You had just said British people are shit at learning languages, implying an actual lack of skill. I think saying we can't be bothered to learn them because there isn't as much need is an improvement on that. I'm also British, so reckon I'm alright to give an opinion on a people I belong to. But you do you.

And got downvoted for my troubles, for some reason! 😂

I agree, he could get injured for the rest of the season tomorrow and he'd still be my pick by some distance.

I'm a bit confused, you said no hint of a transfer story, then posted a link that mentions a transfer story?

Some predictions of an absolute drubbing here. Keep in mind that since the managerial change, we haven't lost by more than a goal, and that's only happened twice in eight games. If we do get turned over like that it will be a sign of further regression and I'd imagine a hammer blow to the team's confidence. But form doesn't suggest it. The one saving grace of Eustace's start to life here is we've proven fairly hard to beat for whatever reasons.

British people aren't shite at learning languages, they're lazy at it because English is so widely spoken that there's less need. And Ben is indeed being very lazy, it's no excuse. Also they haven't said he's not being picked because of this, the coach has been clear on it not being the cause. So clearly it's because of his poor form.

Not sure what you mean, the common convention is that transfer fees are amortised in the accounts over the length of the contract. I've also never heard of Venkys taking anything out of the club as 'management charges' in previous accounts, though I stand to be corrected. That said I do suspect some dodgy accounting has happened, we seem to make losses no matter what according to the accounts.

I'm highly confident that if I had a Chilean mother I'd already have been at least intermediate level with Spanish before the callup came through. Surely you'd be sufficiently interested in where you came from and maybe even speaking to your relatives out there to have picked up a foundation to build on. 2 years later and playing for the national team with 6 months spent living in Spain? It's pretty pathetic tbh. Hell, a B in GCSE French 23 years ago and a casual bit of fannying around on Duolingo in the pandemic has gotten me close to intermediate in French and I have zero connections to the place nor real plans to use it. All the time he has and the ability to hire a personal Spanish tutor, with all the incentives he has to learn it...it's a really poor show if he's not at least semi-fluent now. It should be pointed out the Chilean coach has stated that this is not why he hasn't picked him though. I expect it's a factor, mind.

Given he was a freebie, I bet they make a profit on him. I'd imagine the Sheff U loan will have already written off all or most of their costs so far. If he more or less continues his form so far (2 goals in 4 games) they'll be able to sell him for the decent fee we should have got. Their scout will likely have paid off his own wages and those of most of his colleagues for the next decade.

Given that we lose 20 million most seasons (apparently...though I do think this looks suspicious in itself given we constantly slash the wage bill and rarely spend whilst selling a fair few assets), that 23 million, minus about a million spent on acquisitions, would theoretically change the picture to about 2 million profit, not 10 mill plus. Ignoring any loan, signing on and agent fees. When you factor in that the money received from sales won't come all at once and will be drizzled over at least 3 seasons...if the slim possibility of Venkys being refused the right to send us money in this hearing transpires, we will probably end up declaring a loss! Which is sickening.

In fairness, a factor in that may be that he hasn't earned the vast sums many have. Until he came here he was probably never on more than about 5k per week, and that would have been relatively recently too. It's great money to the man in the street, but if he's become a millionaire yet it will have been inside the last year I expect. Short career, and already coming into the last few years or so of it on a good wedge (relative to the footballer life), with a family to raise...yes other footballers might still feel the need to be silly and flash with it, but a bit of financial prudence is to be expected of someone with a brain. If they're still keeping it low-key after his inevitable big move then it'll be more of a testament to character. That said, I do agree he seems the type to focus and work hard without getting distracted by all the other trappings of the footballer life. Big fan of the guy's ability and application. It's scary to think where we'd be without him this season, probably in Rotherham's position. Which is a real shame because we do have other talented players. We just lack proper depth and a cohesive unit (largely stemming from having a manager who was fed up followed by a manager who seems to be shit, but also just characteristics we lack as a squad such as height, bottle and enough pace).

I think Szmodics is probably the best all-round player we've had since we came down under Venkys tbh.

You could certainly question it by the end, where he was just taking stupid pot shots instead of playing people in. A lot easier to score 28 when you rarely pass. Szmodics has a decent chance of hitting the same figure in a worse team, often from a deeper position, but doesn't have that failing. Armstrong was still very valuable to us, and we weren't better off without him as some suggested, but it was a definite weak point of his game. Good for him if he's moved past that. Probably been forced to, playing in a better side and spending time in the Prem where he couldn't just do what he wanted.

I was about to talk about him too. I've only seen him in highlights I think, but his contributions recently seem to have improved, at least at the top end of the pitch. Hopefully one that's developing well.

Needs a lot more than just pace and finishing to be a Prem player. Armstrong was selfish and not particularly smart in his decision making. Besides, any move can go wrong. We'll just have to disagree, there's no way you're convincing me Sammie couldn't play for someone in the Prem and be at least useful, and I'd imagine there's no way I'll change your mind either so we'll leave it there.

That really wasn't my point whatsoever. I believe he's good enough right now. The point about his age was merely to say why there's not a large queue for his services from the Prem. They rarely spend big on any 29 year old, which is what he'll be soon into the next season. But I could definitely see someone plumping for him at about 8-10 mill.

I keep thinking this myself, that due to his age etc, we would probably be looking at a fee in the region of £10 million for him to go to a Prem club, or about £8 million to go to a Championship club (would have to be one of the recently relegated ones, nobody else has that dosh really). Give or take 1 or 2 million in either case (probably take, if we get relegated). I firmly disagree with that assessment. I think he's definitely Prem level. Not absolutely smashing the goals in at Prem level like he does in the Championship of course, but I'm sure there are a few teams he could start for and several others he'd be a good squad player for. His game isn't missing much. Works his ass off, reads the game well, can pass, can score. He's short but that isn't the be all, and he's not lightning but he's not a slouch. He has also scored twice in two games against Premiership opposition in the last 12 months in the cup. If he were 23 we'd have Prem clubs all over us trying to get him.

Jesus Christ... According to the stats on google, Plymouth had 21 shots, 7 of them on target. Premier League Newcastle had less! In fact in the league, the last time another team had more than 11 against us was the Preston game on 17th Feb (16 shots). In what universe is 21 shots and making your keeper perform 6 saves 'very few chances'? Preston was also the last time we had such a horrific pass completion rate (59%). In all other games inbetween we've had over 70%.

Oh you know the future now? Incredible. Can I have this week's winning lottery numbers please?

I think the idea has come from us conceding a lot less goals.

Concussion? I thought they said he was ill?

That will only work if Waggott is CEO at his current or future club...

I'm not sure why you're so certain we'd lose to a team who have lost their last 8 games straight, after we just drew with a team who had just won their last two, and we've recently drawn with other teams who are also better than Rotherham. 'At least we drew with Rotherham' has to be one of the most backhanded compliments imaginable. They're the absolute whipping boys of the league. We're merely draw specialists right now, and playing turgid stuff. As depressing as it is, we're actually in better form than we were in the latter days of JDT's reign, a patch including the Rotherham game you mention. We could have done with more draws back then.

I'm going with horror. Given the budget has been repeatedly slashed. We all also Know What They Did Last Summer (and Last January...and this January, and...) Although it could be both and be a horror-comedy. I certainly find myself wanting to Scream.

Funnily enough, I thought within a day or so of appointing him 'this guy gives me Appleton vibes'. I didn't post it as I didn't want to jinx it, speak too soon, or be too negative about it so early, but as the matches keep coming the comparison seems more and more apt.