01 Sep 2025 14:03:19
Assuming all the deals get done in time we will take a book loss on Antony but we will save his salary so it should net out to around zero for 2025/ 6. From a cash flow point of view it's a £30m turnaround. We'll take a book loss on Sancho but we will at least save a large % of his salary. That's pretty much as much as the club could have expected.

At the end of this season we'll lose Casemiro's large salary and final year of his amortization, and also Maguire's salary assuming he isn't re-signed. Of course we might get Rashford back but let's hope that's not the case. I have a suspicion that this might also be Bruno's last year as we look primarily to bolster midfield for the longer term. We should have the funds to acquire a Baleba level midfielder or two.

Whether RA makes it or not in my opinion the club has done just about as well as it could with transfer activities given that we don't have iEuropean football, we finished 15th in the EPL. They have been burdened with some seriously expensive dead wood inherited from the last administration. Meanwhile they have acquired some excellent players for whoever ends up being the manager and they have pretty much balanced the budget for 2025/ 26. Much will depend on where we end up this season. If we can get into the Europa at least this year, and then improve year on year, this summer will be looked back upon as the springboard. The opprobrium heaped upon the new management team will be quickly forgotten.

1.) 01 Sep 2025
01 Sep 2025 14:15:01
Good post.
Some people like to critisise but have no idea what they are talking about most of the time. No experience of such matters and spouting gs lots of ignorance.
Understanding and tolerance required but sure its easier to stamp your feet and throw stones.

2.) 01 Sep 2025
01 Sep 2025 16:08:14
If we get no midfielder then europe will be very tough. Context is everything, look at what the other teams are doing. We will get run through the midfield by most teams.

Totally agree that mbumo and Cunha are excellent signings, but arguably in positions we have the most promising players.

Cas is now unable to play in a 2 in the epl, after 20 mins he tires and teams start to establish a footing in the game.

Bruno is not a world class 8 in a double pivot. Good player still, but will always be a defensive liability who fails to shield the defenders properly over the full course of a game.

First few games it looks like we lack a special-ist rwb, maybe Mas can play there when he comes back.

But the two big risks are at each end of the pitch. We have bought 2 younger players with promising talent instead of ready made experience. At 10 we have bought 2 players we are confident will hit the ground running, and they have both already shown they will be effective once up to speed. But Sesko and Lammens are both risks. We HOPE they can fulfill their promise, and be players for the long term. The fan base will have to have patience with them, as they will take time.

Is this fan base ready to be patient?

3.) 01 Sep 2025
01 Sep 2025 17:50:12
I imagine midfield will be the key area we address next.

I can see Bruno leaving. Hoping we go for a Beleba type player and I'd go all out for Wharton. I think he's going to be a class player.