Gestede only really being the outlier. What a signing that was by Bowyer. One of a few brilliant signings by him. Surprise, surprise when the owners turned the taps off on him we ended up with bargain basement Fode Koita as a direct replacement for Gestede. Two seasons later and with Rhodes gone as well we got relegated. It shouldn’t be any surprise at all if history repeats itself this time next season sadly. And that’s assuming we’ve just about done enough to stop up this time.

The first offer of 5 million will be accepted straight away and not a single penny will be reinvested in the squad.

Depends what you look for in your car really. I agree, I'm not a fan of how Teslas look for the most part, although the Roadster is quite nice, and the Highland is a decent aesthetic improvement for the Model 3. When I drive behind Teslas, I hate how they look with that wide bottom and slimmer top section. That said, I'm probably the opposite to you in that they're potentially the only EV I'd consider. I'm more interested in a car that lasts well, drives well, gets me from A to B best, etc. The looks are less important for me, though nice to have. They also get cheaper access to the super chargers, although that's less of a concern when you're minted. Tesla batteries seem to have the best track record for low degradation though, and for safety, and I get the impression most legacy car makers haven't mastered this yet, or at least not been on the road long enough to be sure. If looks are more your thing, there are plenty of quite nice looking EVs. I thought the Xiaomi (yes the phone company) SU7 recently released in China is very slick, if a slightly derivative design, and with good specs. But apparently they keep crashing! I think the Lucid Air is a lovely, more mature car than the Teslas, with similar or even better specs, but again not out in the UK yet. I like how some of the BYD cars look. Reckon the new Renault 5 will be popular with those who like small hatchbacks. Like you say, money is a huge concern unless you're rich enough that it isn't, but there are some great deals to be had on the used market. In time, it will all improve - looks, affordability, the used market etc. Reckon I'm a good 3-5 years from being able to replace my banger with one!

Having made £22m and then with a further £4-5m to come from Raya, in theory the Szmodics shouldn't be necessary in determining what happens in this window. We should already have money to spend. Obviously not £26m or anything close, but we should have at least some money to spend. So any Szmodics sale shouldn't be required to raise even more, so then in that instance, it should be a case of weighing up what is best, a decent budget and Szmodics or an even bigger budget but without our only goalscorer and knowing how difficult he becomes to replace. So I would choose the former. Obviously it won't turn out like that, and I suspect we will be begging, stealing and borrowing even with a Szmodics sale.

Absolutely agree with you, although the winners only qualify for the European Conference League, the third ranked Competition. The " Top tier " Premier League sides involved in Europe should be exempted from the EFL ( Carabao ) Cup, which should reduce their games by 3-5 per season. I'd also get rid of the two-leg EFL Cup Semi-Finals, and have one game, at neutral venues .. As for the FA Cup, I'd go back to regionalising the 1/2nd Round games, and keep replays !! This was the case until the late 1990's, and would reduce travel costs for Clubs & fans alike. From round 3 onwards, I'd give any Club ranked in a lower Division drawn at home, the choice to switch the tie should they wish ! They can then make the choice of say, Marine hosting Tottenham at their tiny ground for one memorable day, or giving their players and fans a day out at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, with the much higher gate receipts and securing the Clubs future for a couple of years ...

It's incredible how lucky our hit rate has been with striker signings the last 10 years or so. Or am i forgetting all the duds (ie goodwillie). A 20+ goalscorer has come out the (albeit expensive) woodwork everytime drastically needed. A lot of clubs havnt had anything close.

I think 8 mil and i'd keep him (as a goalscorer is coming from nowhere otherwise), 15 mil+ i'd sell and reinvest (w wharton + raya cash) to make a solid squad for 2-3 years (wage budget wouldnt last longer) and take a punt at promotion. Neither will happen.

"Across the last 10 years, the highest points tally that saw a team relegated was a tally of 51 accrued by Blackburn Rovers in 2016. Rovers sunk to League One on goal difference, behind Nottingham Forest, achieving a -12 goal difference compared to Forest's -10. The 50-point mark usually guarantees you survival in the Championship, but that season was the exception. Charlton were also unlucky to be relegated with 48 points in 2020."

The EFL has urged the FA to "re-evaluate their approach", stating there was "no agreement" prior to the deal being announced and no "formal consultation".

Spot on. We need a win The club needs a win The team and squad needs a win And by golly JE needs a win A win is the only thing us lot should expect

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68708898 Can't believe one of our legends will be working with them lot now

Yet another example of a player seemingly bound for us but never arrived. I think time has gone for that one.

We won't keep him. At his maximum value right now, no chance that the bean counters at Ewood won't cash in.

Cliff Richard - Wired For Sound

One of the best games I've ever seen. Back when Ewood was absolutely buzzing.

Anyone but United.

No But given the desperate two signings in Jan 'they wouldn't be anywhere near Blackburn Rovers in January if they were any good' type statement from GB anything is possible.

Rhodes - Graham - Dack - Armstrong - Brereton - Szmodics Common denominator ? Every one of them cost money including DG who was on Prem wages. The line has run dry now if we do not INVEST in one or two forwards you can stick your entire savings on relegation next year. A new contract for big Sam isn't the answer and hanging the hat on Telalovic type punts or Leonard or Siggy to come up with enough is like a turkey looking forward to Christmas. It's not happening and neither is 'oh well if more players chip in we'll be fine' Massive summer for spin doctor Broughton and the affiable Mr Eustace.

£30 for the Sports package for my package. I haven't posted what I paid overall for my Sky, Netflix and Disney plus package which is all in one for me. I think its bargain considering what is included and given that there is something for everything there who lived in my house A new Sky Customers could get Sky Q and Sports for £51.

I’d have a London team to win the title over Man Utd or Liverpool any day. As little reflected glory for their hordes of plastic ‘fans’ around here as possible please.

Richard Ashcroft - A Song For The Lovers

City Spurs Newcastle Liverpool Arsenal Chelsea Man U thanks alot. I totally understand your point. The Champions League isn't right cos is very biased towards the bigger clubs from big 4 countries

Yep...standards being lowered left,right and centre...expectations through the floor.

A London club to win before a northern club? Thunderation and gadzooks, sir. Have you taken leave or your senses?

Not gonna lie I saw one of the latest Electric Ford Mustangs the other day🤤🤤 if I was rich and had money to burn I definitely would hahaha But the current standard everyday EVs just do nothing for me and I wouldn’t touch Tesla with a barge pole (blandest most generic looking cars around to my eyes) For me at this current time though I still just see them as expensive gadgets mainly for those that just have to have the latest thing!