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I do like Bragg, I think it was probably more the odd goal, and his fairly limited exposure to first team football that gives me a bit of doubt still. I agree, he's always looked pretty good, so have good hope there, but still potentially a risk in that position.

Central midfield has got to be the priority, Downes will miss games through bookings and occasional injuries, Jander is currently injured(?) and Bragg is a good prospect, but not sure he's any better (currently) than say Smallbone, who we just released. I dont think Matsuki is physical enough for that role and would be a waste to put Azaz there. On a side note, when is Brereton Diaz going to leave? Always seems to have some interest, but proven time and again he's not good enough for what we need. Looking like we'll also be stuck loaning out Ramsdale and Bazunu last minute.

and one of those seasons he was on a season long loan to Sheffield Wednesday. So played a lot of games for us in just 2 seasons!

All confirmed now, all the best Shea! Seemed like a good guy and a classy player who served us well, sometimes being thrown into random positions. Weighed in with a few very good goals this past season too. He'll be missed, but hopefully we can use a third of the fee to get another Casper Jander!!

Always thought he was pretty decent but very lightweight when first came to us. Second season was playing well and contributing quite a bit but getting hacked to pieces every game (as he was too good for the defenders), until that almost career ender against Norwich which somehow wasn’t a red card. A truly awful challenge! Pretty sure something must’ve happened behind the scenes for him to be completely overlooked first half of last season (probably wasn’t happy with being loaned out before), but didn’t do terribly when was needed, albeit (understandably) a bit rusty

I thought Brereton-Diaz was due a good game, guess he’s still due a good game! Matsuki not strong enough for centre mid and everyone else pretty rusty. Need a couple of signings in the middle (midfield and striker).

3 years is a miracle for someone with his injury record. 2 with an option for a third may be realistic to get him to sign for them, but if it’s 3 straight up, he’s done very well to get that. I imagine he’ll now go on to have his best 3 seasons in the past 4 years (and only miss 2 months of each season) 🤣 Good player, but injury waiting to happen!

Sounds that way, but why would he expect to play in the prem when he can't even be available to play anyway?! He probably didn't realise he'd have to take such a large pay cut to join a Scottish team and had burnt his bridges with us a bit...! Now watch us sign someone who's never been injured and does his ACL in the first match.

For a nominal (undisclosed) fee. We better have a massive sell on!

He'll probably get a chest infection before that one!

What about Harwood-Bellis and Max Alleyne? I'm not sure if the Alleyne rumour will come to much, but would make sense to get him back on loan to the Championship, and to us. He'd be an upgrade on Wood, who I don't mind, but doesn't seem as natural on the ball as some.

Interesting if true. Would be one of their best players (for the third of the season he plays). Sounds like his agent has potentially dropped one here though as doubt he'll get anywhere near his salary with them than here.

Seems like a complete waste to even sign him in the first place. Is pretty tiny (from what I recall of the Valenciennes highlights) so probably had to be very good to have the potential to make it here. Unless we have a big sell on, why do we bother?

I missed your response, but this was exactly my thinking!

I thought the whole thing of Stewart leaving was that he had a very high salary for someone who was only available half the season and can't complete 90mins, and that ditching him, and potentially selling Archer would allow us to buy a star fit starting striker (in addition to Larin). I like Ross as a player and a person, but there'll always be a big question mark as to whether he's fit enough. The other way to think is that we really need Downs to come good - maybe with someone like Larin around helping him, he might have a chance if he's kept around?! I'm assuming Brereton-Diaz is off and that Oyekunle and Dipepa aren't really ready for regular first team football.