Jinky Jim

We could well have stayed up last season without Wood and saved £25M….however we really don’t know what effect his signing had on Howe’s tactical plan and whether relying on Gayle would have proved to be just as successful….What I do know is that £25M is a price worth paying for our survival last season, one we may or may not have achieved if we didn’t gamble on his transfer. He may now be a bit redundant and 3rd choice in the pecking order, but I for one, am glad we went along the road in his transfer. He won’t get any stick from me, as he’s highly unlikely to make that many appearances for the rest of the season….I’m just grateful that with Wood in the team last season we not only survived but nearly finished in the top half of the table.

Apologies Mazzy………Seems you were right about the go ahead for this deal was Monday, after news of the Wilson injury.

What is interesting IMO is that these negotiations have probably been going on for a while, at the same time we’ve been negotiating a deal with Watford as well. Either we are still interested in both or the Watford deal was a second option if the Isak deal failed.

I don’t think a deal like this is done in 48 hours…..My guess is it’s been planned and researched for a while and negotiations were set up last week….injury to Wilson just a coincidence.

Tranmere away

Another good reason to perhaps take a chance and bring in 3 top, if relatively expensive, new signings……It may happen, just have to wait and see.

Before I start, it’s not my intention to have a go at our owners. It’s been a breath of fresh air seeing all the work they are doing behind the scenes, to make our club be part of the community again and potentially fighting it out in the top half of the PL. I do however think there might be an opportunity missed this season if we don’t strengthen further…..Striker, RW and another midfielder is a priority IMO. Positions 11-8 are up for grabs with what we already have, but we should be focusing on 5-7. Strengthen the areas mentioned and I believe we can compete with Arsenal,West Ham and ManU…it’ll be a long season and without a strong squad with good cover for all positions, we might struggle over 40 odd games. I know there has been a lot of talk about FFP, and I don’t think we really know what real effect this is having on transfers, but I think we need to take a bit of a gamble financially and get players of decent caliber for the positions. A strong season with potential to get 6th/7th would have a big impact on next years transfer targets. A steady season getting us into top 10 might just make it that bit harder to attract players on the next level to what we are looking at. Now of course, it’s still very early in the transfer market and we may find that our owners will come up with the investment, and bring in a few more players. Even if we don’t introduce any new signings the infrastructure set up will over time develop the club into a regular top 5/6……BUT I would love us to have a go at challenging the elite in the PL next season or at least give them a bit of a shock…..So I wait, as we all are, over the next month to see if we are active in the transfer market which will show us where our owners are hoping to be next May…..BRING IT ON.

‘Former Manchester United forward Jesse Lingard, 29, is considering a move to Saudi Arabia where he could earn £10m per year. The England player's United contract expired last month.”…….Probably bollocks, but an interesting way of getting Lingard without paying all his wages….Whichever club he might go to in SA, then loans him to us whilst paying some of his wages…..perhaps a swop loan with gayle?

On tonight’s local news (East Midlands Today)…..The Sports News from Derby indicated that Ashley had put down £50 million to the administrators as an indication that he was keen on buying the club and ground.

Late 60’s early 70’s supporters would to the match just to see his match day nutmeg and then go home happy that they had been entertained ?

Wyn Davies was the ultimate No 9…Big,Strong and a nightmare to play against.Remember when Inter Milan came across him in the Fairs Cup…About 1970….They couldn’t cope with his aerial dominance and in the end resorted to just kicking him…he’d just get up and laugh at them…….A close 2nd was Tony Green…He only played 33 games for the toon before a cartilage problem ended his career…..but those 33 games were magic……Took on Giles and Bremner when Leeds were at their prime and dominated them both in midfield…what a player.

Wyn Davies

Don’t think Southampton or Leicester will get any points from that game….they are both utter shite atm. ?

A draw would do….ends our relegation fears (I know)…..and gives Leeds chances of avoiding relegation a little boost

Wonder if Northampton will appeal and try and get Rovers game replayed

Nice…..Chelski O&D test…2 weeks…NUFC 2 years……Seems fair ?

Looks possible that for the first time after WHU were relegated another team may be relegated with 40 points…..interesting.

Villa are only 6 points behind us so could lose both games to Burnley and still technically get above us….so in answer, we are not yet mathematically safe?

From Birmingham Post:- “West Bromwich Albion are one of several Championship clubs interested in securing the services of Newcastle United youngster Elliot Anderson on a loan deal next season.” Sounds like a good idea…send him out to Bruce, to improve his tactical knowledge and increase his fitness levels

Can’t leave Joe Harvey off that list of great managers.

Good point. However most seasons do see strange finishes to the season…..doubt Burnley have it in them to alter their destiny though.

Not that I think Burnley will escape….but there’s always a first time…..Remember not that long ago the following statistic was floating around the media “ No team has failed to win their first 13 games and survived relegation”….just saying.

Although I believe we are safe because we’ll get results in next 3 games but if I was Everton I’d be worried…Shite as they may be Burnley have winnable games in 3 of the next 4….WHU next Sunday when West Ham are involved in a very important match Thursday, Southampton at home, and the saints are even worse than Burnley atm, and Watford away, when Watford seem-ably haven’t won at home all season. 7 points out of that lot and Everton could be in bottom 3 by end of April.

From one of the Baggie forums. “’But I don't want Brucey to be here next year, why? We have in 10 games become a complete nothing team. No identity, no plan, deep defensive line, huge gaps between the lines, slow tempo, team have stopped respecting us which shows our further decline.” Ring a bell

Didn’t know where to put this…but thought our takeover thread probably appropriate. RE Chelsea sale. Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said earlier this month: "The quickest one [sale of a club] we've done is 10 days, but that's not to say it can't be beaten. "Normally it's a matter of weeks but it depends on the complexities and the number of potential owners." Just goes to show how “The supposed big 6” run this league…….Newcastle sale, 2 years……Chelsea inside 10 days….you just couldn’t make it up could you!