alex l

Noticed the teaser for our story was next to a Sunderland one. Perhaps they can have our last CEO, he'll buy-lease them a brand-as-new coach then realise that's not what the issue is.

On the other hand, Bain was in charge when Sunderland were sold so....🤞

Hardly a ringing endorsement to be compared to David Brent... https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/whats-happened-former-sunderland-chief-21780987

It'd be nice to find a squad full of Santi Carola's - playing for minimum contract at his first club, just got them promoted back to La Liga.

By the same logic, Travis and Brittain won't be sold in this window as they're in the marketing. Yet most would not be surprised if at least one of them is gone by September.

Ugh...if it's going to be boring, it needs to be without a sponsor. Disappointing.

Until it suits their narrative. And this isn't me saying he is or isn't reliable or that I do or do not support the regime, just very much agreeing with your point that people slate new sources until the article aligns to their view.

Possibly, like the old McEwan or more recent crown/probiz(!!!) ones. Generally I don't like the panel as to me it unbalances the half shirt, but the contrast on that image works well

Unless the solicitors have agreed to a very small logo and it will be an asymmetric design, don't think it will be - you wouldnt see half of their name.

Along with the photoshoot for the new signing, this surely confirms the shade of blue on the home shirt. I quite like it.

Need a midfielder who knows the club and people? After saving a couple of months' wages, Forshaw we do...welcome back Adam.

Anyone saying it's a no brainer to give Batth the 2 years he apparently wants have short memories - we gave Ayala 3 years and the club was burnt by it. Granted Ayala's injury record was worse before joining but generally, a semi-serious injury in your mid thirties could see it very difficult to get back to anywhere near the level you are. I want him to sign on though, hopefully they're offering a second year based on an appearance-based clause.

1 year contracts are understandable at their age and particularly with Weimann's injury. If they want to leave, they literally can with nothing to stop them - but they've not signed for anyone either as far as we know. Personally, I'd try and tempt Batth with a 1 year contract with a clause for a 2nd year - 30 league starts for example.

Interestingly, or perhaps not, a look at de neve's Instagram page has videos of a few goals, most being scored on his right. The YouTube highlights reel seemed to show him as left footed; we might actually have a winger willing to use his weaker side

Perhaps Kagbo gets played on the right? With Beck having been put at LW at the first opportunity, maybe he wants wingers to cross the ball in rather than cutting in for a shot.

Conceded within 5 mins unfortunately! But they got level shortly after.

On pace rating that is a par with Wirtz and Nkuku

The answer to this should be along the lines of 'to strengthen the squad as the player won't sign a new contract' but unfortunately it's more likely to be 'to keep overheads being paid and reduce the financial burden on the owners'

Negotiated in line with the women's football league. Apparently in such an event, a relegation of at least 2 leagues has to occur. I suppose it avoids the scenario of the club finishing top the following season and being back in the same position i.e. not accepting/being able to comply with promotion.

I believe so, has it been proven otherwise?

I'm no fan of the Venkys and their ownership but the often made claim of asset stripping makes no sense given they're estimated to be at a loss of £200m. Had they taken over, sold anything of worth and then sold the club to turn gain an overall profit, then yes, that would have been asset stripping.

Of course it's not good but can happen anywhere. Mbappe went for free - a player who could possibly have gone for a world record fee - while Liverpool had 3 of their key players in the same position, and look likely to lose 1 of them. So yes, we've lost important players for free, but it's happened to literally some of the biggest clubs.

It's possible to support those in blue and white playing for your club without it being an endorsement of the owners, they're not mutually exclusive

Or you deliberately string it along, saving yourself a few grand. As you say, it was ages for his signing to complete - but his contract expired at the end of June. I wouldn't be surprised if the board deliberately took as long as they did to save £20k or whatever he would have received in those weeks

Or if you compare it to the highest men's player getting £20k a week (according to Dugdale) when many of the women's team got £9k a year, it's easy to see why you'd think the men's squad might have a few quid to help with those legal costs.