Gap between 3rd and 2nd is 6 points now and 7 to 1st place. There's only one extra point in it for us in 4th.
Leeds have won just one game since December 14th and West Bromwich have only won one in their last six.
Up next Charlton and boro. Know mitro is out injured and we need someone in as back up whilst he's out, but get the squad back and all fully fit then surely it's game on for us.
Seems Brentford, forest and ourselves have the same form at the moment.
I think that currently Brentford are the in form team however, with our squad we should be favourites but it is getting interesting now isn't it
Nothing is over until the large lady sings as they say (modified for the PC among you).
However we really are not playing that well and have let too many opportunities to close the gap slip through our fingers as a result.
Currently I cannot get any friends to accept that Brentford are a balanced team who are playing extremely well.
They look less like having a bad patch than Leeds.
Would have taken this position at this point during the season.
Realistically we are the team out of the 4 that hasn't had a significant run of form, or being hyped up in recent times.
We have traditionally done better in the second half of the season and if we perform anywhere near the levels we did last time we went up - we should secure automatic promotion.
I'll be waiting to hear on the Mitro news before deciding if it's possible. As has been said we've not been playing well, grinding out a 1-0 win is something all top teams have to do but they also spank teams from time to time and we've only done that twice.
Need to hang on to our best players through this wretched transfer window. Fancy Kamara could stand in for Mitro if of course he is fit.
Bretford definitely the surprise and form team of the moment.
Fulham 33-1 to be champs and 8-1 to be Top 2.
Can't see it myself but will try and enjoy the ride regardless. Call me pessimistic but i've not seen enough consistency to warrant us being top 2. Next 6 games which I think Statto mentioned in another thread is key. All winnable, but if previous form shows anything, we're liable to banana skins along the way and we've already had enough in my view.
Really is painful because top 2 was there for the taking this season, and it's a few quite atrocious, silly defeats that have cost us. And yes looking at our next 6 games it still is there for the taking but I cannot see us going that long without another silly defeat to some poundshop team we should be steamrollering with this squad, particularly now with Hector at the back
Not to be bummer but.....
I agree that Brentford do seem to be a well-balanced team that have a strong chance I think of getting top two.
Could also see us getting third and going to Wembley to play Brentford and them winning their story book ending of starting in the Premier League in their new stadium. :010:
Quote from: love4ffc on January 13, 2020, 06:56:46 PM
Not to be bummer but.....
I agree that Brentford do seem to be a well-balanced team that have a strong chance I think of getting top two.
Could also see us getting third and going to Wembley to play Brentford and them winning their story book ending of starting in the Premier League in their new stadium. :010:
I could not think of a worse end to the season...
Quote from: JoeyFFC on January 13, 2020, 08:06:21 PM
Quote from: love4ffc on January 13, 2020, 06:56:46 PM
Not to be bummer but.....
I agree that Brentford do seem to be a well-balanced team that have a strong chance I think of getting top two.
Could also see us getting third and going to Wembley to play Brentford and them winning their story book ending of starting in the Premier League in their new stadium. :010:
I could not think of a worse end to the season...
Agree, would rather be the party crashers.
Quote from: love4ffc on January 13, 2020, 06:56:46 PM
Not to be bummer but.....
I agree that Brentford do seem to be a well-balanced team that have a strong chance I think of getting top two.
Could also see us getting third and going to Wembley to play Brentford and them winning their story book ending of starting in the Premier League in their new stadium. :010:
It's curious to me why any team whos been in a relatively strong league and based in London have only had a stadium with a capacity of 12,000 and are building a new one in this city in the present to only have a capacity of 17,000 - strikes me as ridiculous beyond compare.
I appreciate adding almost 50% more seats is a big move comparatively but there's no way that's a club in London with potential to be a premier league club being A) sustainable or b) premier league ready which is what they're claiming.
