timeEd32

We will learn a lot when the new accounts come out. We're now dealing with such old information, but the numbers are there and the math can be done. I don't know why every news article drums up another cycle of how do we have no money? I know it feels like an eternity since we bought anyone, but this is actually the first PSR cycle where we haven't done much. We didn't buy in January 2024 because we spent a lot (too much) in the summer of 2023, which we then had to offset in June. When I did the math in the summer I (very roughly) estimated we were at about 79% for UEFA's cost control metric. We need to be under 70%. UEFA runs on a calendar year so if we qualify for Europe then every day of 2025 is relevant. UEFA's rolling three-year acceptable losses are also more strict in terms of the limit than the PLs. The plus side for UEFA's rules is the punishments have at least some transparency (escalating fines) and historically have been comparatively lenient. The wild card in all of this is the uncertainty over what the PL rules will be for 2025/26, and it's not clear to me if the clubs even know exactly what they are working towards. If it is that 70% number to match UEFA then are you getting a point deduction if you are at 71%? Or is it only fines until 80%? Or is it the black box it is now?

They are getting the equivalent of a Bale every season from their new matchday revenue and their commercial growth is like a Kane every year.

If we had any sort of backup striker then I might be ready to go as far as saying he’s our single most important player now.

We’re now into beat Forest at home and move ahead of them territory.

A right footed goodbye goal from Miggy would have been hilarious.

Eddie can’t call a game won until we’re up by 3.

Great ball and what a first touch from Isak.

Final third Tino is painful.

Color blind me in hell.

Please don't fall through.

Ok, that appeases me slightly. If that was part of their thinking to justify it then I'm less annoyed.

It's bad for the away fans obviously but forget that for a second. I know they are separate competitions and the real answer is the PL couldn't care less / only cares about money and making broadcasters happy, but from a sporting standpoint: Saturday - Liverpool Sunday - Spurs, Arsenal Monday - Newcastle The only possible final matchup where one club doesn't have a rest advantage is Spurs v. Arsenal. If Liverpool make it they are guaranteed 1-2 days of extra rest. It's a joke.

Why would they move us to a Monday when we're one of four clubs with a chance to play in a cup final the following weekend? So annoying.

If we were to sell Miggy and Kelly I’d think we’d have some flexibility to make a move if the right one was there.

6th + FA Cup (or next league slot) = Europa League Cup (or next league slot) = Conference

It's even better than that looks given that at least five of the English teams are going to skip the playoffs and are guaranteed knockout round bonus points, plus high group stage bonuses. Bologna will be out for Italy and Girona for Spain. Portugal and Germany with multiple teams at risk too. 5th will get CL. Massive chance for us (and Forest).

Maybe. There's a lot of factors here that we aren't privy to. What are his actual wages and likely a signing bonus that is amortised? Do we feel the same about him as when he signed or have we been disappointed? Is the player happy or is this not the role he thought he was getting? We might be thrilled about him and this is a lot of hot air and we'd only sell at a pretty significant price. It's also possible we're just not in a position to turn down a reasonable offer and this gives us more flexibility / is the least bad of a few potential bad options. Or it could be that we're thrilled to get an opportunity at a do-over on him.

This is the same approach that has led to Almiron, Trippier, and others still being here. If it's the right deal for a non-contributor then it needs to happen. If we want the transfer thread to ever be fun again we need more revenue and we need to shed costs of any player who is expensive and/or not a starter (Trippier, Almiron, Barnes (cue freakout), Targett, Kelly, possibly Willock, etc). We are not in a position to have both Cadillac level starters in Isak, Bruno, Tonali, etc. and expensive (and aging) depth.

That helps on what our loss limit will be over the new three year period, but it doesn't change anything about our cost base which includes Bruno, Joelinton, Tonali, Isak, Botman, etc. Also doesn't factor in the potential new rules and the European rules.

That is spectacular news. It's going to be much easier to sit through boring PSR windows and losing runs if real progress is being made on a training ground and stadium.

There’s no reason to give that story a negative slant. Nor is there a reason to take the lack of first team investment as a change for PIF.

There’s still a serious disconnect where people are frustrated we haven’t bought anyone in 18 months, but also complain whenever the idea of selling someone comes up. We aren’t going to be able to refresh the squad and add more depth just selling a couple castoffs and aging players. Plus we currently have too many players on the wrong side of the age profile most clubs are linking at. We have to consider selling anyone who is not a core player.

Anonymous today. Not sure if that was more them, us, or tired legs.

Maths 1 Eddie 0 Good game to start a new streak next Saturday.

Wow