Some huge issues for them if/when they go up. The money they are paying a few of the players is frightening
No, but there will be in 3 months time. Do you know how FFP works when a new club hits the football league? I expect a full set of accounts for the last 2 years will bring them into line with other L2 clubs and their governing FFP criteria?
They'll be ok initially given the huge boost in income they'll get from TV money as well as their sponsorship deals. There was more social media interest in their result against Notts County than there was for Arsenals game on the weekend for instance.
Have you any idea how a conference club signs Ben Foster and has the kind of money to take Andy Cannons championship contract over just to have him as a squad player? Clicks is one thing, but they may well have to cut their cloth in terms of balance sheet just to be accepted into the football league. L2 TV money to plug the shortfall? What do you think that is in L2?
I think you'll be surprised, the money going out that club is astounding. They will have to make serious changes when they go up
I'm aware of their wage bill. A lot of the money going out is being spent on their infrastructure (which is FFP exempt) and their women and youth teams (also exempt). They'll be fine with the boost in revenue they get. I know the owners have already talked about their future-proofing in terms of planning for additional investment and funds as they progress through the leagues.
Glad you have more faith in them than you have our own. is it a deadpool thing or were you a green lantern fan?
There’s a couple of midfield options being looked at. Miha Zajc is out of contract at Fenerbahce and there’s a good chance that we’ll go back in for him to replace/upgrade Woods. Efkan Berkiroglu is also available on a free from Alanyaspor, very good value as a box to box midfielder. Bit of interest on the continent for him. For the ball winner, not too many because apparently they’re going for a proper decent one from the EFL (who I suspect is Max Bird at Derby). Kenny Dougall at Blackpool is one we looked at before and has had a half decent season by all accounts (better than his club anyway), along with Jordan Houghton at Plymouth. Not heard anything on the striker front, but I do know that Connolly is wanted (not really news) IF he can prove his fitness. Ebiowei will probably come back IF he can toughen up a bit. Rosie wants more application in games from him. Seems to be a feeling that with 13 goals in a mediocre squad, Oscar can get more with better support. For me keeping Traore fit is crucial, probably one of the few that could play in the Premier League in our squad and I think he is the key to getting Oscar scoring. On the other hand, a winger who can pinpoint a cross is probably needed as well.
2 pivots and a box to box from Seri, Slater, Tufan, Traore Simons, Vaughan plus 1 hard bastard in midfield That's sorted. Out wide we have Longman and Ali but probably need another winger on each side. Give Elder a year with an option year to play for and bring in a LB. Loan ot Fleming for another year - he still has another year after next, see how he develops. Christie and Lewie sorted at RB Greaves, Macca, Jones, Smith - move Figs out and assess Smith to see if we need another RCB. Dawlow and Ingram fine. Up top then I'd probably Keep Oscar, Benji but you have to worry about th fitness of Benji. Don't know what Connollys deal is but he doesn't seem to play much recently either. Not just at city - is it a pattern? We need 2 forwards on top of those 2 if we aren't gonna sign Connolly. So transfer list: Woods Figueredo Release: Pelkas Doc Connolly Ebiowei Offer contracts: Coyle Elder. Sign: Darlow, a left back, a midfield bastard, a winger each side and 2 forwards.
Connolly shouldn't really need to prove his fitness when his injury was a broken toe wasn't it? An impact injury like that doesn't suggest any long term issues.
He's just had a 'setback' on a broken toe. An injury caused by a ball bouncing off it on a 'bad angle'. Yeah right. Stinks of a right can of worms. But I get that corporate confidentiality is a thing. If he ain't playing on Wednesday then how many games do we have left? How many has he started? 3 or 4?
Yes he does but was never given the chance, he should have got that this season, we have played half the time without a left back and struggled a lot down that side. His performances last season absolutely deserved a fair chance to stake his claim, now it’s unlikely he will get it at all. I think it’s impossible to say he can’t play in a back 4 or that KLP and Greaves covered his weaknesses because he just hasn’t really had a crack at it to show otherwise. His sporadic spattering of appearances he made as soon as he was available after injury don’t really count as a fair shot. If he hadn’t got injured in pre season and continued last seasons form into this season I’m pretty sure he would our first choice and a key member in the team.
Toes are difficult to get right, speaking from personal experience. I had one that ended up being a 4-5 month injury and there's not much you can do other than wait and try to keep the foot strong and recovering. You can have set backs in the sense that you target a particular date for it to be healed by and it's just not right to go by then. Where was it said the injury was caused by the ball? Thought it was the heavy tackles he was copping?
Cheers, ST. I like the look of that Christ Tiéhi on loan at Wigan as well. He’s only been on loan at Wigan since January but their fans consider him their best player by far.
On Traore, what stands out to me is his ability to receive the ball with his back to goal around the edge of the area and his next pass be an incisive forwards one, or a shot. He's really good at keeping it progressing in areas where most players would be forced backwards.
