Decemberists

Yea the squad comparison is disappointing - keeping Buendia and Skipp didn’t seem likely in hindsight. It’s been far from perfect, it’s an opportunity that looks likely to pass us by. But it is an opportunity earned by Webber that he will earn again. viva la webberlution! No time for faint hearts comrades. Never mind the danger.

Good point on Cantwell contract I was looking at it purely through a form issue. Perhaps not stretching to fewer more expensive players is a thought to potential relegation? Taking the wages and players back down might not be an option. Whereas I’d assume majority of our summer perm outlay will be staying with us in the championship?

Some good points in there and some I'd question. The most important one in there and the one causing fan discontent, in my opinion, is players not giving immediate premiership impact. But I wonder if such signing are ever really available on our budget - if you are spending less than £10million do you get a prem ready talent in this market? The Farke and Buendia stuff is all fair enough, but not sure Webber can shoulder much repsonsibility on Cantwell's situation. I guess when it comes down to it I can be patient. I trust Webber to find another Buendia, Pukki, Krul, Rashica, Skipp, Williams. And I trust Smith to develop Rowe, Idah, Sargent, Tzolis. The improved scouting, coaching and training facilities will bear fruit - but those are never immediate wins. He's got the long term future of the club spot on, but he has made mistakes in the here and now for this current season. But for me that long term plan is more important.

Happy to hear them. Some of my positives could be argued against too? I think we need to remember what we are trying to do is really bloody difficult! It's not a fair fight, but we should be proud we are doing it the right way. And the changes made in recent years will have positive effects for years to come regardless of this season's performance. We are, in our model, always going to be underdogs. But when, sooner or later, we get it right and stay up we can cement that and push the club further.

Take a step back and compare the club before and after his arrival not only on recent results. Feel free to add to the list... + Huge infrastructure spending. Training ground, soccerbot, academy, stadium, footballing staff. Exciting young players on long term contracts. Reputation as a place for young footballers to develop. Pathway between academy and first team. Elite Championship squad. Exciting forward thinking manager with track record of success. Financial situation better regardless of divison. Cemented reputation of a club trying to operate sustainably. Womens team absorbed. Succession planning. Regular large profits from player trading. - Not quite a prem squad. Currently a proportion of fan base disgrunted.

The percentage is negotiated with each deal, no mandated 50%. It can be nothing - it can be the whole lot!

Serve additional scampi

The are genetically identical monozygotic twins. However, from the zygote splitting they begin having different experiences. Positions in the womb, nutrients passed through etc. Then as foetuses it continues - different birth experiences. Then throughout childhood and at their loan clubs too. A factor yes, but not the defining moment for their football ability. The result is two genetically identical twins, but actually different unique individuals due to their life experiences.

Agreed. I wonder if we have anything left over for January or maybe grab a few youngsters from the lower leagues?

According to Percy at the Telegraph it is. Exciting times!

Andy Carroll on a one year deal. Quality player in there somewhere.

Yeah, I think that makes sense regarding defensive experience. Especially if a DM is partnered with Gilmour.

Now that it’s looking near certain we won’t be getting Skipp back on loan, which of muted prem links can we use our final slot on? Young centre backs have been mentioned, but with our own in the building we’d need someone who can contribute in the starting line up - not someone in major need of development. Perhaps one of the Liverpool youngsters? Phillips… He’s not a new name but Harvey Elliot from Liverpool as well would fill Buendia’s departure fairly neatly. If Aarons goes we’ll have a new right back needed, sad to see Bryam missing 1-2 weeks at start of pre-season. Not seeing him up to speed leaves it more of a risk to rely upon him… go for Brandon Williams and try and guzump Southampton? How about Delap from Man City? Fighting with Pukki and Idah.

Best player I’ve seen at city, it will prove a bargain.

Cantwell is prem quality. McLean, Pukki, Hernandez can all make positive contributions in the prem. Would I be looking to upgrade? Yes absolutely, but they can make an impact. A new partner for Gibson, Skipp or Skipp-like player, someone to challenge Pukki (Idah Championship loan), replace Max or Emi if they go would be my aims.

Josh Martin has talent, but not enough talent to get away with his defensive contributions. He needs a loan playing week in week out to get that bravery and commitment to make challenges with conviction. He will never be the biggest strongest player - but at the minute people breeze past him.

I remember being very impressed by those few appearances he did make.

I wanted us to replicate the Dortmund one - now we’re bettering it! Hopefully we will see players developing a little further than would have otherwise, and a great selling point for the club with potential transfer incomings.

I managed to bypass paywall by googling Soccerbot Norwich, great article!

The XG table doesn’t fancy Swansea at all. https://experimental361.com/2021/02/03/expected-goals-table-championship-2-3-feb-2021/

I don't think Swansea are better than us. Brentford maybe. Second would be fine!

Pukki Idah Hugill Soto Omotoye

Yea on a permanent I would take that - would rather keep Emi, but I would understand why the board accepted.

I agree, definitely want someone permanent. A permanent deal we should be aiming to knock £5 million of asking price for Emi but getting our hands on a player valued at more like £10, otherwise we should just ask for it in cash. Any player coming to us needs to be in our favour.

Wouldn’t be adverse to pinching some of Arsenal’s young talent as suggested in the Emi deal. Don’t know them well enough to give an informed opinion about who... Ideally we get someone who Arsenal think won’t make it with them and then goes onto prove them wrong - plenty of examples of younger players leaving big teams and coming back stronger - including Emi himself! Obviously I’d rather we kept him. Sell him this time next year, after another 6 months in Prem his price should be even higher. Can he be persuaded to wait?