Yorkie

I'm not saying they're completely blameless; clearly some of the decision-making has resulted in outcomes that aren't ideal, and evidently the issues with the corporate structure are effecting the day-to-day. But I think some of the criticism is way over the top and frustrating when the only thing truly deserving of pitchforks is the system which is designed to hold us back. If there was literally nothing stopping us from signing him before now, why didn't we? Is there no reason other than outright incompetence and stupidity?

I guess we should've just targeted worse players and crossed our fingers that the cartel clubs wouldn't snatch them from in front of us. I wonder how far down our shortlist we'd have to go before we hit the sweet spot of a player being good, but not good enough for Man City to pinch them when their agent got on the blower. That way we could've lowered the median quality of the squad and presumably convinced Isak not to want to triple his wage packet.

If it's true that Burnley accepted our offer then presumably it comes down to Trafford becoming aware of Man City's interest and simply choosing them instead of us.

There's no reason to believe that'll happen. Recruitment has clearly been at the top of the agenda but our targets have been unattainable. We'll sign ones which actually are attainable. They won't be of the quality we require to guarantee us being in competition for CL places again, but it's crucial we pad the squad to deal with a four-competition season. Reminder again that we have made one very good signing. Hopefully Wissa happens soon making it two.

Selling the useless cunt doesn't tally with us being a disaster I guess.

That's encouraging news about the Chairman imo. Not going to debate with anyone about the absent-landlord-ism; if he's getting involved with a view to us finding a solution, it's a good thing. Hopefully we get there, even at the expense of other signings - further demonstrating the lunacy of the rules.

Sorry like but this is just horseshite. If Isak is worried about the trajectory of the club I would point to us winning a trophy and qualifying for the Champions League last season. It's got fuck all to do with that and everything to do with wages.

Given my position on the whole thing (i.e. this is on the system, not the club), I'm hoping that my reaction to his inevitable departure is to feel properly fired-up. We've already made great strides against the odds and that has felt fantastic; we can frame this as just another barrier that Eddie and the lads can leap over. However, it hinges on us being really proactive in trying to fill the hole he's going to leave. If we don't make some big signings before September it's gonna be hard to shake that Ashley-like feeling of hopeless, "What's the point?'-ness.

Fair enough, hopefully we won't and he fucks off to Saudi.

Aye that'd really help. The players get a microphone stuck in front of them and repeat a rehearsed party line. It's really not a big deal.

That's absolutely class, that. So not only do the rules corner us into selling him, they corner us into selling only to direct rivals. Really good. Really fair. The club must explain itself.

Do you think that's a club decision? The players have ad hoc media duties all the time, it's bound to happen. I'm understanding of folks' views on how we've handled this situation (I still very much lean on the side of it being everyone else's fault), but do we have to go after the club on every little thing?

Bruno just about remembering his lines there. Ergh. What a miserable bloody situation.

I see what you mean. If Liverpool want both they'll get both imo. The cartel has the market under lock and key.

Pure copium but if we lose Isak but sign probably the hottest striker prospect on the continent and an experienced player who scored 19 in the PL last season, we've dealt with the matter very well tbh. Especially if Isak goes to Saudi and not a direct competitor.

How? Liverpool were always getting him.

Yeah. If Isak leaves we are weaker regardless of what we do, but if we sign a bona fide replacement and Wissa, we've very much avoided disaster.

I mean, hopefully it happens regardless of Isak. Isak might even yet stay.

Aye. I could probably just about live with that tbh. He's deleted from the game whilst we get a shit-ton of cash.

Proper "you've had your fun" vibes. Ergh, so disappointing.

Whether or not he goes there, I fucking despise: Liverpool; any 'journalist' on theirs or other clubs' tabs; and the transfer window. Absolute textbook unsettling of a player, this. I agree that he might feel like he deserves best-in-the-world wages, but he's 25 years old and has three years remaining on what will be a fantastic contract, at a Champions League club which is - theoretically - on the up. There's no need for this now.

Sure, but I find it difficult to be overly critical when I don't know what's actually possible/feasible/worthwhile. I really must do some work so can't do another detailed response. Perhaps we're not doing enough to challenge the situation; my point is we shouldn't have to. Fuck the cartel.

The line from the club is he's injured (thigh) and that is the only news there is. The majority of the discussion is people assuming he's kicking up a stink and the implications of that. (Myself included)

But the point is, for all we might do 'something' to lessen the impact of the rules (as opposed to nothing, as you put it (and which I disagree with)), the cartel clubs are still the greatest beneficiaries of the rules. The unfairness still exists regardless. Take a points hit? Sorry like but it's absolutely deplorable that we should have to consider that whilst those clubs on the other side of the drawbridge continue all but risk-free. Do something, do nothing, it's still unfair and where the blame should be more-or-less entirely focused.

I'm not convinced by any of that tbh, certainly not taking a points hit, that would've totally knackered our season last year. We've traded reasonably well with what we've got to trade imo; the fees recouped for Kelly, Longstaff and even Miggy have been very good considering their status in our squad, and I was entirely in favour of the (relatively) huge Minteh sale. It looks like there are commercial opportunities being passed-up for reasons I can't fathom, but nothing should take us away from the fact that there's a set of rules in place that are incredibly effective at benefiting the interests of cartel clubs. I find it a shame that people go straight in on the club when there's this blatant unfairness having the greatest impact of all.