Hes not going to jeopardise a move anywhere if he bangs in 20 goals next year and proves he's not a flash in the pan. If he can't do that in the Championship he wouldn't have been able to do it in La Liga either, which raises a whole host of problems for his future too. I think the truth is likely that a lot of the interest has dried up due to his recent form. A player can't just wind down the clock and get a better deal when out of contract despite his form dropping considerably. Hype can disappear quickly, and when there's no agreement in place its very easy for a party just to walk away. Like I said in another thread, he may just welcome the opportunity to have his next 12 months sorted, making solid money, getting his life in order and further developing his game without pressure. Or not, maybe he opts to take his chances in the summer and we're in the same position we were already. I think its a good sign for the club that this option is even being talked about though.

I'd gop a step further and say that most of the world's problems stem from entities not being beholden to the correct stakeholders.

A simpler time.

Do they know that? He's had one bumper year out of 4/5 at this point. Lad still has plenty to work on imo.

Just on the "good football" discussion, Birmingham have got some praise on here for being well set up and looking good football wise. Yet they keep on losing and sit only 7 points above relegation, with challengers all around them picking up points. I'd take our season so far over theirs and it isn't even close.

If JDT somehow got this squad promoted I'd have faith that he'd be able to graft out enough ugly 1-0's to keep us up.

I don't really see a reason for a strong opinion one way or another. Other than it being an internet forum that is :p Certainly the Nixon/club version would represent obnoxious behaviour of the highest order on the part of the EFL and would all but exonerate the club (on the O'Brien matter at least). The club's aggressive actions in appealing and pushing other legal avenues would line up with that story. But the EFL have been largely stoic and if the club's version is the entire story than they'd be quite stupidly digging their own hole deeper than it needed to be by dragging this out. With neither side budging the most likely truth is that there was some culpability on both sides, though even that is pure speculation. Either way, with legal options being pursued it looks like it'll go public eventually. Plenty of opportunity for recriminations and told you so's at that point.

You are with that attitude.

I remember Chris Sutton doing that back in the 90s, can't remember if it was for us or Norwich.

It's the hope that gets you.

I think the appropriate response with BBD depends on the reason for his form dip. Theres the (rather cynical) suggestion going round that he's just phoning it in and while thats certainly possible it strikes me as a move very much not in his long term best interest and I think other factors are more likely contributing. If you look at what's going on in his life, he's on the cusp of a massive step up in his career and he's recently become a first time dad. Both are potentially tumultuous events, particularly the latter which is a huge adjustment even if everything goes smoothly (which it quite often doesn't). It's not hard to imagine those factors disrupting a rhythm that he's only relatively recently discovered. Not saying we should keep playing him or shouldn't expect more out of our best player, but casting aspersions on his character is poor imo given the potential range of reasons he might be struggling. Personally I hope he realises he'd do well to spend a bit more time working on his game at this level. Money is not everything and there'll be plenty of time for elite leagues/paychecks if he goes and bangs in another 20 odd for us next season.

You know, I genuinely wouldn't be surprised if that was factoring into calculations.

I'd suggest they know they've cocked this up and they're just working out which response minimises the risk of legal liability for them. Ie, are they more exposed to damage claims if they ok the transfer and we get promoted/make play-offs or if they deny the transfer and we fail to get promoted? Either way there will likely be an aggrieved party and theyre probably running scenarios to decide which option is more palatable for them.

The complimentary words I've seen for Vale have been regarding his touch, and he had a good moment or two with the ball yesterday too. His problem is he's just invisible, never seems to be where he needs to be and is soft in the challenge. Doesn't read the game well at this level at least and is lacking confidence for mine.

Mmmm I'll have some of that hopium please. Intravenous injection will be fine.

Tbf, that was a nailed on penalty at the end there. Horrible non call. Would have been grand theft championship points, but still.

Its all well and good to talk about service but you have to be doing better than his attempt at 4 minutes if you want to play in a T1 league. He hasn't got the best support crew but in that moment it was just him and the keeper.

👋

I'm willing to give Broughton the benefit of the doubt on the macro issues. Dodgy owners, FPP, broader club position and a thousand other factors can skew perception of his performance. But a deal being scuttled by tardy paperwork would be utterly criminal and reflect directly on the performance of his administration. Lets hope its not true.

Have we though?

If we don't end up adding a striker, it really will be last chance saloon for Gally. With O'Brien bossing the middle and Sorba whipping in crosses he should get more than enough chances.

Its so important, and one of the ways you can tell who's played a fair bit (at any level) and who's mostly watched or played FM is how much value they place on it. Blokes who can (legally) throw their weight around, getting the opposition to back out of anything 50/50 are irreplaceable. You can see how much were missing that atm.

Why do I stay up for this shit?

Vale has shown a bit. Decent on the ball, but he's not getting into dangerous areas. Theres been plenty of ball in and around their box and he's been missing for quite some portion of it. Doesn't read the game well from what I've seen. Gallagher has been very poor. A yard too slow with a boot a yard too heavy. Dack on the other hand has been everywhere. Reckon he'll drag us to at least something out of the game.

Touch of an elephant there.