I agree on that but I’d like to see 4 natural centrebacks at the club. I know Williams is a good cover, but I think we’d be screwed with Downing as our only option elsewhere. Not a single one is a “route one” defender. Maybe Wharton is the answer?

I think we lack a bit of nastiness and ugliness. Our record defending set pieces is also quite poor, we aren’t a big team at all.

Shifting 12 first team players and replacing them with lower earners, and spending about 2 million - that’s modest backing, and I’d expect the same type of “modest” backing this season. Ok, they could’ve cut it to the bone last year, It’s much cheaper to be a big spender in league 1. Few of those who free up wages replaced, maybe a million or two in fees. As a priority, I wouldn’t want to move any of those backup players on or spend funds replacing without signing two new wingers personally.

Since we both know major investment is unlikely, you’d choose to spend what little money we have on replacing backup players like Leutwiler, Downing, Caddis et al, when we’ve an academy full of players who “achieved” something last season Stuart...? Now I am confused.

It’s been around the 9th of June in the past, but I think it’s going to open end of May because transfer windows are shutting three weeks early before the season starts this year.

Yes, but how many other clubs racked up nearly 50m in losses, three seasons in a row, and had little to show for it bar a huge wage bill? Yes, QPR, Boro, Wolves etc flouted FFP, but it ignores 95% of the scenario to forget that they probably got some decent value for their investments... we ended up spending at least another 30m paying off the players and managers. QPR are in a similar position to us now, and they are still potentially facing a 40m fine as far as I’m aware, which ultimately means Bournemouth/Leicester/Wolves et al could be moved on for similar if it goes through. We already had an embargo in 2015 too- I’m not sure if it’s impact at the time, but I’d prefer the club to be in a position to move players in if we need to change manager near a transfer window. Anyway, my thoughts on a potential squad for next season and areas to bolster; Goalkeeper; Raya and Leutwiler. Raya is ready for the challenge again and if Leutwiler ever struggles as deputy we have the u23 lad Fisher. Left Full back; Williams and Bell. I expect us to rotate both again, depending on set up/opposition. Williams is also an able CB backup. Right full back; Nyambe deserves another shot to step up, he’s improved a lot for me since his first inclusion in the championship. Travis, Bennett and Caddis (two year deal?) offer depth in this role. Centreback; Mulgrew, Lenihan, Downing (Williams). If we play two, I think Mulgrew and Lenihan are decent but for better cover or a stronger 3 option, I would potentially look to sign a new “big lump” centre back Wingers; Currently only Conway (id probably let go unless it’s a 1 year cheap deal) and Bennett; who is probably a better CM these days, often covered by strikers shunted wide. This is a position I’d like to see some investment- Samuel could potentially grow into this role but I’d rather we get someone who can turn a defence around and put the ball in the box. Midfielders. Smallwood and a replacement for Evans would be my choice moving into next season but I don’t see it happening considering what Evans earns. Whittingham, Travis, Tomlinson, Bennett and a few others can play this role so I doubt we will strengthen much here. Forwards; In terms of attacking options- if Dack has Gladwin for cover, it saves investing in someone like Payne to sit on the bench. That said, Gladwin has looked poor so a prolonged injury to Bradley would be grim. Striking options in Danny Graham, Samuel and perhaps Armstrong for another season or a permanent- I’d be suited with that, considering we’ve got Nuttall and a few other options coming through. Total; Potentially a Centreback, a big lump style- someone that strengthens you at set pieces on their own, at both ends of the pitch. Potentially another box to box effort like Richie, perhaps a touch more on the technical side. Finally, at least one, preferably two wide playing midfielders, pacy. Couple of loans, one or two free’s or cheap signings to keep the team spirit together. I don’t think 5/10m is a realistic idea. Id also like to think the club will withhold any funds or wage room for January should the worst happen!

I’ll remind you, our club (countless examples but what better than one in our shirt) paid 2/3 million a season and 8 million for a striker who’d never played in the championship. He then went on to top score in the division. The idea that we’d sell someone for less than half that, 5 years on when parachute payments are 3x.... deliberate attempts to get a reaction knowing you are talking crap.

You’d have to be short sighted as “ferk” to think the reason we got relegated was simply down to “they sold all our best players and got relegated”. Do you even acknowledge the simple fact they signed off the signings, the contracts and the managers we had, that put us in so much debt? It’s a rhetorical question because discussion with you is pointless. The likes of you telling me such is akin to being labelled an idiot by the town moron.

All clubs are selling clubs. It’s about scenario. The Rao’s could’ve put more in but I personally believe the better long term route was to put an end to the years of posting huge losses. Of course, they could’ve put 20m in transfers and wages around those key ones that left, but that fact in isolation ignores the probable outcome of that - the previous record of poor managers appointed, the “chairman” you name costing the club millions, The ever decreasing turnover and support, all the issues in squad depth, youth setup, scouting and staffing that constant upheaval of management can cause. I can’t imagine a scenario prior to league one that would’ve taken us up. If Brighton stayed in the championship for another season or two - you can imagine they might’ve suffered in a similar way, having to cut back. The continuity in direction and clever investment over a sustained period pushed them forwards. They built a team and squad sensibly without parachute payments, and it paid off. If Fulham stay at this level, I can see a few players leaving. I don’t personally think there’s much of a difference between selling to a premier league team and a championship rival, it’s still losing a quality player. Newcastle signed Hanley originally, in the championship too.. I wouldn’t call that “setting the tone”. You say you won’t be suprised if Mercermans theory of him leaving for 3 million, I cannot agree. I’d be shocked and mortified personally. It would be a flash back to more idiotic venkys decisions, and I couldn’t see TM or the club management accepting such an insulting price. If someone offers daft money... I can imagine that scenario!

