Holmes_and_Watson

I was going to type pretty much that. So I can just pinch it instead. Barcelona Saint said it wasn't the season to experiment with youngsters. But as that post and the above indicate, it's not an experiment when they've clearly consistently hit the levels required.

I also expected to see a fair bit more of the likes of Meghoma and SAA, last season. Edozie and Charles did get an amount of minutes. I liked the energy of Meghoma and SAA too. However, as mentioned, Martin went with more experienced heads. Martin won't be the first manager to limited those minutes, to get to the deliverables of the season. Manning offered more versatility and experience in that inverted role. Martin would have seen SAA in training, and must have gone with similar conclusions there, in a team that already struggled with tempo and passing through opponents. None of the above had the same impact of Livramento or Lavia. Not holding down a first team place (Edozie got a decent run), meant minutes were going to be limited. The trouble is, that next season will be no different, with survival the goal. However, with the lack of attacking signings, it's a good chance for Dibling and SAA to stake a claim to getting close to regular games. SR will be only to keen to focus spending elsewhere, if one or more really looked capable of stepping up.

Man

Housemartin

Conclusion

I'd not be at all surprised if SR tried to reduce the salary of a new contract. If he gets more money at Brentford, or better terms there, then it's his choice to make. He might also prefer their set up, and how they've pitched their place/ his involvement to him. Considering they finished 16th last season, I can't really say I wish him all the best. I hope the club has a stinker, and finishes below us.

Good news. Versatile, vocal and made a difference for us last season. Plus the Jack/Russ bromance is lovely.

Looking forward to our "You're made of polytetrafluoroethene" chant. 🙂

I'm stoked to the max!

Soul

When a like isn't enough... We have some really lovely ex players and managers. That was great from Yoshida.

I can imagine the viewers of the TV film version of this, DatApocalypse, being slightly let down by this as the finale. 🙂

Yup. Easily the hardest working, most versatile goal threat in last season's championship to just about cut it there. 🙂

Loose Lips Sink Servers.

The crowdstrike issues really put those calls regarding use of third parties and electronic storage, earlier in the week, into perspective. Thankfully the robust procedures kept in place by CoT continue to keep the data flowing and secure. Well done CoT.

When in doubt, give it a clout.

Che: Both sides keeping their options open, in an amicable way. Seems sensible. If we struggle to get players in, then we can always return to our offer, if we need to. If we do get players in, then fine too. Che's a known quantity, and a free agent. If he wasn't our player, we'd be looking at him. From Che's side, he has an offer on the table, and can look to see if better deals are available. If ours has any deadlines on it, we'll get an early decision. If not, his agent has the window to get a better deal than ours. If he signs for us a bit later, he's still going to drop seamlessly into the squad, having already been here under Martin. Both sides being on what seems to be good terms, finding the best solution for themselves.

Boys

A KWP who turns out to be a key part of us staying up is worth quite a bit. On the other hand, The cub may be confident we'll stay up having recruited Sugawara. Hopefully, they've not indicated to Sugawara about minutes, although this is solved by putting one on the left. SR, like most other clubs, don't want to see their assets leave on frees. I'm sure they've said as much. They may be looking at the PRS books, looking to use those KWP pennies to strengthen elsewhere. Wages would be part of that. Personally, I'd love him to stay. You never know, he might, like McCarthy extend/ resign if we do well.

Absolutely this. I think it would do him the world of good, personally and in his development. There were moments where he had clearly picked up RM's instructions. But, they looked to be few and far between, and didn't seem to fit his natural game. If you're not getting minutes, and feel things aren't working out, it's going to have an impact too. He'd sown the odd flash in other games, and I've seen him pick up good positions. But more roaming centre forward ones, rather than the Che role being looked for. Regular minutes will do him good. In a perfect world, we'd be giving him data of things to look at adding to his game with the loan club.

Looking forward to seeing him after such a tough time.

We finally get Shaqiri!

Big

When people were killed travelling on a supposed safe route in Gaza, we got a "maybe Jeremy was right" comment. So, pretty pleased he could use deaths to score political points. One of the many low points.

Charles: Very much how RM sees him develop. I felt he preferred an out of position Smallbone to him at times. A number of players had times out the side though. On one late game on his return he did the basics, but wasn't under pressure. If RM thinks he's good enough to get minutes covering for Downes and Lallana, then fine. If not, then more cover is needed as it was when Romeu left, and Charles needs a season getting regular first team football. Ideally, Championship. There might be a club willing to pay wages and a loan fee, and we might find some experience cheaply to strengthen. A win-win.