StantonRam

Ashley now at 50% on here.
I think I know why.
He has other local investments a.k.a. the Sports Direct sweatshop.
He is English.
He withstood fan criticism for a long time, kept Newcastle solvent, and didn't bail out until new ownership was secured.
He kept within FFP rules and never had to go into Administration.
In other words, he is the devil we know, which for many people is better than the devil you don't.
From his point of view, a Championship club will tie up fewer of his resources than a PL one, and we represent a safe home for his dosh due to the loyal fanbase.
We are desperate TBH and we won't have a pop at him too much if he does the deal, not for a while anyway.
Our model of investing in local & Academy talent is similar to Newcastle's already.
From his point of view, it will make a change to be actually welcome somewhere rather than being the subject of constant abuse from the ungrateful hordes LOL.
The main issue that always crops up at Newcastle, namely "we have 50,000 fans, why aren't we top of the PL and winning stuff?" etc, won't be a problem here for some time to come, thus he obtains a breathing space from all the flak.
In conclusion, we don't have to like the person taking over, or approve of his business methods, but he has done nothing illegal (as far as I know), he isn't just a front for a deeply oppressive dictatorial regime in a foreign country, and he isn't an American with no real knowledge of how English football works.  He is the devil we know and he has money.  We could do far worse.
IMO Ashley, right here right now, is the LEAST WORST option of those available, and that's why I voted for him on here.

Ashley now at 50% on here.
I think I know why.
He has other local investments a.k.a. the Sports Direct sweatshop.
He is English.
He withstood fan criticism for a long time, kept Newcastle solvent, and didn't bail out until new ownership was secured.
He kept within FFP rules and never had to go into Administration.
In other words, he is the devil we know, which for many people is better than the devil you don't.
From his point of view, a Championship club will tie up fewer of his resources than a PL one, and we represent a safe home for his dosh due to the loyal fanbase.
We are desperate TBH and we won't have a pop at him too much if he does the deal, not for a while anyway.
Our model of investing in local & Academy talent is similar to Newcastle's already.
From his point of view, it will make a change to be actually welcome somewhere rather than being the subject of constant abuse from the ungrateful hordes LOL.
The main issue that always crops up at Newcastle, namely "we have 50,000 fans, why aren't we top of the PL and winning stuff?" etc, won't be a problem here for some time to come, thus he obtains a breathing space from all the flak.
In conclusion, we don't have to like the person taking over, or approve of his business methods, but he has done nothing illegal (as far as I know), he isn't just a front for a deeply oppressive dictatorial regime in a foreign country, and he isn't an American with no real knowledge of how English football works.  He is the devil we know and he has money.  We could do far worse.
IMO Ashley, right here right now, is the LEAST WORST option of those available, and that's why I voted for him on here.

Ashley now at 50% on here.
I think I know why.
He has other local investments a.k.a. the Sports Direct sweatshop.
He is English.
He withstood fan criticism for a long time, kept Newcastle solvent, and didn't bail out until new ownership was secured.
He kept within FFP rules and never had to go into Administration.
In other words, he is the devil we know, which for many people is better than the devil you don't.
From his point of view, a Championship club will tie up fewer of his resources than a PL one, and we represent a safe home for his dosh due to the loyal fanbase.
We are desperate TBH and we won't have a pop at him too much if he does the deal, not for a while anyway.
Our model of investing in local & Academy talent is similar to Newcastle's already.
From his point of view, it will make a change to be actually welcome somewhere rather than being the subject of constant abuse from the ungrateful hordes LOL.
The main issue that always crops up at Newcastle, namely "we have 50,000 fans, why aren't we top of the PL and winning stuff?" etc, won't be a problem here for some time to come, thus he obtains a breathing space from all the flak.
In conclusion, we don't have to like the person taking over, or approve of his business methods, but he has done nothing illegal (as far as I know), he isn't just a front for a deeply oppressive dictatorial regime in a foreign country, and he isn't an American with no real knowledge of how English football works.  He is the devil we know and he has money.  We could do far worse.
IMO Ashley, right here right now, is the LEAST WORST option of those available, and that's why I voted for him on here.

