Davefevs

For once, I actually think this clarifies the position. It’ll never be black and white, but trying to block a pass or tackle an opponent and inadvertently deflecting it to a player in an offside position, should still be offside, even though the article above confuses itself with the scenarios used.

https://www.bcfc.co.uk/tickets-memberships/mascot-packages/

It appears not…that was what was put out by Robinstv.

I agree. The bit where I said “PPs distribution has its merits” was referring to spreading it out as per the new proposal…not the existing method, which is crap. Sorry if that was ambiguous. It’s just unfair. A salary cap based on turnover as per FIFA proposal or as per SCMP won’t help either, unless PPs are removed. That first season of relegation, three teams get £132m between them, there’s probably another four (one or two will’ve gone back up) sharing £90m (from previous relegations) and then 17 clubs sharing £70m (£4m(ish) each. That’s £300m carved up unfairly. This season it’s only two other clubs sharing £70m because Fulham and Bournemouth went straight back up and Cardiff only got 2 years for going up and straight back down. So…. The three relegated teams get 11x as much as the 19 (Watford, Norwich and Burnley) The two previously relegated get 8x as much as the 19 (Sheffield Utd and WBA) Its lucky some relegated clubs come down in a mess, or recruit / offload poorly, or else the playoff places would be a closed shop most seasons. There must be a narrowing of the gap. PPs are there to stop clubs going bust / get into difficulty…but that’s not to say they should be able to either count it as income for P&S for the entirety of receiving in. I do accept you have to honour player contracts, and I also accept you can’t you force a player to take a relegation wage cut. But you could say to the club something like. You can use PPs as income in your P&S return for the first year you are down to cover existing contracts, but you’ve 12 months to sort out. Needs a bit more thinking, but something of that ilk as a starting point.

The key is to let him speak. I said earlier this week I thought he sounded Frustrated on 20Man, but in control. Today he sounded chilled as well as in control. Bodes well.

I’m gonna get a half and half version, that’ll confuse them!

I still can’t believe how quickly Ayman progressed last season. Obviously talented, but I do think giving him (and others) a big opportunity to train day to day with the first team (and a first team with the right guidance) has sped up his development. I really was excited for him this season. Wasn’t expecting him to become a regular starter, but get more and more minutes. Such a shame. Happy birthday young man, hopefully he has a Weimann-like recovery.

I’m with @ExiledAjax, goal difference has a big correlation to where you finish, and City improving that will make a big difference.

Thankfully he didn’t stay long enough to complete that transition!

Mario and Luigi?

Wasn’t it Malcolm McDonald who signed for Arsenal (from Newcastle) for one third of a million….but the actual fee paid was £333,333.34, because the Arsenal Exec said he didn’t want Newcastle bleating about 1/3 of a penny?

As we both know there is a difference between being “in talks” and having “a contract on the table”….even Mark Ashton was careful when using that terminology. When we hear Dan Bentley talk around March it was nothing had been discussed at that point. I agree, I very much expect agent and club to now be talking….but that’s a very different situation to Massengo. As time progresses we may see more players move into a situation more akin to Han’s, that is contract in the table but not signed. I hope there won’t be, but the market is different to 3 years ago. At Monaco and France age group (first team - small sample, age group - big sample) Han typically played in a diamond, the majority on the left side, the remainder at the attacking tip. He’s never been a DM (Defensive midfielder nor Deep-lying Midfielder). I think people have assumed that because of his lack of goals / assists. That of course is another argument. When he first came here, post-Pack and with Nagy injured, Brownhill assumed the more defensive role to allow Palmer and Massengo freedom. We saw how Han relished that freedom to pop balls on and off, drive 10 yards with the ball, etc, etc. I recall QPR, Derby and Swansea performances in his opening months here as being very good. Then he bulked up, and got worse. He overcame that. Last season we saw him play no10 v QPR (a) where he was a driving force of creativity, games with Scott in a CM2, etc. He’s not a DM. I think LJ wanted to make him a version of himself as a deep-lying midfielder, doing neat and tidy stuff. I don’t think that’s his game. He has flair, he plays at tempo. As a fan base we seem to err on the side of criticism for the inconsistent player, taking the bad, rather than perhaps taking the good and the bad as a balance. Ah well, he might not be here much longer. I shall be disappointed if that happens. He’s 21 FFS, his best years are ahead of him. RG and NP seem to realise this…they just can’t get him to commit - for whatever reason.

The PPs distribution has its merits, but the cynic in me says the better teams ends up getting more money, and is that right. We already see a disproportionate amount of times certain teams are shown on sky, and they get paid for each appearance too. I don’t know what the answer is…apart from there is a little bit of me that would like the EFL to breakaway from the PL. I think the PL getting left with no relegation might see it struggle as it becomes left competitive. It’s kinda why I wanted the Super League to go ahead…on the proviso they were banished from domestic football too.

I thought he carried the centre of midfield that night, trying to do others work.

Being pedantic…If he gets loaned out and is still here next summer….there won’t be any write off (his asset value in the books will be £0). In fact, we will be due compensation from whoever takes him, and will end up being a “transfer profit”.

That’s the modern world of football, but I think Nige when referring to “policies” to stop this happening is not “cake and eat it”, it’s about running the football club in a good business manner. Look at Peterborough, they have a policy that if a player gets to their final year they “transfer list” them. They realise that the final year’s amortisation is dead money and try to recoup a fee. They don’t always succeed, but that is their policy. And I think that is what Nige means. If we can take advantage of other clubs not having such a policy, that’s their fault, not Nige having his cake and eating it. The difference here is the length of time the contract has been on the table. I’m sure if we hear that the likes of Kalas, etc have been offered deals and have stalled over a long period, then I think Nige is principled enough to take a similar stance. FWIW, he hasn’t said he won’t play him, just that he’d (paraphrased) rather focus on those that are committed to staying. Probably worth listening to the interview.

Here we go. Great start to the season @Jerseybeanand thanks for doing these.

Backwell, not Blackwell…???

like Weimann’s v Hull….crisp packet hands.

If this happens, then it will be the end of football. Stop hoovering them up in the first place. Sod any tv deal, breakaway from the PL instead…leave them on their own.

In fairness the contract offer has been on the table for 8+ months. I really, really want Han to sign it, but as manager you can’t formulate plans either with him or without him if you don’t know what he’s gonna do. All he’s said is he becomes more of a fringe / squad player at this point in time. Nige won’t bear a grudge, if he signs, I suspect Nige will be delighted. It isn’t mind games at all, it’s just answering the question honestly. He did what he said with Bakinson didn’t he? He doesn’t really make idle threats, he will challenge players though.

Here’s the full picture: FWIW Estupinan could be a very decent acquisition. Powerful, good left foot, and very strong attacking crosses. Bit Les Ferdinand like, helluva leap on him. Figueiredo is a sensible signing too. Honeyman was ranked one of the most energetic players in the championship last year. They are gonna be a mixed bag though.

Good to hear from Chris and Gee, and pretty positive too. ?????? Out of interest, where does your Sunderland opinion come from….you said 8th or better? No promoted league one side has finished higher than 15th in the last 4/5 seasons, first season back. I get they’re a big club, but they finished 5th last season, and haven’t exactly set the world on fire with recruitment-wise. Clarke and Dajaku were there last season too, so two new signings.

Nutshell

Shhhh, they don’t know Naismith has signed for us yet!