TRon

He just looks too small to stand up to the really powerful CFs in this league. It's not the first time he's been bullied in the air.

It wasn't the loss though, it was the total lack of control in the game. Something we hoped we'd seen the back of after the last couple of wins. We were all over the place, and that is always going to come back on the manager.

Not if he's going to be replaced by Murphy.

Murphy was fucking horrific like.

He's a one trick pony unfortunately. We should sell this summer while we can get our money back.

Might have cost us Europe by then.

Sorry like but that was abysmal. The team was chasing shadows as soon as we went behind.

Can't argue really, they were miles better.

Getting absolutely rinsed by former best mate Paqeta all game.

They did. There's so much for them to talk about with Man City losing so badly, Liverpool flying and Amorin's debut against Ipswich which would have been pencilled in as a debut victory for the new boss....but alas....

That's not making up the shortfall though, that's just trying to do other things better....which all the competition will be trying to do as well. Man U being the only other club having the capacity is fair enough. But would be interesting to see how the other clubs fighting for honours address that. As has been pointed out since, it's not just the capacity on game days, it's all the other commercial revenue the modern arenas offer as well.

If the Premier league was just made up of English players we'd be gold.

So how would you make up the shortfall in matchday revenue compared to clubs with 70/80k capacities?

Specifically an eventual replacement for Schar which means a right sided CB. With Krafth being sidelined, I'm assuming we'd go with Kelly in the short term if Schar got injured.

Well I was assuming planning restrictions would always prevent us from expanding the stadium much beyond 60k if that. If the big players are talking 70/80k capacities we need to match that otherwise we are always going to be a step behind. Although if there's other ways around that then I'm always open to it. Leazes Park was always my preferred option, how feasible that is I don't know.

Andersen was quite a bit older wasn't he? I always thought they would prefer selling him for that reason, even though he's a fantastic CB.

If that had happened, he'd just have cut his costs to League One level. He'd still be making money, just less of it. There are very few owners in football willing to spend their own money if the risk of losses is substantial. Most of them would much prefer safe and steady returns, hence the majority backing the PL rules.

This basically, and I always assumed that was the whole purpose of us backing a takeover by PIF (or at least for those of us who did). One of the reasons why I think being able to invest unhindered on building a world class team is as important as stadiums, sponsorships and the rest of it. Without winning you don't build the global brand which brings in all the big money. The cartel clubs know this, that is why they have spent so much time and effort blocking any route for us including spending £millions on legal fees. I do realise that some fans don't want us to be global players and are happy with our local feel. I respect that, just don't agree.

Agree. Not sure we'll finish above Arsenal, but since the cup win against Chelsea it looks like we've got players in the right positions for how we want to play. For the first time all season I think CL qualification is a possibility.

Palace might have seriously done themselves over in the summer. If we aren't in there paying over the odds, it's quite likely Liverpool will just wait until they can sign him at the end of his contract. At best they'll pay half of what Parish was looking for. If he doesn't go in January his price will come crashing down in the summer.

Were Wolves ever a big club or is that just my imagination? Shameful Everton have voted for the cartel, the rest are genuine smaller clubs though so not that surprising they are happy just to be in the Premier.

There's plenty of fans who live in the city who are also prepared to move if it means we can compete with the best. While I get the tradionalist angle, I don't want to be permanently categorised as second best, I would at least like to be on a level playing field with the top clubs. If that means moving to a new stadium then that's what we should do IMO.

It looks like just kicking the can down the road is probably seen as the next best scenario to defeating City through the courts. The PL acts on behalf of the clubs that make up the division, and seems like they would happily fund legal fees ongoing if it means no change in the status quo.

Probably the best outlook at this point. Even 3-4 goals which get us an extra few points might make all the difference.

Feels like ultimately the only way to break the cartel hold will be anti-competitive laws being cited. Not sure if that is even an option, but as long as the PL rules are sacrosanct there's no way round it, it's a closed shop.