Ashley now at 50% on here.
I think I know why.
He has other local investments a.k.a. the Sports Direct sweatshop.
He is English.
He withstood fan criticism for a long time, kept Newcastle solvent, and didn't bail out until new ownership was secured.
He kept within FFP rules and never had to go into Administration.
In other words, he is the devil we know, which for many people is better than the devil you don't.
From his point of view, a Championship club will tie up fewer of his resources than a PL one, and we represent a safe home for his dosh due to the loyal fanbase.
We are desperate TBH and we won't have a pop at him too much if he does the deal, not for a while anyway.
Our model of investing in local & Academy talent is similar to Newcastle's already.
From his point of view, it will make a change to be actually welcome somewhere rather than being the subject of constant abuse from the ungrateful hordes LOL.
The main issue that always crops up at Newcastle, namely "we have 50,000 fans, why aren't we top of the PL and winning stuff?" etc, won't be a problem here for some time to come, thus he obtains a breathing space from all the flak.
In conclusion, we don't have to like the person taking over, or approve of his business methods, but he has done nothing illegal (as far as I know), he isn't just a front for a deeply oppressive dictatorial regime in a foreign country, and he isn't an American with no real knowledge of how English football works.  He is the devil we know and he has money.  We could do far worse.
IMO Ashley, right here right now, is the LEAST WORST option of those available, and that's why I voted for him on here.

Ashley now at 50% on here.
I think I know why.
He has other local investments a.k.a. the Sports Direct sweatshop.
He is English.
He withstood fan criticism for a long time, kept Newcastle solvent, and didn't bail out until new ownership was secured.
He kept within FFP rules and never had to go into Administration.
In other words, he is the devil we know, which for many people is better than the devil you don't.
From his point of view, a Championship club will tie up fewer of his resources than a PL one, and we represent a safe home for his dosh due to the loyal fanbase.
We are desperate TBH and we won't have a pop at him too much if he does the deal, not for a while anyway.
Our model of investing in local & Academy talent is similar to Newcastle's already.
From his point of view, it will make a change to be actually welcome somewhere rather than being the subject of constant abuse from the ungrateful hordes LOL.
The main issue that always crops up at Newcastle, namely "we have 50,000 fans, why aren't we top of the PL and winning stuff?" etc, won't be a problem here for some time to come, thus he obtains a breathing space from all the flak.
In conclusion, we don't have to like the person taking over, or approve of his business methods, but he has done nothing illegal (as far as I know), he isn't just a front for a deeply oppressive dictatorial regime in a foreign country, and he isn't an American with no real knowledge of how English football works.  He is the devil we know and he has money.  We could do far worse.
IMO Ashley, right here right now, is the LEAST WORST option of those available, and that's why I voted for him on here.

Ashley now at 50% on here.
I think I know why.
He has other local investments a.k.a. the Sports Direct sweatshop.
He is English.
He withstood fan criticism for a long time, kept Newcastle solvent, and didn't bail out until new ownership was secured.
He kept within FFP rules and never had to go into Administration.
In other words, he is the devil we know, which for many people is better than the devil you don't.
From his point of view, a Championship club will tie up fewer of his resources than a PL one, and we represent a safe home for his dosh due to the loyal fanbase.
We are desperate TBH and we won't have a pop at him too much if he does the deal, not for a while anyway.
Our model of investing in local & Academy talent is similar to Newcastle's already.
From his point of view, it will make a change to be actually welcome somewhere rather than being the subject of constant abuse from the ungrateful hordes LOL.
The main issue that always crops up at Newcastle, namely "we have 50,000 fans, why aren't we top of the PL and winning stuff?" etc, won't be a problem here for some time to come, thus he obtains a breathing space from all the flak.
In conclusion, we don't have to like the person taking over, or approve of his business methods, but he has done nothing illegal (as far as I know), he isn't just a front for a deeply oppressive dictatorial regime in a foreign country, and he isn't an American with no real knowledge of how English football works.  He is the devil we know and he has money.  We could do far worse.
IMO Ashley, right here right now, is the LEAST WORST option of those available, and that's why I voted for him on here.

