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03 Apr 2026 21:59:23
I thought, and said at the time, that Frankie Lampard did a brilliant job for us when appointed by Roman. We were under a transfer embargo and he brought the youth through only to be binned during our usual December drop off in form. He then put his own reputation to one side to help out following the Potter total mess.
He is now proving to be a very very good manager, knows the club, knows our history and lives just down the road and is adored by us fans. Surely the sporting directors and owners bin off this cardboard cut out of a gaffer and bring super Frankie home.
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03 Apr 2026 22:32:19 I wouldn't have thought that could happen.
If the club chose to go down that route yet again, Lamps Lamps would not be on my list.
I think Liverpool will have Alonso as their manager next season and I hope they don't go in for the Stuttgart manager!!
03 Apr 2026 16:10:06
Paul Merson has slammed Liam Rosenior's decision to drop midfielder Enzo Fernandez for the next two games following comments made regarding his future and links to Real Madrid.
Rosenior said that "a line was crossed" when Fernandez refused to rule out a move to the Spanish capital when speaking to Argentine media. As a result, he will miss the FA Cup tie with Port Vale and the following Premier League clash with Manchester City.
Marc Cucurella remains available despite his public criticisms of the club's transfer policy and questioned the departure of former boss Enzo Maresca, and Merson believes that Rosenior is making a mistake punishing Fernandez.
“I think more’s gone on than that. I think Enzo has sat down with him and told him "I want to leave," he claimed on Soccer Special.
"I’ve seen Cucurella have a meeting with him. But Enzo has gone in and said I want to leave."
“One thing you have to do as a manager is never chop your nose off to spite your face. Let the fans look after that situation. Not you. The fans will let you know if they are unhappy with Enzo. But play him on the pitch. He is one of Chelsea’s best players. It’s disappointing as a Chelsea fans, and it’s only good news for Man City.”
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03 Apr 2026 17:03:45
Tend to agree somewhat.
Liam said we have plans for the summer to add "emotional stable" players (guy can't help himself), and then we go and drop a player because he said he would love to live in a specific city that reminds him of Buenos Aires.
Players hinting at moves is nothing new in football, and it does seem a bit like the club is acting like a teenager who saw their crush look at someone else.
Some would say it was an emotional response.
If Enzo came out and said he wants to leave the club and go to Madrid, while we have things to play for, I would agree that that is crossing a line. He seems to be dancing around it, as well as all the Madrid lovers do.
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03 Apr 2026 17:23:36
Dangerous times for the CFC project. Not a bad sign if LR was not able to talk to EF, and at least get an agreement for EF not to speak out like this again in public. If EF is refusing to be reasonable, then LR may have had to try and assert himself in this way.
Problem is that EF certainly has been one of our best players, one of the few leaders in the team, and not to have him on the pitch v City seems stupid. LR may be shooting his own career prospects at CFC in the foot.
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03 Apr 2026 17:38:55
This has now come out.
Enzo Fernández's agent Javier Pastore: "The punishment is completely unfair", told @TheAthleticFC.
"Enzo didn't understand the situation. He did not mention any club or say he wants to leave Chelsea, far from it".
"He only mentions Madrid, the city, because he was asked which European city he'd like to live in one day, and he said Madrid
but at no point does he say he wants to leave Chelsea or London".
It looks to me that Liam is yet again making a total tool of himself, he is trying to big himself up, stamp his feet as if he is prime Sir Alex and play the big boss, I remember AVB doing the same years ago and he too was so far out of his depth. The press will have a field day with this and if it turns ugly tomorrow I can hear chants of "ole Enzo Fernandez" ringing around the bridge.
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03 Apr 2026 18:02:44
Does look as though Liam Rosenior is shooting himself and the club in the foot.
Though, perhaps, an interview given by Enzo Fernandez's agent is not the most reliable source of objective truth about this spat.
In an earlier post, I had meant to write 'not a good sign', but seem to have written 'not a bad sign'. Perhaps cos hard to see much good right now?!
