timeEd32

That ended so well last time.

I think the definition of "big money" will greatly determine how I feel about this.

Yes, and Olise. It proves we have a shiny briefcase full of cash we're ready to deploy for anyone says the common refrain. Except it doesn't. As @TheBrownBottle said, it is far more likely given where our finances are that those were considered two guaranteed success, bar raising first XI players who we'd have zero regrets about next June even if the impact of signing them was selling Gordon or other.

I'm going to scream if I read this one more time.

I think this is all accurate and I think what the events of this summer have done more than anything is set up an absolutely massive 12 months both off and on the pitch. For Eales and Silverstone - there have to be revenue increases in some form or fashion. They've both said there are things coming. For Eales and the new COO - there needs to be clarity on the training ground and stadium For Howe - he needs to get the existing squad focused, get us back to our best, and hopefully deliver European football (or a trophy) For Mitchell and Howe - there is a reset opportunity coming, but that means there are a lot of decisions to make and they need to get almost all of them right Contracts expiring in 2025: Schar, Longstaff, Wilson, Burn, Lascelles, Lewis, Fraser, Krafth, Dubravka, Ruddy, Gillespie, White Contracts expiring in 2026: Trippier, Gordon, Almiron, Pope, Targett, Hayden - Who do we extend and who do we let go? - Can we tie down Gordon and Isak? - Who do we sell (proactively for real £, not desperately try to flog in their twilight)?

Generous. Saka will turn Botman and his career will be declared over. Shoot him out back.

No chance a Targett exit could even be considered at this point. Entirely possible that Burn and Kelly have to serve more as CBs than LBs, at least for the first part of this season, which means Hall and Targett (and Tino) are our only true LBs.

His face when she gets called on. He just knows the next minute of his life is going to be completely wasted.

It was a Championship loan for Murphy because we may need the CB cover.

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.