So the current squad gets us top 6?

?

3-1 Bournemouth. We score first.

We all would. But we aren't!

I'd say a fair number of the supporters have a negative attitude towards the club after the last 10 years (I'll admit I'm one) My mate takes a - 'nowt we can do just enjoy having a club' approach which I can't fathom. We've both followed the club since kids for knocking on 40 yes now. Neither of us is less of a fan, the whole thing is subjective and makes for an interesting natter after a pint or two. Ultimately, Venkys will be judged when they finally do walk away. If they take all the debt with them, then fair play. What I think we can all agree on is that the club needs to exceed our expectations at something - and quick. Something that we can all get behind and offers encouragement. That could be through ambitious signings we don't expect, over achieving in the league, or even the long fabled Riverside development.

We were/are supposedly looking to bring in 2 centre backs - as it looked like Williams was off and Mulgrew out the picture. Sarr would have been a good choice as back up CB - (not the main option).

People have been arrested for less.

Watford looked a decent defensive unit. They won't be far away. Not sure how they'll cope with the direct running of Brereton though ?

Neither would I having now read the telegraph!

Boring game this one.

I accept the window is still open and we may or may not get players in.

Any one else expecting Fisher to start with Kaminski 'bedding in' on the bench?

I just don't get this. We're at least 4 players shy of what everyone expected as a minimum 6 weeks ago. Eve of the season and now people are ok with that? Jeez.

No. Both required.

Basil? I'd have him back at full back now!

He did a bit last year to be fair. Put Morsy alongside him. Not many midfields would fancy taking on that pairing. Even weighed in with 3 goals and a few assists last year. Leader on the pitch as well. Don't think the dressing room would have any issues with him to be honest. *But all irrelevant because we won't sign him.

Morsy reminds me a bit of Andy Todd. Happy to put it about a bit and take one for the team. We need someone like that. Pantomime villain.

The players mentioned have been good but unobtainable. Question is, how far down the list of 'targets' will we have to go to get a signing?

Charles Charlie Charles.

Not sure I'd want to buy him. 30 next year. Good option for a loan or on a free but not a player to pay for.

Yes. And clearly the feeling 'in the game' is we aren't a club/squad capable of promotion.

Unless somebody appears out of nowhere today, we will start the season with our league one defence plus kids on the bench. Just as many on here predicted we would. So now the focus moves to the end of the window...

Why don't they just run any potential deal past Suhail first then? Doesn't seem rocket science to me ?‍♂️

I thought exactly the same earlier! I suppose it depends what our top salary level is. If it's £20k per week for the top 2 or 3 - fair enough. If it's £10-£12k it's like recruiting in Poundland at this level. I agree in principal with some sort of cap but how do you retain your higher value players who are already likely to be at the top of the cap? No wonder Dack is nowhere near a deal. I bet Nyambe also fancies his chances at a better deal elsewhere. We then lose assets. If we value Dack at £10 mil - but he wants £10k a week more than the salary cap (as he could get that when he's a free agent). Do we refuse and let him go for nothing. Or pay the extra 1.5 million or so to retain a valuable asset?

The whole policy makes no sense to me. It's like saying we could spend £4million on a player...but only if they come on £10k a week - which isn't commensurate with that kind of fee....so we don't sign anybody. No wonder we can't get any decent players through the door. Certainly not from the Prem or top half champ clubs. Surely there's ways of navigating the structure for a player on a free. Large signing on fee but lower wage etc.