Jackie Broon

Here's what he actually said: "Should our scouting and recruitment be driven more extensively with a wider reaching net? It definitely should, because this is becoming a really nuanced space now, when you can't just capitally fund everything every year and buy loads of players at peak age and peak price. Of course it needs to be, and that's the responsibility of me, the scouting team and Eddie (Howe). "Is it fit for purpose? Not last winter gone, the winter before that. Is it fit for purpose in the modern game? Because other clubs that have adopted a different approach over time, with more intelligence, more data-informed than we are, actually prospered in this window. That's where we have to grow to be now." Firstly, he was specifically talking about our "scouting and recruitment" and clearly indicated that it was not intelligent or data informed enough. Secondly, in terms of strategy, we haven't been buying at peak age and price. Bruno, Isak, Botman, Gordon, Hall, Livramento, Minteh all bought at a young age with room to develop and all significantly increased in value Arguably Barnes could meet the peak age and price definition, but his form in the least few months might have changed that. Burn was possibly peak age and price but has made a massive contribution to us Targett is the only real first team signing that could be definitely be said of.

His comments that out recruitment hadn't been fit for purpose were ridiculous, our hit-rate with signings under Howe has been incredible.

I trust Howe to be the top of the tree, I think the director of football role is more important when the manager's position is more transient.

Getintivem!

We still sing about Isak scoring against them. As irrelevant as they are to us in reality, we'll all love beating them.

Yhe winner of this won't be battling not to be relegated, they'll be battling not to break Derby's reccord.

Lovely pass and finish.

They clearly are financially, there is still a financial gulf between the 6, including Spurs and everyone else. They're not on the pitch at the moment but that could quickly change with a better manager and a few good signings.

Ref needs to book himself for timewasting.

Forget ten days ago, just over 10 hours ago they were calling for him to be sacked.

Yeah, but they had something to play for, to get more than 11 points and their better players will be motivated to get moves. Arguably, the relegated teams are more dangerous opponents than Spurs and Man U at the moment.

Can't see it happening, they're playing the two worst sides outside of the relegated teams who have absolutely nothing to play for and no interest in the league.

Or Baldrick and Percy

He clearly tweaked something when he attempted that twisting behind him finish towalds the end of the final and hasn't been right since that moment.

Hope so too, 18 goals mostly from the wing is absolutely elite.

Does it really matter? There doesn't seem to be the same expectation for central midfield, or concern about right footed central defenders playing together.

I've thought the same when he has come on late in a couple of matches, when he's been running in behind he has still looked quick. I think it's more an issue of sharpness and confidence he is lacking, I don't think he has actually lost much pace.

Quality goal!

A redevelopment like that probably is better for the matchday experience, keeping the character and experience of the old stadium. But, from a PSR perspective, what clubs like us and Villa need are new stadiums that are designed from the ground up to maximise corporate and alternative revenues, with proper fans being a bit of an afterthought.

I think that a significant proportion of people just don't like being told what to do and will react dismissively/aggressively to anyone asking them to stop doing something, however politely or rightly. It's just not worth it unfortunately.

His recovery is the most important thing and the worst thing he could do is rush back, but, it must be at the point where it will be affecting us to some extent. Eddie has said before that his process is that as soon as one game finishes he moves on to planning for the next, his training sessions are then planned to work on stuff specific to the next match. Other than that first match back in 2023 he has had the upper hand over Emery tactically every match since If the manager not being there really doesn't make a difference then Eddie wouldn't need to work as hard as he obviously does.

I'd actually be happy with us concentrating on filling out our squad with high ceiling youngsters rather than going for 'purples'. ObviouslyI'd be happy for us to get a purple at RW and/or CB too, but I think we've shown this and last season that we have the quality, just not the depth.

I think they will finish in the top 5 from here though. They're in great form, have massive motivation to get back in the CL and their run-in all looks pretty winnable.

The three promoted teams are are going straight back down with a 14 point gap between 17th and 18th. In reality there is a massive gulf in quality between the Championship and Premier League, bigger than it has ever been. If they do manage to win the playoffs they are in for a shock and a season of abject soul-destroying missery.