my original question. What player good enough to score goals in Prem will sign for us in January knowing we will want him to score 20+ goals to get us promoted next season? Very tough recruitment ask.

they have us on the 16th Jan. If they don't win before then...