We don’t know on Vydra, we’ve offered a contract and are supporting his rehab but so far he hasn’t signed. I said above Gudmundson is never fit and I don’t expect to see him play. If we sell all the players you expect then we will have funds to add. It’s a massive rebuild either way.

But they won’t go free. So IF those 3 go then I’d say conservatively 60 million quid. You keep going on about debt. The external debt is around 65 million. A big chunk but not end of the world stuff. The rest is to the old owners - and oddly the club itself. All those out of contract players does bring one advantage, wage bill drops hugely. So all in all it isn’t a perfect scenario but far from the doomsday scenario you and the journos are painting I think. Our squad from 01/07/2022 will be: Keepers: Hennesy/BPF (I’m assuming Pope is a done deal) Defenders RB Roberts/Lowton CB: Collins/Long LB: Taylor Midfield: McNeill, Gudmundson, Cork, Brownhill, Westwood (I’m assuming Cornet goes) Forwards: Rodriguez, Barnes, Vydra (possibly) ( again assuming Weghorst goes on loan/sold) That’s a decent if not exactly creative side. So assuming Pope and cornet are sold that’s around 32 million inbound to add to the parachutes. We realistically need 2 CB, 1 LB, 2 wingers, 1 CM and one striker at least. So that’s hardly 14 players - and I’d expect Kompany to have 3 or 4 loans incoming. If the monster offers come in for Collins, McNeill then that’s another 2 needed but around 40 million added to the bank (I’ve knocked 10 off for any Stoke sell on). Of course rebuilds can go wrong and often take time. One thing with the championship is you can have a poor start but still get into the top half/6 with a run of form (Look at Forest). So would I rather be in our position or yours? Good question, I’ll go with ours just because of that quality we’ve got in the middle of the park but it’s close and I’m not certain which club today is in the better position.

Be interesting to see if/how Cork et al adapt. Gudmundson is constantly crocked so doubt we will see him. Also interesting to see how others go if they stay. Collins and Roberts were in the championship just over a year ago so should be fine. Others, let’s see. I am actually quite excited though. Playing local games again as well as the big one against you with some reignited PNE/Blackpool rivalry. I’m sure many fans will have ‘expectations’ but I’m like you, not a clue how it will go. Whilst I’d always rather be as high up the leagues as possible I’ve not felt this level of off season interest in years.

Not sure about this. Big big few weeks ahead for us and a lot of decisions that need to be right. Relegation seems unlikely but so does top 2, even too 6. As we all know it is an incredibly competitive league. Amen to this, except where we do the double. Not sure it will be a shock though, Taylor, Roberts, Collins, Brownhill, Rodriguez and Barnes all played in the Championship. Methinks you’ve forgotten how tough the Premier League is as well. My only surprise is that Howe is signing him, always knew he’d go. Thought we’d get more for him as well. 😂😂😂 Maarrrlon. Terrace hero for us. I think Hennessy is probably good enough. I’ve seen mixed reviews of Peacock-Farrell. A decent article in the Athletic saying only a monster bid will tempt us to part with Collins which is a boost for us.

Not sure on BFP. He came with a great fanfare but was shipped out on loan. The bits I’d seen he looked good but raw. Hennessy is decent enough but he’s no Pope. As for a fair price, for an England keeper with some of the best stats in the top division? Give your head a wobble. On the other stuff - neither surprised nor concerned. Deals running out without relegation decided makes it all inevitable really. Would pre season games usually already be scheduled? Lots of vermin trying to create a corpse to feed on. No interest in them or time for them. I’ll wager this lad couldn’t find Burnley on a map. No I don’t blame Pope - or any player. Just disappointed we are willing to give him away. I can see the logic from the club as it’s one position we aren’t badly off for but 15 million? Mind you we got him for nowt and have had cracking service so no real grumbles. I will repeat though, IMHO Howe is the wrong manager for him, he wants to pass out from the keeper and I’ve seen time and again Pope cannot play out, especially under pressure.

Rumour is Pope to Newcastle verbally agreed - only 15 million plus add ons!!!! if true the fee would outrageous but also think he’s the wrong keeper for Howe, he simply cannot play out from the back.

I don’t know what they have or haven’t offered but we would be fools to accept less. He cost us 12.5 I think, he’s 22 and is only getting better. We don’t have to sell so it needs to be a decent offer. Papers suggesting 25 million, I’ll be annoyed if we don’t hold out for more. Papers also trying to link Pope to Newcastle. Seriously doubt that, Howe is one of those ‘sweeper keeper’ obsessed managers and Pooe is a fantastic keeper but his passing is pretty poor. Claims today we are in for Harwood-Bellis (on loan), Wallace from Millwall and Twine from MK Dons. Don’t know much about them except I hear Twine is rapid.

Yep, sort code: 00-00-00 Acc Num : 12345678 Acc Name: Mr A Pace 😂

If Collins goes that’s another 40 million in the bank - though not sure what sell on Stoke have. I will say this now, based admittedly on a small number of games, that lad will go to the very very top. He’s got all that is needed, I just wish he was English.