Whilst I've always viewed brentford in an oddly relevant but also semi irrelevant rivalry with a bit of a rough fan base (I've never actually been so don't know where I got that from), I've really admired how they've built their squad and made a success of themselves by picking up the best available academy players from the premier league and using them to push them on.
I'd actually quite like it if we and one of either brentford or leeds got the automatic places and either leeds or brentford won the playoffs.
Not with Parker and Tony Khan at the helm. Brentford a much better run and managed side, dont see us overhauling them Leeds or West Brom.
Brentford look like automatic promotion to me and one of the top 2 could easily fall away. I just don't see us getting automatic because of the inconsistency.
Thing is the top 2 are catchable and if we could only get a run going we just might do it!
I don't want Brentford in the Play offs, but again if we hit form at the right time who knows.
Let's just beat Boro Friday 049:gif
Quote from: love4ffc on January 13, 2020, 06:56:46 PM
Could also see us getting third and going to Wembley to play Brentford and them winning their story book ending of starting in the Premier League in their new stadium. :010:
You should get a two week ban for that.
I won't sleep tonight.
Thanks
If Leeds and WBA win their next two games, while Brentford and Fulham drop points, then automatic promotion for the first two is certain, because the way FFP allows them but not us to get players.
Winning the next two games will allow Leeds to go into deadline day and acquire next years transfers early to improve their bench. ManUtd would probably be willing to loan them Lingard for free (ie less than his wages) provided Leeds must buy him if promoted for £25m. He is one hell of a sub and backup in the championship.
Alternatively, if we gain six points on the top two by deadline day, then we can do the same technique.
Quote from: 70sPimlico on January 13, 2020, 10:08:47 PM
Quote from: love4ffc on January 13, 2020, 06:56:46 PM
Could also see us getting third and going to Wembley to play Brentford and them winning their story book ending of starting in the Premier League in their new stadium. :010:
You should get a two week ban for that.
I won't sleep tonight.
Thanks
Is two weeks long enough...🤔
Next May living nightmare
Quote from: Fernhurst on January 13, 2020, 10:36:14 PM
Quote from: 70sPimlico on January 13, 2020, 10:08:47 PM
Quote from: love4ffc on January 13, 2020, 06:56:46 PM
Could also see us getting third and going to Wembley to play Brentford and them winning their story book ending of starting in the Premier League in their new stadium. :010:
You should get a two week ban for that.
I won't sleep tonight.
Thanks
Is two weeks long enough...🤔
Next May living nightmare
Apologies everyone. I will put myself in the corner with a dunce cap :protest card:
Quote from: The Rational Fan on January 13, 2020, 10:24:26 PM
If Leeds and WBA win their next two games, while Brentford and Fulham drop points, then automatic promotion for the first two is certain, because the way FFP allows them but not us to get players.
Winning the next two games will allow Leeds to go into deadline day and acquire next years transfers early to improve their bench. ManUtd would probably be willing to loan them Lingard for free (ie less than his wages) provided Leeds must buy him if promoted for £25m. He is one hell of a sub and backup in the championship.
Alternatively, if we gain six points on the top two by deadline day, then we can do the same technique.
The last thing I can see us, or either of them, doing if we're flying high at the end of January is rushing to change the team with new signings
Quote from: Statto on January 13, 2020, 11:15:08 PM
Quote from: The Rational Fan on January 13, 2020, 10:24:26 PM
If Leeds and WBA win their next two games, while Brentford and Fulham drop points, then automatic promotion for the first two is certain, because the way FFP allows them but not us to get players.
Winning the next two games will allow Leeds to go into deadline day and acquire next years transfers early to improve their bench. ManUtd would probably be willing to loan them Lingard for free (ie less than his wages) provided Leeds must buy him if promoted for £25m. He is one hell of a sub and backup in the championship.
Alternatively, if we gain six points on the top two by deadline day, then we can do the same technique.
