I was more thinking Venus, as the 'yes they are leaving, however' part implies it's someone who isn't popular.

Wasn't sold on the home kit but the away one I'm all aboard. Loved the red and black halves last time we did it and always wondered why it isn't our go-to away kit most seasons. The sponsor looks better on it than the bet 24 did too.

Then what did you mean when you said their words paint a picture? Their words to you/what you've heard they've said?

Their words? Does that mean they're expected to spill the beans a bit on the way out?

That was my first thought, but my second thought was that by the time we play it probably won't affect then.

That was last season for him too.

It's only the right decision if Arma renews his deal, or if we get a larger bid later that we accept. It's a gamble with very uncertain odds, so we can't call it the right decision yet.

The initial fee was reported as 1.75, potentially rising to 3 mill with add ons. It's a reasonable bet that a good chunk of those add ons have been triggered and paid. I dunno whether that means we pay a percent of profit on the initial fee or the total we have paid, but you would hope the latter.

Of course it produces something. The Raya sale will have sorted a couple of years of the costs (after the grant is considered) but more importantly we have a bunch of players in our first team from it. No superstars, but this saves us transfer fees and academy players usually come through on lower wages. Then there's, again, the fact its exempt from FFP calculations and it's very clear the academy is worth keeping.

Fairly sure the grant only covers part of the player costs. The reason it's cost neutral in a sense is because academy costs don't contribute to FFP considerations.

Something weird about this. That would mean a 24-man squad, for example, earning an average of 20k per week each. Which I have had the impression is roughly the maximum anyone is on. I understand that we probably had a 25-man squad, without looking it up, and that the wages figure probably includes all staff at the club - including youth players -but in relative terms they're on peanuts, probably only accounting for another couple of players to adjust the average by. Presumably some of our first team squad are only on a few k too. It must be including bonuses too, but damn. Even with all that included it seems high.

I thought him, Nyambe and Dack were an odd trio to put forward. Probably going, possibly going (but very likely next year if not this) and injured for the first half of the coming season.

It's not even just tradition for me with those features - I simply think they all look better.

Those were mock ups, not the real kit. The home one looks better than the real home one. Away one probably will too (big fan of red and black halves) but interested to see what the away offering looks like.

It's... ok. The roses on the blue I like, but I'm not a fan of: no collar, no reversed back, no reversed sleeves.

Doesn't his contract end in 12 months anyway? Please for the love of god tell me it ends in 12 months... (Not that Maggott won't get him a new one of course)

Doesn't the cycle only 'reset' if you change leagues? Otherwise it's a rolling 3 year period?

With the current management I'm afraid a squad that can survive in this league is about the best we can realistically expect for next season. Promotion isn't even a consideration anymore in my eyes until he is gone.

Ok, still going to be relevant to our transfer dealings though. Hopefully we can get things moving a bit now...supposedly has a rep for finding hidden gems, which we are going to need with our bullshit budget.

Doesn't sound like it is, no.

Not sure why nobody is talking about it (in here anyway) but we are meant to be close to appointing John Park as head of recruitment. Actually sounds like a good appointment for a change. Discovered Virgil Van Dijk.

Well, there are a lot overall, but in relative terms very few.

Frankly, I think they should. Yes his contract is running down but that's not much use to a club if a different club doesn't buy him. For me he is comfortably worth 25 million fully contracted. I'm surprised the interested parties haven't put bids in except Southampton not even offering 10. If there isn't enough solid interest he will probably have to go for in the region of 15, which frankly is an absolute bargain these days. Only a bit more than Gally and BB cost us. Bit of a joke really.

Dunno if already mentioned, but Doncaster supposedly interested in Pears and McBride. As loans presumably.

Armstrong was already our main striker and producing lots of goals in December 2020. Did you mean 2019?