Could well have been!

But Damien was already an established Premier League player. He also had experience in European competition and was a full international before he ever went to Chelsea...

Lot of talk about Hedges, I'll sum it up for you... He's a "it'll do" type signing for the club. Wages, versatility, professionalism... Has he got the quality to help improve our league position? No. Do the club care about that either? No. An uninspiring player, for an uninspiring club.

or....were other forces at work again?

Hedges 20 goals next season

That's not a vindication of a player. Jason Lowe was picked by several consecutive managers, and he was dogshit. Then when he left he fairly promptly sank down to League Two. Not before getting his third relegation by age 27. Sometimes managers are wrong.

The Smiths - How Soon Is Now?

Scotland or League Two. Probably the former.

Hard to say. It could also mean they plan to get another player in that area. I don't expect much this summer though, we are obviously brassic. That said the directors have made a rod for their own back by saying the budget is similar to last summer, and by also saying incoming transfer funds don't affect the budget, made it clear what we spent last summer wasn't boosted by the Raya, Gally money etc. So in theory we should be able to spend about 3 million in fees I think it was? Which aye is still shit, but enough to recruit a few positions at a better standard than Markanday.

Out of interest, where do you think Vale will end up? League One / Two, or back to Scotland?

I'm pleased we didn't. Not good enough. Hedges is better for me.

Ffs... hope he finds himself another club promptly.

Did I say it was? I do enjoy when you do your Mr Pedantic routine but actually strengthen the other person’s point. 👌

Markandy is a strange one - came to us with high expectations, with only fleeting glimpses. Prospered on loan, but unlike others hasn't returned to boost our squad. Presume he will be snapped up by a League One team.

About 200-300k, or less than that with a sell on for if he comes good. Still worth triggering though. Not that it matters as nothing adds to the budget anyway, but I'm surprised we didn't activate it. I also don't think he's anywhere near as bad as some suggest. No worse than Hedges.

Bessie Banks - Go Now

But not league position

Obviously he will be bigged up in the media. But is there really much more to come from him? Hes about to turn 30 so its not as if he is a raw prospect. Hes never been someone who offers much going forward and that minimal offering seems if anything to be declining, and off the back of 2 serious hamstring injuries and now an ankle injury, its not really that surprising. We will probably end up bringing in another underwhelming wide man, most likely a kid on loan, Hedges will remain first choice until next summer and then this situation will play itself out again.

57 points, worst return in 15 years. But yeah, get them down, he was about to turn a corner, you know!

Very much a "if we don't land our centre midfield targets, Forshaw is our back up option" type situation here. Essentially we'll keep him hanging for a most of the window and probably end up signing him back up because we've offered peanuts for any other targets we've picked out.

Personally I hope Norwich are relegated for their callous behaviour.

didn't they finish 14th 2017/18 season and the same position 13th in 2022/23 season as this season?

That's because they deliberately didn't submit it. Some people knew.

According to chaddy every manager that has ever been sacked was done so harshly. Except Big Val of course, put him in the bin.

If they need someone to fill in I'd be more than happy to do the job of judge, jury and executioner.