Except we seemed to sign a disproportionate amount of crocks under Mowbray. I also forgot about Downing who, although not a crock, was a silly signing at least the second time we chaotically signed him. And what about Gladwin? Christ. That list of players I mentioned, I actually disagree they were just average, but they were huge risks. The wages they must have commanded... We'll agree to disagree, but I feel strongly that Mowbray put players before club.

I wouldn't be surprised if Josh Maja ended up back at Sunderland. He almost signed for Rovers under Mowbray. I think their fans loved him as one of few silver linings in their cloud of demise. Can't remember why we didn't sign him. He took a medical with us. I assume he failed it.

He's on a free. He's talented when available, even if he doesn't fit a high energy style of play. Mowbray will want him, and Dack and his agent will probably still be able to get £12k per week as a minimum, I would have thought. It is still a huge risk on anybody that has had two ACL operations, hasn't looked very fit, and always looks close to another injury on the sidelines. Mowbray (and Venus) have history with dishing out generous contracts. We have a history of giving contracts to injury-prone players. Evans. Davenport. Holtby. Trybull. Ayala. Just off the top of my head/ Players that were good, but often unavailable for selection. You could include Gally and even Dack in that to a degree. Overall, I thought Mowbray did OK, but I'm glad that we appear to have a management team in place that thinks of club first, rather than player first. That's absolutely how it has to be. Mowbray gives out contracts to look after players, and not the team or club.

Mini update. Estimated 10 new season tickets sold in the last three days.

For those who regularly watch the U21s, is Ethan Walker likely to break into the first team squad next season? He appeared to arrive with a bit of hype (as an U23s signing), and appears to have done quite well when fit.

Sounds like Dack wants regular first-team football. Would he get that at Luton? I'm not sure he's "shit-housey" enough for them. It's a bit of a conundrum because, not only does he want regular first-team football with guarantees, he'll want similar wages (~£18k per week), especially considering he's on a free, and with his injury problems and fitness levels, I think it could only be a lower-half Championship club that is willing to spend a bit on agent fees and wages that would take him. I reckon Sunderland would take a punt. I know they finished 6th, but they aren't in great shape, financially, but I reckon Mowbray would guarantee Dack first team football when he's available. He'll also feel sorry for him, and we know Mowbray isn't averse to a sympathy contract.

I agree with everything that @Neal said about Pears. I think he gets unfair stick on here, probably because he was a Mowbray 'Boro connection signing, but I can certainly see the potential and future value in him. I like him, although there is much to improve.

Oof! @Sweaty Gussets where's the aloe vera meme? Deserves another roll-out!

I fancy Luton in the final. I'm usually wrong, though. 🍔❌🙈 Luton, Bournemouth, Brentford, Burnley, Brighton, Fulham... Growing up, this lot were languishing in the bottom two tiers of the Football League. They may not be fashionable clubs for the top flight, but it does go to show that working your way up and cutting through the financials is possible. It's just a shame that the system allows them to get stuck there.

Couple of key quotes from Broughton: "At the moment we believe we have two goalkeepers who can push each other, and themselves, really hard to challenge and allow us to develop as a group." "By the way, that doesn’t mean we’re going to try and sell Thomas Kaminski this summer, but all of the players in the squad have to be aware that’s the model we want to run." Broughton also mentioned that a big reason for Pears' contract being renewed is to retain his value rather than let his contract run down and go for free.

Bizarre that he gets them promoted and then leaves! Strachan is the DoF at Dundee. He strikes me as quite headstrong and stubborn. Probably something to do with that. Fair play to Bowyer, though. His reputation will have been boosted, and he won't have a problem finding a decent job in League One or thereabouts.

Appointed Manager at Gloucester City in the National League North.

Some of Broughton's quotes make me think JDT is likely to be going. I suspect when he says "we are in a very strong position", he's referring to the fact that there are another two years left on JDT's contract which would give us decent compensation if he does go. Then again, would JDT bother going to India if he was definitely wanting to go? I wouldn't have thought so. I think there is a big month and a half ahead for the club. I've no doubt that we'll get approached, and I think Broughton will want to get a good amount of business done before JDT sees another terrible transfer window unfolding by the end of June. However, if JDT does goes, I'm reasonably happy that we'll find a much better replacement than we have in general under Venkys. Another JDT-type would be fine by me, and I suspect Broughton has a secret shortlist of potential candidates. Basically, the club is far-better prepared than it was a year ago, which is some comfort.

How long was the Totally Wicked front-of-shirt sponsorship for?

£50,000 per appearance.

If that's accurate, letting Dack, Ayala, and Diaz go has freed up ~20% of the current wage bill. If we're planning to sell Kaminski, there is clearly an effort to free up wages via the highest earners. Venus probably just handed out whatever was asked for. I've got a bit more faith in the current lot being more shrewd with the budget.

I actually love that one. 😶

It must be bad. Jim never swears. 😄

When last I looked, Swansea fans absolutely hate him. Given that Martin has also been linked with Leicester in the tabloids, I suspect it's his agent putting nonsense out there to force the Swansea board's hand.

My numbers say 48 for new season tickets-only. Not sure on renewals.

I'll do a minor update too. 28 new season tickets sold over the last four days.

100% with 2:38 on the clock. 😎

Mowbray's stock as a manager will have certainly risen after this season. I don't think many expected him to get a newly-promoted League One side into the play-offs. On paper, it's a much bigger achievement than anything he managed to do here in five years.

3 new season ticket holders in the last 24 hours.

Although I can't see renewals for the time being, selling 4 and 8 new season tickets in the last couple of days can only be down to the price hike. Knowing that something was cheaper last week than it is now makes you think twice. Then again, Phase 3 might prompt those umm-ing and ahh-ing about it I will do a count later and see how many new purchases there are. I'd expect a tiny increase with it being Saturday and football games perhaps bumping a few into action.