The last thing I can see us, or either of them, doing if we're flying high at the end of January is rushing to change the team with new signings
I agree that if everyone is fit they won't change the starting XI, but completely disagree that they won't add to the squad now for depth. Only 14 players have been a part of the starting eleven more than five times, and therefore loaning another GK, DF, MF and FW with a promise to buy for next seasons squad if promoted makes sense. No need to change a winning combination, but with their current squad, an injury to Kevin Phillips, Pablo Hernández or Patrick Banford could cost them 8 points and £150m.
Seven players Kiko Casilla, Ben White, Stuart Dallas, Kalvin Phillips, Mateusz Klich, Jack Harrison and Patrick Bamford have been in the squad for 24 games each, so we have no idea of the depth behind these players. Importantly, Leeds have averaged 1.22 points per game in the 9 games Pablo Hernández has not played and if they continue at 1.22 points per game they would only get 75 points and just make the playoffs.
Leeds will want a backup for Pablo Hernández plus others and get next year's players in earlier to avoid "Doing a Fulham" next season. Next season, Leeds will need a squad of 25 players of various standards, they currently have 15 players that could be part of that squad, bringing four now and six during the summer will be injury insurance this season and a better transition to next season.
Quote from: ALG01 on January 13, 2020, 04:25:23 PM
However we really are not playing that well and have let too many opportunities to close the gap slip through our fingers as a result.
This.
FFC has been far too inconsistent this season. Many disappointing outcomes/results. Especially against lower half table sides. Many opportunities for gains urinated away (cleaned up for the PC crowd). FFC needs to show some more consistent play. Simple as that. I still hold out hope for promotion this season, but, automatic seems a pipe dream, unless, of course, we can see this team playing more consistent football and playing to expectations.
Quote from: The Rational Fan on January 14, 2020, 01:32:11 AM
Quote from: Statto on January 13, 2020, 11:15:08 PM
Quote from: The Rational Fan on January 13, 2020, 10:24:26 PM
If Leeds and WBA win their next two games, while Brentford and Fulham drop points, then automatic promotion for the first two is certain, because the way FFP allows them but not us to get players.
Winning the next two games will allow Leeds to go into deadline day and acquire next years transfers early to improve their bench. ManUtd would probably be willing to loan them Lingard for free (ie less than his wages) provided Leeds must buy him if promoted for £25m. He is one hell of a sub and backup in the championship.
Alternatively, if we gain six points on the top two by deadline day, then we can do the same technique.
The last thing I can see us, or either of them, doing if we're flying high at the end of January is rushing to change the team with new signings
I agree that if everyone is fit they won't change the starting XI, but completely disagree that they won't add to the squad now for depth. Only 14 players have been a part of the starting eleven more than five times, and therefore loaning another GK, DF, MF and FW with a promise to buy for next seasons squad if promoted makes sense. No need to change a winning combination, but with their current squad, an injury to Kevin Phillips, Pablo Hernández or Patrick Banford could cost them 8 points and £150m.
Seven players Kiko Casilla, Ben White, Stuart Dallas, Kalvin Phillips, Mateusz Klich, Jack Harrison and Patrick Bamford have been in the squad for 24 games each, so we have no idea of the depth behind these players. Importantly, Leeds have averaged 1.22 points per game in the 9 games Pablo Hernández has not played and if they continue at 1.22 points per game they would only get 75 points and just make the playoffs.
Leeds will want a backup for Pablo Hernández plus others and get next year's players in earlier to avoid "Doing a Fulham" next season. Next season, Leeds will need a squad of 25 players of various standards, they currently have 15 players that could be part of that squad, bringing four now and six during the summer will be injury insurance this season and a better transition to next season.
What standard of player is going to be prepared not only to drop down to the championship to join them, but also to sit on their bench as backup for Bamford et al?
Certainly not the standard of players that's going to fundamentally improve their team, or be of much use to them in the PL if they do go up.
I'm not saying they won't add a bit of depth this window. I suspect they will. Maybe a loan or two as you suggest. That would be perfectly sensible and prudent.
