Disco Stu

I'm not too concerned about additions in central defense if we don't lose anyone. Under Eckert, THB and Stephens were a successful pairing. We will add depth to CM and I think Dobbin will come good if he's played centrally. My main worry is the CF position. We don't have a like for like replacement for Larin now that Stewart's gone which means we'll have to change the way we play when he's out of the team. Not ideal given it worked so well last season. I'm not convinced Mubama is an adequate replacement. I'm also concerned about the right back position. Roerslev isn't good enough cover from what I've seen so I'm worried we'd have to revert to a back three in Bree's absence. Perhaps we should utlise the loan market.

Do we still have interest in Werder Bremen's Justin Njinmah? If so, there could be a deal to be made involving Sugawara going the other way.

Werder Bremen fans seemed very keen on keeping him so I assume yes.

You didn't say good spot when I said it 🥲 In all seriousness though, we must stay firm on the price. My understanding is they'll only come back in for him if they win their Europa League qualifier so let's hope they lose.

How much are we paying them?

Whitmarsh sold to Northampton on a permanent. I thought he had a future here.

Their transfer record for a defender is Otamendi for £13m. If they spend over double that on a worse, albeit younger player, fair enough. Benfica have made a £55m profit this summer, including selling a right back to Newcastle for £30m so I hope we stay firm on the price.

In this market, Harwood-Bellis is a £30m player. Probably a top 3 centre half in the division, an England international(ish), 2 years left on his deal and at a good age to be heading into the peak of his career. He's invaluable to our team, both as a key player and a leader. Since signing him for £20m, his value hasn't gone down. Harwood-Bellis understands this. If we sell in the English market, his nationality means he comes at a premium. I think he either gets bought by a Premier League club or he stays. If Benfica want to break their transfer record to sign him then okay he'll likely go, but they're currently not even in the same ballpark right now for us to consider it. How likely is it really that they'll break their transfer record for him?

I expected what I got.

This is why the supposed easy start on paper only concerned me. We never start seasons well and we'll only end up dropping points against sides we'd likely beat in the mid season.

Matsuki not coming off at half time for Fellows was frustrating. I'm not sure I agreed with a single substitution today.

This is Sport Republic we're talking about. They're VERY slow to catch on. We had to endure years of Bazunu remember.

In that case, Downes talking about a top 2 finish is utter nonsense. A promotion push is all about squad depth.

To who though? He wasn't great last season and has 3 years on his contract. I can't see much interest from anyone better positioned than us for promotion.

Mubama a very clear downgrade on Larin when he came on. We're going to need better if we're to match the second half of last season.