Chewy

I’m not sure it’s low expectation or apathy, more a realistic assessment of priorities within the framework of what we can spend under p&s. The defence isn’t ideal but we have defenders The gk situation is terrible but we have keepers The striker situation is terrible and we don’t have anyone Additionally both the gk and striker situations have been like this for years, cost us relegation, cost us automatic promotion, and will cost us another relegation this time around. I’d like an upgrade on Bednarek or Stephens but it isn’t anywhere near as desperate as relying on Mara and a guy who hasn’t played for 18 months to score goals in the premier league. It’s like wanting a better gardener to tend your flower beds before hiring a builder to mend the massive fucking hole in the roof. When you can only afford one of those things.

Only we basically already have

He keeps on popping over to Italy so I expect he’ll soon find a part of the country he likes. Turin or maybe Sassuolo?

Well that was worth the wait

Who’s Ipswich’s sponsor? I bet they’re amazing. Wish we were Ipswich

Apart from the fact he said he doesn’t want to be here. And have 6 other centre backs already. Other than that, a great sell.

5 and 6 for me too. 7 as 3rd To be honest I like most of the home versions, 2 and 4 both look good too

But could he do it on a freezing February night in Scunthorpe?

Indeed. Unfortunately we’d still have no one to finish those chances. 4 years and counting …

Wasn’t there some young Korean striker suggested at some point (can’t remember who). Otherwise that’s a pretty comprehensive list of the names we’ve heard. Except the ex-saint midfielder hinted at of course … if it is true and not one of the above already named

Of course you’re right; but when the club fail to sign a vaguely competent striker or gk for 4 years you do sometimes wonder …

Please be Elyonoussi. We’ll have less possession and need his world class off-the-ball skills. Alternatively, a cheeky loan enquiry for Lavia?

He had rubbish facial hair, though

We may not have missed out on him, but if we had bid enough to begin with we might have saved a lot of time and internet pages on Rudi Skacel

What the f does that mean? Is that even English? 🤣🤣

Maybe we get €15m, and Goztepe pay somewhere up to €15m for three besiktas players?

There’s two other fundamental differences between Sulemana and Mara 1) Sulemana doesn’t suit our system. He’s quick, takes risks and likes to take people on. Great attributes in the right environment but not in RMs possession system. 2) his attitude stinks. Possibly because he’s so young, possibly because he’s annoyed at his agent sending him to a relegation scrap rather than finding a better move, or possibly because he’s annoyed at getting a manager who plays a system that doesn’t support his strengths (see point 1). All are understandable reasons for being disappointed but not for having an 18 month sulk. Until or unless there’s an attitude change, a manager change or both, there’s no future for him here. We’re short of cash, I’d take the loss and cash in for whatever we can get.

That’s a low bar to compare against. We’re after premier league quality. On a more theoretical level, given what everyone is saying about profit and sustainability and how we are in sh1t due to wasting millions with our futile attempt to stave off relegation last time, would I be right in thinking it would be a better financial strategy to invest zilch this summer, get relegated and then get promoted again with a view to being able to invest properly next time? And if that is the case, what a fucking basket case these rules are. Strikes me it’s a decent gamble overspending and hoping to amass more than the 10 point (or whatever) deduction as the income stream is that much better in the premier league. I don’t see how promoted teams have a chance otherwise

Very sorry for your loss noodles, sincere condolences

If they’re as good as Haaland or Odegaard I’m ok with that

The first son wasn’t broke, but they tried fixing it by having another anyway

Of course we’d want him. As it stands the squad has one definite and proven premier league quality player (KWP). That’s it. JWP would be the second. Pretty irrelevant as it won’t happen but of course we’d want him.

They don’t have much length of the tee but are fairly straight hitters?

18 months ago I’d have been very happy to have him as an option for the relegation battle. 12 & 6 months ago I’d have been very happy for him as an option in the championship. He's a natural finisher with an excellent football brain. However, I think the time has past and as an option right now it’s a no from me. We absolutely need a striker but his age and fitness issues are not something we can gamble on. I’d far rather gamble on a Broja to be honest. Shame as I really thought he’d have been a great fit after his stint at Villa but it wasn’t to be; I think we’ve both suffered (we got relegated, he’s hardly played) and the time has now gone. I’m sure his bank balance is a decent consolation for him.

Not sure Forest and Wolves are out of the FFP mess yet either. And then of course there’s Man City … unlikely as any punishment seems.