That honour would go to James Beattie, unless that isn't recent enough for you. 5 England caps less than 20 years ago, as well as proving himself in the Prem repeatedly. There might be an argument to be had over whether it was Gallagher or Derbyshire who had the better career though, for second spot, although Gally was certainly the more technically gifted. Joe Garner would be behind both, having never really done much above League One.

There's some fuckers at the wheel, anyway.

I didn't see it, but I'm sure he'd be in mine. You have to reward form like his. The manager has implied he won't play the loanees and will look to the future for the club, so there should be room in the squad for some U23s. Vale has to be one.

There is no reason Venkys would want to keep us in the Championship writing off 20 million losses every season when there is an absolute jackpot in the Prem. None at all. They wouldn't have to spend big on the squad if they didn't want, nobody could force them. They could recoup a huge chunk of their losses with just one doomed season there. It would have to be in the cups. Burnley just aren't coming down anymore, sadly. Lucky fuckers that lot.

There are enough things wrong with the club that we need a very specific fit compared to what most normal clubs would need though. We need someone with drive and ambition, but who also won't ruffle the owners' feathers too much and is OK with our star striker being sold this summer. We need someone who can work with and develop youth, but also find quality players on a tiny budget. And we need someone tactically suited to the personnel we have, and those he can recruit on the small budget. They also need to be able hit the ground running more or less, as there is a fractured fanbase. Make no mistake, a good chunk of the Mowbray in crowd who are gutted he is going and have engaged in inane defence of him for years will be more bothered about point scoring in the early days of a new boss. 'See, you were so desperate to get rid of Mowbray and now look who we've got instead and how it's going after two whole games' etc etc. Conversely, some of the people who have wanted him out are also people short of patience who will call for the next name early doors if he doesn't start well. Venkys themselves have shown a propensity to accept absolutely suicidal extended runs of form if a manager is already in their good books, but also that they will jettison a brand new boss for an indifferent run of early form while he's still getting up to speed. We are likely at a point where, despite all logic when you assess our impending team depth and budget, expectations will probably be high for many as we just had a flirtation with the playoffs that lasted most of the season. We've never stayed in the top 6 this long since relegation, or even close. With our resource, asset and staff turnover issues this summer, midtable would realistically be a decent achievement for next season, but I doubt many would accept that anymore.

Hmm. Preferring a manager who doesn't need any compensation paying absolutely sounds like Venkys. Farke being interested in our madhouse, Venkys having the ambition to want him, and us planning to make a quick appointment, doesn't. I'm gonna chalk this tweet up as 'typical Nicko guesswork' for now.

Same, said this for years whenever somebody for some weird reason suggests him. There have been some bitter pills to swallow in the last decade, but there's no way I'm watching this historic, honourable club led by that utter degenerate. It's a disgrace he is even allowed in the game anymore.

2/1 I'm blind tomorrow after trying to read that.

I wasn't really offering an opinion on how bad he is or isn't, as that's a different discussion. I can if you like. I say as bad as you say, because you said (or more accurately, strongly implied) that no other Championship manager would be interested in buying him, and on that basis I was asking how you expect to get rid of him, which you were suggesting. You've answered now, and I'm not sure I agree. For one thing, someone needs to pay him about 15-20k for at least 2 years for him to agree to move for free. That isn't happening in League One whatsoever, and you don't think anyone at this level wants him, which means nobody who would want him can afford it, whether free or fee. The alternative therefore would be to pay up his deal, at a cost of about 1.5 to 2 million most likely, weakening our feeble budget and losing yet another attacker when we are already losing Khadra, Poveda and probably BBD, just to not have him around- and I certainly don't think he is as bad as that. It would also mean giving up on a 5 million quid 'investment' (for want of a better word) after Brereton has shown what a good half season can do for your transfer value. To be clear, no I don't expect Gally to go full Brereton (not that any of us expected Brereton to), but even a 15 goal season might get someone interested in paying a fee and fielding the wages. About a 50% goals improvement, which isn't beyond the realms if managed competently and if we don't end up with any other focal point in our attack. And of course how bad he is is a subjective thing. You seem to think he's worse than I do. Some people will think he's worse than you do. Some people think he's much better than I do. A certain muppet of a professional manager paid 5 million for him when everything screamed 2 at the absolute most. What's objective is that he has 9 goals this season, 3 assists, in 36 games (1 goal contribution every 3) and has mostly been played in an unsuitable position, sometimes off the bench. On paper that's not the worst record, and suggests that played properly he might end up with or close to the 15 I suggest. I don't think he's very good, but he does have some attributes, can have good games which means a purple patch is possible, and isn't one we should be utterly desperate to offload going into a season with half a squad and little chance of getting much money out of him (unless he's not as bad as you say, in which case a Championship club might want to pay his wages). Even if we had a pretty nice budget I don't think he'd be the worst option to bring off the bench in certain games. Of course I hope we sign someone better if BBD leaves though.

