Saint Mikey

I personally say that it's bollocks. A player who's had very little first team experience is not going to be on that kind of money. Looking at the list, much more experienced GK's (Steele & Randolph) are both (apparently) earning less than that amount. They also listed Carson as earning £38k per year, so not sure the accuracy can be relied on.

We’ve had a few of those. Rojo and Buttner too, who were never going to join after Utd’s interest.

Quality hat-trick that, I remember it well. A lot of good goals that season. Russell Osman scored a couple of excellent free-kicks, against Everton and Coventry (last game of the season).

Djenepo has played LWB and LB, so could play both roles on the right (being right footed). Doesn’t inspire a huge amount of confidence, but it’s an option.

I'm disappointed he didn't play on, if it was only a dislocated shoulder. He only needed to look to a fellow countryman for inspiration. FFS.

Because he’s not good enough at this level, as demonstrated in the last two seasons. He’s doing well, but I’ve also watched games where he’s been poor this year. His technique and decision making is nowhere near Prem level, and he’s not young. I expect him to be a bit like Obafemi - decent in the Champ where you’ll get a run of games and plenty of chances, but not good enough for the Prem where you need to be clinical.

Anyone know if ABK played in any games v Dortmund last year, and, if so - how did he get on against Haaland?

Given the career trajectory of both of these players, it looks like Ralph was right. Many players are very highly rated at 16 years old. Most of them don't make it (certainly not in the Prem), that's just professional football.

With also the most risk. Every club in Premier League history must have spent big on an attacker/striker only for it not to come off. We're aware of our own high profile failures, but West Ham spent a fortune year on year with no value added to the team, until recently.

Looks like a good signing. Who was the last player we signed from Arsenal? Hoping he makes more of an impact than Perry Groves! Always felt that Luis Boa Morte didn’t get a fair crack of the whip, and turned out to be decent at Prem level.

Nice to see Ralph celebrate with the coaching team at the end. Don’t think that aspect can be overlooked, we were desperate for a shake up in that area. New methods, tactics and ideas are obviously contributing to our performances, along with the new players.

Some people just need to worry. For these people, supporting us is an excellent choice as there is plenty to piss your pants over, should you feel like it.

Two good ones. Jack Rodwell is another who’s career dived after moving to City, was a England player before that. Danny Drinkwater’s crash was pretty spectacular too.

I'm not sure this was ever an option? He'd just signed a 5 year deal and had a decent loan spell in the Eredivisie. He's also been at the club since the age of nine, so they will know all about his potential. Unlikely, in my mind, that they would have let him go for peanuts.

The thing is, Ralph and the club are also completely vindicated with selling Gallagher, as he's turned into a decent Championship player and no more. It's hard to make a case that he would have done anything of note in the Prem had we kept him.

Clinton Morrison was one that Redknapp was chasing after we were relegated. I didn’t rate him, so was glad he went elsewhere (back to Palace, I think).

Neither, I’ve heard it’s made out of hemp.

Whilst I'd love this rumour to be true, as I think he'd add real quality to the side. Surely it's unlikely? 1. Others clubs who'd also be interested if he's available - West Ham/Everton (at least). West Ham, he wouldn't travel too far for training and offer European football and Lampard could have an influence at Everton. 2. Wages: He's on over £100k a week, so refer to above for more clubs who'll be willing to subsidise more wages. Offering 1st Team football is probably our biggest selling point, but the others could do that too - so it's not a USP.

I’ll raise you: Stephen Crainey. Since our PL return though, every signing from the SPL has been spot on. Forster, Van Dijk, Wanyama, Armstrong and Davis.

Is the guy in the glasses our new striker? Guess the club have listened to this board and signed some experience.

I wonder if that ends our interest in DaMarcus Beasley?

I'm hoping that the multi-club structure (if it happens) will be a huge plus for us. We can identify players early, pay smaller fees and allow them to develop away from the league, but within a framework that we influence. Brighton will start to reap the rewards of Union SG (Bloom's other club) in this way. They've had players on loan there and one (Undav) looks like he'll get a crack this year, in pre-season, at least.

So, 10 years completed in the PL. Apart from the COVID disrupted season, we've clearly been unable to recover from the poor transfer dealings and managerial appointments post 2017. It's disappointing that we achieved less points than our 1st season in three seasons. Guess the league has also changed in that time. The margins in the transfer markets have narrowed and that has been compounded by our own financial constraints. Other teams have also stepped up with more financial clout. Should we be happy that we've stayed in the league the last 10 years, given our slump into League 1? Were the top-half finishes a result of a timely exploitation of market conditions, conditions that have now changed? Are we likely to post a sequence of top-half finishes anytime soon? Is any club 'our size' likely to?

Super Army Soldiers (SAS).

Here's something to cheer you all up before the game tonight. Something like this could happen again, couldn't it?! Can't find the 4-2 one from Feb 1994.