But I suspect we may well do exactly the same, even if we're 5th.
I do not buy this argument that if they're still in the top 2 in a fortnight, they'll pre-emptively splurge their anticipated PL TV money on new, top quality players
Rumours Leeds will "loan with buy options" three players Nick Pope, Aaron Mooy, and Che Adams, for the bench and next season. I doubt Leeds can afford the wages of such players, but if they keep their lead over third-place other clubs will be willing to settle for a compulsory buy option or follow on loan if promoted. We need to close the gap before deadline day, otherwise it maybe "Game, Set and Match" because a points gap will allow them more squad depth to survive injuries.
There is no reason why Fulham can not achieve a top 2 place with still 19 matches to go. However, to stand any chance of that happening, we need a couple more players, but they have to be the right kind of players, mentally as well as physically, as we are picking up
Injuries to key players could play a part and the rest of the season will not be a picnic at the
best of times.
Quote from: The Rational Fan on January 16, 2020, 05:22:34 AM
Rumours Leeds will "loan with buy options" three players Nick Pope, Aaron Mooy, and Che Adams, for the bench and next season. I doubt Leeds can afford the wages of such players, but if they keep their lead over third-place other clubs will be willing to settle for a compulsory buy option or follow on loan if promoted. We need to close the gap before deadline day, otherwise it maybe "Game, Set and Match" because a points gap will allow them more squad depth to survive injuries.
Mooy is utter nonsense. He's playing every game, MoTM performances and first name on team sheet. Che Adams also playing more recently including starting against Chelsea. I very much doubt either of them happen.
Quote from: The Rational Fan on January 16, 2020, 05:22:34 AM
Rumours Leeds will "loan with buy options" three players Nick Pope, Aaron Mooy, and Che Adams, for the bench and next season. I doubt Leeds can afford the wages of such players, but if they keep their lead over third-place other clubs will be willing to settle for a compulsory buy option or follow on loan if promoted. We need to close the gap before deadline day, otherwise it maybe "Game, Set and Match" because a points gap will allow them more squad depth to survive injuries.
The aggregate wages of all three of those players over the remaining half season would be what, £2-3m?
So let me get this straight - your rationale for saying it will be "game, set and match" if Leeds win their next two games is
(a) Leeds can't currently afford £2-3m,
(b) Fulham can't afford £2-3m,
(c) since Leeds think they'll go up, they'll spend £2-3m anyway, and just hope they do indeed go up and get the PL TV money to pay for it, and
(d) signing three squad players will improve Leeds' chances of going up so much that it will be "game, set and match" in the promotion race
I think I disagree with each and every one of those points, (a) through (d)!!!
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on January 16, 2020, 09:34:00 AM
There is no reason why Fulham can not achieve a top 2 place with still 19 matches to go. However, to stand any chance of that happening, we need a couple more players, but they have to be the right kind of players, mentally as well as physically, as we are picking up
Injuries to key players could play a part and the rest of the season will not be a picnic at the
best of times.
I can think of one, TK won't sign defenders. Forget the rest of the squad, this has been our problem and we all know it. I'd actually be really surprised if TK actually signed just one defender (Hector doesn't count). I am expecting the recruitment staff to make the same miserable mistake again.
I know you agree with me Mr. Sabretooth, but just venting.
Quote from: FFC1987 on January 16, 2020, 11:40:35 AM
Quote from: The Rational Fan on January 16, 2020, 05:22:34 AM
Rumours Leeds will "loan with buy options" three players Nick Pope, Aaron Mooy, and Che Adams, for the bench and next season. I doubt Leeds can afford the wages of such players, but if they keep their lead over third-place other clubs will be willing to settle for a compulsory buy option or follow on loan if promoted. We need to close the gap before deadline day, otherwise it maybe "Game, Set and Match" because a points gap will allow them more squad depth to survive injuries.
Mooy is utter nonsense. He's playing every game, MoTM performances and first name on team sheet. Che Adams also playing more recently including starting against Chelsea. I very much doubt either of them happen.
