This always seems to happen. We "overhaul" things on the scouting side, initially there are delays and then a reliance on old targets from the previous regime and then a couple of years in, people leave and we start from scratch.

I dont get how you have come to that conclusion from my post. I was saying that Venkys are focused only on cutting costs, in no way with any focus towards on field success which they arent arsed about.

Refusing to criticise until they leave when its fair game to repeatedly do so.

Im not convinced that barring injuries that Phillips would have been made first choice either by Tomasson or Eustace even if the more senior options had dips in form. I suppose we will never know.

Our main priority is the main priority of the people that run us. So that is solely to cut back as much as is possible with potential success merely collateral damage to them in achieving it.

There is no way that Tomasson had a far worse squad than Mowbray ever had. The squads that finished on 69 points under each were pretty similar in quality and both managers did well with equally average and thin squads. You think back to when we first came up, that squad still had players signed for a pittance in League 1 or players lingering from when we had another flurry of budget cuts in the season or two before relegation. Smallwood, Downing, Bell, Samuel, an aging Mulgrew and Conway, Bennett etc. You are correct in touching on the budgets though. Ultimately any staff at this football club find themselves pissing in the wind trying to succeed under these owners. Obviously, but when staff turnover is as high as it is here at the moment, it doesnt suggest successful recruitment and that people are happy in their roles. It seems like every couple of seasons we get a flurry of new staff, people say how we are finally getting our act together off the pitch and then we end up having to start afresh. I dont really understand what you are trying to say with the second point.

My point was more about the number of people leaving. I love how much Tomasson and now Broughton are starting to get criticised in a way you wouldnt have dreamt of when they were at the club.

I am not convinced he would have played over 18 games but I doubt there would have been much in it either way. He played 9 here in the League but was firmly behind Hyam, Carter and Wharton in the pecking order under Tomasson and Eustace doesnt seem as keen to use younger players so his chances may have reduced further, only playing when 2 of the 3 mentioned were out at the same time. It makes it feel more like wasted time because the appearances are all in one half of a season but had he played 18 more staggered across the season here, it wouldnt have been seen as a waste. But training with and being coached by a much higher standard of players and staff would surely be of benefit even when not playing considering he didnt get a sniff here for prolonged periods when others were fit. Im not sure long term it will be the best move but I dont think its as straightforward as with Wharton whereby he was that good (and a bit older) where he was guaranteed first team football here.

More staff leaving and more staff that needs replacing not too long after joining.

The problem with the Wharton pathway though is that Wharton was playing every week because he was so good. Phillips wasnt and had he stayed he would have still been on the fringes yet needed as cover so unavailable for loan. You can fall into that limbo of being far enough down the pecking order to rarely play yet not far enough down where it is possible to loan you out. Purely based on this season I would consider even putting aside the financial benefits, from a career perspective that he has made a wise move. He played 18 times in a well selected loan in half a season at the same level where he played half as often for us, with the added bonus of training with Premier League players for half a season.

It does seem to me like the club tell WATR and the likes a nicer version to butter them up. We heard before January and the Wharton sale/no funds being made available something along the same lines. Obviously the case is affecting how much they can or more likely are willing to invest (or not) and it may even be that anyone bar the owners doesnt even know. There would be little use hin going as low as League 2. League 1 isnt a very good league, he should be able to score goals there.

He is a dickhead.

Its easier to trim a squad packed full of quality than to rebuild one lacking in it. Hopefully they go down the Lampard route, hes a shit manager. But if they get a good one they unfortunately have to be favourites for the league. They still have Beyer, Muric, Zaraoruy, Benson, Roberts, Vitinho, Cullen, Ekdal, Al-Dakhil, Twine etc from last time. Admittedly they have lost Tella, Harwood Bellis and Maatsen on loan and may lose Brownhill but theyve since added players like O'Shea, Berge and Ramsey who are proven at this level aswell as the likes of Odobert, Koleosho etc, and have a full season of Foster who could score lots. And likely will add to that. Both Burnley and Luton have squads where I cant see many of their players being poached but otherwise packed full of top Championship players. Wilder has had his day I think. He did a great job nearly a decade ago when he got them up and had one superb season in the Prem, but since they tailed off and he got sacked, he has had 2 poor spells at other Championship clubs and he somehow made Sheff United worse when he came in. Plus hes a really arrogant and unlikeable man, not that its relevant. Their promotion squad has been broken up with Ndiaye/Berge poached and a number of other players moving on having lost their way, in some cases due to age.

Im not sure that it will be MUCH weaker. Luton will be strong, theyve added top Championship players like Kaminski, Chong and Giles since promotion and I cant see a firesale there. Burnley have added some proven quality at this level too including O'Shea, Berge and Ramsey aswell as other players like Koleosho and Odobert so dependant on who they appoint sadly will be a force. Sheff United less so but I am sure they will still be at the top. And you mention Huddersfield and Birmingham as big clubs but Birmingham in particular have been poor for a bit so arent losses quality wise. Hopefully Burnley will appoint Lampard because he is a terrible manager. But I fail to see beside Rovers bias how Sheff United look strong and Burnley dont. Burnley have a considerably better squad especially when you factor in some of the loans to return. Whereas Sheff United have lost a big chunk of that team, havent strengthened and surely wont stick with Wilder.

Did you say it was reported that Pochettino was unhappy with things like trying to force a set piece coach on him, or something similar? If his departure has been even partly caused by interference like that then it is absolutely crazy, just let him manage. Stuff like this seems to becoming more and more prevalent in modern day football. Ive said the opposite about Ten Hag, but with Pochettino at Chelsea, there were clear signs in an overall mixed season that things were coming together, a style was forming and results towards the end of the season were excellent with some of the signings made showing clear signs of improvement. Maresca seems a very underwhelming choice to replace him. It seems they want someone to expect minimal responsibility.

But over the course of the normal season, and I dont think play offs even count, Summerville has had a fantastic season and has scored and assisted plenty, so he obviously should have at least been in contention for player of the season. Todays performance doesnt stop that. It doesnt have to go to a player for a team who has achieved its goal necessarily. Szmodics played for a team that finished 12 places below last seasons finish but again that shouldnt dismiss his chances.

I think most people would take pretty much any other Championship manager over Rooney, it isnt really much of a compliment to choose Eustace.

He was poor today as were Leeds as a whole team. I don't know personally who I feel deserves player of the season, ultimately it means little and people get too worked up about it. But Summerville has been excellent this season and definitely deserves to be in contention, not just for his goals and assists but he gives more than that. One poor performance today in the play offs doesnt alter how good he has been.

You cant just base Summerville on today, im not saying he should or shouldnt have been player of the season but hes an excellent player who had an excellent season.

I think Myers has been totally out of the loop for a number of years.

Armstrong has developed his game to be fair this season, hes become a much more well rounded player who has got a lot of assists. Still a big step up but surely he will at least do better than last time. Wouldnt surprise me to see the 3 promoted sides straight back down again and at least Burnley and Luton going back up. How bad a pundit is Troy Deeney by the way?

I love how Park IS now coming back as a matter of fact now a random twitter account desperate for attention has cryptically suggested it. And also now Broughton has out the door, like with Tomasson, criticism starts to come his way.

You really do hate Russell Martin.

Straight into Venkys pockets.

Has anyone checked on @Vinjay