Wanted 90% of his business done before pre-season started. We're about to head back from our warm-weather camp and we have a gaping hole at RW and no depth at 10 and CM. He can't be happy.

And most of us complained he wasn't good enough - so to go from that to nothing leaves a massive hole.

Theres a core of players who are top half Championship players. As long as we keep the majority, theres no way the first 11 is anywhere near a standard where youd worry about relegation. There was really even that when we nearly went down, the issue was that even for our standards, a team who regularly nosedive post christmas, our squad was particularly thin to the point where League 2 standard players were regularly on the bench. And we still stayed up. So the keys are to keep or replace our key players, to ensure we have enough depth especially considering the potential high energy tactics, and to get some more goals into the squad. Due to some of the teams at the bottom, you have to be really bad to go down. I dont think we will be in major danger, but its really hard to judge exactly how far up we can finish. The frustrating thing is, with a bit of money and ambition, including tying down our main assets and then a bit of investment. We wouldnt be far away at all. But it never materialises.

Squad currently Keepers - Toth Pears Michalski RB - Brittain Alebiosu CB - Hyam Carter Wharton Mcloughlin LB - Pickering Ribeiro CM - Travis Tronstad Forshaw Montgomery Tavares RW - Hedges AM - Cantwell Tyjon LW - Kargbo De Neve CF - Gueye Ohashi Leonard So when we need our 25 man squad we currently have 20 players over 21 years old. So thats gives chance for 5 signings. With 24 players in the squad. Still short of right winger, centre back and I would another striker but Ismael to want another centre midfielder from reports

Seal - Kiss From A Rose

Let us know how it goes.

He must want more. He wanted 6 or 7 before he knew Batth and Weimann were going. Maybe hes managing his own expectations knowing that we wont get the size of squad he had initially planned. Feels like nothing will happen imminently.

Absolutely a great move to him. I dont think he will be good enough and stay in La Liga for the duration of his contract. But he has totally justified the decision made, disproved talk about him and his agent having egos beyond his capability, because hes gone and got a fantastic move and a chance to play at the top level against the best players.

But either way. My point was about numbers. We wanted 6 or 7 players BEFORE we knew that Batth and Weimann were leaving. Ismael also said last week or the week before that this summer was going to become more of an overhaul So the intention was 6 or 7 AND to keep Batth and Weimann. So that was the size of squad he wanted. So surely to keep that same size of squad, considering that was the plan, we now need 8 or 9. Basic maths, nothing more, nothing less. What has changed? Why is he happy with 2 less than planned? Will the budget not stretch? Not interested in spiel about how aligned they all are, how Ismael wants to play a certain style or whatever other soundbites you would like to parrot. Was purely about the numbers in the squad.

Burning off that lazy tag with recent performances. In Great shape and looks more hungry to do well. Need to get him more of the ball. He has the quality to unlock teams, just find he doesn’t have that natural 10 awareness to be in those dangerous positions. In the holes, breaking the lines, Be doesn’t find them frequent enough

Cantwell was undoubtedly the most gifted player on either side in the Elche game

Probably a glimpse of what the season ahead will be (and realistically what the season was last year) when it’s good, we’ll have a hard working, front foot team. Athletic, direct and capable of getting results. Fleeting moments of quality but built on a foundation of hard work. Less Arte More Labore when it’s bad, we’ll have plenty of injuries because of the demanding workload, no real guile or X Factor to break down teams, or to unlock defences that sit behind the ball when already 1-0 up. The frightening thing me and for most fans is relegation to League One. From what I’ve seen over the past week I think this squad is capable of staying in the division. Where we go from there depends on late recruitment, form and fitness.

I'm surprised Ismael doesn't want more players. 2 more is hardly the rebuild we were promised by Gestede or the exciting time. 4 - 5 more would be nice. We have been sleeping for weeks now, snail's pace and little ambition as always.

Would Mullarkey-Matthew be the most expensive name we’ve ever had on a shirt (based on per letter pricing)

But we're not playing In France's League 1.

Well that is weird. I can't edit my crap spelling. Are those three dots in the top right for premium economy subscribers now?

The offer has been open for years for people to join the Forum. Maybe take up that offer rather than snipe from the sidelines about the minutes every time there is a meeting. It's getting tiring TBH. If you think the process could be improved, get involved yourself.

1. Can Kargbo play on the right? De Neve on the left and Kargbo right has some running in it. 2. Can we try Gueye and Ohashi as a front two? Just 442 it? Even just as a rotation option it's got to be worth a go, I think against better teams playing more defensively the workrate and physicality will actually be better for us than carrying Cantwell who needs time and space to be effective.

Crazy to think he gets to play against some of the best players in the world now, Real Madrid, Barcelona etc good for him I say. He must be buzzing

He played 44 games in the championship last season for us, under 2 different coaches, surely it's a big hole.

Preston 9 signings, Birmingham 8, Wrexham after Eriksen, Snoop Dogg in at Swansea. Whole new division this year. Almost like the nottom tnird of rhe premier league has been extended. Pressure is on as the three relegated are good championship sides and two promoted are going to be stretching their muscles. Rovers Midlands team may surprise a few if Eustace gets them punching above their weight. We need a few more good men ober the line before the transger window closes

Or our wage structure is abysmal for a championship club

Yep, 10 unbeaten. 8 wins I think. Preseason is preseason, but winning is still better than losing

Yeah, at the kit release thing last week, he said that Taveres had rolled his ankle during his first session with us - just one of those things. He was on the grass, expected to play during the Spain games, then likely ready for the 2nd league game of the season, all being well.

"One step away" 🕺