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03 Apr 2026 18:36:32
I'm not sure how anyone can work out that "Liam has made a total fool of himself?"
We have no idea what has been said in the meeting between the manager and the
player, but I guess if a fan wants the manager sacked, the agent's supposed defence of his client is predictable.
From what we know as fact, I wouldn't play Enzo for a lot more than two games, and I'm a fan of his.
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{Ed025's Note - i want to know why flock head was not in the same dock Tom?..
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03 Apr 2026 19:03:11
You could have given a one match ban, against Port Vale, obviously symbolic in nature, but at least you can say it was addressed and now we move on. The ban for the City game just offers up another potential stick with which he can be beaten with.
I don't have a major issue with selling Fernandez, it will be for decent money, and I think there are better options for our midfield on the market. I don't think this has been handled well, though, not well at all.
03 Apr 2026 14:31:26
A game when the players and manager will get no credit for winning but will get understandably slaughtered if we get beat. Come on my mighty Blues.
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03 Apr 2026 15:16:16
Never look forward to these types of games, Tom. Journalists are pens poised.
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03 Apr 2026 17:31:04
A game that, at least, I could get very affordable tickets to, and in the middle of the West Stand lower. Probably cos tickets not much in demand. Combo of our form, bad vibes round the club, and, of course, who we are drawn against: the bottom club in League 1! So to lose would be a huge and embarrassing upset.
We have to win, and by playing well and scoring plenty, but even then it will, of course, be 'it was only Port Vale'. But to lose would be a Vale of Tears!
03 Apr 2026 09:44:53
Do the comment from Cucurella demonstrate the dressing room leadership that many have been calling out for?
Plenty in the press have been saying things like he should ‘keep in his lane’ or ‘stay in his box’, but he’s stepped forward and spoke out for the team, speaking out for the talented, but less experienced, players. No one can question what he said was the truth. He put pressure on the club, doing it on behalf of a squad who want help to compete at the top.
That, for me, demonstrates leadership.
Lots of reports that he signed a new deal, which wasn’t announced at the time, last summer. Could he sign for Barcelona? Yes, but he’ll be the most expensive option for them at LB. Equally Palmer could sign for Man Utd and Fernandez could sign for Real, but they’d both be the most expensive options, by some distance, for both them clubs too. I think it’s highly likely more than one of those deals happen this summer.
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03 Apr 2026 11:28:48
J, this is probably just me. My problem with these players making comments is more about why tell the fans/media. If you have a problem, go and talk to the manager/owner. This seems to be a common occurrence with players from all clubs giving their views about their respective clubs/managers while on international duty.
As I've said before, shut the f*** up.
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03 Apr 2026 11:37:03
Well said Tom.
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03 Apr 2026 11:41:18
How do we know they haven't spoken internally and been ignored? I have far more issues with Fernandez's.
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03 Apr 2026 12:26:29
J, that's a good point. They may well have spoken to senior people within the club, but I still can't have them blasting their views to the media. I understand that Enzo has been dropped from the squad for at least two games, and I think Cucarella will probably get a similar so called punishment.
Let's also remember that Enzo is reported to be negotiating a new contract with the club. My guess is those negotiations haven't gone well and may now be closed.
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03 Apr 2026 12:31:17
J, have you seen the latest presser?
Boss Liam Rosenior on Enzo Fernandez:
"I spoke with Enzo an hour ago. We've made a decision - he won't be available for tomorrow's game and he won't be available for Manchester City.
"It's disappointing to speak in that way.
What I will say about Enzo is that, in terms of him as a person, I've got no bad words to say.
"But a line was crossed in terms of our culture. We had to make a sanction."
That is the end of the matter, as Enzo will now leave. Liam stamping his foot.
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03 Apr 2026 13:09:37
I think Rodri joins Real from City, which may leave Fernandez in a bit of an awkward situation. I don't see all this helping Rosenior's situation.
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03 Apr 2026 13:18:04
If Rodri goes to RM, expect EF to go to City.
