OTF

And this time it is being considered apparently... Man I could do without all this bullshit, just let us know when players have signed like in the old days with Emerton, Baines, Barnetta etc

He certainly lived up to his reputation.

It's got to be wages on a few of those sort of players, especially Fraser who came on a 'free'. And because of PSR we can't just compensate them for reduced wages either.

Dr Rachael Gunn

Time to change the thread title to Harry Mcguire.

Despite looking like he'll need a stretcher at some point in most games he's been very robust for us.

How well Hall will work will really depend on the style that we play and if we get adequate shielding for our defense from midfield. Joelinton makes a huge difference there, hopefully Tonali too. We do also still have Targett who looked good before his injury problems and is scheduled to be back in a few weeks. I agree we have a solid starting team and good options in a few positions. I'm excited for this season just with our current squad.

There's a line of thinking that says that's why we're not sending players over there. Could also be that our players don't want to go there.

No panic buying, we already have a strong squad and I have every confidence that there will be one or two strong signings before the window closes, potentially more if sales are made.

This was the only other avenue we had for immediate impact on our ability to spend. No Europe this season will hurt our bottom line but will help us immensely the league and with injuries so that when we are next back in Europe we will be in a stronger position to compete (and let's be real, a single dodgy decision stopped us from progressing beyond the group stage). The signings we have already made have been under the caveats that the improved sponsorships are on their way in. They've been quite careful to maintain compliance so far* and will continue to do so as they know there is an extra level of scrutiny afforded to us. I've said it before on here but in a way I kind of like that we have to fight for each little bit of progression, we can't just go out and spend on the level of the clubs that we desire to be competitive with. It will be tougher and take more time but it will be more rewarding as a result. The best time I have had supporting us over the last 30 years was Howe coming in and rescuing us from what seemed like certain relegation and the subsequent season where we shocked everyone and finished fourth. * - the PSR scramble end of June shows that maybe not careful enough.

Touted by whom? Know noughts? We just had a mad scramble to ensure we complied with PSR, why would anyone expect that we'd then turn around and spend huge amounts of money? It makes no sense. It will always have to be a relatively gradual improvement. We've exceeded results and still people are getting upset. Baffling.

Although Miley for me could be ahead of Longstaff depending on how he returns from his injury.

Hayden's problem was that his body wasn't equipped for the combative style of game he played. When he came here he also had more of an attacking instinct. He'd done and I agree there's no point in having him around the first team. We have plenty of depth in midfield and we want to give fringe time to the young players rather than those on their decline.

The real reason he looks so displeased there is because at that point he realised that everything in his life thereafter could not live up to winning the Intertoto Cup.

Eddie taught him that.

Sansui, though that's what I think of also even though I'm not as old as you.

It's a bit crazy that we didn't try to get a signing like this across the line before last season given our extra game load and Wilson and Isak being our only forwards. It was driven by PSR/FFP but still in light of Barnes being signed for near enough £40m I'd have thought forward cover would have been more pressing. Anyway we need depth and someone like this could realise their potential under Howe if they have the right attitude.

Yes, which is why each year that drops off helps immensely because they're the tail end of the Mike Ashley era of corporate sponsorships (i.e. shit and cheap) and also where our signings had to be more transformative for our squad. Europe of course will help, but even that has limited prizemoney for teams like us with a lesser European coefficient. It's mostly the baseline from TV and corporate sponsorship that is the financial bedrock, thereafter having effective youth training facilities and development apparently lets you become spendthrifts without impacting on your PSR. It will be interesting watching our commercial revenue blossom under competent ownership.and management.

Between Gordon and Barnes Howe could also figure something out. They've rarely been available together.

Much friendlier schedule coming up this season I can’t realistically see us suffering anywhere near the same amount of injuries. Except Wilson who injured himself reading this comment.

Though I would say once Miley is fit I'd be looking to get him into the rotation ahead of Longstaff. If we don’t have any injuries there will be a glut of options through the middle between Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton, Willock, Miley, Longstaff.

His movement and touches are Shola'esque.

It's just as well tbh the old Shane was definitely on the wayne. For our visual learners: is on the