Paul Mitchell

[toptoon]

No, the first year of the 3 year ROLLING WINDOW has been wiped clean.

So our worst ever ‘Ashley income / First year PIF spending’ balance has been taken off the books… but the 2nd year still had a lot of spend against a slightly better income… then last year income jumped but we spent also… it’s still going to be a few years before we have had a THREE YEAR ROLLING WINDOW… with a good income to offset the kind of spend we need to reliably compete at the top.

Correct. In PSR terms we are currently ‘hampered’ by the big purchases (e.g Isak, Botman, etc) which were made within the last 3 years, the high wage players on the books who aren’t good enough and that we can’t sell and the (increasing but relatively) low club income (Ashley to blame).

I think the discrepancy from what Eales said this window would be like and the way it’s actually turning out is that he assumed we’d be able to easily clear out our deadwood, which has not been the case. Big mistake on his part tbf.

[toonviking]

Also, we spent all summer going after Guehi - and it didnt work out.

Before that we missed out on Adarabioyo. Many will say hes just a tool that went to Chelsea, but obviously our DOF or whoever did those talks didnt manage to sell the club. And probably the most important point: Howe will improve you and bring you close to your max potential, AND you will get game time. Do we know that these points was comunicated to him? No, we dont. But it certainly dont look like it.

[usedtobeshearer]

Tonali was here this time last year as well, before we lost him again...

But if you just look at the squad and dont count suspesions and injuries we have basically got:

Kelly, Osula and the Greek guy in for Dummet, Ritchie, Anderson and Karius - that isnt really a upgrade. Certainly not in numbers.

Tonali played 4 games, come on!

You really going to miss Dummet, Ritchie and Karius?

Kelly is better than Dummy...I won't go on. Anderson is a loss in numbers, but he hardly played..why is it okay to ignore Tonali impact but put a lot on another rarely playing constantly injured midfielder of less quality?

[Nufcian]

Tonali was here this time last year as well, before we lost him again...

But if you just look at the squad and dont count suspesions and injuries we have basically got:

Kelly, Osula and the Greek guy in for Dummet, Ritchie, Anderson and Karius - that isnt really an upgrade. Certainly not in numbers.

Anderson featured in 21 games and only started 10… compared to last season’s available players Tonali more than makes up for him, and then some.

Dummett… can see Kelly is an upgrade on him already.

Ritchie started 0, featured in 13 for a grand total of 120 mins.

Karius… don’t be soft man.

Osula is a young unproven lad, but at least we have an option when Wilson is injured.

We have a better squad compared to last season, god knows what injuries will happen, but assuming it’s not as crazy as last year, and without European mid week demands, then it is just disappointing, it’s not the end of the f**king world.

[Jammy89]

Agreed Ian.

Bizarely - I'm feeling quite positive.

Once window is shut and it's what we've got, then I think we'll see the Eddie magic come out and they'll start playing again.

No basis for this - could be 100% wrong but it's my gut feeling.

[toonviking]

I'm unhappy with the window, but very happy we didnt sign Guehi for £70 mil.

Hes worth around £35 mil.

I support Howes plan that we need to improve by signings. The preivious regime signed so called squad players, and we still struggle to get them off our books.

[Zippity]

I'm unhappy with the window, but very happy we didnt sign Guehi for £70 mil.

Hes worth around £35 mil.

I support Howes plan that we need to improve by signings. The preivious regime signed so called squad players, and we still struggle to get them off our books.

Excellent points, Viking, mate. Totally agree.

however, much as I get the we don't want to repeat past mistakes, surely there are better wingers than Miggy or better CBs than Krafth who could have improved the squad.

[Jammy89]

Excellent points, Viking, mate. Totally agree.

however, much as I get the we don't want to repeat past mistakes, surely there are better wingers than Miggy or better CBs than Krafth who could have improved the squad.

But this then comes back to Eddie allegedly saying it's Guehi or nobody - which is on Eddie and is very short-sighted.

However, again, this only comes from press reports that are probably *******s.

[Zippity]

Aye, who knows.

Craig Hope is obviously Team Mitchell but...there was obviously someone who didn't fancy any of the CBs we were linked with.

And, with what we know about Eddie, in particular the fact that he has final say over everything to do with the team, it looks like the obstacle to anyone else coming in was actually Eddie.

And this gets us back to that idea that his loyalty to his current players will be his undoing.

[Jammy89]

Aye - well many of the players linked seemed Mitchel esque - young and cheaper release clauses from European teams.

Guehi is clearly an Eddie pick - English, prem experience.