01 Aug 2026 18:16:58
Ken/Tumbleweed - Just for my information, are you employed by Ineos? Just asking because you seem to take it personally every time anyone calls out or critics the club/Ineos on how they are going on about this transfer window.
Or should we just rename this page as "onlypositivebanter"? Can the people who are not lucky like yourself and do not have the godly positive attitude as yourself, have differing opinions?
01 Aug 2026 19:36:16
Of course, UA, you can say what you like, as can I. I'll try to counter any negativity with positives, if there are any. Or, ask where the negativity comes from. Just because you expect something doesn't mean it will happen, and if you want to play reality v a plan in your head, then you will always be disappointed.
In my experience, it's best to see what happens in most situations before commenting too much. Then you will at least have the finished result to debate rather than a hypothesis.
01 Aug 2026 21:03:00
I think that it's quite evident that since SJR has come in, there's been a massive change in the structure, a positive change that is. Despite what I think of him as a man and his business ethics, he seems to have made it his aim to bring this club back to its best.
02 Aug 2026 07:56:22
United Addict
I can see why you ask that. TW does stand up for the Glazers a bit. Different opinions are allowed and it's a banter site, so those who want to comment on the uninspired window so far or the (conniving leeches) Glazers, either way, should be able to without being ridiculed. Argue a different perspective by all means. That's simple for me.
I think we are clearly more business savvy. The clueless Woodward is no longer creating Disney.
My issue, and the one I keep highlighting, is what appears to be the overall aim being financial rather than football dominance.
I like the purchase of young players recently. As I have said many times, Heaven is a brilliant purchase. I was delighted to see the young lads bought from City and the lad from Spurs.
But we still have to compete this season and still need LB, ST and CM. It looks like we are too worried about cost.
02 Aug 2026 09:57:40
Do you keep highlighting it, Red Man? I hadn't noticed. ?
02 Aug 2026 10:27:09
Surely any analysis of the transfer window needs to be done when it is closed? So far I'm really happy with the signings, but it's pretty obvious we need 2 or 3 more, and then to supplement the squad with some of the quality kids we have seen through pre-season, and hope they can step up in cup games, etc.
Leave getting your knickers in a twist with a month left in the window to the bots on X.
02 Aug 2026 11:12:35
100% agree, GDS2.
Nobody would be happy if the window closes today.
But, guess what, it's not closing today.
02 Aug 2026 11:46:32
I think Ken is the kinda man who likes to take the contrary position sometimes, especially when people are very adamant about something with very little knowledge to make the judgement on.
He's also been in business at a high level for many years, and as such he has a little more understanding than most about how large multinational companies operate. So while not a perfect comparison to our football club, he will have a slightly better idea about how the people running the club will be thinking, and how they will look to operate.
The biggest issue I think is the extremism that modern society seems to demand. Like everything is binary, yes/no, agree/disagree, good/bad, etc., when the reality is that pretty much nothing is binary, with everything often falling somewhere between the two extremes.
The INEOS takeover, for example, some people want to oversimplify it into either they are amazing or they are awful. Maybe that is because it suits their agenda, or maybe they are a little bit simple and they don't understand nuance.
The truth is, as always, somewhere in the middle. INEOS will do some things that really benefit the club and the fanbase, both short and long term.
They will also do some things that work against the club and fanbase.
They've improved the running and structure of the club. We now have subject matter experts working in each area of the club, with clear parameters around their role. This has led to much clearer and more professional running of the club, as seen by the reduction of leaks around the club, as well as the improvements in recruitment.
Is it perfect? No, it probably never will be. They got the appointment of Dan Ashworth wrong, and they were wrong to keep Erik ten Hag in their first season (although the logic behind it made sense). They will make mistakes, but we have to remember not to throw the baby out with the bath water when judging how they are doing, and we also need to give it time and not react in the moment.
While the new stadium and how they manage season tickets is a little more questionable, only time will tell if they are making the right decisions there.
You don't have to be employed by INEOS to be able to see both sides, just someone who can be more impartial in their viewpoint. Someone who can see both the good and the bad, and, more importantly, knows when they cannot make a sound judgement either way.
02 Aug 2026 13:19:34
Tumbleweed is literally employed by Sky Sports. He has been one of their most prominent pundits for over a decade. How anyone would think he's employed by Ineos is baffling.