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I'm hoping Harwood-Bellis and Dibling will stay, whilst we move on players like Aribo, Wood, Stewart & Fraser who shouldn't really be starting and probably taking up decent wages. Some of the latest links (real or not) are a bit more promising with players who would genuinely be starters, whilst Quarshie and Downs look like they could and should be regulars, albeit some of the players they're replacing are not exactly world beaters. Will we see any surprise players leaving? Armstrong or Archer perhaps? Edwards?

If we go for this guy (unless Stephens is off) seems pointless to have signed Quarshie, or more likely would mean we're also expecting to lose Harwood-Bellis and at least one of Wood or Edwards.

This is quite interesting, as I thought they might be in a bit of trouble. By most accounts of fans of other clubs I know, it seems they 'bought' League One a few seasons back (although mostly on free transfers and loans), then spent comfortably (again on loans) to go up to Prem, then had a net spend of around £130 million last season failing to stay up. Their income over the past 3 years must be less than half ours with TV money and gate revenue etc, but guess they're not (yet) stuck with no hopers on long contracts for far too much money... Just feels like last season was a big step that means they might be needing to sell more than just Delap to be spending out much.

I dont think we really need a buyer for Fraser, just someone to take him! Sadly it also seems most of our better players (no matter how good they may actually be!) are the ones that are going and we're left with a lot of very average players (Manning, Stephens, Bree, Smallbone, Stewart, BBD, McCarthy). Ideally need to shift some of those and bring in one or two new automatic starters.

Would hope for around £8-10 million for Edozie - a decent player who will likely do well elsewhere. Shame as I'd much rather get rid of Fraser and Brereton-Diaz before him.

Definitely better than Stephens, but it’s a low bar having to put up with those 2 for so long. Would’ve been good if he remained the 4th choice like when he was brought in but became a bit of an embarrassment having him and Stephens most weeks (as proven last year)! Which player is now going to blame everyone else?!

According to Transfermarkt he played 3 games for the u18 last season (possibly as part of a prolonged trial)? Hopefully he’s more Livramento than Simeu (who did seem fairly decent too tbf)

Stephens was awful, Quashie very good, Robinson and (out of nowhere) Sesay both looking promising, and Downs with a great run and finish on the only(?) time he was put through. Doubt Stewart would’ve got there. Unless Fernandes is staying and going to play there we desperately need a creative number 10

Also could be to give Edwards minutes as didn’t play at the Euros and only just back with the squad

Have I missed something with Edozie?

About time we got some of them fit! From what I can see, the following players didn't feature for various reasons: Bazunu (played the last friendly instead of McCarthy, who came in for this one) Bednarek - no news? On his way? Harwood-Bellis - injured Edwards - yet to be seen pre-season(?) - more time off after Euros? Bella-Kotchap - almost certain to leave Fernandes - As Edwards, but seen in various club photos Dibling - played in the other matches, but not today Matsuki - As Dibling Downs - Not yet back after Gold Cup

This guy makes Sulemana look prolific.

In a recent interview, Paris St Germain's Joao Neves was asked about who has inspired him in his footballing journey. He gave an interesting answer "Being a fan of English football, one player who has particularly stood out to me for his passion and dedication is Southampton's Jack Stephens. Talking with the gaffer, we wanted to bring him over to Paris, but as he's settled on the South coast, Southampton didn't want to let him go, and I believe he's just signed a new contract". It's been noted that Neves has recently been showing certain traits of Stephens's in his game.

Stream not working? I’ve signed up so I hope it will!!

Actually confirmed? Would've thought anyone from mid table down would've given him a contract and that'd be much more appealing than moving to Turkey. He Operates well on both sides and would be a very useful squad player, particularly if teams are serious about Europe and cups. Someone like Palace, West Ham, Brentford etc all relatively local and would give him a good contract.

Sounds like a good appointment - might lead to bringing in some other good youth players? Are we renaming the thread back to the u21s?

Who was the last?! Tierney, McTominay or Robertson I guess, but then fairly slim pickings!

Bet the club are thinking Robinson will be the next one. I do think he looks very promising but don’t want to put too much pressure on him.

Got a good feeling about this guy, think he could be a very decent signing for us, and finally an athletic powerful frontman that we probably havent had since Pelle left.

Very random news to offset what should be a good new signing for us... I guess this news is to keep us grounded?! I dont dislike Stephens and like all our players, hope he plays very well every time he puts on the shirt, but not sure what use he's going to be in 2 or 3 years time when I'd say he's barely good enough now. I guess it does allow us to get a fee, but are say Plymouth really going to pay much more than a couple of million anyway?

How did the medical go today?

If you're talking about Sargent the only British team he's played for are Norwich. He did play a season in the prem when he was quite young and they got relegated.

Edozie is a difficult one - he's got obvious talent, but has often beaten 2 men he shouldn't have and then put a disappointing ball in or weaker shot once he's done that - if he could get that right he'd be being hunted by much bigger clubs. His Belgium stint was interrupted by a few niggles but seemed to be fairly well liked by their fans. He was looking good for us in the Championship until that horror tackle (which I dont know how it didnt end up in a sending off!) so I'd persevere only as we currently don't have anyone better. The real issue is the mis-management of Amo-Ameyaw, who would be the obvious replacement, but now looks like we're back down to the forgotten man Ryan Fraser.

It just makes a farce of the whole thing doesn’t it?! Do Birmingham have one of these dodgy sponsor deals too like Wrexham?

So how are Birmingham able to spend all this money? They signed a very average young striker last year for well over £10 million and now all this. Wouldn’t their revenue be quite low from the season in League One? Bit like Ipswich buying the league a few years back, seemed to have spent miles more than anyone else but not at risk of PSR?