Obviously resigned to losing Szmodics, but Gallagher going (no matter what anyone thinks of him) is really, really, concerning. The only senior striker in a team that’s needed reinforcements up top for years. No longer just a workhorse - he’s now the canary in the coal mine. If Dolan’s still here too when the window closes I’ll be astonished. Contrary to a lot of people’s opinions on here, pretty much any team outside the top 6 would want him in their squad for a couple of hundred grand and a relatively low wage. Doesn’t look like we’re planning on replacements either. In short, we’re fucked.

Then you’ll tell us the answer, right? So just tell us now? The first question I want asking at the next Fans Forum - “Are you aware this is being recorded?” I have concerns that the unnecessary and frankly outdated minuting protocol is at the very least being used to stifle impassioned and honest debate by trying to throw in some illusion of boardroom “professionalism”. At worst, it’s being edited to remove uncomfortable answers and cause division between the “in group” and the “out group” - trying to curry favour with those allowed into the circle and taking the heat, urgency, and momentum out of their concerns and questions when it’s reported days if not weeks down the line. I want transparency. This isn’t it. If the CEO can’t hold a meeting with his stakeholders without blurting out commercially sensitive information, then that’s a problem for Venky’s, not us. Get it streamed.

Either way they put 5+ past us. No pressure but a big prize on the line, or if they're really going for it. It'll be like watching the Harlem Bloody Globetrotters. I really think our goose is cooked.

I’m not usually like this but can’t quite bring myself to give it the “really proud of the lads oh didn’t we do well” schtick just yet. The game was there for the taking. Fair, fair gutted tbh. Suppose that shows how well we played. So close. Onwards.

We were 2nd in the league after 20 games going into that FYI

We don't.

“NO EXCUSE CULTURE” (rapturous applause, Suhail smiling)

We should crack on with that.

From some of the posts this week you’d think the squad was fine, JDT was shite, and JE is the new Pep-destroying messiah because Gallagher decided to win his annual header.

Agreed. His positional awareness off the ball first half completely shut down their midfield, Chelsea had to start playing down the sides second half to get any joy at all. Natural football IQ.

We did the same at their place iirc. They’re really quite toothless. Can see them being one of the ones caught up, they’ve already played the “change the manager” card to little effect.

Weirdly, Neil is two years younger. Cant believe he’s only 42

Thank god they didn't forget John Fleck's, that lad from Dunkirk and Sorba Bloody Thomas. It's unbelievable whichever way you slice it. Unbelievable errors, or unbelievable excuses.

His resignation letter is still lying on top of the carrier pigeon.

Is there a “visa window”? If the transfer has been registered with the EFL, what’s the problem?

Thought I saw circa £500k being mentioned for Brierly? Might have got that wrong, but he went for a "six-figure fee" to Brentford according to reports. Collateral damage? 😂 O'Riordan just offsetting the Carter fee? I dunno... sounds like I've gone of the deep end I know! But when looking for the most logical sequence of events, I'm finding the situation so farcical that it becomes almost implausible for our executives to have made such a mistake again. Just beggars belief!

Competent at short term freebies, cheap loans, and sales though.

If that were the case I’d 100% be resigning. ”Structural problems within the club have made my position untenable.” I’d think less of him if he sticks around after this, however it actually went down.

Just so happens that any deal involving a fee in the last 12 months have been the ones to be fucked up. The frees and cheap loans get through the fax machine fine. Maybe it’s the pressure causing mistakes? Could almost look like all fees have been totally blocked and the powers that be don’t want the DoF, manager and fans to know. Blame EFL rules, “changes to Indian tax law”, whatever. I NEVER go in for conspiracy theories over logic. Just must be a huge coincidence that it’s these two deals in particular.

Only Hyam and JRC touched the ball more than him, he had >93% pass accuracy (2nd highest) and got a lovely assist in the first half too. When you do notice him he must be having a blinder!

Performances were better than results. “Best team we’ve played” wasn’t a lie, we looked unreal in patches. Couldn’t get enough results over the line (lack of experience?), and fell apart as injuries came in (lack of depth).

With all due respect, we’ve as much chance of convincing Klopp to do a Dalglish.

Yeah but if we can just pretend for long enough to get him through the door… like we did with Jon!

He’d be waiting a while I reckon. 60 games as manager with a 33% win percentage? How’s he in line for jobs like that? I’d be happy with taking a punt on (and could see the logic from “the model” point of view) someone like Lee Carsley. But truthfully, our reputation and finances are in the shit. If JDT walks it’s going to be painful and we could end up with absolutely anyone.

Have to say, not wildly optimistic about this McGuire from the (completely unqualified) eye test. People were writing off Telalovic because of the level he played at but some of those MLS/college clips look absolutely honking.