timeEd32

Two things are true here: 1) the current implementation of VAR is a disaster for a multitude of reasons 2) going back to a world where there's no recourse for blatantly wrong decisions would be incredibly shortsighted

This is also why people need to not freak out in seasons we don't qualify for the CL. If you add us and Villa to the mix then every season half of the clubs who feel like they are CL caliber will not qualify. And half of those that miss out will miss out on Europe altogether. (pending cup winners and extra Euro places of course) It's a different world now and the only way you can safely assume a Champions League place is if you are a genuine title challenger.

This isn't how I want it to go, but it would be quite amusing if Chelsea finished 6th, we finished 7th, and then they got banned from Europe.

"UEFA are excited to announce its new Executive & Coaching Compensation model, designed to ensure individuals are not prevented from advancing their careers. Compensation will now be based on a model that incorporates winning percentage, league placement, and trophies won."

Do you remember this thread last year? It was like “if Villa win all their games and are then granted a 39th game and win that they might catch us. I’m a 5.”

He wants to play in Europe next season

People are going to complain about taking off Isak (despite it being very justifiable), but Eddie was let down by his players today. Half of them left their brains at home.

We’ve played like a minute of the 5.

That’s a ridiculous yellow

Barnes fault there too.

Terrible cameo from Barnes so far.

Genuinely can’t believe some of the decision making

So proud of him

5th could be on if we can get a goal.

Not ideal, but feels like a change with an eye on three games this week.

Bruno is like why am I playing with morons today.

It’s almost like Murphy is trying to make the worst possible choice with every decision.

Thought we’d be flying today for the final home game.

Leaves us with some nice rotation options for midweek.

If it ain’t you baby, If I ain’t got you, baby Clearly talking to Eddie made an impression.

Why is this even a discussion? I’d be so happy if they sacked him.

Jamie is like “If I keep my hands in my pockets I won’t lose it all.”

Not saying it can't help, which is why I said I'm very into the idea of getting both of them. But they are sometimes talked about like they are magic and it's related to the fact that so much transfer discussion is still focused on fees, while ignoring or minimizing wages, agent fees, and sign-on bonuses. Tonali was expensive no doubt. But it's also not like we were choosing between the two. You can also make Tonali look good by comparing him to Casemiro's deal, but that seems equally irrelevant. My point is just that, while likely discounted, they can still carry a high price tag because the premium on wages and fees is eating into some of the saved transfer fee. Also point taken on the potential benefit if selling them, but players who come in via a fee and without the premium on wages have their own accounting trick in the form of a contract extension to further smooth out amortisation.

I'll preface this by saying I'm very into the idea of us exploring out of contract players. Tosin and Kelly seem like they'd be great business. But I beg people to stop thinking of them as some kind of PSR/FFP cheat code, especially when they come with a higher profile. Kamara was mentioned a couple pages back so let's use him as an example. Wages are approximately £8m per year. Reporting is all over the place on signing/agent fees, but seems like it was at least £15m combined. That means his annual cost is more than Tino and within a couple million of Gordon. In the headlines he was 'free'; in the official books he's no different than a £35-40m player on sensible wages. It's probably appropriate to describe a player like Kelly as free given he's currently on very reasonable wages and is unlikely to command a big sign-on fee. But Tosin, with suitors that include Man United, Chelsea, and Spurs plus reports of 'demands' about a package and negotiating agent fees, seems like he's going to cost at least £8m per year. Is it a discount compared to a similar player? Probably, especially if wanting PL experience. But it's not free; it's Lewis Hall and maybe more. Now the math on these become much more favorable if they are taking the place of someone who's on the higher end of our wage bill. For example, if we got £12-20m for Wilson or Miggy (or a magical world where we can shift Targett) then you're creating a net profit that can provide some flexibility elsewhere.

Similar praise for Emery. What the two of them have done in consecutive seasons is outstanding.