James

It's a difficult one for Wilcox and team to manage. Maybe getting rid of Paul or Mara unlocks things as we'd have some latitude to bring someone else in regardless of what happens with Adams? Surely we can't allow Adams to leave without a replacement but if an acceptable bid comes in on deadline day then who knows?

That's why I proposed it, I agree that it's the most likely scenario. The downgrade in our attacks would be stark. At the moment we have the best attacking options in the league but we wouldn't post window if my scenario panned out. Question for those on the more optimistic side, do you anticipate any material changes from what I have suggested?

The Martin quote re Sulemana also implies he expects him to stay given the reference to planning for him to be in the squad for Sunderland.

If RM confirms Che is not in the squad this weekend then hopefully someone actually asks him what he thinks of Piroe going to Leeds/what his view is on a potential replacement.

If the situation pans out as follows: - Tella departs, Fraser comes in on loan and Sulemana stays put until January. - Che departs and we sign Shankland from Hearts or Duk from Aberdeen. - KWP departs, Holgate arrives on loan and we end up signing Wood from Swansea to replace one of ABK or Lyanco. - The young lad from Gronigens signs. Will people be satisfied with the business that we've done?

Not sure its narratives being constructed - reports are suggesting that (a) we wanted this winger from Genk, it sounds like he is choosing Leeds over us and (b) we wanted Piroe but he chose Leeds over us. Assuming those reports are true (no reason to believe otherwise as some of the reporters are well connected) then it seems reasonable to suggest that Ryan Fraser is an alternative to this guy from Genk and that, if we had been working on Piroe all the way up until yesterday when he chose to go to Leeds, we will now be trying to progress our second choice striker target. If Che doesn't train then seems like his move is close but our ability to get a replacement has suffered a set back as I suspect we thought we would get Piroe. The concern is that there is only a week left in the window, we have holes (and will soon have more) and appear to have lost out on two targets. Don't think its unreasonable to be disappointed at losing out on Piroe and being concerned that we now need to move on another target with time ticking on.

Typical. Another "we tried but" story involving Saints.

We are still worse off. Sulemana has produced basically zero in terms of attacking output since he's been here whereas Tella was one of the best players in this league last year and has had a direct involvement in us winning the two games we have. Still a complete gamble IMO and no doubt if he is half decent Sulemana will be angling for a move away as soon as he is able.

Yep - its going to be Shankland or Duk late in the window and we'll be rolling the dice on whether they are going to be good enough.

On a positive note, playing at home to QPR tomorrow is perfect timing. If we look absolutely toothless at home against one of the worst sides in the league then perhaps that is for the best in terms of generating some urgency for quality, thoughtful replacements rather than cast-off Premier League squad players on loan.

This is what will have happened I reckon. Not holding my breath for the Piroe alternative to be honest...

Wouldn't surprise me if Holgate on loan is the replacement for KWP rather than as a CB, especially if we are still in for Wood.

This window is becoming worse and worse by the day. If Tella is being sold then Ryan Fraser on loan had better not be the replacement. If that's the standard we are going for then god only knows who they have up their sleeve to replace Adams. If Che was that close to being out the door then there better be a decent explanation for not pursuing Piroe.

Bit worrying Paintsil didn't want to come here but is happy to join the shit show at Elland Road...

There likely will be a loan fee for all of these guys which we won't get any return on. Maybe it's already taken into account in the fees received for Tino and JWP though.

Agreed but what's even more annoying is that some teams come down, don't sell their good players and have a good season to enjoy (Newcastle, West Ham etc.) We've had a taste of what could happen in the first 3 games but are none the wiser as to what will happen next.

Agree. Signings so far are either RM players, City youngsters or unwanted players from clubs we've sold to (no comment on quality, think Downes in particular will be very good). Not seeing much Mowbray input thus far. Suspect his input will come into full focus when we replace Che with Shankland or Duk on deadline day

Agreed. These are the kind of players I would expect a Stoke or Norwich or West Brom to sign. If Leicester had gotten them I wouldn't have batted an eye and that says it all. Not the type of quality for a team aiming for Top 2 (which maybe we now aren't).

Loans still cost us in fees and wages. If we go up then we have a serious rebuild and if we don't these guys go back and leave a big hole, especially if loaning Fraser is as a replacement for selling Tella.

Can you loan an entire first XI? Going to have a serious rebuild on our hands if we go up and these loans go back... Especially if Fraser coming in is a pathway for selling Tella. Hope Holgate isn't linked to Che either.

Irrespective of what happens now we’ve gambled by leaving things very late. Martin said at the weekend that he was confident we’d have a stronger squad by the time the window closes so, whilst he doesn’t control the transfers, we’ll have to trust him on that for the moment. Given the stage we are at you would hope we’d be targeting the likes of Piroe (maybe we are but he wants to go to Leeds?) as if we bring in the young midfielder from Holland or a striker from the SPL then its a pretty big ask for them to be firing straight away.

The statements put out on the club website indicated that the cash received for the players sold would support our efforts to rebuild the squad after last season.

An inadequate replacement for Che Adams will have much more of a detrimental impact on our finances than the risk of paying another player’s wages until the end of the season. At least that is my opinion.

That seems shortsighted. Che's contract expires at the end of the season. Surely we aren't that hard up?

Summed up perfectly.