Checko

In all seriousness though, if he decided our project wasn't for him, or he was loyal to palace in the end, or just played the contract leverage game then fair play to him. The grass isn't always greener.

They may have thrown in Bromley then

Gillespie had it by the end!

This is why McKenna at Ipswich might want to move to a bigger team: struggle with a newly-promoted team, which is to be expected, and suddenly many people think you're shit. From a very cursory glance Kompany did ok at Anderlecht - they came 4th and 8th the 2 seasons before he took over, 3rd and 3rd in both his years in charge, and 11th the year after he left. Lost a cup final on penalties. Did great at Burnley in their promotion year. Perhaps should have been a bit more pragmatic in the premier league but they were starting to turn it around by the time we played them. There is a big gulf between Premier League and Championship that's hard to overcome. Anyway, he could be absolutely fine with better players.

Yeah I agree, but it should also a consideration in the whole 'make him sit out his whole gardening leave and rot like his compost heap' school of thought, as hilarious as that would be.

Yeah I'm not saying we've actually been unreasonable, but from the perspective of someone not directly involved, they might see the base story and hear the perpetual moaning from Man U & it can create a narrative.

There is definitely something to be said for not wanting to look like we'll hold prospective employees hostage if they want to leave.

Fair enough, they probably gave him permission to urinate wherever he wants in the whole of Croydon. Pretty sweet deal. Get the bloke from that dodgy 777 lot in.

In his game against us for Chelsea last year there was one moment where he plays a 40 yard cross field ball over Dan Burn with his weaker foot. 1:30 here: Kid's got wonderful technique and looks physically solid. Think he could become really good with some more match experience. Needs to be playing going forward.

I asked Chat GPT who Chelsea should hire and they recommend Nagelmann. Hopefully their board aren't as thorough.

Champions League will still be tough without europe. Arsenal and Man City are a clear level or two above us. Liverpool too, though obviously transition year. Spurs, Villa, Chelsea, Man U all vying for that spot(s) and will probably all spend. I'd rather have the exposure (even if relatively small) of the Conference League - just having Europe could help with recruitment. Plus Eddie Howe's been a manager a long time, but does lack experience dealing with European football. I think it would useful just from that perspective. Plus it's a trophy we'd have a legitimate shot of winning and it's be an adventure for the fans to go and see some new places and teams.

Here's the press conference, he's asked about Ashworth at the beginning but 19:00 Is the relevant question and answer from that article. Might be something later in the conference I haven't listed to it all, just sped through looking for questions about Ashworth on subtitles. No formal approach for him had been made at that point, though the Mail's article that day says "We understand Ashworth has an informal agreement with Man United and their incoming co-owners Ineos. He is now waiting for them to make an official approach and agree a compensation package with his current employers." https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13091357/Get-Ashworth-Eddie-Howe-fears-Man-United-sporting-director-waiting-Dan-access-Newcastles-secrets-admits-concerns-intelligence-transfer-targets.html

It was in Hope's original article that broke the story: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13443573/Man-United-chiefs-email-blunder-Dan-Ashworth-Premier-League-tapping-punishment-Man-City-Omar-Berrada.html "We can reveal the pair had a conversation in early February and Ashworth followed that up by sending an email to Berrada - at an INEOS account - making it clear he wanted to accept the opportunity of becoming Man United’s sporting director."

What do you mean if it's true? The Daily Mail said so. The Mail for God's sake. Who do you need reporting it? David Attenborough?

Perhaps he's hoping Ashworth's job at Man U becomes available!

If Berrada is doing Man U business form an Ineos account while still on gardening leave - would be interesting to see who else he's been receiving Man U work emails from.

Not very. Seems to be his weakest attribute.

Whenever I've seen any quotes from Poch recently he's been doing his best not to commit to another season. I think he wanted out as well.

Speaking to another club about a potential job opportunity is fair enough. Speaking to someone you know shouldn't be working for another club about that job and [if true] passing over confidential information is, to use a technical legal term, well dodge.

Though presumably he knew Berrada was on gardening leave at the time so wasn't supposed to engage in discussions. That sort of thing could be an additional rule breech in it's own right I presume. Certainly not a good look.

Home kits are always not imaginative enough and not traditional enough.

Yeah, plus if we allow Bruno to wander up field and do his thing (which we want to do) it helps to have some CMs with genuine pace who can get back and cover if we lose the ball.

Or maybe the club have got wise and are feeding him fake info. They let him have some unimportant real stuff to give him credibility so he can pass on fake info convincingly. They're Juan Pujol García-ing him!

That first loan spell aside WIllock's not exactly been a prolific goalscorer for us mind: 7 goals in 88 games

If we go a bit daring for once and get rid of all the black stripes then the white patch on the back wouldn't be as noticeable