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That’s down to those recruiting, not the manager

Sorry to say it, and it won’t be popular, but I reckon Middlesbrough are up there this season. Appear to have made some good signings. But previous years they’ve started well and faltered. Can only hope.

O’Reilly, and Spertsyan over previous summers. Now Ratkov. Before that you could probably add Gakpo and was it Ramos the same year (2022)? Seems like Walter Mitty is part of our recruitment team.

The agents probably don’t dismiss the offer, but encourage it and use it as a safety net. If the bigger offer doesn’t materialise they’ve still got an offer from the Championship club paying more than existing salary. In case of Ratkov though we clearly should have moved on after he first declined the move.

Have to wonder if we spent too long and too much focus on this bloke.

Presumably the interview he gave after signing there. Larin worked within that system to good effect last season and signed again. Convincing a younger player of a job sharing role might be more difficult, granted, but even then they sign on the understanding that they are in a squad with an alternative option for that position. Or would they seek assurances on starting? Dangerous to agree this in advance I’d have thought.

Well worth £9m of anyones money then.

Blindingly obvious to you and I, and most supporters. How could those in charge - Spors especially- not see it, and more to the point act on it ? Have to wonder what discussions and efforts were made. How interested were we in for example Lankshear, and did we make a serious enquiry? Linked with Ratkov, did we spend the summer chasing him and hoping he’d ‘see sense’ and change his mind. Missing out on others in the meantime. Then linked with a 19year old from Charlton in the last hours. In many ways I’m glad this didn’t come off. Signing two inexperienced players such as him and Abbott wouldn’t have impressed. Especially to go with Mubama, another work experience signing.

Is that per month, or over the course of a season ? He’d have to be on a fairly limited contract in my book given his injury record. I’d be interested to know his availability at Sheff Utd last season.

Trying to put a positive spin on it, we’ve got one extra point from Lincoln than we managed fromOxford away. (If as many predict Lincoln are the most likely to go down). But no denying that was an opportunity of an extra two points dropped

Good day out yesterday and trip to Lincoln but partly undone by the inevitability of the result. They had some good chances and we rode our luck at times. Unlucky with Scienza’s shot but otherwise probably a fair result (perhaps even fortunate) Substitutions we’re largely crap and weakened us every time. I understand bringing Scienza off, but Edozie lived up to form with one of his ‘all fart, no shit ‘ performances. One good run that came to nothing, another where the stupid bastard ran himself into trouble with three Lincoln players bearing down on him. It reinforces the view of how inadequate the recruitment was. Mubama looked crap (certainly not a player with Man City pedigree ), and the £9m spent on Dobbin - who nearly scored in fairness - could have been better spent elsewhere. Taking Azaz who was our most creative player off looked a mistake signalling our lack of intent. Then Wood was just inviting the inevitable.

Agree to some extent but bringing Wood on as the extra CB meant we lost one extra outlet further up the pitch and invited them to lump it into the box. We looked to play the last part of the match in our own half

Transfer window coming home to roost for some. If it needed to.

Yes, remember that 5-0 well. That was a ridiculously early start. First game after the transfer window as well !! (But let’s not read too much into that, at least we haven’t bought Mason Holgate this time round)

Bastard kickoff time !!