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03 Apr 2026 13:18:21
J, the buzz earlier in the week was RM had pulled away from any Rodri deal, and are now only interested in Enzo.
That rumour coming out in the media nearly coincided with Enzo opening his mouth.
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03 Apr 2026 13:51:56
Rodri hasn't been at his best since his return from injury and will be 30 in June. I doubt Real Madrid will take the risk.
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03 Apr 2026 13:54:16
Tom, you are right about Rodri not going to Madrid. The deal is done for Enzo.
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03 Apr 2026 15:11:08
Interestingly, when asked if Enzo was committed to Chelsea, he said he couldn't speak for the player. However, he openly said Cucu wants to stay here, and is very committed to the project.
02 Apr 2026 16:53:07
Where does this team finish in the league next season? Assumptions made that no injuries (yes, we know that won't happen but it is only a simple, fun question) and all want to be playing for us (yes, we know the rumours but see above), and that the coach plays them in their right positions.
Penders
James
Achempong
Colwill
Cucurella
Lavia
Caicedo
Estevao
Palmer
Geovany Quenda
Joao Pedro.
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02 Apr 2026 18:11:47
Many variables, Greenaway.
James and Labia will have injuries, there is no doubt about that. Colwell, we dont know if he is going to hold up. Penders is untested in the PL and Quenda has had a bad injury.
Add to that, we dont know how teams are going to strengthen.
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{Ed025's Note - an injury to Labia sounds very painful Bill.. :)
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02 Apr 2026 18:23:35
Bill, Labia are you calling him a... Lol.
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02 Apr 2026 20:59:02
Bill, you have Labia on your mind, lucky Mrs Bill 😆, but my question was, where does this team finish? In other words, where does it need improving?
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02 Apr 2026 21:18:59
Greenaway, even if all the players are still with us; that 11 is too young, unproven and lacks mentality. At best, a top coach might get top four; otherwise, top 10.
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02 Apr 2026 21:34:58
Relegated would be my guess!!
Have a nice Easter weekend, lads.
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03 Apr 2026 06:30:20
I'd worry about that group finishing in the top 4 tbh. Hopefully Levi's return sorts out a lot of the anxiety in defence, but I think he needs an established partner. That does limit Josh's chances, and without chances he can't progress how we all hope he does. With an experienced player he could learn a lot though (Silva would have been great). So pros and cons. I can't see the club risking giving Josh the chance without signing an established cb in case it doesn't work out, and I can't see a player coming to play back up.
I think having Lavia/Barco/Santos fighting to play alongside Moises would be decent in midfield, but the front 4 would offer absolutely no help in transition.
Quenda and Estevao both prefer playing on the right, but I assume with Palmer they could interchange well once they understand each other's game. There's no saying whether Quenda makes an instant impact, and it's very unlikely the club will let two teenagers play consistently every week.
If we could add Yildiz on the left, and let Estevao and Quenda compete for the right, I think the team would be much better balanced and have a greater chance of competing. Tbh I think if Citeh, Arsenal or Liverpool sign Yildiz, they walk the league next year, he's that good.
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03 Apr 2026 07:51:21
Thanks, Jimbo and Melbourne, for your constructive replies. So, if we add Yildiz, Barco and an experienced cb, can we challenge, or do we still need a bit more? My dilemma is with Josh.
He is going to be a top talent, and if we don't give him a chance he will go the way of Guehi, Hall and Livramento, and we will potentially regret it down the line.
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03 Apr 2026 08:23:48
Greenaway, still need a bit more and a top coach. Josh needs to start more often, but I fear he will be off.
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03 Apr 2026 08:54:17
Labia, I really should start reading my comments before posting lol.
Greenaway, I agree with you that unless we start playing Josh, we will lose him.
I just think there are too many variables. Other clubs will buy experienced players, and I think Newcastle might be an issue for us next season.
If Spurs stay up, and I think they will, they will start buying big, meanwhile we will continue to raid nurseries, sack coaches and bring new ones in from Strasbourg.
Easy joy this SD malarkey.
