Billy Talbot

I'm sorry sir, we've just run out of Zubimendi. Would you like some more time to decide?

Conventionally, you buy players before you sell the ones that you replace, otherwise selling clubs have you over a barrel. I suppose things are changing a bit with PSR and players wages becoming a bigger proportion of the overall transfer costs. But even so, if we're well below PSR thresholds (which we very much are aren't we?) then surely the value is in buying before we sell, rather than everyone knowing we have a great big pot of cash and are in need of bodies.

Yeah, it's flawed, but it's respected because it's derived from a logical process and the umpires have got better at calling the right decisions ie, the close ones that aren't umpires call are more often than not confirmation that the umpire was correct rather than overturning them. This is just an excuse to cover up ineptitude. VAR will never properly accepted until it's primary objective, as with the use of tech in other sports, is to at least attempt to and give the best chance to arrive at the correct decision. Football refs seem to be convinced that a poor decision made in good faith is somehow sacrosanct and they can't get their heads around that complaint that VAR introduces double-jeopardy into that accusation.

They've just stolen the "ref's call" thing from cricket. Of course the thing is about "umpire's call" is that it brings a layer of subjectivity to highly analytical and logical process that sometimes does end in a "that's too close to call" result from the technology that does benefit from the umpire's initial instinct. And cricket umpires are really good at calling LBWs and have got better and better at them as they've worked with the technology to improve their judgement process. In that context "umpire's call" actually has some validity and credibility and that's what they're trying to steal. In reality "ref's call" will just be "ah "**** it", let it go, which is the exact opposite of what umpire's call stands for in cricket.

What is this?

So how is that working then? Going on loan from Valencia to Bournemouth... so isn't signing for us. Is he signing a pre-contract with us?

They're rarely exercised because the buying club ends up giving a load of cash to the Spanish revenue and the selling club only gets the buyout.

Yeah I'm sure he didn't and doesn't want to have to activate his own buy-out. It would be much easier for him if RS just accepted the money from us. Also, I'm sure there would be some tax implications for him and therefore by extension, us, which will make the whole thing more expensive. Which is another reason why RS might be wanting to take this route, ie, we pay the amount over the release that would need to be paid in tax directly to RS. Either way, this makes the whole thing far more complicated.

I think that’s in the genny.

Yeah, I'd be tempted by the mountains and good food. But I'd be more tempted by playing for Liverpool and an extra £50k a week.

It makes sense for him to say we're not looking at a specific position. It's not gonna motivate any of the current CMs to say we're looking to buy another CM. Especially if we don't end up getting one.

Yes, I've had him earmarked for them for some time. He's right up their street. A gamble. Great player if stays fit, can be signed for below market value due to his injury record and resultant non-1st XI status. Ironically the sort of player we often go for for different reasons. I wonder if £12m was the difference between the fees of Gomez and Gordon.

We should try to keep Gomez for his versatility and that he's here and and all round nice guy. That's worth 50k a week extra and we should give him a new contract. I think we're okay at CB given Quansah's progression. And Chris deBurgh's availability. Where we should be looking to improve is LB and moving Tsimikas on. Solidish as he has been and buying proper competition down the left, eg/ie Ait Nouri. That relieves more pressure at wide left where we have a player to sell. Anyway, what do I know other my 5000 years+ at least and 30 real years at Football manager.

Yeah. Imagining Klopp leaving and FSG just employing a new manager with a remit to fill the vacuum that just he left doesn't bear thinking about. Never mind the rest of the staff that have gone too. I've got no problem with them going back to Edwards and Ward in whatever capacity. At least they've been here before. At least they've shown us they're somewhat competent even if that was under different circumstances. we definitely need to sign some players. If only to show the current playing staff that things move on. BTW. Lenny Yoro. What a poor judge of character. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c9e950ev0xpo

Maybe our "pushing hard" for him was talking to him and his agents about not wanting £7m a year and trying to convince him that he'll earn more over his entire career if he goes to the right club(s) rather than chasing the early dollar. TBH, I'm fine with that if true.

Obvious with Hinzesight.

Yeah I said before the game that I didn't mind who won tonight cos I'd enjoy the final one way or another. I think that's it with me and international football. I don't really mind who wins. That's really not the same as club football. I take a side and have at least a low level grudge that gives me an edge against every b*****d in that shows an interest in club football. I get that some people don't like England in same way.

I dunno. I just always was.

Well I don't "support" England in the same I way I support Liverpool. But I don't go around wanting them to lose either (except for the amusement) I quite like watching England (except when they're as boring as they have been recently.) it's no lose. I have a few beers, some nice food, England win, happy days. I do the same again. England lose, happy days, I watch the next game anyway and do the same. That's international football tournaments for me. Liverpool is much higher stakes. I can't help the gut "Yeah!" when England score though, cos yanow... I'm English.

I wouldn't know how to do that either.

How do you pick another nation to support other than the one you grew up in and are a citizen of?

I think if I was a good enough footballer, and I played for Liverpool, I'd turn out for England. I qualify to do so. I don't qualify for any other international team despite knowing my forbears weren't all English. I'd be enthusiastic enough about it especially if I thought England might win something and I could play a part in it. Isn't that part of what winds up other (especially home nations) countries? That England players don't really give a toss and the fans are all about just getting pissed?

Well he was. But yeah, I agree. Thus the Bajetic?

There's no problem at all with keeping SvdB as a CB though is there? We have VvD, Quansah, Ibou, Gomez, Bajectic? It's thin. I also hope he gets a chance to show the lads that do go out on loan repeatedly that there is a way back in. He's not Nat Phillips. Or maybe he is. Nat was worth every penny.

The UK U15 1500m record is under 4 minutes. I reckon pro footballers should be running quite a bit further than that in 6 mins. So somewhere around 2km-2.5km.