Also Nick Pope is the Burnley number 1
Quote from: Statto on January 16, 2020, 03:16:08 PM
Quote from: The Rational Fan on January 16, 2020, 05:22:34 AM
Rumours Leeds will "loan with buy options" three players Nick Pope, Aaron Mooy, and Che Adams, for the bench and next season. I doubt Leeds can afford the wages of such players, but if they keep their lead over third-place other clubs will be willing to settle for a compulsory buy option or follow on loan if promoted. We need to close the gap before deadline day, otherwise it maybe "Game, Set and Match" because a points gap will allow them more squad depth to survive injuries.
The aggregate wages of all three of those players over the remaining half season would be what, £2-3m?
So let me get this straight - your rationale for saying it will be "game, set and match" if Leeds win their next two games is
(a) Leeds can't currently afford £2-3m,
(b) Fulham can't afford £2-3m,
(c) since Leeds think they'll go up, they'll spend £2-3m anyway, and just hope they do indeed go up and get the PL TV money to pay for it, and
(d) signing three squad players will improve Leeds' chances of going up so much that it will be "game, set and match" in the promotion race
I think I disagree with each and every one of those points, (a) through (d)!!!
Nope, the idea is Leeds pay nothing for these players not even wages and if they go up they pay the going price plus £5m. Given Fulham has about a third of the chance of going up Fulham would have to pay the going price plus £15m. Leeds promising to spend the £5m means they avoid £3m wages no matter what the outcome and if promoted pay last seasons wages plus an extra £2m for gettting the player early. Where as Fulham would have to pay an extra £12m for getting player early if promoted.
About C) It's not Leeds that is banking on TV money but the other clubs selling players.
About D) Leeds has had 9 games affected by injuries and got 11 points, the other 18 games everyone was available they have got 41 points. Without injuries they are heading for 95 points and with injuries they are heading for 75 points, any players brought in must protect against injuries and prepare for next season. If injuries don't affect them for rest of the season (either because everyone is fit or replacements are improvements) it is game, set and match for Leeds.
My point is if we close gap this option becomes more expensive for Leeds if they go up, but if Leeds open the gap between them and third place by six points, the ability to get players with promises of signing them now is simple.
TRF, suggest we agree to disagree then. IMO the amount of wild speculation (eg "Without injuries [Leeds] are heading for 95 points and with injuries they are heading for 75 points") and highly questionable reasoning (eg "Given Fulham has about a third of the chance of going up Fulham would have to pay [three times as much]") in your argument means it is basically meaningless. You may be right, but only in the same way that technically someone may be right if they speculate that Mitrovic will score an OG in the play-offs and therefore we should sell him.
Quote from: Statto on January 16, 2020, 11:14:37 PM
TRF, suggest we agree to disagree then. IMO the amount of wild speculation (eg "Without injuries [Leeds] are heading for 95 points and with injuries they are heading for 75 points") and highly questionable reasoning (eg "Given Fulham has about a third of the chance of going up Fulham would have to pay [three times as much]") in your argument means it is basically meaningless. You may be right, but only in the same way that technically someone may be right if they speculate that Mitrovic will score an OG in the play-offs and therefore we should sell him.
Four Simple questions.
1. If Leeds are 12 points ahead of third-place on deadline day and Southampton wants to sell Che Adams for £15m now (so stop paying his £1.5m wages every half-season), then would Southampton be prepared to let Che Adams play for Leeds and Southampton pay his wages, conditional on Leeds buying him if promoted at £18m?
2. If Fulham are 12 points behind of third-place on deadline day and Southampton wants to sell Che Adams for £15m now (so stop paying his £1.5m wages every half-season), then would Southampton be prepared to let Che Adams play for Fulham and Southampton pay his wages, conditional on Fulham buying him if promoted at £18m?
3. Are the answers different? Does a team more likely to get promoted have an ability to negotiate deals that delay payment?
