alex l

For all the flack SW/the club gets regarding our sponsor (and I'm not saying it couldn't be better both financially and the company), I've noticed Chelsea for the second season running begin the season without a main sponsor. You'd think it'd be relatively easy for them to negotiate a decent deal given the global reputation of the club.

The odd situation at PNE takes another turn...the interim manager has now left. Whose turn to leave next week, the kit man?

Some general thoughts. Eustace's style is becoming apparent, surprisingly expansive and decent to watch. The problem is when they run out of steam, there's no plan B to control the ball and take a breather. It's much better than what we saw last season though, from an attacking perspective. Gueye - continues to look effective. Ohashi - has a goal scorer instinct, shown by living up to the cliche of not showing much before coming alive for the goal. Pears - can live with him as back up but we need at least an equal to have competition if not someone to get him on the bench. Siggy - quite a few recent comments on his work rate recently, but noticed he was the one who sprinted back 70 yards to recover the ball when we'd lost it and committed players forward. Yes he was fresher as a sub, but some players would have made a token attempt. Would have taken a point beforehand, so ok result and good to see we continue to score goals.

And it's happened at various instances over the last 14 years. But what is the net figure over that period, the profit made by the Venkys from Rovers during their tenure?

It can't be asset stripping when the amount they have put in far outweighs the amount they are now getting back. This isn't a defense of them, just hate when the asset stripping comments crop up.

Not just that. Has top level experience already and did ok in it. Also, if Sam has 5 years left, Rutter reasonably has 12 years to play. Can either sell him and recoup the outlay or make a profit, or you've the potential for a decade plus of service.

Chelsea are leading the way. Extended Cole Palmer's contract - which was already until 2031 - to 2033. Absolutely bonkers.

Not just that. Pay £10m for a 29 year old, you're getting maybe 5 years out of them. Pay the same for a 23 year old you and you could get a decade or so from them.

If you're questioning how far we've fallen, you equally have to recognise Brentford's progression. They're a reasonably settled top tier side with what appears a sound financial footing.

Official line seems to be mutual termination as he feels he can't take the team any further. Wouldn't be surprised if it's more accurate that he wanted more signings and was told it wasn't happening.

No problem. Unfortunately it doesn't work on 'bigger' sites - The Athletic, for example.

You don't have to subscribe. Click the article and as soon as the page loads, click the 'x' which is wear the refresh button would usually be. It stops the paywall kicking in.

SW's interview actually putting a degree of detail out there. Higher budget than last year and a transfer pot. Targeting a few more signings before the window closes and perhaps most significantly (especially compared to stay up and develop players), a top half finish. It'll either need to be keep Sammie and get a keeper, or spend a decent amount more if/when Sammie goes.

Someone who is midway through a Sunday league season wouldnt likely be up to the demands of the National League North and similarly someone from that division might not be at the fitness level required for League 2. Match fit from one league to another will differ and probably vary more the further down you from the elite divisions

How do you know he hasn't picked a captain yet? I'm not aware of many clubs making a formal announcement of their captains

Or has he taken it from Nixon or the other way around? Either way hope they both would so some due diligence before publishing meaning there's something in it

Apparently in the final year of his contract and ultimately didn't do enough to sufficiently impress the manager? Or perhaps didn't want to sign a contract without assurance of playing?

On holiday in Toronto and a server in a sports shop, probably early to mid twenties, recognised my Rovers shirt. It may be he's a big 'soccer' fan but nice to have the Rovers shirt known (he said he is an Arsenal fan)

Even the mention of a 5 year contract makes it likely nonsense. Couldn't tell you the last time the club commited to such a deal and certainly wouldn't with the financial climate it's in.

Whatever he does isn't of great interest. If he doesn't make it, it doesn't mean the same would have happened at Rovers or if he does, it doesn't mean Rovers would have achieved the same with him. There's a degree of disappointment with anyone who chooses not to continue with Rovers, but hoping a kid, which a 16 year old is, doesn't make it because he's leaving the club you love jist seems crass to me.

I didn't mean just for youngsters. In Szmods' case, as it was with Wharton, if you deny players a move to the Prem then it will put them off signing with you. It's a sad truth but the club is a stepping stone at the moment, we can't sell ourselves as being a realistic club to achieve promotion with as it stands.

We don't know if he does or doesn't have a connection. However, he's a 16 year old kid given the chance to move to a Prem club (an established one at that) and will likely earn many times more than what he would if he stayed. It's not like he's got millions in the bank already and that he's earned loads off Rovers. To me, it's a very OTT reaction when kids are being wished a (relatively) failed career.

Also not likely. But even if he was, I'm not sure that would be sufficient to say he's worth keeping for a year to then be allowed to go for nothing.

Selling your 2 senior attackers in the same window of course isn't ideal but the context can't be dismissed. Szmods' value will unlikely be higher at any other time with us and we can't deny him a move to the Prem. It would upset not just him but the squad and potential signings - Rovers would be seem as blocking pathways to progression. Gally hasn't signed a new deal and isn't likely to hit 20+ goals this season, as well as being probably the top earner. We've seen far too many players walk away for nothing in recent years.

Youth players with hardly if any first team experience are being sold by Prem clubs for upper 7 or 8 figure sums. We're clearly not shopping in that bracket. Those same player's can easily be on £10k a week if not more; we seem to be trying to get our highest earner amount down again. Permanent signing of any top league player, with the potential ability to play in that league, simply isn't realistic.