goodymatt

Not really ideal that USA are going all the way to the end of this tournament, will limit Downs pre season a bit.

This is all true, but they still have a very strong squad for this level, Rohl looks likely to be their next manager and until they are deducted points, they will be challenging. Even if deduced 12 points as rumoured, I think they will still make the playoffs. Hopefully all this uncertainty around them affects their start as that helps us. Also think Sheffield United sacking Wilder for Selles and losing Souza, likely also Hamer, could be helpful.

Hopefully there’s a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow to fund our promotion push?

Birmingham broke the EFL points record last season, they have the most momentum and probably the most financial backing of any team ever promoted from League One. Rooney relegated a top half championship squad and they have since improved it. Very ambitious and will be top 6 minimum. It’s a harder league than last season with 4 strong ex PL teams and two very ambitious newly promoted teams. We will do well to secure automatics.

Happy new kit day, I wonder what it will look like…

That article suggests Downes is in discussions with Rangers but I don’t see how they afford him?

Richard Kone is an interesting one. PL clubs have shown interest and the price is looking like double the Downs fee. No guarantee he steps up from league one either, but the expectation is he would. I’m sure Bundesliga 2 is a stronger league than our league one. Not everyone will do a Rickie Lambert, so although signing Kone would most likely be better received, it would absolutely still be a risk.

Wonder if someone else has come in for him?

So how are we defining star quality then? Is it goal contributions? If so Armstrong had the most in Europe last time out in the championship. I’m all for improving the forward line, especially given how blunt it was at PL level, but what is the criteria for doing so? We have 3 players, 4 including Stewart’s small sample size (but has fitness concerns) that have very good numbers at this level. What we are missing is the attributes that Downs seemingly has. The trouble we have is to get a Downs that also has a record in the championship scoring goals like Armstrong, is a player we couldn’t attract or likely afford. Some posters have suggested if we were signing a striker that has Armstrong’s record, we would be saying that’s the right type of move to get us promoted. It’s hard to improve our striking options at this level without gambling and hoping it turns out well. With that in mind I would like to keep Armstrong and Archer around and compliment with Downs and Stewart. If we play 5-3-2 for example, the striker pairing will need a hold up, strong link player and finisher. With those 4 I think it’s a good balance of 2 players per position. If we sell any, we will replace but I doubt we get a player with a better championship record. The ‘star quality’ forward (productive at PL level) will likely have to wait until we are promoted. I think that is the reality. You’re not signing a proven player like Mitrovic in the championship, you’d have to get relegated with him and keep hold of him as Fulham did.

Brooks is a mad signing for WBA, he has PL quality. I’d rather have him than Edozie, Sulemana and Fraser. We maybe didn’t see the best of him due to Martin’s slower style. He was also on the return to full fitness post illness, having not played much for Bournemouth since then.

Not sure how legit this is, but if Brooks was available I would welcome him back with open arms. Especially during a summer window, so he’s not cup tied 😉

Looks like medical today then, I stand corrected!

The majority of this forum has better stamina than Tall Paul.

I read yesterday they expect the medical to be completed by the end of this week, not sure what the delay is but might not be announced today.

I’m inclined to agree. We were also linked with Max Johnston, but reports have suggested he might have doubts. I think Suguwara is decent going forward and should be less of a defensive liability in the championship. Still’s system should suit him better. Bree is also solid enough and both have decent crossing that is more important to Still. I’m ok to go with what we have in the FB positions.

Signings like Downes, THB, Archer were out of the Ipswich book of signing players that might make the step up but if we go down put us in a great position to return immediately. I see O’Shea, one of the best CBs in the champ (if not the best) has extended his deal at Ipswich. Keeping these players that were bought with relegation in mind is important, otherwise we are starting Quarshie and Edwards instead of THB and Bednarek and to me that seems a big risk, when we know how good they can be at champ level. Appreciate this might just be the reality of relegation but some difficult decisions to be made.

Only breaking even on a player that has won promotion from the championship last 2 times of asking and has potential still to realise would be very disappointing for me. Exactly the quality and experience we need to go straight back up and a player that we should be looking to make money on. Hard to judge how PL ready he really is given the way we played as a whole last season, spending half the season playing out into trouble. He was top of the errors leading to goals charts but I’ve always thought he looked better in a back 4. I’d keep unless someone comes in with a £25-30m fee. Porto are not in the CL next season, they finished third and will play Europa.

Just the 1 week after saying on Sky he wants to be in the PL and the only way to do that is getting promoted with us.

Looked like a good signing but perhaps we will stick with our current FB options?