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03 Apr 2026 09:05:37
Good thread developing, and maybe we should replace the sporting directors. We seem to all agree that Josh needs a chance, and a top level coach needs to come in, along with some experience, with Yildiz being our marquee signing. I would play Josh at CB in every game until the end of the season, and see how he does.
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03 Apr 2026 11:31:21
I think this season's managers should have played Josh in a run of games, but I can't see it happening now. He will probably start against Port Vale.
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03 Apr 2026 11:40:16
Sadly, I have to agree with you, Tom, it's s*** or bust for LR trying to get a CL spot.
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03 Apr 2026 12:18:20
Can't see the team you posted getting us any further up the league than the one we have now, though. The question of fitness of, eg, James and Lavia, is key to having a chance for Champions League qualification, which we may miss out on this season unless LR can get us going against both the Manchester teams coming to the Bridge soon.
It's surely also who is in the squad as a whole that really matters, as there will always be injuries, loss of form, and need for rotation/resting, and our squad depth in terms of cover in all positions is not strong enough yet.
Mind you, if Bill's find that world class mystery player Labia is on the pitch - rather than Lavia - this could really and usefully distract many of our opponents and lead us to getting plenty of goals?!
Happy Easter all!
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03 Apr 2026 13:54:29
I still don't think we challenge, as only Yildiz is a real shout for world class ability. Barco adds depth and not sure which CB could take us straight to the top, even with Levi hopefully returning injury free next season.
Liam as a coach is also no chance for a league title.
I can't see a player we really need to sign while he is the boss, without the club changing the salary structure massively, which they also won't do.
TBH, I feel we are likely to regress next year if he is still in charge, which would be worrying.
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03 Apr 2026 13:55:52
J, that is why we are discussing what is needed to strengthen us next season.
02 Apr 2026 14:30:41
I see we spent £65 million on agents fees, nearly twice as much as the next highest spend. Doesn’t look like good value to me considering last summer’s signings. No wonder RA tried to keep certain payments off the books.
A number of Japanese supporters brought bin bags to Wembley to clear up rubbish after the game - class - should have put most of the England players in their bags as well.
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02 Apr 2026 15:02:24
The RA method worked out well.
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02 Apr 2026 15:23:34
Yes, it did. At least we signed Hazard. Not bad for £10 million, compared to Gittens, Garnacho and Hato, amongst others.
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02 Apr 2026 15:32:45
Sorry, thought you were talking about Agents fees and how to hide them. Silly me!!
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02 Apr 2026 16:02:50
You know very well what I was referring to: the ridiculous amount we have spent on agents' fees, which is clearly money not well spent.
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02 Apr 2026 16:14:55
As opposed to the amount we spent on fees, and then, for some strange reason, tried to hide them.
All agents' fees, in my opinion, are wasted money.
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02 Apr 2026 16:21:33
Jimbo, the money spent on agent fees is fully in line with what the other big clubs have spent in percentage terms. The reason ours is so high is due to the fact we are the lead sellers of players in the Premier League.
Agents fees can be paid by clubs to both sell and facilitate loan moves, as well as purchasing new players, of which we purchase a lot. It does not mean we just decide to double what we pay an agent.
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02 Apr 2026 16:21:44
My memory isn't that good, but I seem to remember the Hazard transfer fee to Chelsea being between £30-£35m. Mind you, I'm probably wrong!!
What a player. He was certainly able to get fans out of their seats.
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02 Apr 2026 16:36:03
Tom, it was £32 million, as I recall, but don't forget the huge amount we eventually got for him. As I said, he was the gift that kept giving.
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02 Apr 2026 16:44:44
He was a wonderful player, but over the Ra years, we also signed some very poor players and sold one or two we shouldn't have. The transfer market has no guarantees.
01 Apr 2026 16:50:40
Following the club's announcement of our annual accounts, coupled with the news that 2 further Premier League clubs have sold their stadiums to their parent companies. I had a look at top level football finance and PSR and I think interesting times are on the horizon.
