southernmag

I just think football will eventually destroy itself as a sport with this deliberate exacerbation of greed and inequality. Some would argue it's happened already, but I think the powers that be are far from done in their mission to ruin things.

I'm very ignorant on all this but surely something has to give with the unfairness of these financial rules. Who's going to step up and cause the stink that's needed? The non-cartel clubs? Things surely can't carry on like this indefinitely.

Not sure if Eddie had any input in this guy coming in, but it'll all come out in the wash I'm sure.

We're monitoring so hard right now.

I may be wrong but a lot of our earlier signings were more risky in that they were largely 'nearly there' players, who could be made into elite ones, rather than players all the big clubs had already identified as obvious top of the line targets. Plus we were willing to make more pragmatic moves for the likes of Wood, Burn, Pope etc, which were important in themselves. I do think there's an element of talent hoarding/poaching going on from the big clubs, ie seeing us move for a player and then just blowing us out of the water with their financial firepower. But I think something fundamental has changed from our end too. It's like we're constipated in the transfer market all of a sudden.

They don't strike me as 'good at taking constructive criticism' types.

Even that deal was sketchy imo. Not convinced he's a good character for one thing.

Cartel clubs can afford to just horde the best talent, partly because, unlike us, it won't absolutely screw them if one of these big money signings tanks. FWIW I'm glad we missed out on Ekitike, for a few reasons. I'm less glad about the likelihood we'll quickly pivot to and move for other targets.

Ignore the troll people, he'll lose interest and go away. Also pointless engaging him as a Liverpool fan when there's a good chance he's anything but.

It's good to hear him say it though, shows he doesn't have his head in the sand.

One or two posters have said CM isn't a priority. I think it was an area of need even with Longstaff, as he and Willock arguably don't offer enough these days. Now that Sean's gone, we at least need a body in there to provide cover for our three starters. Ideally I'd replace Sean and Willock with better, perhaps more creative, higher ceiling players, but that seems a pipe dream at the moment. I think if we take on the upcoming season without the additions we need, it'll only be a matter of time before the squad and our season breaks down. I think Eddie knows this but whether he's being enabled to fix that remains to be seen.

Yeap. Beyond hiring Eddie and not being as tight as Mike Ashley was (hardly an achievement), not much about their ownership has screamed elite or ambitious to me.

I really think Eddie has led a fairly miraculous charge these last few years. But the club MUST support him and this amazing squad of characters we have. There are signs that PIF's leadership lacks nous, and impetus. I really don't want us to look back on this era and see it as a massive missed opportunity.

I think you've hit the nail on the head here. PIF/whoever's running the club need to get their backsides into gear and really capitalise on the momentum of the last few years, because it won't last forever. If we keep dithering around we'll eventually fall back into total mediocrity again.

One more month of grinding and we can probably get that replacement keeper in.

Lack of transfer activity deflating us subconsciously?

Can't wait to watch all our new signings in action. Let's go.

Tbf Saudi's something of an acquired taste. There's basically one reason TO go there, but probably many more not to.

Some of those I expect are clearly too expensive or the wrong profile of player in another way, but I like to think there are economical options around to suit some of our needs (that aren't DCL).

Indeed, no hard feelings. I probably do go in to bat for the 'glass half empty' viewpoint rather a lot, because I think a lot of people resist negative possibilities almost to a fault, which to me is unconstructive. But yeah, we need balance, along with objectivity. None of us have perfect insight.

If we're backing out of these deals for monetary reasons, I sort of think - given we're seemingly not moving decisively/quickly for other positions - we may be winning the battle(s), but losing the war. Hopefully I'm making unfajr assumptions. Time will tell I guess.

Has he? Genuinely wasn't aware.

We're in a tricky spot - need a strong backup to Isak, good enough to lead the line for most of a season if Isak's out. But we can't necessarily afford to blow 30-40 mill on a 28 (?) year old in a PSR sense. Personally I could stomach 25ish for Wissa, otherwise a cheaper continental alternative with some goal scoring credentials in a top division. That way there's a decent chance they could adjust ok to the PL. I don't think Osula is ready.

I feel bad for him every time I see him on screen. Unless he has next to zero ambition, surely he needs to be moved on loan somewhere for his own good?

No problem. I say the odd daft thing myself.