No, but does any of the above read as a true story to me? No.

Super new recruitment system? Quite sarcastic for me. Hasn’t done too shabbily in the last twelve months and I’m not convinced it’s as simple as many seem to make out. Starting with the fact that we’ve never had such an early window followed by a loan one. There will always be something to criticise I understand that, but I think you’re making a bit much of the club saying it’s wanting permenant signings but not getting them - anybody managing any club with a budget, wants good prices, good players, sensible wages and it’s never straight forward.

Its fair cop to be underwhelmed, but do know what the word prefer means? It doesn’t mean guarantee. I also know that some of the “hope” remarks came early June and not all from TM - soon after we added Davenport and Rothwell, plus the necessary contracts signed. None of this warrants this level of criticism and sarcastic retort in my humble opinion.

Have you considered that most of the best premier league loans aren’t available till their 25 squads have been chosen? Particularly those over 21 who have to be registered to play. There’s also teams like Watford, Wolves and Everton. They’ve had a late influx of signings. What’s the chances that someone will leave on loan? Quite high.

Why do we “need” to win on Saturday?

Or will be more prepared to sign loan to buy deals thinking we’ve got cash to spend if we want their players. Transfer activity is all smoke and mirrors.

2m in this window so far potential more in loans, last summer he said he had a bit left for January and they added Bell, Downing and a loan. Recent history would contradict what you’re suggesting. I find it hard to see any consistency in the owners actions bar the last 18 months of “sleep” mode.

What does that mean?

I agree that it could’ve been better but I’m not criticising us for trying to sign players. Id rather we use the pragmatic approach anyway. Funds are never going to be groundbreaking under the Rao’s and our turnover is pitiful. It also think the market is grossly underestimated as “easy”, 5m doesn’t just buy you a better squad, Opportunity comes and goes. We all know 7m, or any fee can buy both good and bad players. If we are talking window as a whole, it’s hard to forget the factor of the new contracts and keeping all our best players too.

It’s more far fetched to base your entire opinion on our transfer activity on media reports in my opinion. I’d suggest a few leaks near the end came genuinely from moving target or attempting to get other teams to react. I don’t pretend to know the entire ins and outs of the transfer world. Both could’ve been agent leaks. Pilkington is a winger with games at this level, and Gallagher will get, has got better than when we last had - backup to Graham I think works. Both my opinion again.

Or we’ve just unsettled two good players at our near rivals. This thread is misleading also. The loan window is still open for championship clubs. In terms of overall permenant additions, little underwhelmed but happy we’ve got Armstrong back. I echo those who say 2 loans on top of the prior business would bring us up to speed. Gallagher and Anthony Pilkington please.

The M people are moving on up as we speak

Can you imagine the response if that happened to Lenihan? For 3m?

Dan Burn off to Brighton- Wigan will be weaker as a result.

Damnit I knew we’d only sign some free-man! Wag-out-out!

Played as a number ten for Bristol a few years back I think, seem to remember him scoring a daft goal.

More or less everything TM has said has come to fruition, he said he *wants players and can afford them, I believe him. Already spent 2m plus in this window and some cracking contract renewals. His words certainly carry far more weight than the next in a long line of fleeting internet aliases.

I’m quite sure that Mowbray and Waggott said they had a remit and budget, so the bold paragraph essentially would suggest they lied.

I wouldn’t want to predict tomorrow since a lot of teams across the divisions are in a similar boat (struggling to get signings over the line) and it’s the first “early finish” window.

I think you are mistaking Villa with one of the other embargoed clubs - I was under the impression that Villas troubles came with previous owners running out of cash eg refusing to buy the suits for the playoff final. As this is their third season - wouldn’t next year be the accounts that would required to serve a sanction? I’m not suggesting the process is faultless or even fit for purpose and you could expect Villa to delay accounts or sell big players next season. I thought Villas problems this summer came from a lack of money either way, not threat of ffp. That’ll come if they aren’t promoted this season.

Thanks @tonyoz really useful stuff

Is she coming on a free?

He definitely won’t show up...

Is this year villas second or third year in the champ? Either way, FFP is worked out over three years I think so villa aren’t likely to get stung for a bit yet.