4. If Patrick Bamford get injured, does having Che Adams in the squad increase the chance of Leeds getting promoted?
Quote from: The Rock on January 16, 2020, 08:04:18 PM
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on January 16, 2020, 09:34:00 AM
There is no reason why Fulham can not achieve a top 2 place with still 19 matches to go. However, to stand any chance of that happening, we need a couple more players, but they have to be the right kind of players, mentally as well as physically, as we are picking up
Injuries to key players could play a part and the rest of the season will not be a picnic at the
best of times.
I can think of one, TK won't sign defenders. Forget the rest of the squad, this has been our problem and we all know it. I'd actually be really surprised if TK actually signed just one defender (Hector doesn't count). I am expecting the recruitment staff to make the same miserable mistake again.
I know you agree with me Mr. Sabretooth, but just venting.
Yes I agree
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on January 17, 2020, 12:34:42 AM
Quote from: The Rock on January 16, 2020, 08:04:18 PM
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on January 16, 2020, 09:34:00 AM
There is no reason why Fulham can not achieve a top 2 place with still 19 matches to go. However, to stand any chance of that happening, we need a couple more players, but they have to be the right kind of players, mentally as well as physically, as we are picking up
Injuries to key players could play a part and the rest of the season will not be a picnic at the
best of times.
I can think of one, TK won't sign defenders. Forget the rest of the squad, this has been our problem and we all know it. I'd actually be really surprised if TK actually signed just one defender (Hector doesn't count). I am expecting the recruitment staff to make the same miserable mistake again.
I know you agree with me Mr. Sabretooth, but just venting.
Yes I agree
Defenders are a "medium to longer-term investment" compared to wingers that can more often improve a team immediately. Until now, the clubs focus has been bringing in players (e.g. Mitro, Babel and Cav) to improve the team immediately (i.e. get promoted before parachute payments end, stay up in premier league any way possible or win championship games ASAP after going down).
I think Tony Khan's focus has shifted from short-term to getting the players we need for the "medium to longer-term" such as playoffs, next season and following seasons, so now he is looking at defenders more than before. Statistics say that moving older player on (such as Ream) may have some short-term pain (or risk of pain) and the timing needs to be balanced with the longer-term improvement. For me, I understand why the focus was more short-term, but now is the time to think May 2020 and beyond.
Quote from: The Rational Fan on January 17, 2020, 12:56:08 AM
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on January 17, 2020, 12:34:42 AM
Quote from: The Rock on January 16, 2020, 08:04:18 PM
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on January 16, 2020, 09:34:00 AM
There is no reason why Fulham can not achieve a top 2 place with still 19 matches to go. However, to stand any chance of that happening, we need a couple more players, but they have to be the right kind of players, mentally as well as physically, as we are picking up
Injuries to key players could play a part and the rest of the season will not be a picnic at the
best of times.
I can think of one, TK won't sign defenders. Forget the rest of the squad, this has been our problem and we all know it. I'd actually be really surprised if TK actually signed just one defender (Hector doesn't count). I am expecting the recruitment staff to make the same miserable mistake again.
I know you agree with me Mr. Sabretooth, but just venting.
Yes I agree
Defenders are a "medium to longer-term investment" compared to wingers that can more often improve a team immediately. Until now, the clubs focus has been bringing in players (e.g. Mitro, Babel and Cav) to improve the team immediately (i.e. get promoted before parachute payments end, stay up in premier league any way possible or win championship games ASAP after going down).
I think Tony Khan's focus has shifted from short-term to getting the players we need for the "medium to longer-term" such as playoffs, next season and following seasons, so now he is looking at defenders more than before. Statistics say that moving older player on (such as Ream) may have some short-term pain (or risk of pain) and the timing needs to be balanced with the longer-term improvement. For me, I understand why the focus was more short-term, but now is the time to think May 2020 and beyond.
Certainly not, you have been listening for far too long to David Icke who now resides in the Isle of Wight.
