This Japanese link is an interesting one, he is theoretically in his peak and seems to be a late bloomer as he hadnt scored many until recently. He would be coming from a questionable standard in a different continent so it would be a big ask. Hopefully would be a creative and successful potential addition. We need to get deals done now though, we are long past the point of talking. Games tick by before the window closes ahead of a season where every point against relegation will likely matter. Mere gossip is nothing, is he actually coming and is it going to be soon? Even if he comes, we need far more than just him. Also, in what circumstances is he coming in? If as is probably most likely, he is the main replacement for Szmodics in otherwise a summer of frees and loans, then that is a concern.

True but surely especially for a deal that should be so easy to do at most clubs. He would have benefitted from doing a full pre season here and getting minutes. He may have kept himself ticking over but he will then need presumably to build up minutes in friendlies and under 21 games.

They had injuries at centre back and he still didnt get a game. When we played them they opted for a young lad at centre back over him.

Signing Batth would perfectly sum up how our club is run. It made sense last season off the back of a good season at Sunderland. Owners messed about, slashed budgets, didnt want to commit to 2 years. This summer, he is off the back of a season at Norwich where he couldnt get a kick even when they had injuries, his legs must have gone. The only reason we would want him is because our main targets have proven to be unaffordable/we didnt want to commit to 2 years. If we were reluctant to give Batth 2 years last year in case he dropped off at age, we are now just giving him that second year knowing that he seemingly has slowed down. Also, hes been a free agent all throughout pre season. Sign him now and hes already missed most of it.

What would have to happen for you to be concerned about relegation, out of interest? If selling Szmodics and still having nothing to spend wouldnt.

Obviously true but something everyone already knows. But a wannabe ITK.

Im not sure Carter will attract any big bids. He turns 25 this winter which is a good age but hes no longer a young prospect and he doesnt stand out to attract Prem interest.

Will there be any post meeting comment do you anticipate or will it all wait until the minutes?

Will there be any feedback tonight? Appreciate that minutes are made but we could do with some immediate feedback on the main issues as soon as possible rather than waiting a week.

If Szmodics goes, do you think money will be reinvested? I know it should and needs to be, do you think it will? And if it isnt, do you forsee relegation concerns?

Amazing how people who gain work through their supposed knowledge of the EFL can be so unaware.

Szmodics leaving would likely be the final nail in our chances of survival. No money would be reinvested by our terrible owners so who cares if ifs 5m, 10m or 15m. At least there was a massive buzz in the club shop because people like the kit.

That account reads like a poster on here and looking, perhaps isnt the most reliable amidst predictions that Broughton wouldnt do media interviews last March because he had already left and imminent insolvency predictions dating back over a year ago! That being said, Szmodics you imagine would go so its an easy prediction. Mind you, again this account had him sold in January.

Seems like there has been an upsurge in "negativity bashing" by those who suddenly seem keen to for some reason totally ignore the very critical fact that our terrible owners providing no budget is a huge reason as to why we have struggled and failed to bring anyone in. As for Batth, a big thumbs down but it would sum everything up. Wanted him last summer after a successful season. Venkys moved the goalposts, deal fell through, went to Norwich where he struggled for game time even when they had numerous injuries in that position, we then get loads of new off the field staff. If we ended up desperately going back to him having been unable to get more preferable targets again due to budgetary issues, it would sum things up. Baker wont happen, talk of fanciful swap deals aside. We are well beyond the point of idle gossip. Our tiny squad lacks knowhow and is totally stripped of any excitement. We badly need pace and quality through the door in attack, beside Szmodics, we have Gallagher and Dolan who will run their contracts down who to be honest both would benefit from a fresh start, Hedges battling injury issues and Sigurdsson, Markanday and Vale who are all not good enough. We only have 1 senior keeper (Calamity Pears) and are thin in most other positions.

Was just a question about whether that set of players would suffice in giving us a decent chance of survival. Eustace isnt being backed, thats the problem. Didnt require the superfan propaganda.

That will happen sometimes but it doesnt mean that every rumour is correct. Some will just be bollocks.

If we signed all them (we wont) would we stay up?

He plays for their under 19s. Surely he is not coming as a first team player.

Szmodics not in the team today nor is Hedges who still isnt fit enough. The bench is again frightening.

The rise of Brereton was very much an exception to the rule and he had a season between being very bad and very good where he did fairly well and scored 7 or 8 so it wasnt a sudden emergence. Markanday has been here for a couple of seasons and has really struggled to show capability at this level. There isnt 0% chance of him coming good but it isnt some sort of laughable unsupportive impatient mob that suggests that he isnt up to it.

I dont get why anyone would want McFadzean over Cooper. The question is whether we want either because playing someone of that age and lack of speed pushes your defence back. I'd prefer someone more mobile. But in terms of quality, credentials and having 5 years on the alternative, Cooper is a much better bet surely.

Getting an easier last 16 game isnt as much based on luck because obviously you can win your group and in theory then get an easier tie. But then again, you can still top your group and get a big hitter who hasnt won their group, would that be deserved or would that be bad luck? The latter. Purely from an England perspective. Quarter and semi finals, that is luck. Switzerland and Holland arent easy teams to beat, harder than Ukraine/Denmark in 2020, but they arent the elite teams. The elite teams all were on the opposite side. Whether France messed up first and deserved their harder route is a totally seperate argument.

We need both quality and quantity, and will likely get neither.

Im not saying that I'd turn my nose up at Cooper as I wouldnt. But as a general rule, people shouldnt just feel grateful should we sign anyone.

Of course luck plays a part. It does in all sport but in a normal season, one game isnt decisive in the same way that knockout tournament is. You play everyone home and away in a league, you can get easier or harder draws in major tournaments. Also a dodgy decision can tilt a game either way, we have seen it against us in the past, take the Lampard goal v Germany and Campbell's header v Portugal, we have had 2 really dodgy penalties in our favour in our Euro semi finals. That doesnt mean that I am saying that Southgate is purely lucky. One thing he clearly is very good at is man management. I don't disagree with your analysis of international football, you often see that more pragmatic managers get success at international football. I suspect that Mourinho would do well at least short term if he went into international management. If you totally took nationality out of the equation though, would the likes of Potter and Carsley come into consideration?