bluebruce

Well he couldn't break in as a regular for a League One side and his rave reviews are only in League Two, so I don't find it bizarre at all.

Interesting they think it's a masterclass, given that it's 0.9 million less than they paid for him a year ago...

I think paying about 2 million for him is a much clearer sign they think he's the real deal. Quite frankly, if we sign anyone at that age on shorter terms than 3 years with an option, we shouldn't even bother signing them.

Pretty good.

(The following is just 'on paper', never seen him play, obviously giving him a chance) If we see Gudjohnsen as basically a Leonard replacement, I don't mind that, it's probably an upgrade there. But since he allegedly costs double what we are getting for Leonard (if we even complete the Leonard sale), I don't think that's the case. And furthermore, I'd much rather be replacing our third choice striker with a clear first choice striker, as we aren't getting enough out of the other two (I'm happy with Ohashi as second choice and competition for first choice, but I haven't seen enough to think he will bag 15+ goals to push us on). Maybe this lad is actually the bee's knees, and the stats are more encouraging than one or two of the strikers we've been linked with. But as somebody pointed out, in the Belgian top flight last season he scored just under half as many as Gueye did in his last season there, and Gueye isn't exactly banging them in for fun. We will see, and hope.

Subbing for who though? If only we hadn't just sold one of the better CMs in the league and replaced him with a guy who is injured...

Clearly motivated then after his last run out...which makes it more frustrating he can't play well with any consistency.

Can't watch, at work, but looking at the stats we are getting buggered without conceding. 7 shots for Norwich, 1 for us, simply isn't good enough. Seems we are back to being unable to create anything. Need Ryoyo to have the ability to change that or could be a long season.

Well I can't argue with the lineup, it's the exact one I'd have fielded. Obviously I wouldn't normally put Hedges in, but after his last showing he absolutely deserves another start this week.

This is my favourite one of these I've seen you do. Well done

He didn't even name the player in question, I think you're probably thinking we were talking about someone else. I was just going off what he was saying about an unnamed player we are not linked with.

Think you're being a bit harsh on his record for Iceland and in Denmark. It's true I can't say they're 'brilliant' as such, but your choice of words seems to imply they're a bit naff. Perhaps it's not meant to come across that way. But his record in Denmark is almost a goal every 2 games. Which suggests a 20+ goal return over a 46 game season, which is very good. His record for Iceland would translate to about 12 goals a season, which is still fairly solid and what, 3 goals better than any of our players did last season?

I'm not sure I'd agree the Championship is a step lower than the Belgian league. It has some clubs that are better than Championship level, but a few clubs that would likely be more like League One standard.

That name change to Derby Rovers is pending.

Did he? Feel like we did alright on that deal tbf.

3 million definitely doesn't pay for the Academy for the next 3 years, if you meant the JRC, Buckley and Leonard sales. If you're adding Travis too, it's (possibly, up to) 6 million, which also doesn't pay for it for 3 years. Last I recall, the Academy cost 3.5 million a year to run, but we get a grant of 1 million by being Category 1, so it costs 7.5 million to run it for 3 years. The number is probably higher now as those figures are a good few years old. It absolutely pays for itself, especially with the Wharton and Raya money, and the savings from no fees and cheap wages for squad players over the years, but I just wanted to correct that point. That's before considering that Travis especially is a seasoned first teamer who absolutely needs to be replaced, at cost.

I had the same thought (although it's 'sen' at the end not 'son', so Eidursen), but Eidur's sons are all Gudjohnsen and so was Eidur's father.

But this season in the Eredivisie is only 3 games in? 2 for some teams.

You should glue your coat to yourself so this doesn't happen again.

Ok but that's vague, I'm asking you what aspect of his game makes you think that?

I think we can say with confidence that the 3000 or whatever minutes aim for Academy graduates is out the window this season. Travis, Buckley, JRC and Leonard all gone. Numerous players brought in from first teamers to squad fillers. It was going to be a stretch to reach it as it was before the summer trading. Tbc I'm not sad about it, it was always a stupid thing to have as a material target.

I think Leonard has potential, but I'm curious, what aspect of his game makes you think he has a 'VERY' high ceiling?

Wasn't the question though.

Does Cantwell really strike you as more of a leader than Travis?

Fair, had me wondering if he was Jordan Henderson's kid or something