You are far better off concentrating on the remaining 19 matches which commence this evening in SW6.
Also for a competitive fee at a discounted price, you can come to one of my open Consultancy Seminars at Beachy Head and listen to me harping on about the sad demise of the Leather Football Stud, the Magic Sponge, White Horse Oils and the traditional half time oranges.
I think TK's main priority has to be promotion this season, which is sill well within our grasp, and is thus trying to improve the team - and defence is our main weakness - to this effect.
Not much point in planning for next season, if we don't know where we will be.
But the important thing is to give this season our very best shot. Focus on getting a result in the next game ahead, and who knows what will happen - the top two could start to falter, and indeed have already somewhat, and the play-ff's are definitely within our grasp.
IF we go up, then we will need to get in reinforcements anyway, suddenly becoming attractive to Prem quality players who would not join us as a Championship side, and we will also have the money to get them and pay their wages, with hopefully, a bit more success than last time, with lessons learnt from then.
Though I think we already have a core of Prem quality players, who will be used to playing together, though we obviously have defensive weaknesses, which the club seems to be trying to rectify, with the acquisition of Hector and Kongolo so far.
Yes we seem to be slowly getting there with the additions of Hector and Kongolo, who both add height and physicality to the defence, it's a shame we are having our fair share of injuries but we need to ride the storm and become more consistent and harder to beat. I think it is so important to gain promotion this season, and if we can consolidate our position in the play offs and at the same time close the gap on Albion and Leeds, anything can happen. But addressing the defence now adequately could just tip the balance.
Quote from: RaySmith on January 17, 2020, 04:41:54 AM
I think TK's main priority has to be promotion this season, which is sill well within our grasp, and is thus trying to improve the team - and defence is our main weakness - to this effect.
Parker claims this is a young squad and needs more time to gel. If this team needs more time then is 5 months enough or do they need 17 months?
If we spend all our parachute payment for this season, we will have to cut wages by £10m next season causing us to have a whole new squad next season with the same problems only much cheaper. If we save £5m in wages this season, then we can have the same wages budget next season and almost the same team.
Does Parker need better players or more time with these players? Does Parker (or manager) want better players for 5 months or similar players for 17 months?
Quote from: The Rational Fan on January 17, 2020, 12:19:39 AM
Quote from: Statto on January 16, 2020, 11:14:37 PM
TRF, suggest we agree to disagree then. IMO the amount of wild speculation (eg "Without injuries [Leeds] are heading for 95 points and with injuries they are heading for 75 points") and highly questionable reasoning (eg "Given Fulham has about a third of the chance of going up Fulham would have to pay [three times as much]") in your argument means it is basically meaningless. You may be right, but only in the same way that technically someone may be right if they speculate that Mitrovic will score an OG in the play-offs and therefore we should sell him.
Four Simple questions.
1. If Leeds are 12 points ahead of third-place on deadline day and Southampton wants to sell Che Adams for £15m now (so stop paying his £1.5m wages every half-season), then would Southampton be prepared to let Che Adams play for Leeds and Southampton pay his wages, conditional on Leeds buying him if promoted at £18m?
2. If Fulham are 12 points behind of third-place on deadline day and Southampton wants to sell Che Adams for £15m now (so stop paying his £1.5m wages every half-season), then would Southampton be prepared to let Che Adams play for Fulham and Southampton pay his wages, conditional on Fulham buying him if promoted at £18m?
3. Are the answers different? Does a team more likely to get promoted have an ability to negotiate deals that delay payment?
4. If Patrick Bamford get injured, does having Che Adams in the squad increase the chance of Leeds getting promoted?
1. I have no idea. Neither do you. It's also irrelevant, unless Leeds can't afford his wages (say £1m from Feb to June) which seems unlikely to me.
2. Ditto
3. No.
4. I have no idea. Neither do you. It's also irrelevant, unless Bamford actually gets injured. What makes you so sure that will happen?