Yes, as you say. You said you would move him on, but feel he isn't Championship level, so again, who is buying him?

If he is as bad as you say though, and nobody in the Championship wants him, who is buying him and paying his 15-20k p/w wages? Still has 2 years on his deal. I agree we will need a better striker on the books, but like it or not we are going to be relying on Sam Gallagher to some degree next season, he's going nowhere just yet. Personally I think he can still be a decent to fairly good player at this level if he is managed right and hits form. Two big asks of course.

Aye, might be alright if they're now the gynaecologist. (Kidding, ladies)

I've seen it said on here a couple of times, but not sure it's true. It certainly wasn't, but the rules may have changed. Previously at least, FFP worked on a rolling 3 year basis and only reset when you changed leagues. Although, it's not called FFP anymore, so maybe if we're being literal, yeh FFP won't be a problem. Profit & Sustainability though, as I think it's now called, probably will. Unless someone can correct me?

Well they bought him in the Prem so that doesn't really apply.

I could see Sunderland if they don't win the playoffs. Not sure on their managerial situation mind, but it wouldn't surprise me for them to go for someone who got promoted from that league a few years ago with another team who didn't belong in it. There's also Hull. Most teams in Yorkshire would be closer to home for him than here too. And a lot can change in a year (he might take time out first, especially if nobody is daft enough to want him right now).

Surely, surely, you didn't just describe Man City's women's team as a promotion from Blackburn Rovers men's team!?!?

Personally I don't think he does want to stay here. I think he can tell the worm has turned with the fans, and he's lamenting his commute. I reckon he is just trying to look as good as he can on his way out for any potential next employer, preferably in the North East.

Khadra and Poveda going back too (won't be surprised if we get one of them back though, they haven't smashed this level yet). So another wide attacker or two. Technically we will be two right backs down, but we can probably fudge through by just replacing one, as long as they're good and rarely injured.

One year's wages, not a year and a half. But certainly an odd decision to bring in a head of recruitment for just one year. It's the position where long-term planning and accountability is probably most important...let alone going into a summer where we will lose half a squad. So now we are going to need to replace the head of recruitment and the manager, presumably after the annual late summer summit with Venkys where budgets and plans get decided upon. And after that, we need to replace half a squad, probably with bugger all money and with a few weeks of the window left. Yay for forward planning. Oh apparently the medical department have scarpered too (good that we let that happen during a promotion charge where loads of key players kept getting injured) so also need replacing.

He is definitely going back to Brighton. Our only hope of keeping him was being promoted. I'd be amazed if he shows up in this league at all next season, but if he does it will likely be for one of the relegated teams who can pay generous loan fees for someone who has just shown they've cracked this level.

Doubt he will be gone before the Birmingham match.

And only one for them. That doesn't correlate with what I'm seeing on the pitch. Brereton keeps getting chances but at tightish angles. We need a central chance, ideally for him.

Lol Merseyside apparently.

We are 9th as things stand.

Apart from Brereton, I can't recall one that actually was a dive though. Hedges didn't dive today and he got booked anyway, so clearly not easily solved. Other teams have dived tons against us but aren't getting booked.