I highly disagree. Tronstad does a lot of pressing and tracking back, and covers a lot of ground during a match. I'd like to see some stats to back up your claim. 3-5-2 will solidify us defensively but it won't make it easier for us to score, if we use the past as evidence.

From what I can see, Wahlstedt's first matchday squad was on August 27, 2023, after having signed for the club on August 8. He received his visa so was able to train with the squad from August 9, but I'm guessing it takes a couple of weeks before McGuire is in the squad. Hopefully he can make his debut with a brace against the Toons.

"Subject to international clearance and visa requirements." So that will take some time.

I'm curious now about the summer planning. Fleck and McFadzean, are they given an oppurtunity to prove themselves and get another longer contract? I'm guessing they're on wages that's not sustainable for us past the coming six months, but if they're both planning on continuing their careers, then they're obviously highly motivated to prove themselves. Or are they both just interim options and we have some longterm targets that we're hoping to land early in the summer so they can get a full pre-season in?

We've spent a lot of resources on getting him fit and he's delivered one goal in the league cup. Yes, financially we make a couple of bucks, but his failure on the pitch is part of the reason we are where we are in the table.

Fractures back to back seasons I think. https://www.sheffieldunited.news/news/sheffield-united-star-suffers-broken-leg-ahead-of-new-premier-league-season/ I really don't like Sheffield United, but Fleck is a good player when fit. Just concerned he might have lost a step or two after a couple of injury-ravaged seasons. People can say low risk but if his fitness is there then we don't have many recognised CMs left. The team has got a little bite in it now, in the right way, with McFadzean and Fleck onboard. Think Broughton has done well, he's obviously running on little resources. It's too early to judge McGuire, but if he can bang in eight goals from now on and until the end of the season (excl. pens), then I'd dare to say as a team that we've come out of the window quite okay. Looking forward to Greggs interview regarding the transfer window and the plans for the summer.

Why number 50? Finally! Just needs an early goal to get going.

If we fail to sign McGuire this transfer window it will be a club record fee for Wharton and a club record shambles for the window as a whole.

One page per £1000 spent each transfer window.

Anyone heard a name of the midfield PL loan? Why such a big secret?

Broughton has done okay in the transfer windows but it's a difficult job. Wahlstedt his biggest fail and Tronstad his biggest hit. Szmodics seems random and not his work, so not sure he deserves credit for that one. JDT has done well, but we would've made the play-offs if he hadn't been so stubborn and left Kaminski out for such a prolonged period of time last season. This season he's been one-dimensional and predictable but also been playing a bass in a six string league; his squad has been severely limited at times. We kned what to expect for the window. Let's just hope nothing breaks down and McGuire can hit the ground running, and that there's a proper loan signing being announced tonight too.

Rumour was we demanded £500k from Bolton so probably just enough to cover our costs. Good thing with Stoke is they probably have no problem taking over his wages.

If they can't clear their name overseas, then what? Will they sell? Don't you have some dirt on them? "...the Owners will be trying to get closure on the current investigation into one of our overseas companies."

Tronstad passes the ball forward more often than not. He's very constructive in his approach to the game. Garrett is young and learning on the job, but has a good left foot and looks comfortable in a more offensive role. We also have JRC who can slot in and be more attacking than Tronstad. Usually central midfielders don't rely too much on pace and neither Tronstad nor Garrett are directly slow and especially Tronstad covers a lot of ground. Tronstad is probably behind only Szmodics in the 'race' for player of the season. Ayari didn't look too great at first glance so ideally I would like one more body in with Buckley coming back, although he's a bit of a wildcard.

Will McGuire need international clearance that will require an extra week or two before he's ready to play?

Garrett and Tronstad both put in a real shift. We have some hard workes back in Gallagher, JRC and Dolan as well. Think we're allright and can beat most teams on our day, but still stretched and should absolutely look to bring in more.

He's torn. It's possible to be happy and sad at the same time. He'll absolutely kill it if he puts the work in.

The management and Venky's owe us big-time after this one. Better not spout some bullshit that there wasn't any time for replacements. I'll keep an eye on Wharton going forward, he has my support. Haven't been this emotional since Duffer went to Chelsea.

Having transfer deadlines is pointless in my opinion. If Jean-Marc Bosman was still active, he would've taken it to court 😉

Wait, let me guess. Loan?

Pickering is out for four to five weeks and Brittain is out for about a month, so Chrisene is first choice atm. Makes sense with a cheap cover on loan if he doesn't trust Batty.

Who's that?

McGuire is unproven as a professional, not unlike Telalovic. So it makes sense structuring as a loan I think. At least we have a buy clause so that insurance si worth a little bit extra.

McGuire was in pre-season training so probably not fully match fit yet? If he's a success then for comparison Daryl Dike cost north of £7m from the same club.

If he does well they'll buy him for $7m and sell him on directly. If not I can't see it going through.