Davefevs

Hoping to get go ahead soon. Been involved in some very early “fans forum” re Flyers aspect of it.

My understanding (FWIW) is that it ended up being more like: Brownhill £7m (from £9m) Wells £3m (from £5m) plus £1m promotion because that suited both clubs, mainly city in terms of paying less sell-on percentage to Preston as a result. Had City sold elsewhere they’d have wanted £9m, but as they could buy Wells, they lowered both fees. Could be total bollax, but the fee balances quite nicely with the club’s accounts too…so no reason to doubt person who told me.

Ah, thanks, couldn’t remember if it was Emma or others (wrongfully) on her behalf. Surely Gabriela Benson was the pioneer though ?

If @Harryis taking his kids can they ensure the Haribo’s are in stock! ???

The Devil’s advocate in me questions “attitude or is it ambition”, i.e. he is striving for better than Oxford now that they’re remaining in Lg1. I don’t know the answer, not looking for one either, just two sides to that coin. I still think of Nahki Wells and all of the “he doesn’t want to be here” type comments because he doesn’t smile much. Yet every interview he does or stuff we hear (via Nige in the main) is the exact opposite. Yeah he wants minutes, but he’s still been a good pro, mentoring the Conway’s and Bell’s etc. Assuming Sykes signs he will get my full support, start with a blank sheet, etc, etc. …and finally, Karl Robinson is a bit of a cock (outsider view looking in). ???

I don’t recall the AFC Wimbledon rumours in detail (last summer?), but I thought it was Hayes that kind of poo-poohed it, saying the level was beneath her. If the poo-poohing was done on her behalf, that’s very different. But if it was her, then it will limit her opportunities of a job in the men’s game if that’s where she wants to test herself.

Thicko not nicko

I read an interview recently with the guy that started the website, and it’s algorithm based (fee / contract length / remaining on contract type stuff), but also flexible to allow their “members” to adjust them. In the modern day of undisclosed fees it’s harder to get right. Its never gonna be something to get too fixated with, but at least it values loan players and academy players. For example our own club accounts only report players signed for fees in the intangible assets figures.

If you want to see more stuff: I’m a bit more encouraged by these 3 videos, but usual caveat that it’s a highlights reel, it’s gonna be good. @GrahamC @NcnsBcfc @AshtonRobin21 I guess there will always be ifs, buts and maybes. I guess there is also the case that if we do generate extra budget, looking at more “expensive” players means competing with “better” (define better?) clubs for their signature. I guess there is also no harm in keeping a bit up your sleeve for January or even next summer. Lots of fun to be had this summer trying to work out how it’s going to go.

I can:

I quite like the idea of Martin on his own with two behind, Weimann being one of them. Scott, I still fancy playing in a more conventional CM role, coming from deeper. Maybe Sykes might fit the bill?

Was that the cheapie rip off copy of the Labybird series?

“Confront” is an interesting choice of word. ”Hate” is another interesting choice too. Otib is at its best when posters can debate / discuss from different sides of the fence in an amicable, respectful way.

I really looked forward to last pre-season, first one with Nige, to see how we improved over each game in terms of getting used to the system. I do wonder whether Antoine’s injury / op made planning difficult.

Actually, it’s worth you reading what I wrote. Focus was on Luton. They’ve done brilliantly with their money, by getting a playing system, recruitment and continuity all working in harmony. The data isn’t very good on transfer fees in Transfermarkt, but Sky saying squad value of £1.5m isn’t any more accurate either? No hidden agendas. But I’ll bare you in mind the next time I put out a spreadsheet that references City and caveat it accordingly as to whether you should read anything into it. I can explain in Janet and John if you like. Just let me know. I appreciate not everyone is into their “numbers”. Your posts now seem to show up again, which is good also. Welcome back.

I think this kind of thing feeds into Nige’s “front sweeper” thinking. Just for example, Joe Williams sat in, able to take the ball from GK and CBs and then spreading it side to a high FB (WB). It’s a bit like Grimes did for Swansea second half when he kept pinging it out to a wide and high Ethan Laird (who’d been pinned back by Pring first half). Digressing slightly, might Williams’s hamstrings be better not having to make lung-busting runs? The thing Sykes has is energy by the looks of it.

Got to say, he hasn’t leapt out at me, but good age, free, the right type / trajectory of signing if it goes through. Looks to have plenty of energy, and his versatility will help. Huddersfield allegedly interested in January??? Always excited by new signings nonetheless.

They’re the same person under different profiles. ??? Seriously though, I believe they sit near each other at AG. Yeah, different players in some ways, but similar in others. I only put up Korey’s stuff to show the effectiveness of a good player in a team unit. He allowed Pack to sit, Brownhill to “lung-bust” between midfield and attack and Pato to float around Reid. I actually think he had more attacking qualities but did what was needed for the team. We saw goals v Cheltenham and also the Man Utd and Sheff Wed games that he could break the lines too. In some respects the Smith role of 17/18 could suit Massengo. Win it back, Get it, give it, be a pest, etc. unfortunately he came into a midfield that was on a transition….Smith injured, Pack leaving. As @NcnsBcfcwill know from our chats, I think Massengo suits a more possession heavy team. He wants to break past his opponent through good technique, then give it to someone else, take up a better position, repeat, repeat. He’s not really suited to counter-attacking style…and that’s one part of why I think we’ve seen inconsistency. Of course he’s nowhere near the finished article but with Nige wanting to evolve the team to keep the ball better, that might help him…if he was to stay. Which I don’t think he will, sadly.

As long as him and his agent know the kind of fee City would accept that’s fine. If we get an offer at that valuation, assuming he wants to go, he’ll go. It is what it is. I don’t want him to go, I think he’d benefit from another season here….but my view is immaterial. Would be a blow, but it’s how we react to it that counts. Welded to a front 2 with one behind….suddenly other options come into play. Could play Martin alone, with two behind him for example.

Tend to agree….in a merry go round of the same old names getting touted for jobs, this is a great opportunity. Might go horribly wrong, might go really well. Its no different to me thinking Semenyo should stay here another year, when reality is that if he gets an offer to go to PL, he’ll probably take it. Can always come back down. Its not like normal jobs is it!

I think there are so many facets of development. Is developing your body to cope with the rigours of playing regularly at this level something we choose to include or ignore in evaluating his development. For me, he’s pretty robust now. But that might not be important to some. Thats just an example. Plus you’ll know I don’t generally think in terms of “best eleven”, “first choice / fifth choice” type stuff. My thinking is we have a squad of players, hopefully with a few exceptions at either end of the ratings scale, that are all pretty capable. We can all pick our line-up for a match, but there are so many variables including form, injuries, opponents, etc, that what you go with one game might be very different the next. On that last point, you might argue Massengo is 4th/5th choice, others might argue our best midfield this season was Scott and Massengo. Your “regression” is my “inconsistent”. But it’s all about opinions. Discussing those opinions in a sensible way is when OTIB is good. Dull place otherwise

Yep, just to show how important a player can be without measuring their success/ failure on goals and assists…or even when comparing players.

Total:

@BS4 on Tour... flexing his typing fingers….ah, wait, this time it’s the right name.