Like who? I can't think of two players who would come here for 15k p/w who are better than Brereton. Hell I can't think of one.

Best resource I have for that is FM20, where Sevilla's squad starts the game with 15 players earning 30k or more. 9 of them earning between 43-110k. Not gospel of course but they research thoroughly and wage figures usually seem to be ballpark. Given he is a free transfer that would ordinarily cost 8 figures, I'd be astonished if he's not being offered at least 40k. In fact if he isn't, he would really be advised to look elsewhere. There are Championship clubs who would pay him that.

We have been paying circa 20k for our top earners for a while, it's more like a 50% increase. We were also paying that (30k) to Rhodes nearly a decade ago, and we all know how inflation works in football. It's a lot for us, sure, but a one-year deal is hardly a huge commitment. It's 1.5 million on a player we were rating in the 20 million plus bracket. We could probably put him up for sale in the summer for 3 million even if he only scored another 5 goals this season, and have a long list of suitors. Moreover, as I said earlier, it's highly unlikely to be more than Villareal are offering (probably a nice signing on bonus thrown in over there too, wouldn't be surprised if that alone was worth more than our offer).

I can't see how it would do that unless we got incredibly lucky in the market.

Very odd that Nixon is describing a 1 yr 30k a week contract as 'huge' and 'stunning'. Does he think it's 1998? I'd be stunned if Villareal aren't offering more money, and supposedly it's a 5 year contract. This offer is surely a non-starter.

That was true for Brereton too until this week wasn't it? Shocking goal droughts they've been on, even if they'd just notched 2 or 3 each in that period we would probably still be in a strong position in the playoffs breathing down Boro's neck. Depends when they're scored of course.

I'm confused that you see 20 minutes of football and 90 minutes of football as being the same in terms of strain on the body. You've played football, right?

Unfortunately, I think that's exactly what it will mean. I'd much rather see Leonard given the shirt, but I can't see it happening.

So we're 7th, level on points with Millwall (who have a game in hand) and Sunderland, both above us on GD (by 10 for Millwall, 16 for Sunderland! We won't be beating anyone to a spot on GD this year) Only 1 point (and GD of course!) separating 4th and 7th.

Only downside is potential injuries to Brereton and Dack, our top two scorers. Someone said stick Ayala up top...we might not have much choice soon at this rate!

Well I'll take that!! By hook or by crook.

Someone has to!

You know that doesn't make any sense, right?

Not getting in the team only adds to the evidence that they were worse.

He gave you a whole list, and your only response was to shift the goalposts again.

Probably the Mulgrew days, and half the time he had to put those in the net directly from the corner... (Nah not really, I remember Wharton heading one or two in...did he have one earlier this season, I wanna say in the cup against Hartlepool?)

Those are usually based on numbers of appearances and goals, not whether fans think he's 'one of the worst ever'. Over 100 appearances and over 20 league goals...he has probably triggered some or most, if that was indeed how the deal was structured. There might be something based on the club's performance though (making the playoffs, getting promoted) and those won't have been touched.

We don't actually know the payment arrangements or actual final fee of any player we sign. You're quoting something you've heard or has been reported, there's nothing from official channels. The fact there's a 500k area of uncertainty on the initial fee shows whoever has heard it doesn't actually know. Personally I think clubs should have to put all transfer fee breakdowns into the public domain. I hate this 'undisclosed' nonsense, stakeholders deserve to know.

Looks like this is our 'good' half. Need to make this pressure pay soon or we're open to a sucker punch.

Precisely why it was fairly pointless signing Thomas without signing a striker.

One of the most overpriced strikers we've ever had is a fair debate for him to be entered into. You've still got your Kevin Davies, Ashley Wards, Nathan Blakes and Ciccio Grabbis to compete with though, but they had to play at Premiership level so the comparison wouldn't be quite fair.

🤣Well that's one way to do it!!

I'm starting to form the impression you think this is the usual tripe, and that you're hoping something resembling football will break out in the 2nd half.

Horses for courses. He will have had the best budget in Sweden and been able to mould the team how he wanted. Here, he has to rely on a few loans and the academy.

Christ, who predicted 5-0? Let me guess, starts with M, ends with R?