egg

What do you expect people to say? Nobody is delighted that we've sold so many, but I suspect most people understand that at times we've had to sell, that on other occasions it's made commercial sense too but sometimes we could have put our foot down. In any event sales have happened and we look at the future.

Tough draw but away days at Inter and Prague will be superb. Splendid.

It would take an exceptional player of that size to excel in the prem. Juanmi looked brilliant in a much better league than the Romanian league and struggled over here. If we sign him obviously I hope he does sell but size won't help him.

Stanciu looks about as suitable for the premier league as Juanmi did.

No FFP hasn't been relaxed. As Latheal has said the money is their for players but wages are an issue we can't compete on because of FFP. Latheal appears well informed. If you look at his posts you'll see that he's said there'll be no number 10 coming in if Fonte gets his rise, but that if he goes there'll be wages to redistribute. Guan has now said there's no irons in the fire.

Again spot on. I wasn't aware of the site and thanks for the link. Anyone who hasn't read it should take a look - our fans must understand that we can only pay so much in wages, and can't even pay as much as Norwich!

Good post. People overlook ffp - it's a genuine hindrance for us and does limit our ability to compete on wages.

Selling a saleable house is the easy bit. Purple bricks can do that as well as anyone. Estate agents only prove their worth if an issue arises with the deal or chain. Good, experienced agents have the ability to deal with those scenarios. You gets what you pay for and personally I wouldn't use an Internet cheapy to sell my house.

I've got plenty of miles on the clock and remember fondly us finishing runners up. The fact that were a favourite underdog in the past doesn't mean that in this big money era it's sensible or reasonable for fans to expect us to be top 6 consistently and/or try to compete with the big hitters on wages or transfer fees. With as many years of supporting us I'm realistic about who we are and where we are. Layer cake etc.

You lot should read some of the ****** you post. Anyone would think that the world is about to end. We've lost a few players, that's inevitable. We still have the nucleus of a good squad and the window is still open. We've also lost a manager but replaced him with someone who has a decent enough record. Sadly the mood on here reflects the mood on Saturday. Our fan base has become spoilt, expectant and sulky. We ain't Barcelona or even Spurs. We're a recently ish promoted who's punched above our weight for the last few years. Anyone with half a brain should realise that we won't finish top 6 or above this season. The board haven't let us down since the takeover. I for one am confident that they won't let us down now and I'm looking forward to the season ahead whatever happens during the rest of the window.

Either nobody knows anything, or there's nothing to know. I reckon the latter.

Very well. Neat and tidy on the ball. Knows where to position himself. Looked comfortable. Would like to see more going forward but seems a prospect.

Agreed. JRod just didn't get involved, hopefully he'll come good.

Seems he's off. €20m is good money but I'd prefer to keep him.

It's a nice little role for him. He's well respected by the players and hierarchy and will be working between both. Many coaches are just coaches who struggle with player management, KD will be spending 3 days on the training ground and 2 days suited and booted. It's as close to a football management apprenticeship as there could be.

He's got a nice 'player liaison' role. 2 days suit and tied, 3 days on the training ground. As MLG says he's with the squad in the states.

I think the French / English speaking Jaidi will have a bigger role. He was with the u21 team all last season and knows the qualities of all the younger players.

I'm with you on this. If we're getting a man in his late 40s or 50s he's gotta be properly proven , if he's young and has masses of potential then track record is less important. This bloke is neither a man with an excellent history, nor is he someone with an obviously bright future.

Cheers. K Billy has said we're getting Black so it's probably correct. Black's hardly an upgrade and if Sammy's been binned that's very unfortunate.

Sammy Lee leaving? Where's that been posted / reported?

I think it's because he's not pellegrini.

Quite. Pellegrini's record of finishing behind Leicester despite spending a fortune, and having no track record of actual coaching or nurturing youth, apparently makes him the better man.

Coral were listing 5/1 but said the market was suspended when I tried to get on it.

Market on Pellegrini now suspended.

Good article, thanks for the link. He looks very interesting.