I believe this was reported in the LT at one point. I remember being deeply hurt that Brad, who I never thought would leave for money, left mainly for money. But hearing it was because of financial problems rather than greed softened that blow immensely. Shame it had to happen to him though, it was from trying to help people, not from gambling etc.

Tell it to Wikipedia, it's a hassle typing lengthy messages about stats on my phone. First season, Notts Forest, 2 appearances. I never said good, just established, which he is. I'd happily take him over Brereton though.

When he signed for Boro for 5.5 million he had played 61 Championship games over 3 seasons, and 19 Premier League games. Then played another 8 Prem and 39 Championship games before moving to Leeds for about 7 million. He had 36 Championship goals at that point. So yes, well-established. Especially compared to Marriott, who at one year younger had 2 Championship appearances and zero Prem, selling in the same summer.

I was trying to find out the price earlier and got an article from the Peterborough chairman where he insisted the fee was being misreported in the press. He seemed to be suggesting it was more than reported. The figure in question was 2-3 million rising to 5 with add-ons. He seemed to feel that made them look desperate, which they weren't. So, just guessing, maybe more like 4-5, rising to 7 with add-ons. Personally I think that's a lot for a lad who had one good season in League One (we bought League One's best player for just over 10% of that). That's what well-established Championship strikers can move for (Bamford was about 7?). Of course it's also what total gambits like Brereton can move for, so I can't say we shouldn't have spent it there instead.

Presumably to cut down on all the argy bargy and players taking a spot in the wall then moving out of the way, and other chicanery. Not really bothered by that one - why does an attacker have to be in the wall anyway, other than to disrupt it? Free kicks are a good enough opportunity without that. No clue about the goalkeeper touching his posts...I dunno, maybe the idea is that it's used as a psychological deterrent by goalkeepers and they don't want that kind of thing? Seems OTT to me. With the subs one...they could just stop the watch the moment the substitution starts until play resumes. I'd always figured that's what they're supposed to do anyway, but it doesn't seem to happen often if at all. Would also stop managers making substitutions purely to waste time, as it wouldn't help at all in that respect. It would then only be useful to take the impetus from a team with the bit between their teeth.

I know the thread is titled for last season, but this still seems the most apt place currently available to post it (I think, can't be bothered to check). Rule changes for next season: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/rule-changes-next-season-set-16299910.amp

Disagree about Robbo, he was well past his prime by then and had become a liability even at this level. Yes his big wage was a factor, as we couldn't sustain it in the Championship, but if he had been playing a lot better maybe we would have. When Steele came in I can't say I noticed much difference (agree it wasn't a particularly ambitious replacement though). Was far from a great keeper, but (I'm sure I'll be pilloried for this given the apparent consensus) thought he is villified far more than he warranted.

Personally I think Data's strength, intelligence and learning capability would be invaluable. I don't know whether league regulations allow us to field an android though, may have to go through the courts to have his sentience recognised first.

Obviously disagreement on whether we should look to sell Raya but every player has their price. What's everybody's magic figure, the lowest they'd personally take to sell him? Note I'm not asking what people think he is worth in the market, just what you think would be enough for it to be the right call for us. So no need for people to jump in after saying we would never get 10 million for example. I'd probably give serious consideration to anything at 4 million or over. A very large sell on would have to be a factor in any deal.

No, as I haven't given him the slightest disrespect.

You can't expect people to take it for a fact when you won't expand or substantiate it. We can only consider that to be an allegation. I'm not saying it isn't a fact, but surely you understand this?

So why did you post about them on a message board?

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11676/11722913/brentford-make-enquiry-for-blackburn-goalkeeper-david-raya Link to the sky article as I don't think it has been posted yet.

Got to say, his goal stats don't particularly inspire me. We sorely need more goals from midfield. 3 this season in League One doesn't scream that he's the answer. 6 the season before, granted. Wiki says he is an attacking midfielder and describes himself as box to box. I'd expect more than three in League One from either role. Maybe you can shed more light?

More likely to just be Pants, mon.

Frank Fielding hasn't ever played for the full England team...has he? Wikipedia doesn't think so. A game kept on the bench, you mean?

Because we're a charity now.

OK, so the club does pay for it, not the player. That's what I'd have thought. I don't know tons about how player insurance works...but every type of insurance I've had is yearly. I would assume football is either the same, or over the length of the contract. The contract just ended, so if we sign him on another the premium will need to be worked out again right? I can't imagine the premium is unchanged on a player who has spent the last two years injured. Unless you can tell me how I'm misunderstanding the above, I'm not sure where your claim that this won't cost the club a penny is coming from. I imagine the insurance doesn't cover the period where he isn't technically injured but is on the comeback trail (when we get no benefit from him), and therefore we'll be paying his wages then at the least. Insurance isn't some big free giveaway, it costs. The more likely you are to claim, the more it costs.

He won't even be ready for pre-season apparently. Madness.

I don't see what's ethical about giving a contract to a man who has been paid handsomely to contribute nothing. When we went down, we cut our cloth accordingly, firing lower end staff. I didn't hear about them being re-hired. That would have been more honourable, and could be funded with Gladwin's money. Or the youth lads we just let go could have been. All people who would deserve it more than Ben fucking Gladwin.

Not a meltdown at all, well done sir. Very worrying signs about TM's intent for the window. If you disagree, elucidate in the form of a counter-argument instead of having a pop.

Any potential optimism I had allowed myself to develop towards the summer business has just dissipated like a weak fart. Ruthless Tony my arse. Less than zero reason to be in talks with Gladwin of all people. It better be in some non-football capacity! If we weren't buying or selling anyone this summer, we still wouldn't need him. JL only makes sense if we aren't getting a keeper, or if we want enough depth to allow Fisher on loan. Conway only if we don't plan to strengthen the flanks. Rodwell is maybe the most understandable of the lot, though most of us don't think he showed quite enough to warrant it. But keeping him plus all the deadwood is madness. How are we supposed to make room on the wage bill like he talked about if we won't even start with the out of contract detritus? It's almost enough to make me return to a Mowbray out stance as it doesn't bode well at all for how we will go about the summer.

I don't rate the SPL either, but it's not as bad as you suggest. Celtic are certainly better than you say. Remember when we were a good Prem club and we lost both legs in the UEFA Cup against them? 3-0 aggregate if I recall. I doubt anybody in the SPL would get 'demolished' if they were in League One. My general impression is that the SPL ranges in standard from about lower Prem (just Celtic and sometimes Rangers) to about top half of League One. Pukki struggled there by his own admission, but lit up the Championship.

He's not the new Maddison, as only Sparks Rover seems to be excited about him.

That article... Friedel, the former Liverpool, Tottenham and United States international goalkeeper, took over at New England in 2017. Sure, forget about us, his spell with us was only longer than his Spurs and Liverpool spells combined, with nearly four times the games too. (Yes yes, I know we're relative small fry and those two are contesting the Champions League Final)