timeEd32

There's plenty to be frustrated and disappointed about, but this reversion to Ashley era thinking regarding our willingness to spend just makes no sense at all.

This is an annoyingly important game now. 3 points and 7 from 9, especially if we look good, could go a long way to putting the transfer window behind us. Lose this with three away games and City to follow in the next four, plus the mood from the window, and I'd be a little concerned about where this season could head.

That is a very honest set of quotes from Eddie. Hopefully every player who may have been uncertain about their future - Miggy, Trippier, Wilson Gordon, Longstaff, Targett - can get their head right because we can still have a very good season.

Amanda took it to pay off her legal fees and fund her Tottenham investment.

There will still be rules and we're currently not compliant with what those would be just as we're not currently compliant for the rules we'll need to meet if we're in Europe next season.

You can also accept that what's reported could be just part of the story, misrepresented, or blatantly wrong.

That’s scarily accurate.

Net spend is a bad metric because we've had nothing to sell and it's the crux of our problem. Since the takeover we've sold 30 year old Jonjo Shelvey, Maxi, Darlow for the price of a 4 bedroom house, and Anderson (plus Wood and Minteh who we brought in and out). Having desirable players to sell would have changed everything for us and it's the biggest advantage Villa have had in starting from a similar place.

Which funds are you referring to?

Just went back and watched the Eales interview that came out when we were in Germany. In hindsight, this section is pretty vague and points to limitations. Q: What can fans expect from [the rest of the transfer window]? A: Well, look, I think from our perspective we're excited about the season ahead. We think we've got the core of a really good squad going into that season, but we're always looking to strengthen. I think we'll always try to do that within our means. So I think we'll be looking - we've obviously got Paul Mitchell coming on as our sporting director ... so with him and Eddie, what they'll be looking at is are there areas we can improve and strengthen our squad within the headroom that we've got. And so, as you say, we've still got a couple months left in the window and we'll always be looking and striving to see what we can do. You know, how can we be innovative, how can we be thinking outside of the box to strengthen the squad.

0-for-3 on raiding Palace this summer.

This is honestly one of the strangest property arrangements and disputes I've ever seen.

It is far and away the most likely scenario, but very few want to entertain it.

Reports that Palace now want £75m for Guehi and your bi-weekly N-O seppuku planning meeting.

But the fact they were saying that while not having any idea we needed to raise over £40m in June just to avoid a points deduction tells you how little they know about our budget and spending ability.

Wasn't singling you out. But for me the least fun part of last season, aside from Nunez and the "handball" in Paris, was the weekly examination of Eddie's ability to do the job.

This season might be more enjoyable than last if enough people commit to this.

Certainly not expecting PL exits for most of them. The money and newfound disdain for older players is obviously making it difficult. I'm accepting of the situation, but I really thought we'd be able to find some creative way to move one or two of them.

If I'm going to complain about anything it is this. I know the players we're trying to shift are unattractive because of both age and wages (and ability). But we haven't been able to find a suitable deal for even just one of Dubravka, Vlachodimos, Miggy, Murphy, Fraser or Targett? But also, he's officially been in the job for less than 60 days (admittedly an important and less than ideal 60 days). His success or failure here won't be defined by the last two months.

Great news

I don't think it's at all clear that we have money to spend. But, if we do, it also takes a bit more than one failed big money transfer for me to jump to pathetic and embarrassing. We lived that for over a decade and this isn't it.

I think you're more confident than I am that we have £60m or whatever to spend without any exits.

I can't take any of these Mike Ashley comparisons seriously. We've stretch our spending as far as we possibly can since the new owners walked through the door.

I don't think we would have paid more than whatever we think he's worth, no. And it's possible Parish has been impossible to deal with. But outgoings to clear the necessary financial room? Very possible.

I still think it's entirely possible doing this deal was subject to outgoings that haven't happened. I don't know how anyone can categorically say we're pathetic or embarrassing when we only know a fraction of the details. It is definitely disappointing though.