BondJovi

We might make that amount, but we are easy pickings. With the number  of players out of contract in the summer  their value is significantly less. Do other teams in this league really have the funds to be generous?
We already only have 11 players over the age of 21. A few sales and injuries and what can we field?
All that then does is make a mockery of the competition. Will Stoke be impressed that we did the double over them but their play off rivals might get much easier games. Would that claim be any less valid than those of Middlesbrough and Wycombe?

We might make that amount, but we are easy pickings. With the number  of players out of contract in the summer  their value is significantly less. Do other teams in this league really have the funds to be generous?
We already only have 11 players over the age of 21. A few sales and injuries and what can we field?
All that then does is make a mockery of the competition. Will Stoke be impressed that we did the double over them but their play off rivals might get much easier games. Would that claim be any less valid than those of Middlesbrough and Wycombe?

I think the efl and sky are missing a trick. This has the potential to be one of the all time greatest escapes in football, all led by an England legend in Rooney. This should be a fairytale, the ultimate feel good story. 
When the lead football story is Arsenal wimping out of another game, true professionalism, true desire and passion is going by under the radar.
There is nothing but misery in the news, politicians treating the public like clowns, you would think for the positive reaction, the potential for selling how exciting this league can be they should not be putting up obstacles.
Our punishment has been served. The man responsible for all that is long gone. Let Rooney, the staff and the players keep up the fight for the impossible.

Same here. At this point in time, there is nothing to lose by being outspoken. He has led with a classy calm,but I think a Fergie style complaint/rant today would see him in legend status or further enhance it. 

Same here. At this point in time, there is nothing to lose by being outspoken. He has led with a classy calm,but I think a Fergie style complaint/rant today would see him in legend status or further enhance it. 

Seems he is in the Nigel Clough management school so far. Which I honestly believe is exactly what we need, though given our points deducted, that cautious nature won't get us out, or even close.
My real gripe with Rooney remains the same, a failure to get the best out of Sibley and Jozwiak. He could do better here. 
 

Seems he is in the Nigel Clough management school so far. Which I honestly believe is exactly what we need, though given our points deducted, that cautious nature won't get us out, or even close.
My real gripe with Rooney remains the same, a failure to get the best out of Sibley and Jozwiak. He could do better here. 
 

The plan needs to be win the game when we are on top. Sadly it is something we have struggled to do since the start of last season. Too many times our good spells in games either see us 1-0 up or still 0-0 and this tends be in the first half. Momentum then changes in the second half and we struggle to turn it around., for whatever reason. 
We do need to win matches, so we have to take more gambles. But if we are to try and win the game, changes have to be made sooner.

There aren't many times, if any, in a career as a professional footballer when you can play matches with zero pressure. In a league when any team can beat any, we are a dangerous team to face. Whilst we haven’t been a particular goal threat, we have largely remained tough to beat. We started the season the same way, no one expected anything of us, written off.
My fear though is when staying up becomes a realistic chance. If the pressure comes back...the other issue is if players start thinking about their future if we are down early.
Just enjoy this ride as a fan, you never know.
 

There aren't many times, if any, in a career as a professional footballer when you can play matches with zero pressure. In a league when any team can beat any, we are a dangerous team to face. Whilst we haven’t been a particular goal threat, we have largely remained tough to beat. We started the season the same way, no one expected anything of us, written off.
My fear though is when staying up becomes a realistic chance. If the pressure comes back...the other issue is if players start thinking about their future if we are down early.
Just enjoy this ride as a fan, you never know.
 

I agree mostly. However, we have been under some form of embargo for 2 seasons and will continue to be under some form for possibly another 2. I don't think that is remotely fair, there has definitely been a willingness on the EFL to ensure we get overly shafted through a long drawn out saga.
Mel, Pearce, the EFL, they have all been inadequate ( to say the least) during this process.

I agree mostly. However, we have been under some form of embargo for 2 seasons and will continue to be under some form for possibly another 2. I don't think that is remotely fair, there has definitely been a willingness on the EFL to ensure we get overly shafted through a long drawn out saga.
Mel, Pearce, the EFL, they have all been inadequate ( to say the least) during this process.

If the points deduction are as suggested, it might well take the fight from some players. We have to balance preparing for next season whilst still remaining competitive. I can't see what we as a club would gain from continuing a Davies and Jagielka partnership each week. A mix of youth and experience, but give each youth a few games run before swapping out.
Allowing the youngsters a less pressured environment to get use to the pace and physicality is an ideal opportunity.
Far rather see them learn(hopefully) than see Lawrence make the usual wrong choice!

If the points deduction are as suggested, it might well take the fight from some players. We have to balance preparing for next season whilst still remaining competitive. I can't see what we as a club would gain from continuing a Davies and Jagielka partnership each week. A mix of youth and experience, but give each youth a few games run before swapping out.
Allowing the youngsters a less pressured environment to get use to the pace and physicality is an ideal opportunity.
Far rather see them learn(hopefully) than see Lawrence make the usual wrong choice!

