Basically he challenged them to think for themselves and be better and a lot of them didn't like it - they're much comfortable with a basic Brummy being pally with them and telling them exactly what to do. S. Wharton was basically unplayable last season.

We didn't have a top squad or a top budget last year - any semblance of investment in January and he takes a very, very average Championship squad up.

I think he's scored 6 in 10 at this level, which is really all that matters tomorrow.

You generally need to pay fees for quality loanees. I'd wager good money that Ayari, Koumetio and Chrisene are on frees. There might have been a small loan fee for Moran, but he's simply run out of steam in his first professional season. James Hill was obviously recalled.

I think it roughly translates as "this club is a fucking shitshow. I've done my job and submitted my recommendations, but they've already sabotaged three of my transfers and slashed the wage budget by 20% in a single summer, so I'm not getting my hopes up". Each to their own though.

He wasn't quick to accept responsibility last year - he was the only one willing to put their head above the parapet after a PR disaster, knowing the fans and media demanded an explanation. There was an uncomfortably long period of nothing coming out of the club explaining how the paperwork for 2 players had been fucked up on deadline day. He was on a hiding to nothing then by being professional. He's been stabbed in the back again by the same charlatans this January so unsurprisingly doesn't feel the same sense of professional duty to front up for the club.

The system is currently set up to run 85% of the football pyramid out of business.

It's just becoming exhausting now: https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/newcastle-united-to-face-bundesliga-competition-in-transfer-battle-for-blackburn-rovers-player/

It's a bonkers way to run a football club, isn't it? He's shit, but we saw last summer that his wages would simply disappear into the financial black hole like Ayala's / Dack's / BBD's did.

It's all relative though, isn't it. Just look at that Wish Brazil team last night. They used to have Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos, Cafu etc. International football is in a massive lull - besides France (who we would have beaten if Kane wasn't a serial bottler) there's no more talented team on the intentional stage than this England one.

Southgate has to go I'm afraid. We've just lost to an awful Brazil team. He's wasting these players we have.

He's already had three transfer windows with no budget (we're £22m in the black during that time with £4m+ more to come from Raya). I can't imagine he's holding out hope that they'll start allowing him to spend some actual money in the summer.

They were implementing the plan, but the owners (and the CEO, the shadow man) have repeatedly cut costs over the last 18+ months. I'm amazed Broughton is still here to be honest - he must have his CV out around the football world looking for a lifeline from this circus.

Did Eustace suffer a serious injury during his playing career. He's in his 40s, but walks like he's 80 - it's painful to watch him hobble around. The context being I've just watched that behind the scenes video on Twitter from the training ground.

I think he left when A. Wharton was sold for £18m+ and a replacement wasn't brought in. He'd had enough.

I could understand their stance if they actually took an interest - but we're just left to rot in the corner. It's beyond baffling.

Anyone else seen the nonsense article in the Sun by our resident journalist? Apparently they'll only sell us if we return to the Premier League. I hope he didn't get paid too much for that article.

Haha their GK made one excellent save and two good saves.

Luck had nothing to do with it - we were good value for our point and could easily have had all 3.

I always think that about Gallagher. You see him making these runs and then throwing his arms up in disgust because the ball didn't come. It would be a 'world cup' ball to hit him in stride - I don't know why he thinks his teammates have that in their locker.

We were good today - if Szmodics had been more clinical we might have won it too. A very good, and unexpected, point.

He probably would have actually trapped the ball though.

We're going to have to scratch and claw our way over the line - although if we play like that for the rest of the season we'll be fine. Let's hope that 6-0 battering has knocked the stuffing out of Sheff Weds.

You have to commit to a £15k+ a week extension of his contract before you can sell him.

He's a good footballer, he's just an awful athlete - he gets rinsed by anyone with pace.