Disco Stu

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.

Barely threatened by Watford? We were a calamity every time they came forward.

Those two subs after our goal killed it for us. Poor game management unfortunately.

He was looking very sharp and fresher than anyone on the pitch.

Need to shoot We can't seem to deliver a good ball today