benali-shorts

If only we had realised that the secrets to footballing success lay within our grasp in Rasmus and our Turkish brethren.

He'll find it tricky to give a Ted Talk without a tongue. Or testicles.

I note Goztepe now bottom of the league as he continues to find new ways of breaking things

Magnificent news.

But difficult to justify a commission to Rasmus’s brother’s Talent Identity company for kids in our own academy. Much better to player trade and show Dragan how clever that original plan was that so seduced him and his money.

Scored a decent goal for Monza.

But 62% possession, if only the world would judge things by the right metrics.

Is it definitively stronger? Do you mean that as a fact, or as your opinion? I definitely think this squad has shortcomings in its makeup. I think the Martin squad had other shortcomings. My point really is that the window shouldn’t leave obvious deficiencies given where it was at the end of last season, and that Tonda shouldn’t have been so acquiescent to the Board post Window.

Tonda’s biggest error has been acquiescing to Spors and Solak, and not kicking up a fuss about the dysfunctional squad he’s got after this window - on loan kid as second back up striker to a heavyweight CF who will never to able to play 46 games; no wingers to rotate Scienza with; CMs of the same type; bizarre use of £9m on a player whose role seems unclear; and distinct weakening at CB. Tonda shouldn’t have accepted that; and a more experienced manager would have rightly stood up to Spors and insisted on more from the window. Feels like SR have got the compliant coach any owner would dream of.

Naive on the pitch and from Tonda today. Terrible.

We once had a dream and that dream was Bazunu, Downs, Kai Sanda, Larios and Renako

Our biggest advantage over last season’s squad is that they won’t be managed by a startled ginger rabbit in the headlights for quarter of the season

Feels like he’s been bought with a view to replacing Azaz and/or Leo next season? But remains curious to have spent a considerable chunk of this summer’s budget on a player whose two favoured positions are nailed down by our two best players and therefore mean he’ll be a squad player. I’d rather we’d spent that fee on a player who would have improved our starting XI or at least offered depth where we need it (up front).

£9m on a back up player in Dobbin seems a curiously large chunk of our transfer budget

Terrible game. Birmingham very basic, we look similar when Leo has a quiet game. One tone CM, bench players no real impact. Shake on a point. chris Davies reminded me of Mad Nathan on the touchline, micro-managing every action and shouting like a lunatic.

"complete mug" who had that on the deadline day bingo?

It’s not easy when our search is restricted to white blond boys

Christ, three more weeks of uncertainty over whether Jander secures his dream move to Uganda

He really has been poor for a while. Shame, it felt like having a winger who likes to get outside and cross would have been ideal for Larin.

we're in a tricky situation with CBs in so much as THB, Stephens and Wood all out of contract in 2028. It'll be awkward next summer if THB stays (unlikely) until then - Stephens another year older; Wood & THB reduced sale value or risk leaving for nothing. Quarshie not seeming good enough to rise above 4th choice is a blow to the squad succession plan. I'd be very (pleasantly) surprised if THB doesn't go this summer.

Ramsdale: 4 year contract, bought at c£18m. £9m would be an reasonable outcome reflecting remaining book value; more likely a loan for next 2 years @ dwindling values. Bazunu: 1 year left. Would be amazed if anyone paid anything for him (as opposed to loan for a year and then zero cost). BBD & Sugawara 2 years left and Edozie one year left. Might get £5-6m if we're lucky.

good luck getting £20m for rams dale and bazunu

what valuations are you putting on each of them to get to £30m?!

Dobbin two very poor misplaced passes when in decent positions. Matsuki v lightweight for CM role. Felt undercooked in that half.

They like an academy player involved for general club marketing though - is Bragg enough? I thought O’B-W looked quite physically strong in pre season which is a plus. Maybe they’ll use him as a 5th CM / wide option for the bench and lure him into a long contract?