deadredfred

I’ve watched Scott’s highlights from yesterday a few times now. Being rational and with no City bias, I’ve been trying to think of another Championship or lower Prem young player with his game at his age. (Bellingham is the obvious one, but only because he’s recently moved and so fresh in my mind and was/is so young.) Struggling to think of a like for like, not just to try and rationalise a market value, but to try and compare the kind of hype/interest a similar player has had. If premiership teams weren’t sure before yesterday, then they are now surely?! I can’t see how he’d have gone unnoticed to any team in that league, so its conceivable that European teams are aware too. Due diligence, not hyperbole. Another performance like that against a prem side in the next round and his stock will rise further. Agree with others that I can’t see him staying past this summer, but it’ll be fascinating to see who shows their hand first, where he ends up and for what fee.

How much was Basso?

Kind of. But Scott is tied to a much longer contract (credit to the club again for sorting that). We're not time-bound to make any decision on Scott like we were with Antoine, and he is a lot younger, consistently playing at a level above his age. Fully expect a lot of interest in the summer, when we really do hold all the cards. Nige mentioned yesterday that the Semenyo fee isn't needed for FFP compliance, so same must be applicable to any fee for Scott, so there will be no temptation to sell ourselves short. Those frustrated with the fee for Semenyo, suggesting we hold out for more are going to be more satisfied with our negotiating position when it comes to Scott moving on (and I think he will).

Never, ever, underestimate the gravitas of a high-viz jacket.

Just listening to Nige now, and he confirmed we're after someone, and on a permanent and need to see in the next couple of days how that goes. Strikes me that we're possibly quite advanced in any deal, firstly for him to be so openly honest, and secondly that 'a couple of days' could be enough time to arrange medical/personal terms, if an approach and fee was already in discussion

Marinovic did indeed need a man behind him.

Reckon that’s him training at the HPC there in pink? Hummel joggers at least. Not ITK, but heard it was taken during Pat Mountain’s ‘Marinovic Assessment’ - a goalkeeping aptitude test to ensure he’s at least basically competent and not a bus driver with feet for hands

5 hours from random Norwegian tweet to confirmed signing. Lovely stuff

A bidding war. Lovely

I’ve been trying to stay humble about it all season, but the evidence is there for all to see. You’re welcome

I was next to him in cafe Nero in town at the start of the season and said, somewhat creatively.....“have a good season, Zak”. I think I’m probably partly responsible for his upturn in form.

Back to the season starting, heady heights of 0 goal difference. Lovely

£5m for each appearance?! We should definitely hold onto him til the summer at least, and we can replace him with De Bruyne

Credible source and ideally the start of a bidding war for the clubs that are genuinely interested. Next few days could get very interesting. He’s going to go at some point, and whilst I’d rather we held onto him for another season at least, an offer in that region mentioned is unlikely to be turned down, and would hopefully give Nige the funds needed to fix our weaker areas and see to general finances too

Ooof me OCD. Sack the graphic designer. Why aren’t the categories consistent?!

Was going to start a thread on this too, as just saw on Beeb website. £12m seems low to me given his undoubted potential and the spending power of any Premiership team. If he moved, and had one or two solid Premiership seasons, as a young English player his fee could be 4 or 5 times that if a top 4 side come knocking. Huge sell-on clause would be essential if that price was that low. (Not unrelated, I saw Borussia Dortmund linked in some nonsense article re Semenyo. But Scott going there doesn't seem beyond comprehension. They love a young English player with potential. Sancho, Bellingham, Bynoe-Gittens)

Outplayed everywhere. Which just shouldn’t happen given the calibre of players. Bringing on Henderson and not Foden speaks volumes about Southgates negative tactics.

hiya. I'm adding it to my CV as we speak, after duly reminding them that he was on loan at Bath from us!

After a rigorous recruitment process, with many high-calibre, proven applicants, we've gone for the cheap bloke who was here all along.

Trying to get excited about it, but struggling. I'll still end up watching I'm sure, but whether its because its winter, in Qatar or England's current poor form, I'm feeling pretty indifferent to all of it (says the man commenting on the squad announcement on a football forum).

Also said he was mentally 'worn' from two games in 4 days. Appreciate professional sport is demanding in all facets, but doesn't shout reliability or the toughness that Pearson has alluded to wanting before. I like him though - think a confident Cam Pring is a real asset to how we've been looking to play, particularly earlier part of the season. Think he offers more than Jay in almost all areas when on form.

Imagine this place if Vyner gave their player as much space as Semenyo was afforded then. Fancy a shot or a cross Antoine lad? Sure - come on through.

I would be absolutely livid if we conceded that goal! Nahki’s cross. :laugh:

being absolutely honest, when isn’t it?!

Is this a scenario where we’d want VAR?