Villaphan04

I am also available, but I haven't called anyone an ostrich. hope that doesn't rule me out

yep. They'll need at least one new striker (maybe even 2), a starting center half (Brighton would be mental to loan/sell Ben White back to them), and probably another one as backup. Said this before, but they already signed Hélder Costa & by all accounts he hasn't impressed that much. Also depends on whether we think that a 35 y/o Pablo Hernandez can effectively open up PL defenses.

I just looked around to see if iI could find any other things about the proposed wage cap etc. From everything I read, It looks like at least half of the Championship clubs already have a wage bill over £18 million. Not sure how the EFL would be able to force all of those clubs to abide by the cap. I also would then theorize that it wouldn't receive the votes necessary to be implemented as well.

a fan-page on instagram posted a picture and a caption basically telling blokes to stop abusing him just because of the miss. He actually liked the post, and I think a lot of people forget how toxic social media can get for players (and in general famous people) without realizing how damaging that can be to the person (Anwar in this case).

Honest question for everyone: do we think that he would have any chance of making Brazil's WC team next winter (either if he leaves or stays)? I think he might back himself to make it, so that could be a factor in him possibly leaving. But definitely looks like he is good mates with Wesley, so that might be a positive to swing for us. Also not sure who could all afford him (and if he would actually play for them) which is going to be another factor.

Work Permit points system I believe.

Nah I'd rather stick with Smith if it comes to the two of them. Howe's defense isn't generally that good. He spends a load of money on dross (even worse than Suso Imo but that's another argument) and I don't want to be the club to give liverpool 50 million on their youth players that haven't proven anything, and when he falls out with players, they don't sniff the team again (Mings for example).

Definitely agree with this. If they're starting games in the top flight, then they will more successful than most of our recent academy grads. Cahill and Grealish are the two that come to mind who have done that in the "recent" years.

just was watching the Luton game and he was taking all their set pieces. a tad surprising for me

Luton 1 up and up to 21st, which means SHA at this moment are only 3 points off the drop and at 19th.

ahhh they would've been perfect targets IMO. Also, i saw with Weir that he wanted to go Brighton but Spurs offered more? Very interested to see where some of the Wigan players end up.

Looking at the current Wigan, and I think that Joe Gelhardt might be one for us to go after. @Villan4Life have you looked at him? I've seen him being linked with a few other teams, and thought he might be a possibility.

I stumbled upon it, and i found that its pretty informative re: football finance. And Maguire is like SwissRamble (on twitter) with finances. I definitely think it's going to be an absolute mess, and I don't see an end to it. How can the EFL go and tell the 3 relegated PL sides that they have to comply with a salary cap, and on the flip side, it would create an even bigger gap b/t Premier League finances/wages and the rest of EFL. And as you say, if they are given allowances, what's to stop the clubs remaining in the division from creating a bitter dispute over that. And yeah, the transfer window is already going to be a mess, how are they able to add a new set of rules in that time.

what @villa4europe said. They've been very good in the transfer market except at striker. Pretty surprising i think.

I haven't really caught that many of their games, but just tuned in to this. How reliant have they been on Vardy in the past years? Feel like they will be in deep trouble once he leaves/retires as they seen to struggle without him.

was pretty good I thought today.

Think he's good at coming off the bench and providing an injection of pace. had a moment today — similar to his first goal against Everton — where grealish played him in.

definitely need to spend wisely over there. Will need a new striker (and as mentioned) unless they can get out of the Augustin deal, which I don't see how they can. Also will need a starting center half as don't think Brighton will loan them Ben White again. Think they also have a option to buy their loaned keeper but don't know if he is PL quality.

Serge Aurier

I don't fully understand it, and if others don't, I'd suggest listening to one of Kieran Maguire's Price of Football podcast. Believe he talked about it on one previously, which could be informative. I also just don't see how it can be enforceable right during this time. (oh and I'd have to look at the numbers, but I would not be surprised at all if at least 1/2 of C'Ship clubs were over the spending threshold

It's hard to justify giving the blame to just one of the options, each have played a part. And i find it a tad ridiculous that previous regimes have played a major role in this by leaving the squad pretty thin and are not an option.

he turned us down when we were PL mainstays, why would he come to us if we were in the Championship? Blimey, I just looked him up and he's only 46. feels like he's been around a while.

he was the sporting director at Atleti from 06-11

I wasn't particularly a fan of giving Smith a new contract but iirc it was to "bump his pay to a close PLish level". Also has played a role (i presume) in pinching west brom's academy staff, which probably will provide benefits in the future.