I reckon you are probably right. So yeah, basically its just replace what you lose and never try to build on what you have. Brilliant 🥲

Team is obviously being set up to be very physical and doing a lot of running out of possession. Biggest fear will be that Ismael won't be as good as Eustace in setting up the defensive structure. Another worrying factor is that we're currently lacking depth (and quality) amongst the front four; Cantwell is basically our only creative player and Kargbo the only winger with good pace. The rest doesn't really have that "x factor" to make a difference on their own but is heavily reliant on team effort and getting enough support around them to make offensive contributions. Ismael has spoken to media about his players going out to 'war' this season, so wouldn't surprise me if we see a team committing tons of fouls and bookings, relying on transitions (without any pacey players bar Kargbo) or set pieces (without any set piece specialist), and see next to nothing of skillful individual play but rather attempts at making combinations to break defensive lines: Alebiosu - has pace but doesn't have technical skills from what I've seen Miller - built like a brick wall. Seriously doubt he can provide anything offensively bar the long throws he appears to have in his locker. Technically limited as well is my guess. De Neve - decent athlete but seems to lack an end product. His stats from last season regarding offensive contributions (assists) is a concern. Henriksson - stated himself that he's not very technical in the interview. Has the height to be a threat inside the box as well as making smart runs but who is going to provide the crosses now when Brittain is gone? Tavares - bit of an unkown quantity since he's been injured. Seems to be a decent ball-carrier. This season smells like an endless stream of flying tackles and fouls sprinkled with a bit of shithousery on top to get results.

Are we just in for him or is it supposed to be close to getting done? (afolyan)

I dunno, seems like he wants out of there. Depends on what they want for him and what wages he would command I suppose. https://africasoccer.com/frustrated-oladapo-afolayan-questions-role-after-tough-season-at-st-pauli/

Let’s hope Feyernoord renege on the instalments too.

Afolayan would be a big upgrade on Hedges, surely out of our league.

I agree, I think he'll be a useful player away from home where we need to keep shape, be disciplined in your position, and press the opposition. Also at home when you're protecting a lead. He won't be a player who creates many chances or opens teams up. He's the polar opposite of AK in many respects. AK is dynamic, explosive and can produce something out of nothing. But you wouldn't count on him to keep shape, track back, or do his defensive work. That's why he's not a starter yet imo.

I saw it too last night on X, wasn't from anyone reputable, I thought it was just an opinion rather than a link to be honest.

Mowbray consistently talked down Blackburn Rovers FC. It wasn't one defensive comment or an attempt to manage expectations. He genuinely thought he was bigger and better than us - and acted like we were a minnow in this division. Fuck that. We're a division too low, thanks to the owners. JDT was a breath of fresh air when he came in with the way he talked about the club - so was Eustace. That sour faced Moggie can take his lemon drizzle and shove it up his arse.

Ismael said after one of the games "sonny wants to stay this year"

Where have you seen this?

It seems the ones earmarked for development to sell are getting long contract but the caveat to this is no doubt their starting point wages here are low by British standards. At least there's a few here now beyond next summer though !

He also showed frustration in the summer when Armstrong was sold and he wanted to reinvest some of the proceeds but wasnt allowed. Across numerous interviews. I suggest people need to get a thicker skin if the odd defensive comment or the odd attempt to manage expectations (ill advised) still causes people to get angry at the mere mention of his name years later and have a strong dislike to him still. Or to create all the rubbish about him protecting his pension fund etc. He subsequently has easily found Championship work, even once just after his illness. He wasnt in a job well above his reputation, he had no reason to be so protective. Promotion would have been incredibly beneficial to him, he just wasnt capable.

I don't think anyone who has signed since last summer will ever sign new contracts either. The "plan" now will be to play them and hopefully develop them to sell 2 years into there 3 (+1) year deals. We're a one contract club now.

We desperately need this song translating, the gimme gimme song I've seen floating around is terrible.

Well said.

There may be individual circumstances but a total of 1 contract renewal (a player signed initially for 6 months then extended) asks big questions. And totally undermines anything we are supposed to be trying to build.

It's enough to make you weep.

Players can only be shipped out if they agree to be. Regarding Tronstad, haven't people on here said that he wants to stay for the last year of his contract and then move back to Norway - where I guess wages are rather lower- where his wife has already relocated to ?

If he turns out to as good as either of those 2 we have signed a £50 million player. I'd settle for better than Travis who hopefully isn't going but whom he seems likely to replace,

Yep, fair enough put like that.

You're not exactly "chucking them in" to start every week, you're hoping they're good enough to do a job for the odd game in case of emergency. As should be the case for any youngster in and around the squad. No point having them about if they aren't.

Think its too early to be chucking around credit at Gestede. Proof is in the pudding with how the players perform. However, as I see it he needs to prove himself, be decisive and show leadership in contracts and recruitment. Set deadlines to Hyam, Tronstad and Trav for contract renewals, if they aren't going to sign then they need shipping out. We can't have weak leadership anymore, willing to let millions of pounds walk out the door for nothing when we don't have the budget to replace them. If you've recruited this guy (VI) and want to give him a fair chance then sell those not wanting to be here and let him build something this summer. No point waiting.

Next resheduling.