It is going to be interesting to see if any companies step up to fill the void when 12 clubs lose their current betting firm sponsors in the summer; there could be a lot of blank shirts next season to join the fashion we started. It begs the question: is there a real appetite for shirt sponsorship in football anymore?
Lots of companies have been squeezed harder and harder with the double whammy NI, increased minimum wage, massively increased overheads in general etc.
Are there the advertising budgets available in the first place for all but the big multinationals? A few new tech companies might want a short term deal to get their name out there (as we have seen), but what other industries are actively sponsoring sports in general anymore?
Also, with the price of oil going through the roof, will airlines want to get involved?
Football finance is now so delicately poised with PSR that more and more clubs will surely follow the Blue.co lead and only recruit young prospects simply because the money just won't be there to purchase "ready made" experienced high end players for 50, 60, 70 million pounds on upwards of £200k per week. Maybe, just maybe the owners are on the right path?
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01 Apr 2026 18:27:51
Rpd, I may well be wrong but I understand that other clubs are changing their wage strategies towards a more PRP model. To my mind, that should have always been the case.
I have zero time for FFP/PSR.
I think it's seriously flawed. It may have been well intentioned, but the idea of setting boundaries on how wealthy entities can spend their money doesn't sit well with me.
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01 Apr 2026 19:24:15
To an extent, I would agree with you, Atom, but when countries with limitless funds own clubs, then I think it's needed, but maybe tweaked.
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01 Apr 2026 19:55:51
Bill, I can understand the logic, but I would prefer our club to be owned by the state rather than owners who use debt. For me that's always been a massive concern.
I'm no financial expert, but for some clubs (maybe ours) the only guarantee against debt seems to be the club itself, and that worries me.
I have long held the view that owners need to put up a bond and the value of that bond gives security to the club.
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01 Apr 2026 20:30:18
Would not disagree with that, Tom.
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01 Apr 2026 21:45:47
Bill, there does need to be financial controls in place, however, they definitely need to be reviewed as the present regime doesn't fulfill the proposed purposes of the rules. I am against state ownership of football clubs.
JBS.
The top clubs will still secure big FOS sponsorship deals. Football is the number 1 sport with the biggest global audience. If belts need to be tightened, football will be last on the list.
Also, top clubs will still pay fees for proven players, and top wages to retain their status and competitiveness.
You mention paying high fees for "ready made" players, but we are paying high fees for young players; Estavou up to EUR53 million; Gitttens £47 million and Quenda up to £44 million. The notion that top clubs will follow the Chelsea approach is laughable, as they have observed the results.
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01 Apr 2026 21:51:49
Not transfer fees but PRP.
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02 Apr 2026 06:21:16
RPD, I agree that football has to look at itself as a business and entertainment. I also share your general concerns about sponsorship.
If the only thing a crowd of duffers can agree on in a pub is that the majority of football matches are boring, I think it progressively becomes a hard sell.
Just one more small thing: recently I have mates and family who are cancelling their sports subscriptions. They generally feel it's something they can do without. That isn't a good sign about the economy, and maybe about the current pecking order of sport as entertainment.
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02 Apr 2026 08:56:15
I have to say, watching teams like Arsenal playing for corners, free kicks and long throw-ins just to play American football in the penalty area is a complete turn-off.
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02 Apr 2026 09:08:34
Tom, a lot of ordinary, everyday, working people are feeling the pinch, and are now looking at ways to cut back, and this will only get worse with the ongoing wars, raging around oil and energy. I know so many people who are ditching their Sky and TNT packages, and are now not even feeling connected to football anymore, partly due to the spectacle of the Premier League being at an all time low with the rough house tactics, cheating, time wasting, and ludicrous over coaching and stifling of players talents, together with totally inept match officials and VAR. The Premier League has had its boom years and may well go bust, with fans like me now watching grass roots football and getting far more enjoyment.
