Fuber

We had a completely overblown squad situation caused by our previous inexperienced manager and our absolute useless scumbag of a CEO that led to wages being over 200% of turnover. Nige's premise was to sort us out, not spend money due to FFP, and rebuild. I.e. releasing 11 players over the summer. If we avoid relegation this season and see progression of some kind of style of play, any of us would take it. This season was a write off before it began. As for Webster - best centre back in a City shirt bar none.

If wage reductions on relegation were standardised at 50%, across the EPL, it would avoid situations where PP are required. Ultimately there are many measures that could be taken, that won't occur, due to the inherent greed of the EPL. In some ways English Football at this stage would be better off without the Premier League. The gulf has grown substantially due to ring-fencing. It's heading towards a closed shop bit by bit.

Of those the only ones I would consider Jewels are Scott, Pring, Benarous, young - and long contracts, two of whom are in decent form - that we can build a core around, arguably Atkinson also. To be sustainable we can't afford 30+ on over £10kpw going forward (especially paying fees for said individual), nor those running down contracts (Massengo, Kalas) as stands. We also need to know when to maximise profit and when to hold onto a player. I.e. Bentley, for whom we have seemingly an adequate deputy in Max. All players have a price, what we need is a strategy in how to mitigate and improve on said individuals going forward.

It's the same way in which we did business under Cotts, even under LJ we didn't spend bucket loads that first January. What choice do we have? It was the players we stuck with and developed that earned us funds that Ashton then all but burned in a furnace. Our best players the last few years, i.e. those that were sold on for the most part, were all lower league signings, academy players, or free agents, I.e. Flint, . The only exception was Webster. Even Eisa, Szmodics, and Adelakun we just broke even on and they didn't work. There's enough free agents to provide a base, I.e. Barbet, Bidwell, for example, alongside Kalas, Atkinson, Tanner, Pring. Sign a right back and I'd consider that a marked improvement over Vyner and DaSilva. You mention in bold as if spending bucket loads on wages and fees and signed established Championship players and EPL youngsters has worked. For the large majority it hasn't. The wages at the top tier, even for academy players as per JD and Palmer are simply unsustainable for us, we need to soak up releases and avoid amortisation costs on such risks going forward - Brownhill being the big example for us in this model.

What family jewels? I'd argue we could replace anybody we sell currently, there a huge market this summer. Realistically the coming summer is the big one. We may have to suck up naming right for AG, no matter how much I/we may despise the idea. We (for FFP) would need to sell pretty much all the high earners. To that regard, we'd basically almost be forced to sell Kalas (the only one whom I think we need to keep), and Bentley (for whom we have adequate cover). We would need to find a way to then also offload Wells, Palmer, DaSilva, with Moore (where viable) permanently going to Hearts. Massengo would need to be sold if no agreement forthcoming on the contract negotiations. Realistically (nor would I think) any of those expiring will be offered further deals on a cost versus performance basis. O'Dowda possibly the exception, but also on the highest wage. That would leave a squad of; O'Leary, Wiles-Richards. Tanner, Vyner, (Kalas), Baker(?), Atkinson, Pring, Towler(Loan?). James, Scott, Benarous, Williams, Bakinson. Semenyo, Conway, Weimann, Janneh. Would leave us in the need to conduct smart business in the summer. Would basically need one player for every position across the pitch aside from Keeper, near all where possible would need to be free, loans, or reinvestment of a portion of funds received depending on how much we were to actually receive. On the likes, where applicable, of examples such as Kabongo Tshimanga, Festy Ebosele, Elliot Moore, Harry Darling, Josh Martin, Matt O'Riley, or players of that ilk. Supplemented by free transfers. Yoann Barbet or Bidwell for left back as examples who will be aware all clubs are cutting cloth. Worth noting there are also players who qualify for WP abroad with expiring contracts also, i.e. Anos Pieper, among others.

This just highlights the sheer reason as to why parachute payments need scrapping. The gulf between relegated teams (who are yoyoing) and lower championship is so, so stark.

It's a good sign for us if nothing else, that it's gotten worse since he left them. Onwards and upwards.

With the (speculated) scenario ingoing with Bakes, possible Long Covid with Atkinson, and Towler needing more league experience before the step up to first team duty (Imo). Assuming (big if), we get rid of Palmer, loan out JD, possibly offload Moore... Should we expect a CB in on loan, perhaps? Or RB, shifting Vyner as necessary? All hearsay obviously. My point being Fevs, based on your current feelings, what position if any would be your immediate concern?

I'd rather Derby win on the basis that both suffer end of season for the shenanigans with regards FFP.

To be fair, that was a fantastic whip by Wallace, it was one of those that, I'd argue, is nigh indefensible. The same 5"9 bloke who is also in fairly exceptional form if I'm incorrect. Challenge for the penalty 100% a straight error. Young and Rash.

There's some of that OTIB optimism. Jesus Christ on a bike,

I never mentioned Towler. By all means the penalty was 100% the error of a young defender. I actually thought Benarous and Vyner played worse first half.

With all due respect we shat on LJ for doing the same consistently.

I do wonder if he was making a point with regards higher ups re reliance on the academy, as well as to us as fans. Either way. Onwards and upwards.

We all know the cracks are there. Nothing's being covered up. This club is up shit creek without a paddle with regards to FFP because of MA, SL, and LJ. We're arguably one of the more favoured sides pre season for relegation outside of points deduction. We have no money to spend. Who would you bring in, exactly? - What would you do?

I think Pearson is seeing not much movement on the contract front. But that's just speculating. Only thing I can think of.

This. If Weimann plays early Semenyo is through and onside. He looked up way too late.

Wasn't he pretty bad for the Birmingham game iirc?

From a personal view, more errors had been occurring with Bents as the season went on. Be it gaffes or distribution. I'd say on balance, O'Leary can be as good as Bents on current evidence. It's just that they differ on what their strengths are. Either way, if for drops, you're dropped. Pearson's shown now that nobody, not even Martin or Bentley, are undroppable. If selling Bents means we cut the wage budget further, reinvesting the difference for another position, I.e. winger, right-back. So be it.

Don't think there's any interest in Bents tbh. Couple of individual howlers tacked on last two months, some questionable general distribution had been sneaking into his game the last few games. Pearson's more probably using it as an example - no such thing as un-droppable for this squad. Simple as that.

I'm lost. We're just seen one of our best performances offensively all season, chnaces created, movement, etc. Yet this.... ....what..?

Think it's the other insinuations and speculation that has tails up Hamp. You've made multiples assumptions assuming the absolute worst scenario with nothing as basis.

The manager of whom is complicit in our current financial woe and out of control wage spending increases during his tenure. With all due respect to LJ, it was time to move him on.

What a shocking standard of officiating, and that is, even compared to the wider Championship rota in general. EFL need to investigate him for backhanders as soon as humanly possible. I thought Stroud was questionable at best. But Jesus H Christ. Farcical. Joke. Woeful.

Someone's had one too many.