Unan

Yes, I’m saying he was quoted earlier this season saying that he was going to move on from Derby regardless, his contract was up at the end of the season and he wasn’t signing another. Therefore Derby being promoted wouldn’t make him regret moving, as he has said he was always going to move regardless. However, moving to us, and not another team, maybe he regrets that.

No, he's been quoted as wanting to move away from his boyhood club regardless. Moving to us? Maybe.

Firstly, great match day thread as always! Secondly, now you’ve started it.. Szmodics has 29 goals this season.

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You might be a little slow here sir; you made a point about the Sunderland player being very good based off of 60 minutes game time. I tried to highlight O’Dowdas good goal (and game) against Palace; and similar for Hines/Watford to showcase that one swallow doesn’t make a summer, aka one good performance doesn’t make a player. Apologies if I articulated my thoughts poorly.

I bet Palace fans said the same thing about O’Dowda, Watford about Freddie Hinds etc

His best game of the season afaia, they don’t like him at all and think he’s a dud

Dacks view was obstructed by a rogue packet of scampi and lemon Nik Naks just before the header

We can barely get in to their half let alone near their box, awful.

Manning out

I get where you’re coming from on nurturing young talent and the paths taken by players like Conway, Vyner, and Bell within our own system. However, discussing a loan signing shifts the focus significantly. I’m not trying to be overly pessimistic personally, but from my perspective, this particular loan doesn’t strike me as a good move by the club.We’re in a competitive environment where the immediate contribution is key. The investment in a loan—both in terms of the loan fee and the player’s wages—is meant for instant impact, something that’s crucial given Mannnigs position. This isn’t about the player’s potential or their long-term development; it’s about what they can bring to the table right now.It’s not that I don’t appreciate the value of bringing up young talents. That’s essential for the club’s future, obviously. But when we talk about a loan, we’re talking about a strategic decision made to fill a gap or strengthen a position immediately. The harsh reality is that the senior level of football is a different beast, and not all young talents can make an instant impact.This isn’t to underestimate the achievements of any young player. Their success in youth leagues and at the international level speaks volumes about their potential (I'd argue I'm being too kind but alas). But there’s a big leap from potential to being a game-changer in professional matches, especially under the pressure and expectations that come with a loan. So, while I respect the journeys of our own young players who have been integrated slowly and are seen as part of our long-term strategy, a loan player is expected to deliver right off the bat. Given the specifics of this loan and the immediate challenges we face, I’m hesitant to say it’s a good signing. It’s a matter of addressing our needs now, and I’m not convinced this move does that. Again, it’s not about being too pessimistic; it’s about being realistic with our expectations and how this particular loan fits into them.

The Wolves ‘super agent’ guy, whos names escapes me, that signed every other Portuguese player

Unrelated but they've created their site using Squarespace. A design agency building their own site with Squarespace is like someone claiming to be a gourmet chef but only knows how to microwave ready meals. Despite presenting themselves as experts in a craft that typically demands creativity and custom solutions, their choice of a drag-and-drop website creator suggests they might not possess the depth of skill or creativity they advertise.

Lansdowns Bristol City