The sponsors will also see the trend, as will the broadcasters, and the money and revenue coming into the game may well start to decline over the coming years, leaving a number of clubs who have spent large amounts on new stadia, players, training grounds in desperate trouble, and owners will quickly jump ship. Maybe now is the time to tighten the purse strings and sit tight, as imagine having spent 1 billion plus on a 65,000 seat stadium and it is only half full? Remember how football hooliganism had a similar effect in the 80s with dwindling crowds? It could very easily happen again under different circumstances.
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02 Apr 2026 10:31:20
RPD, our thoughts are totally in alignment.
It's only a few years ago that I believed that the gravy train would continue to flow. I now believe that has changed, but if others believe we have a product that now pleases the public and there ensures continued cash, that's up to them.
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02 Apr 2026 10:55:42
Football may well have to tighten its belt like the rest of us, and yes, the product needs to improve. My point was that the big clubs won't really feel the pinch. Let's hope that the broadcasters still have an appetite for PL football, because we won't be able to make up the difference with gate receipts and non-football events.
Unfortunately, the negative comments about the current PL are all true.
As for football hooliganism, thankfully mostly a thing of the past. Although it felt safer going to football then than in some places now at night, mind you, I could run faster in those days.
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02 Apr 2026 11:40:18
My theory is that global brands within sport will continue to attract to class sponsorship and potentially wealthy owners for the foreseeable future, but that division between those global brands and "the rest" in itself will create predictability and boredom.
Unless something changes about football, then I can only see a downward spiral. I honestly hope I'm wrong.
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02 Apr 2026 13:29:59
You could be right, Tom. Maybe we will be like the Italian League at some point. There is no broadcast sponsorship in France.
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02 Apr 2026 14:03:48
Bill, as I say, I hope I'm wrong, but I honestly believe that the current FFP/PSR rules work against creating a better ownership structure and, therefore, a more competitive league system.
My only caveat is debt/loans to support a club.
On top of all that, the product in general has become increasingly boring in my opinion!!
01 Apr 2026 03:30:05
None of the above gets my vote.
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01 Apr 2026 08:37:06
What would get your vote, Tom?
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01 Apr 2026 09:30:10
I'm very boring. I do not like mid-season manager change and this is a case of me being happy with an end of season club review.
Obviously, the manager's performance at every level will be reviewed along with the coaches, SD's, and medical teams. I would also like to think that the owners continue to update their BP.
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01 Apr 2026 10:01:08
Tom
I think the poll was targeted at what we would want to happen at the end of this season which could only be 8 matches long.
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01 Apr 2026 10:14:53
As I said, I will wait until the end of the season to make my own assessment.
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01 Apr 2026 16:54:28
I want us to secure UCL football for next season, and I wouldn't let my feelings on a coach influence what I wanted to happen, results wise. However, I don't think Rosenior should continue to coach the club, no matter what happens, UCL qualification wise. I say this whilst recognising the club won't move on from him if we qualify for the UCL.
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01 Apr 2026 18:28:15
He can only survive if he gets us CL football.
31 Mar 2026 19:19:38
Let’s be honest I’d want to jump ship and the likes of Palmer Enzo Moises will all be thinking same why wouldn’t they. Estavao not get minutes said it last week straight inside for Brazil and Carlo and nets a great goal.
SD, Board, manager no idea and the process has gone to s***.
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31 Mar 2026 19:37:59
Estavao has been injured and is on his way back to fitness. It may work well for us if he gets playing time for Brazil.
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01 Apr 2026 08:39:05
Great, he's fit enough for Brazil but not for us.
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01 Apr 2026 09:32:41
My guess is any mins he plays for Brazil will bring him back to full fitness, and, as I said, that could well benefit the team.
He certainly wasn't fit enough to play 90 mins of Premiership football when he went on international duty.
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01 Apr 2026 11:57:01
I didn't think he played during these two recent Brazil games. I could be wrong, but I checked the squads this morning and the other day, and didn't see his name either time. It was a quick check, though.
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01 Apr 2026 13:46:24
Fingers crossed he is not injured.
{Ed025's Note - i want to know why flock head was not in the same dock Tom?..
{Ed033's Note -