Didn’t they sell Scott Malone To Huddersfield 2 years ago, you know... them who got promoted? And Ross McCormack the year before to recently relegated Villa?

The Brighton team that sold Ulloa that season - and swelled their turnover to 25 million without parachute payments because they’ve filled the Amex every week for nearly a decade? Fulham, a team with turnover 3x ours at that time, who owe about half of what we do to our owners? Our financial situation was comparable to Bolton not Brighton. Dwindling revenues, a half empty stadium and a team full of players needing paying off. It doesn’t take much more than a skim through recent reports, financial analysis etc - to see the club hasn’t got the same burdens- remember the figure they initially said “5 million” a year... we laughed at the time, but they ended up spending 100+ on literally nothing. To expect them to plug the gaps in 2015, and use the fact that they didn’t as potential for more key player sales - it’s disingenuous imo.

You don’t seemed to have learned from the experience and consequences of letting Snakean and the boys sign off 50m+ plus in wages and fees to put us near the foot of the championship. Now is a different scenario, we aren’t (as far as I’m aware) shipping nearly as much coin for nothing in return. There was always going to be sales when we posted nearly 50m in pre tax losses in one season. Comparing now to then; 13/14 and the years that followed it, is a little bit unfair- considering the reduction in wages, and potential levelling of turnover. Every club is a selling club, dependent on scenario. Two of the championship clubs of the three whom signed Cairney, Hanley and Duffy- achieved promotion and the other is in the playoffs. What did the x million’s invested in the likes of Best, Murphy, Etuhu, a load of Portugeezers, and the diamond in the rough; Rhodes et al get us? A noose of debt that could’ve levelled the modern infrastructure at the club. Whilst I’m not confident of any major success, I am quite alleviated of worry because of how they (the owners) responded last season. Could’ve easily cut it to the bone. I think they’d resist any offers for Dack, or anyone for that matter (remember Lenihan to sheff United?) unless it’s crazy money or TM wants shot. Might happen, maybe. But as likely as “the -2 million a month years”? No way.

He means Venky’s might pull the rug from under Tony’s feet and sell him for an offer they deem worthy! In the 8 seasons they’ve been here, I can only really think of Cairney as a similar example, however when we sold him, and the two centrebacks the year after, we had a much bigger % of wage to turnover, something like 200%.

Fair hilarious that!

Jordan Rhodes? + now parachute payments are 50m more. Move with the times Merc

@Stuart Good or bad omen? Personal opinion, Number 10s don’t always need pace, and the way Dack gets his arse in the way, I can see him being useful higher up. In terms of his likelihood of sale. I’d be happy to admit I’m wrong if it happens, but I don’t see it based on the last 12 months unless the recent direction from India changes. For every agent telling them or him to accept bids/contracts, there will be others telling him he’s likely one good season away from 40/50k a week, why move to a team you might not be first choice?

If you count suggesting the most negative possible outcome to every event “contributing” then I guess I’m happy to keep up the glibness. As for the edit, the 1/100 odds are on you being the person to carry on the “our best players are on their way” line from now till August.

Not as slim as the likelihood it’ll be you to constantly suggest it might happen all summer.. 1/100?

Ban the S*n

Wages would’ve swamped turnover. We had 3 of the top league 1 wage earners, who alone took about 2.5m excluding bonuses (Mulgrew, Graham, Evans.)

We spent a bucket on wages this season compared to other league 1 teams, and the bulk of that would’ve been paid by the owners, not turnover.

If you ain’t hating, you ain’t living eh Jal?

Oh I get you, if you purchased at last years EB

The prices are frozen. Ridiculous increase in price? I agree with a few others that DE fans would be better absorbed into the rest of the ground for atmosphere, and it’s hard to justify opening it to home fans if there’s only a couple of hundred for 2000 seats. Thats not saying I don’t have some empathy for those forced to move, maybe the club could offer to allow an unreserved swap pre-game if the opposition doesn’t sell more than a 1/4 of the DE. I doubt they will though through stewarding costs. One aspect that I do think is beneficial (although some will disagree) is we can sell huge numbers of away tickets to help bolster the turnover, in a way a lot of teams in the championship cannot. It’s an advantage. Three or four 7000 x £30 quid occasions over the first half of the season could technically be another “Dack” if invested wisely. I agree that the atmosphere helps the opposition but I’d like to think many of the 10000 extra fans today might come and regularly support the team again next season. Financially and vocally, we would benefit from it. On the prices for ST’s overall, I too can’t help but think they’ve missed an opportunity to get u21s or “young-adults” re-engaged. Still cannot complain about value though. About £16 a game..

I actually think you’ve pretty much nailed it but there are two that I slightly disagree on; 1. Evans - I think he has played better at times this season and since we may look to play two sitting midfielders, he has the experience to be an able backup. “Freytend” at the prospect of Bennett and Smallwood being the only two senior players to do that job, especially when one is a utility player. Realistically though, I’d love to see some investment in this position, another Smallwood - someone who does both attack and defend. 2. Samuel. I know he’s been indifferent this season, and poor at times but I really see something in his abilities - since Antonsson has returned I’d say Dom has been slightly more productive. If we look to play two at top next season, who are we realistically going to get, 24 years old, 6’2, bit of pace and energy? Without spending a few quid anyway. I admit I’d take decent bids for both but another factor is keeping some team spirit and momentum. I’d take 2 strong investments in key areas to bolster the youth and a similar amount of loans if quality is available. One thing is for sure, I hope for an improvement in recruitment overall, based on the improvements to the scouting, the club said they’d made last season.