I actually believe we have a stronger best 11 this season, yes weaker depth, so maybe it cancels out. Certainly we started the season with a stronger team than the one that started last season.
I do though believe we could be getting more out of Sibley and Jozwiak. So I disagree slightly on the attacking front, which I do believe is something Rooney and staff could find a better solution on. Otherwise, great job this season.

There seems to be a lot of hope based on being able to do business in January. There is an awful lot that still needs to happen in less than 10 weeks or so. We could equally end up weaker in January.
Also, a lot of hope being pushed on Bielik. He is that good but I fear the danger of rushing him back, 2 major knee injuries in successive seasons, injuries previous, the way he plays. 
10 games until into January. Leaves us 20 to go. I would imagine we have to ensure that 7 point gap to 4th bottom gets no bigger as an absolute minimum. Anything more and I fear it is done. 

There seems to be a lot of hope based on being able to do business in January. There is an awful lot that still needs to happen in less than 10 weeks or so. We could equally end up weaker in January.
Also, a lot of hope being pushed on Bielik. He is that good but I fear the danger of rushing him back, 2 major knee injuries in successive seasons, injuries previous, the way he plays. 
10 games until into January. Leaves us 20 to go. I would imagine we have to ensure that 7 point gap to 4th bottom gets no bigger as an absolute minimum. Anything more and I fear it is done. 

There seems to be a lot of hope based on being able to do business in January. There is an awful lot that still needs to happen in less than 10 weeks or so. We could equally end up weaker in January.
Also, a lot of hope being pushed on Bielik. He is that good but I fear the danger of rushing him back, 2 major knee injuries in successive seasons, injuries previous, the way he plays. 
10 games until into January. Leaves us 20 to go. I would imagine we have to ensure that 7 point gap to 4th bottom gets no bigger as an absolute minimum. Anything more and I fear it is done. 

We have two players I believe are capable of being match winners. Lawrence and Sibley.
Rooney has tried to get more out of Lawrence by making him captain and giving him greater responsibility. So far,business as usual. 
I am not certain Rooney really knows how to get the best from Sibley. Or even a willingness to give it a reasonable go. Sibley himself needs to do better aswell. 
I also believe we can get more from Jozwiak. The way we play just doesn't suit him or Sibley. In a side that needs goals, I feel we should be finding a way to get the best from them.
Any talk of sacking Rooney is madness,but I think this is an area he needs to step up.

We have two players I believe are capable of being match winners. Lawrence and Sibley.
Rooney has tried to get more out of Lawrence by making him captain and giving him greater responsibility. So far,business as usual. 
I am not certain Rooney really knows how to get the best from Sibley. Or even a willingness to give it a reasonable go. Sibley himself needs to do better aswell. 
I also believe we can get more from Jozwiak. The way we play just doesn't suit him or Sibley. In a side that needs goals, I feel we should be finding a way to get the best from them.
Any talk of sacking Rooney is madness,but I think this is an area he needs to step up.

We have two players I believe are capable of being match winners. Lawrence and Sibley.
Rooney has tried to get more out of Lawrence by making him captain and giving him greater responsibility. So far,business as usual. 
I am not certain Rooney really knows how to get the best from Sibley. Or even a willingness to give it a reasonable go. Sibley himself needs to do better aswell. 
I also believe we can get more from Jozwiak. The way we play just doesn't suit him or Sibley. In a side that needs goals, I feel we should be finding a way to get the best from them.
Any talk of sacking Rooney is madness,but I think this is an area he needs to step up.

We have two players I believe are capable of being match winners. Lawrence and Sibley.
Rooney has tried to get more out of Lawrence by making him captain and giving him greater responsibility. So far,business as usual. 
I am not certain Rooney really knows how to get the best from Sibley. Or even a willingness to give it a reasonable go. Sibley himself needs to do better aswell. 
I also believe we can get more from Jozwiak. The way we play just doesn't suit him or Sibley. In a side that needs goals, I feel we should be finding a way to get the best from them.
Any talk of sacking Rooney is madness,but I think this is an area he needs to step up.

We have two players I believe are capable of being match winners. Lawrence and Sibley.
Rooney has tried to get more out of Lawrence by making him captain and giving him greater responsibility. So far,business as usual. 
I am not certain Rooney really knows how to get the best from Sibley. Or even a willingness to give it a reasonable go. Sibley himself needs to do better aswell. 
I also believe we can get more from Jozwiak. The way we play just doesn't suit him or Sibley. In a side that needs goals, I feel we should be finding a way to get the best from them.
Any talk of sacking Rooney is madness,but I think this is an area he needs to step up.

We have two players I believe are capable of being match winners. Lawrence and Sibley.
Rooney has tried to get more out of Lawrence by making him captain and giving him greater responsibility. So far,business as usual. 
I am not certain Rooney really knows how to get the best from Sibley. Or even a willingness to give it a reasonable go. Sibley himself needs to do better aswell. 
I also believe we can get more from Jozwiak. The way we play just doesn't suit him or Sibley. In a side that needs goals, I feel we should be finding a way to get the best from them.
Any talk of sacking Rooney is madness,but I think this is an area he needs to step up.

We were probably in line to do even more cutting had Rowett stayed. Letting Lampard roll the dice again was a gamble too far and just made the next season a more serious cutback.