Don’t think we need him?

Can we be certain that there won't be another postponement in the Venky's trial?

One per week from now if we sign three more. No new names from Nicko so suspect there's some frantic work being done behind the scenes with many names being bandied around. The biggest questions regarding outgoings are of course Szmodics, as well as Sigurdsson. I think I would start both tonight, if nothing is close. The closer we get to deadline day, the more I expect loans over permanent transfers.

I'm sure John Park knows Szmodics is a goner and wants him out sooner rather than later so they can get on with the A list of incomings. Don't know if it's because Nicko is getting fed info again, but we do seem a tad more effective in the backroom than prior. Will be an exciting few weeks. And a proper send-off for our hero from last season, I wish him all the best in the PL.

Being fed from the club, just trying to get Ipswich to fork out what we want. Bottle of red from SW and John Park incoming.

Loan fee and wages off the book will do.

West Ham just bought 31-year old Fullkrüg for a fee believed to be £27m and signed him to a 4-year contract.

Sigurdsson's contract expires in june 2025 so what's the difference if PAOK want him on loan for the season?

He's missed a lot of valuable training sessions with his new team (and us for that matter) and that alone should be worth £500k for them. They're getting our fittest player so he'll hit the ground running either way.

Nice article on Germain here. https://www.starsandstripesfc.com/usmnt-americans-abroad/2024/4/18/24132103/ryo-germain-usmnt-usa-united-states-japan-j-league-striker-call-up-jubilo-iwata-goals-national-team Ohashi and Germain are both relatively low risk signings. Cheap and probably not on the highest wages. From what I can see the J-League average salararies are well below the US Major League for example. Definitely adding hard working players and getting rid of the lazy ones (Siggy/Bucko) and I think that's something it's easy for the fans to appreciate.

2024: 20 apps, 15 goals 0 assists 2023: 31 apps, 9 goals 3 assists 2022: 29 apps, 3 goals 0 assists

Germain predominantly scores with his left and his head, and has 0 assists which is a little worrying. Good option on as left attacker or no. 9, and Hedges can play in different positions so we're flexible in that sense. Sigurdsson can leave, Buckley has had a little bit of bad luck but seems to have stagnated so if we can get a fee for him and replace him then I'll be okay with that. Do people rate Collins?

If Leonard leaves then we're starting to wear thin in that position, no? He's been injured a lot the past six months or so so good move for him if true.

Hyam played well tonight too. We started off brightly and with intent. Some good passing but slowed down towards the break, only for Derby to grab the bull by both horns and give us a proper fight. Good to see we're up for one!

Sigurdsson is yet to show up properly and doesn't have the workrate unfortunately. If he doesn't produce goals/assists then he's a luxury player we can't afford to put in the side. Vale should be sold or given away, Markanday has shown glimpses but he's League 1 standard.

Travis I thought I heard on the speaker.

If we play two center halves then tonight we saw our first choice pairing. With three either can play so they'll definitely play their part. Four goals from four different players, and two of our debutants scoring with Gueye coming close early doors.

He also jumps into tackles and finds it hard to track his man after missing. Needs to stop doing that. However, he was strongly involved in our first goal so it's nice to see he puts a bit of energy into the mix.

JRC was poor Great effort by all debutants. Derby must have had 20 corners but to concede two is disappointing nonetheless. Great spirit to score just after they got a deserved equaliser. Travis had a good game as well, both ways. Very good game.

Too soon to rule out O'Riordan, just needs to be playing. I reckon we're after a left-footed player to play on the left side along with Hedges. 'Hedgy' did well there but his body can't handle 46 games in a season.

Leeds have others that chip in. I'm sure Gueye and Ohashi will grab a few, and JRC possibly five? Hedges four and Dolan the same... our set pieces improved towards the end of last season and we look more intimidating now, but I'm concerned about our lack of pace and inability to break teams down effectively. Hope we come out guns blazing tomorrow night though!

Four first team players would make it a real shake-up this summer. Anything is possible but we lack pace and power, and most of all squad depth as things stand. And we're about to lose our only proven scorer at this level.

I don't disagree but compared to our other senior players who have gone through pre-season he should be just as fit as he's played competitive games throughout the summer.

Match fitness is whether he's ready physically, and he's coming in from more than midway through a season in the J-League he should be. We've done ourselves a disfavour by not making sure Szmodics is match fit, that's for sure. Wonder who is the brains behind that...

Fair enough. I think Gueye starts and Ohashi might also but could be better as an impact sub if he's not up to speed tactically.