Abacus

Totally agree. Unless Chelsea get involved like usual but then we should simply walk away with dignity intact.

Based purely on that article, it sounds like an Ashworth type was what the club were originally after, whereas Mitchell was a change in direction DOF wise, and that they're now looking to go back to the original model. None of that may be the case at all, so I'm only going on that report, but IF it's right you could argue that we've mucked around and made a bit of a mess both with what Mitchell was told and also what he was there to do when he was recruited.

Indeed, but I guess the argument runs to wait and see if there's anyone we can get in late June from a club who needs to sell and then reassess what's needed depending on if we do make an opportunistic buy.

Don't mind any of our local sports journalists really. But it's clear not many are in the loop on transfers, which is as it should be. So even if it's just educated guesswork from them at least it gives us something to talk about. I get the feeling there will be at least one name we're not expecting, but I think there has been too much consistent noise about Trafford for that not to be one of the pieces in the jigsaw. Not sure what there is to the Pedro chat other than suspecting we've been in for him in the past, likewise Guehi as was well reported. And we don't tend to give up on transfer targets. Would be very happy with those three and maybe one surprise.

Reckon based on not much there's a chance we sign someone before the PSR deadline at the end of June but that most happens after. What I wonder with sporting directors is that yes they're supposed to make the deals. But if you're ambitious player, talking direct to the manager who wants you and can explain his plans must be much more of an incentive. Managers can't do everything, but you can imagine Eddie is chomping at the bit to make things happen.

I wouldn't be surprised with the odd loan deal just to bulk out the squad, given the number of games we'll have coming up. On football alone Grealish might fit into that, and may also be able unlock a low block better than many. Moot point anyway as I doubt it would be a thing.

It doesn't. I think he's just saying that the Plc losses are the ones people report and focus on, whereas the actual footballing losses are less than reported by the Plc. Haven't looked into it to find out where the difference comes from - it's just when accounts come out everyone focuses on the headline loss number, but you can only really guess at the real PSR loss number. Anyway, it's quite funny how some didn't want Elanga, but now he might cost a wedge we're outraged by that too. Think he could be great here, personally.

Be delighted with this, a long term target and obviously wanted for a reason. Quite excited to see what he brings to us and our play. For all the slow build sometimes feels painful, it's always fun to see how these signings always seem to move us up a gear.

Correct.

Not even a rumour there by the way sorry , just think he's decent and if he can write another song like The Gambler then that's a terrace anthem for a while. I kind of hope there are a few players going under the radar that we're after, because I'm a bit tired of the same old links and us all going back and forth on it. Can't wait for the transfer window to be over really. Saying that, I've come right round to either the Elanga and Guehi links and I'm not sure on the GK position - Pope is better than decent but I kind of get won over by the debates on here about distribution and how it changes the team. Sort of looking forward to seeing it all play out as I'm pretty confident we'll have a competitive squad whatever. Just a bit scarred by that CL season which was magical at the time, but where we just didn't have enough depth because of a crazy injury crisis. That latter thing probably being why I wouldn't want to keep Wilson as good as he's been in the past or risk DCL.

So, are we signing Rogers then?

Was kind of thinking you'd need to be loitering around the top 8 or so by then. Long summer ahead as well so maybe too early to say. Don't know what your thoughts are or whether that'll be enough. Edit, as a minimum or whether that's a fast enough improvement, no idea what the expectations are.

Fair point about the versatility. I think they're both excellent players and can't deny I'd have been happy with either plus both could fit into a lot of systems. Last one, before I get back to fretting about my own team, honestly how long do you reckon Amorim gets next season if things don't improve a lot?

Thanks. It wasn't a loaded question. I think he did say that it wasn't ideal to be appointed when he was. Which was surely true and I suppose as much as you could say, a bit like Howe appearing to be unhappy with the changes last summer, but also stopping short of saying that as well. At least, how that was reported on with both of those things, so pinch of salt and all that. Just wondered how much say you think he has, because I've no idea how it works behind the scenes with the current set up.

Genuinely don't know

Has Amorim ever called the ownership out?

He wouldn't be a popular one, but I would be OK with signing him on a free as long as wages weren't crazy. The fitness issues obviously bother me and everyone, but we're not at the stage where we can just sign competition to Isak. Or someone we do think is good enough but who is still happy to play second fiddle. Still hoping Osula comes on next season and maybe DCL could be a mentor as Isak plays an entirely different game. Wouldn't be happy, exactly, but willing to be proven wrong and think we have too many other holes in the squad to plug first.

Spurs at 40-1 is still a VERY long shot. But, keep Ange for another half a season, their players lose faith, then make a dreadful appointment, along with the European schedule and then there's a very small chance a team like Burnley scrape together enough dour points to make it interesting. Do you even trust Postecoglu with making big signings in the summer for one thing. And there's just something about the way they surrendered in the league those last couple of game. ... But on second thoughts, nah. Still no. Burnley I reckon have the best chance of the 3, but that's still not much at all. It used to be the case that you could always expect at least one promoted team to spring a surprise season on you, Forest being one. Maybe that's the case this time too, but the last couple of seasons (so admittedly this could be recency bias) seem to suggest that's not really possible without taking a huge gamble.

I wasn't Eales' biggest fan at one point, but then he got ill so like most I just wanted the best for him. Read elsewhere that he and Mitchell are personally close. The comment along the lines that Eddie was better concentrating on the pitch, or words to that effect, seemed a bit unnecessary at the time. Maybe it was an attempt at creating a defined structure in the various roles, but I just don't think it was that helpful to do in public. The only time I've heard Eddie speak out of turn in public was in reaction to that, so I don't think communication can have been great. For what it's worth, I don't think they'd have had a much easier time with any manager worth his salt. Whatever the truth of it, hopefully they go out on a high.

Errm, not sure how to share it. It doesn't say much new. https://www.thetimes.com/article/44f1d290-08aa-4557-b747-8563c73075d5?shareToken=3a9886837d3ea5db4a5d9e931032a134

Might be. The article isn't very specific, though. Or also around the time Howe fell ill and was desperately battling for that CL spot, I suppose. All I meant by mentioning it was, I wouldn't be too surprised if it was kept under wraps from him for a bit.

Just a quick snippet from Martin Hardy in the Times. Apparently Mitchell had told PIF two months ago that he was considering his position. So it looks like this has been on the cards for a while. The article says Howe was told he'd gone yesterday morning just before the announcement. What I'm not clear on from the article on was whether he was aware of the uncertainty leading up to that or not.

It'll be interesting how this new technical director fits in. Maybe stays away a bit from the football side but gives a bit of direction and also mainly makes sure things run in a joined up way. Which I think Ashworth was originally planned to do. I don't know how involved Mitchell was or not. If he's improved the scouting / data side as he stated he wanted to at the start, that'll be a plus. I'm sure a lot of it will come out in time. I don't know, just need to find something that works and hopefully get some consistency in the top team. Will be interesting how the new CEO thinks things should be set up.

Hard to know what to make of it to be honest. We can speculate about power struggles with Howe, but when Ashworth left there was similar talk. And he then went straight on to recommend Howe to Man U by all accounts. Possibly for those at the top there's frustration with how things get done as much as anything else. But who knows - Darren Eales seemed happy enough until having to step down, so probably not. Not sure I'm fussed if things do start happening in June anyway. I'm choosing to believe the positive take on here that maybe Darren Eales' successor is on the way and has his own ideas as to who does the role. And also that Eddie's recent comments about acting fast in June are no more than not wanting to be held up in the meantime. We know he loves a decent pre-season and prep time with any new players, like any good manager would.

That's because nobody kicks him up the arse like they should do.