Keegans Export

No love for Villa whatsoever but it's no coincidence that their attempt to disrupt the "big 6" has hit all the same snags we have. The main difference is that they've managed to make multiple big sales over the past few years and as a result have more squad depth than we do but the principle is the same - not allowed to spend the money to compete effectively on multiple fronts. They spent the money last summer to try it and they've done a pretty good job but now they're going to have the vultures circling as soon as the transfer window opens. They've also got Disasi, Rashford and Asensio on loan, I don't know how many of those are locked-in transfers for 1st July but they could be looking at starting next season with a weaker squad than they end this one.

I'd rather put the £25m towards CB/RW/FW and roll with Pope and Dubravka for another year. I'm sure there's a transformational keeper out there, someone who isn't going to need replacing for ages, for £20-30m, but I don't think Ramsdale would be that.

So the Premier League allowed them to count the Women's team and hotel sales as income therefore no punishment. UEFA aren't letting them count it as income but are just going to issue a fine?

Is there any metric by which Newcastle (and yes, loathe to admit it but Everton too) aren't comfortably a top-20 club in England?

Assuming the PL gets the extra CL spot, will that 5th placed team go straight into the group stage or is there a qualifying round?

From Luke "I think we all need to wait for final plan to be made public" Edwards. Three weeks ago he posted that and he's posted at least two more articles about it since.

That's the thing really. Is Delap worth £40m? For me yes, definitely. But I don't think we can spend that sort of money on a backup/rotation option. That's first team player money. Hopefully I'm wrong and we can fill the gaps in the squad and have Delap.

There is a plethora of evidence - clubs are bought and sold quite regularly. Likewise hotels etc. I have nothing to contribute other than that, but the data will be out there. Maybe they paid the going rate, maybe they didn't, but there will be plenty of examples to use to fix a rough estimate of FMV.

Money also plays a part. If you're only getting tickets 1 in every 5 goes then that's manageable, but if that 20% goes up to 60% and you've got tickets for two of the last three games, maybe you can't justify the outlay if you're successful in the fourth ballot and don't bother? I've said before but we also have to look way beyond the immediate future. Nobody knows what the next 10 years will look like - either we'll push on and be challenging for titles and playing regularly in the CL, we'll stay roughly where we are now, or we'll drop off. There's an argument that any of those outcomes could reduce demand to varying degrees.

Someone holding up a sheet of A4 with "FTM" in biro

I think the issue (just as I see it) is that ultimately he/his agent hold all the cards. Obviously our confidence of keeping him this summer is that he's got three years to run. But what about next summer if he doesn't extend? Are we still in a position where we can essentially price him out of the market? If I was his agent I'd be thinking I want very good terms this summer or we'll talk next summer. Back Isak to keep producing at his current rate and see how confident the club is in keeping him with two years left on his deal rather than three.

I agree with you in principle, I just don't think that part in bold is possible. If we're saying £120m is below his market value then he's amongst the top handful of players in the world. How much is Haaland on?

I think he'll sign a new contract this year and the release clause will kick in next summer around the £100-120m mark.

Trafford £25m Tapsoba £40m Bakayoko £35m

Second fiddle behind Isak for how long though? Regardless of which European competition we end up in next season there's going to be plenty of minutes to go round and the season after, who knows whether Isak is still around to play second fiddle to?

If they've started showing proposed designs to people outside the inner circle there'll be loads of details leaking out sooner rather than later. Before the next home game I reckon.

looks like they're doing as much as they can to encourage people towards the Moor

I don't get the second one, is it the Sports Direct stuff everywhere?

I got an email yesterday with a link to e-tickets/add to wallet - it was "Carabao Cup Winners - Town Moor Event"

Are those roads not closed because they won't be able to get past the parade route? New Bridge St (Westbound) between John Dobson St and Pilgrim St will have to be closed because Blackett Street and Pilgrim Street southbound are shut so there won't be anywhere for cars/busses to go/turn around.

That review might be the funniest thing I've ever read

He's absolutely ridiculous isn't he. I'm just going to ignore all the press, all the rumours and just enjoy watching him play for us.

The crazy thing is, this season hasn't been a disaster. They're having a decent year, were top for a little bit and are nailed-on for a playoff spot. The problem is if you're obsessed about how your rivals are doing and they have an even better season...

Pardew was just as arrogant but I would never suggest he was lazy or couldn't be arsed. He just wasn't particularly good, relatively speaking. He also did occasionally get the team playing some nice stuff as you say. Bruce was arrogant and lazy, when managing his "boyhood club".

Attendance obviously very impressive but the added bonus is that if they do end up making the WSL a closed shop, it helps our case to be a part of it, should they decide to expand.