I don’t know about that. I get the sense most people on here expect us to be relegated or at least in the lower reaches of the league and for you guys to do us over easily. You may well be right but personally I honestly don’t know until we begin firstly to see how the squad shapes up; who goes and comes etc. and then whether Kompany can get a tune out of them. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if we won the league or finished rock bottom. Ask me again at the end of July when (hopefully) we at least have some idea who is playing for us. Roll on the new season eh 🤷‍♂️

Of course you would, you hate Burnley. For others there maybe things more attractive about Burnley, such as Kompany, recent premier league experience etc. Also the parent club has the biggest say and I’m sure Kompany still has many ins at City - and in Europe.

I said ‘as it stands today’. As above, I said as it stands today. On the repayment, like I say, this big chunk has been renegotiated. They have been restructuring and cutting staff for over 18 months, nothing to do with relegation. Of course they will, but they’ll need more than 10/20 million to get him. Those players may well want out - but someone has to come in with serious offers. I would be surprised if Pope, McNeill, Cornet, Brownhill and Taylor weren’t bought. The real jewel in the crown is Collins, he’s different level altogether. IF people come in for them that’s a big job to do rebuilding - but also a big bank balance, in the region of 140 a 160 million to buy all them. Im not worried about the back room stuff, it will all be in hand but it’s not headline making. Roll on the new season.

Nothing announced that I know of but he’s alluded to bringing some of his own team in so if they aren’t here now they will be soon. No idea what the pre season dates are, gave up on pre season years ago . You seem to know a lot about our finances so maybe you can tell me what the re negotiated deal is they’ve done with Michael Dell? As for no squad, if we had to play tomorrow we would probably line up with Pope in goal, Roberts, Collins, Long and Taylor. McNeill, Brownhill, Cork, Cornet with Barnes and Rodriguez up top. I’d be happy enough to start the season with that first 11.

I’ll be really surprised if Cornet stays. He would IMO rip the championship up but I just can’t see a world where he doesn’t leave. I would imagine he (Kompany) might know of a few in the Belgian leagues who can do a decent job for us. It might well have been Pace getting the reassurances on available funds - doubt we will ever know.

Truth is we don’t know. We don’t know yet who’s going - but I assume Cornet and Pope as minimums (with Weghorst out as a loan). Assuming that is it then as a minimum just for the starting 11 we need a striker, winger, centre mid and centre back. Then there is the squad depth so another one, possibly 2, wingers. If Vydra signs then we are probably ok up top, if not then another forward. At least one more centre mid, assuming Westwood is back soon from injury. Another left back and another centre back. So that’s 8 players and we’d still be thin. Of course I don’t know if we have any youth players ready to step up etc and I presume we will utilise the loan market as much as possible - is it max 4? Not all 8 plus have to be big money but a top striker I feel is a must. IF we sell Pope and Cornet I can’t see how we can do it for less than 30 million, sell more and the spend goes up again.

The papers have said this - no idea if it is true. Like you say, absolute winner but can imagine he’s a handful. Kompany must see something if the paper talk has substance.

Not surprised but would have liked Mee to stay. Also Cork for me. In both cases I don’t think it was our decision. As for how many we need to sign, 9 or 10 I would think. Indeed it is. Of course we can go to many an old mill town and find pictures of degradation but as easily of beautiful rolling hills and countryside. Apparently contract been signed since late May. Not sure why the visa issues are/were but resolved now. Feels like we both have exciting managerial appointments. Admittedly both could go anyway from inspired to total failure but at least right now it feels like it could be an interesting few months. I suspect the license issue was resolved because he has been head coach the last 2 seasons at Anderlecht.

So to be clear I’ve not seen his teams. He seems to play 442 or 433 from what I’ve read, mainly 442 last season however in attack he apparently goes effectively to a 3 at the back with either the right back or centre mid going right side of the 3. He seems to like movement, passing, pressure and has brought through youth players. I agree on the Dutch and Belgian markets - and city’s youth set up. Why, is he in the running for manager at your gaff as well? 😉

Hence my ‘almost’ caveat 😬

Any appointment is a risk. I’ve read a bit around the job he’s done at Anderlecht. Went in when they were very skint, tiny net spend, brought some youth in and through. If he can do a similar job for us then he will be a good appointment. Could equally go badly wrong. I suspect the club had a large influence on the signings - and they definitely did on Cornet. They want to go that way with a director of football etc so it makes sense. You’d imagine he will use his connections to bring in some City youth - and his name may attract a few players. He will get my support if he comes in, as will (almost) any manager.

Baby liners we called them growing up in Colne.

Nothing confirmed but locally strong rumours. Not sure how I feel. Big name and always seemed like a decent guy when at City. Could be a draw for players and maybe even investors but can he get us playing and winning 🤷‍♂️. His record at Anderlect is very average considering they are one of their ‘big 3’. So not the worst appointment but certainly no guarantee of success - now I know there is no such thing as guaranteed but some managers come with a pedigree that is as close to a guarantee as you’ll get. On that note, any suggestions you lot are looking at Dyche?

Ba dum tish

I just let it slide 😂

Exactly this. If you step outside any rivalries etc it is remarkable that a club, from a town with a population of 80,000, with no major backers not only got there with Dyche but stayed there for 6 years, finished top 10 twice as billionaires spent money hand over fist, as much better financially backed clubs, with larger gates and deeper pockets floundered. If it wasn’t us you’d be lauding the club - and if it wasn’t us I would be too. I never expected to see it once in my lifetime so I don’t expect a rerun but boy it’s been some ride.