Pwoite

Deja vu, all over again.

No source, just Dibling is meant to have indicated he would stay if we can be in the automatic promotion positions. Added to that his previous experience at Chelsea, and the high asking price the Club is reputedly asking. Also, whilst Dibling hasn’t signed a new contract, it has been indicated that his family have their feet firmly on the ground and are realistic about expectations. Further, his drop off in form last season, and a couple of injuries, means he would be a risk for any club. Finally, Dibling knows he needs to be playing, and if he moves to a lot of EPL teams he won’t be a regular starter. However, who really knows? Probably not even Dibling.

With this speculation that we can’t shift Dibling, and will work to keep Fernandes, it goes a long way towards explaining little transfer activity or rumour. On that principle, who might be presumed to be our front six for Wrexham? Downes and Charles holding, Dibling/Archer/Fernandes/Robinson attacking, with Stewart/Downs as striker. Arma on the bench. For all those knocking the squad quality, that gives us some bloody good options. Full backs and goalkeeper, well tbc!!

No Ballard, either. Clearly his days look numbered. This time last year O’Brian Whitmarsh got a look in, but no mention of him or most of the resu of the U21s, apart from Sesay.

Need to drop chicken livers from the half time refreshments menu.

I can assure you I’m not, but once again you’re missing the point. Or, maybe I am. Was that a sexual invitation to anyone not red headed?

Only he can’t as the opposition will be different, his management will be different and the confidence level should be different. However Armstrong performed last season, the season before, without question more relevant, Arma was top scorer. Maybe he should watch those videos. Arguably, Smallbone wasn’t too shabby in the Championship and Stephens did a job. Equally, Manning seemed better in the EPL than the Championship, but most of us have Wellington as our preferred starter.

I wish some on here had more respect for our players. Yes, they were very poor last season, but in a team inappropriately managed and without the right additions to our squad. We clearly have players good enough to challenge for promotion without buying anyone else. (And that’s after potentially selling the Fab Four.) However, the squad is too big and we do need to sell, or loan, a number to reduce it to a manageable number. Secondly, and more importantly, we need to bring in some fresh blood to beef up the weaker on pitch positions and to, hopefully, prepare for another Premier League season. I guess holding on to Fernandes, Ramsdale or whoever mitigates against this need. Finally, if we are serious about winning promotion, then we have to aim for an automatic place, not the playoffs, and to achieve that does mean not just a smaller but stronger squad. However if we have Ramsdale, Quarshie, Sugawara, Edwards, an older Charles, Robinson, Matsuki, Stewart, Fernandes, Down and Archer around for the loss of KWP, Che and Stu and possibly THB,aren’t we a lot better off than two seasons ago?

He hasn’t. Spors has. The Club is desperately short of experience, leadership and passion and whilst Stephen’s let himself down twice last season, there is precious little in the current squad that offers such qualities. Whilst it’s a three year deal, it is a two year extension. I suspect Jack will become club captain and Downes, THB or suchlike will be team captain. Even that choice won’t be easy.

Clearly the wrong thread. This is about horses, and all SR have signed have been donkeys.

In crude terms, can anyone quantify: - loss of Sky money compared to last season - other known reductions in revenue - reduction in player wages through relegation clauses Surely these are the three big ‘knowns’ before we worry about income and expenditure through transfers. (Okay, player sales also reduces salaries but incomings go the other way, though probably to a lesser extent.)

But, and it’s a big but, we won’t have a tippy tippy playing style that makes us so vulnerable at the back. That cannot be included in any squad comparison.

Possibly add Matsuki to that list. Definitely need a third keeper, whether Ramsdale or someone coming in. Possibly two if Bazunu off on loan. Can see a new left back in and one of our two off. Then there are potential loans, though the indication is that we won’t rely on these. Unfortunately, many, if not most, of the moves won’t happen till late August, which is never helpful. Begs the question of whether Still/Spors effectively cut the squad size down soon, and get surplus players training with the U21s.

I like the thread. Good luck keeping it running. What are the savings in wages as a result of relegation and what’s the difference between Sky money and parachute payments?

He apologised for his behaviour when he wanted to leave us for Liverpool but words are cheap a decade on. Innocence of youth, arrogance, or selfishness?