TRon

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.

It was just a reflection on how we had dreams of conquering the world following the takeover, then were brought back down to earth by the allied forces of the PL and cartel clubs to stop us dead in our tracks. The suicide emoji was probably a bit OTT.

Somewhat sobering to see it so starkly how many clubs run the Mike Ashley economic model.

Isn't just about every top club in the world linked with Gyokeres?

PSG might be happy to let him go, but I fear the drop from £90m to £40m might be a tad optimistic.

Great for us though, I was worried they would sack him immediately following the international break. We've caught them while they are still drifting, need to make the most of it.

Hopefully a bit less naive since the heady days of our takeover. Then: Now:

Depends what we actually bid. Palace were talking £70m, there was talk our actual bid was more like £50m, which while it's still a lot, would not be unreasonable for an England defender. Even then though, I agree it doesn't really seem like a trademark MItchell deal so kinda strange business all round.

The Guehi pursuit was obviously Howe led. Guehi would be the opposite of the typical transfer profile MItchell has made his name for, i.e, under the radar younger players who don't have a high profile yet. You could argue he should have done his own stuff right off the bat, but considering Howe's success and popularity, it was understandable he'd try and get him the player he wanted to get him onside, provided the price wasn't ludicrous. Which in the end it was.

The rumour was that Howe really rated him, and that was back when he was being quoted at £40m plus. It's not out of the question that at a lower price Howe might think he could do a Chris Wood type job as a target man alternative to Wilson for a relatively low fee.

The problem with dragging out these legal battles and repeatedly kicking the can down the road, is that legal battles cost money, and ultimately every club has to pay for them. £48m in legal fees at the last count, is that just a drop in the ocean for the lesser lights?

Ultimately that's what he will be judged on (apart from on here). You'd like to think he's got a good track record of recruiting well, and we did our homework before appointing him.

I think they would rather cut their own balls off than give the go ahead to rule changes which would help other clubs to break their market stranglehold.