This may be a controversial opinion, but I have been suprised and sceptically impressed with our business this summer. With the 4th lad set to sign (who looks like a real coup) we will have already spent highier than what most of us would have expected. Sure, alot of these signings are unknown and could easily flop, the flip side to that is that we could unlock some real value. There’s an element of unpredictability. However, there is at least a clear strategy with these signings and ambition to sign players suited to VI’s play style. It’s the first time in a while I’ve seen us implement an actual strategy in the market and that for me is progress. Whether that pays off is another question, and the jury is very much out on that one. But we’ve spent money, addressed areas of the team that we were lacking (physicality, height, pace) and are getting our business done in relatively good timing. A left CB and 2-3 forward signings are still required, and I’d argue those will be the most important - let’s see how it plays out.

Wasn’t this guy linked with Wolves? Would be great signing but I can’t see it.

I think I read that De Neve doesn’t need one due to how many games he played in the Belgian top division. De Keersmaecker wouldn’t need one either I believe due to his contributions in the Eredivise. I might be completely wrong!

Potentially to be used at left centre back? In a back 3 ofc.

So… any actual rumours? Jackson seems to think things are happening behind the scenes. VI clearly wants business done early so I would be expecting some movement soon. Anyone with any inside information? Unleaded I’m looking at you 🤣

Looks like Bath and Weimann might head to Derby. I wouldn’t be too bothered if Weimann didn’t resign TBH. He popped up with some important goals last season, but his overall play was pretty ineffective last season. Considering his age and recent injury, offering a significant contract to him doesn’t make sense. Bath would be a bigger loss, no doubt. However again at his age I wouldn’t be paying over the odds to keep him.

Sheffield have rotated but still have a top team out. The big one is that they’ve rested Cooper in net, he’s been very good for them.

Look at their starting 11 v Stoke. Rested a lot of key players - Hamer and Diaz weren’t even in the squad. I doubt that they’ll do that 2 weeks in a row otherwise players will lose sharpness. Really hope I’m wrong!

3nil Leeds! Something is happening…

Unfortunately it seems Sheffield United will be at full strength next week. They seemed to rest players against Stoke on Friday and I imagine they’ll come back in for sharpness ahead of the playoffs. They’ll want momentum going into the play-offs. Really tough games for us (and for Millwall) - I can see results going our way but can’t see quite seeing us getting the 3 points away from home. I’m forever hopeful but feel like it might be a step too far. Will be an entertaining day either way!

I’m really surprised with how negative this board is about this appointment. Out of the realistic options he is probably in my top 3 (O’Neil was by far the best choice out there IMO). He makes teams hard to beat, aggressive on the press and quick in transition. Those are principals most fans can get behind. It’s also not dissimilar from our current set up, we need someone who could come in immediately and get results, rather than someone who would implement a new style of play. Ismael fits this profiles. He worked miracles at Barnsley before moving to West Brom, where he actually had them in the top 2 for most of the season before results fell off and they finished 5th. Watford was disappointing 100% but their record with managers says a lot. Chris Wilder was awful there. This is not me defending the board, sack them all. But this appointment could have been far worse. Let’s get behind him.

If those line ups are true it’s abit of a shocker. I don’t want to knock the players starting because no doubt they can do a job for us, but Forshaw, Hedges and Weimann aren’t starters for me. I don’t mind Hedges when it’s a tough game and we need defensive cover but against Swansea when we should be on the front foot it just doesn’t make sense to me. Buckley deserves to be starting - one of our best players in 2025 so far. Kargbo has looked electric every time he’s been on the pitch. The first player that we’ve had in a long long time that gets me off my seat as soon as he gets the ball. He’s so direct. Screams to me of Lowe playing it safe. Which is fine, and in many ways has worked so far, but it’s also what Mowbray did for years and years and IMO was the main reason we couldn’t make that final step and become a play off team, which we really should of done.

Again - I apologise

Apologies in advance lads - I’ve made 3 games this season and lost every one 1nil (Watford, Millwall and Burnley). Hopefully the curse is lifted tonight. Pears Brittain Bath Hyam Beck Travis Buckley Dolan Cantwell Kargbo Gueye

Ribeiro would be a good addition and seems to be done. Lewis Obrien would leave us very well set up in CM, although I don’t think is a priority. Sounds like we may be able to get him on the cheap though. I’m personally not bothered about missing out on Danns. Would be a risk particularly in January to rely on a player with 8 games under his belt to hit the ground running. A marquee striker is an absolute must though. The lad from Nantes would of been that - however he played and scored last night so I don’t see anyway he’ll be coming here today…