The Prophet

Ashby off to QPR.

While I'd be disappointed not sign anyone, I'm certainly not doubting the ambition if the owners. This would be the first time we haven't maxed out our limit. Our inability to shift players isn't helping

It'd be an absolute knee slapper if Liverpool came in for him.

No, but I think that's irrelevant to where we finished or if we qualified for Europe, he'd have gone regardless.

I'm not saying we won't lose any of them because if course it's possible, but wasn't this exact line being peddled in January. Bruno apparently had too much ambition to stay at a club without Europe, or something like that.

By all accounts he's a top bloke. He probably doesn't want to rock the boat.

Aye, think we'd need a bit of help at thr players end, which doesn't look particularly likely.

That's a good point actually. I can only assume Thiaw turned us down?

This is it, it's the uncertainty that kills. It could simply be that they feel there are no attainable CBs other than Guehi of the required quality, so they've decided to roll the dice. On the hand there could be a professional conflict between Howe and Mitchell. The week or two after the window will be quite telling.

Potentially, but usually we breif the likes of Edwards, Hope, Downie the same sort of stuff.

What astounding gymnastics? I'm just pointing out how the article doesn't tie up with previous reporting. I don't really have an opinion either way at this stage.

Regarding the hope story: 1) it would totally fly in the face of the "collaborative approach" that's been spoke of. 2) it's been reported previously we list targets and move down the list of targets if plsyers become unavailable. 3) it doesn't say much about Mitchell, as Howe's boss, if he vsbt get him to budge. It doesn't really add up.

The story from Hope doesn't really make much sense, based on previous press reports. It just whiffs of him stirring the shit again.

Hope doing a Hope.

Another take to add to the mix.

I don't think Palace were stringing us along, I just don't think we've met their valuation of their player yet.

It seems that our risk aversion means we'd rather gamble on the current squad than spend money on a player that isn't near the top of our list.

Neatly covering all bases.

Can only hope Edwards' bad news update is as accurate as his good news update.

Absolutely revelling.

Indirectly aye. It's his call to bring Mitchell in, but he's not directly accountable for planning and execution of the transfer window. If Mitchell ends up being a bad hire or the wrong fit, then fair enough.