Abacus

Yes, but aside from that, everything is terrible right?

Nah, the Times reporting they're expected to release a statement this week.

Exactly. Stadium news upcoming, I wonder? Hopefully she stays in some capacity. Her and Mehrdad were superb, either way.

He'd only just turned 20 when he joined PSV, and as a defender you tend to mature a few years later. Not sure about PSV's finances, but you can understand why most European clubs would find most PL asking prices for their own players to be absurd. Because they ARE absurd. He's still only 22 now, has shown he can more than cut it in the PL, and then also attracts both the PL and English player tax. If he carries on developing at that rate, he could be a starting central defender for the right club for a decade. But, as you say, it could just be a flash in the pan season. That's not what the couple of people who watch him quite regularly at Everton say to me, with the caveat, as always, that's just two people, opinions are subjective and that you only have to look at this or any other forum to see fans of their own club overrating their own players.

Everyone overvalues their own players, but have a couple of Everton mates who have been raving over Branthwaite all season. In fairness they were right about Gordon, who they rated when I wrongly didn't (they did also agree that he's come on in leaps and bounds with us), so I kind of trust their judgement. Future England regular they reckon and £45m for Branthwaite still seems derisory for a 22 year old with years yet to reach his peak. I'd have loved for us to swoop in there and gazzump the low-ballers just for a laugh, but I guess with the Kelly transfer it's not a priority position for us.

That would be a kick in the pants. I couldn't blame him if he went there, even if I think it could be a mistake for him. That said, no doubt he'd have a chance of lifting the CL trophy. I liked how the article said we've lost the 'safety net' of the £100m release clause. Get in the sea

What question would you actually ask, if not on a tight leash?

Fair enough, there were a couple of different reports earlier. As I say, it probably doesn't really matter, as they likely all fall down anyway whatever the challenge is.

Yeah, and that in itself may pay for any salary increase a new contract might bring.

Or, his agent is pushing for a new contract after a breakout season. Or it's all rubbish. Who knows. But as with everyone, whilst I'd be gutted if he wanted to go and we couldn't persuade him to stay, I'd at least trust us to reinvest any sale in the first team, and not scrat about for a free transfer replacement that we ultimately failed to 'get over the line'.

My understanding is that a contract extension within the period of his existing contract, would extend the amortisation of the remaining value of his initial purchase price for a maximum total period of 5 years. But happy to be corrected on that.

I'd have thought that would only count for actual contract extensions, but who knows. The rules as they stand are basically such an attempt to reach into the affairs of clubs that they are doing things even the proper financial authorities wouldn't attempt. I wonder when we'll hear about Man City's arbitration challenge. Still don't know, from the reporting, if this was a challenge to ATP as a whole or just to the latest attempt to tighten them (e.g. burden of proof being on clubs for FMV). Either way, I don't suppose it matters - even if it's just the latter part, I can't see the main rules then being enforceable. And from there, PSR and revenue caps effectively unravel too, like a woolly jumper caught on a nail.

Sometimes, I wish they'd just skip the manifesto though

Always quite liked him and thought he could at least help us close out a game due to his work rate even if he wasn't a first choice starter. I once saw him in the big Asda in Gosforth on his way out of there with a mate of his shortly after he joined - big beaming smile from him, obviously had been recognised a few times in there and seemed to be loving it rather than shying away from people. Maybe it's time for him to go, but if so, I'm not having him as anything other than a player who tries his hardest even under the Bruce years, had really very decent spells under both Rafa and Eddie, and has had the best attitude.

Geet up! And look at the difference it makes to the optimism just on the forum already.

Can't wait to hear an interview from him

Personally, I don't like these rumours about exec recruits, possible stadium rebuilds and transfers coming out because it shows we're not being professional. Or else, I don't like all these lack of rumours since I don't know what's going on and therefore have to assume it means nothing is going on. Not sure. Anyway, it's difficult what to think negatively about first, but my word, I'll give it a shot.

I'm quite excited about this idea - there are plenty of players EH has developed and obviously puts his time into. Whilst they are all good players, one man can only do so much and some won't make it for various reasons. If I were him, I'd prefer a smaller squad of quality players you can devote your time to more, and possibly some with a higher ceiling you can push them to. The challenge comes in future seasons when we likely hit Europe again and there are more games, so a bigger squad is needed. It probably feels like he's carrying the load of every decision right now as the face of the club, at least from the fanbase and the press, which is why I do think a visible sporting director maybe needs to be the next transfer we make.

If you put it all together, it seems that Antony Gordon fell off his bike whilst eating a Greggs cheese sandwich which Richard Masters had secretly and surprisingly put onions in, thus causing a world war many years earlier. It's actually all so simple, if you REALLY think about it. So, I hope he kicks a ball in the goal bag for England.

Makes a fair point. And there might be a localised tornado which wipes out all of our players as well. Makes you think.

I don't understand. Why aren't Spain just sitting back and doing nothing?

Time to admit you're wrong and bring Gordon on yet, Gareth? No, let's just pass sideways slowly.

12 midnight tonight, or after all the fax machines have stopped whirring.

Anderson was looking quite a prospect with quite a few wanting him in the team especially during our injury crisis, and that's for a team looking to compete in Europe - until an injury held him back last season. And Forest do seem to have a fairly scattergun approach to transfers.

I'd find that OK, for a 3rd choice keeper, if Downie is right.