Ashley now at 50% on here.
I think I know why.
He has other local investments a.k.a. the Sports Direct sweatshop.
He is English.
He withstood fan criticism for a long time, kept Newcastle solvent, and didn't bail out until new ownership was secured.
He kept within FFP rules and never had to go into Administration.
In other words, he is the devil we know, which for many people is better than the devil you don't.
From his point of view, a Championship club will tie up fewer of his resources than a PL one, and we represent a safe home for his dosh due to the loyal fanbase.
We are desperate TBH and we won't have a pop at him too much if he does the deal, not for a while anyway.
Our model of investing in local & Academy talent is similar to Newcastle's already.
From his point of view, it will make a change to be actually welcome somewhere rather than being the subject of constant abuse from the ungrateful hordes LOL.
The main issue that always crops up at Newcastle, namely "we have 50,000 fans, why aren't we top of the PL and winning stuff?" etc, won't be a problem here for some time to come, thus he obtains a breathing space from all the flak.
In conclusion, we don't have to like the person taking over, or approve of his business methods, but he has done nothing illegal (as far as I know), he isn't just a front for a deeply oppressive dictatorial regime in a foreign country, and he isn't an American with no real knowledge of how English football works.  He is the devil we know and he has money.  We could do far worse.
IMO Ashley, right here right now, is the LEAST WORST option of those available, and that's why I voted for him on here.

Ashley now at 50% on here.
I think I know why.
He has other local investments a.k.a. the Sports Direct sweatshop.
He is English.
He withstood fan criticism for a long time, kept Newcastle solvent, and didn't bail out until new ownership was secured.
He kept within FFP rules and never had to go into Administration.
In other words, he is the devil we know, which for many people is better than the devil you don't.
From his point of view, a Championship club will tie up fewer of his resources than a PL one, and we represent a safe home for his dosh due to the loyal fanbase.
We are desperate TBH and we won't have a pop at him too much if he does the deal, not for a while anyway.
Our model of investing in local & Academy talent is similar to Newcastle's already.
From his point of view, it will make a change to be actually welcome somewhere rather than being the subject of constant abuse from the ungrateful hordes LOL.
The main issue that always crops up at Newcastle, namely "we have 50,000 fans, why aren't we top of the PL and winning stuff?" etc, won't be a problem here for some time to come, thus he obtains a breathing space from all the flak.
In conclusion, we don't have to like the person taking over, or approve of his business methods, but he has done nothing illegal (as far as I know), he isn't just a front for a deeply oppressive dictatorial regime in a foreign country, and he isn't an American with no real knowledge of how English football works.  He is the devil we know and he has money.  We could do far worse.
IMO Ashley, right here right now, is the LEAST WORST option of those available, and that's why I voted for him on here.

Ashley now at 50% on here.
I think I know why.
He has other local investments a.k.a. the Sports Direct sweatshop.
He is English.
He withstood fan criticism for a long time, kept Newcastle solvent, and didn't bail out until new ownership was secured.
He kept within FFP rules and never had to go into Administration.
In other words, he is the devil we know, which for many people is better than the devil you don't.
From his point of view, a Championship club will tie up fewer of his resources than a PL one, and we represent a safe home for his dosh due to the loyal fanbase.
We are desperate TBH and we won't have a pop at him too much if he does the deal, not for a while anyway.
Our model of investing in local & Academy talent is similar to Newcastle's already.
From his point of view, it will make a change to be actually welcome somewhere rather than being the subject of constant abuse from the ungrateful hordes LOL.
The main issue that always crops up at Newcastle, namely "we have 50,000 fans, why aren't we top of the PL and winning stuff?" etc, won't be a problem here for some time to come, thus he obtains a breathing space from all the flak.
In conclusion, we don't have to like the person taking over, or approve of his business methods, but he has done nothing illegal (as far as I know), he isn't just a front for a deeply oppressive dictatorial regime in a foreign country, and he isn't an American with no real knowledge of how English football works.  He is the devil we know and he has money.  We could do far worse.
IMO Ashley, right here right now, is the LEAST WORST option of those available, and that's why I voted for him on here.

Ashley now at 50% on here.
I think I know why.
He has other local investments a.k.a. the Sports Direct sweatshop.
He is English.
He withstood fan criticism for a long time, kept Newcastle solvent, and didn't bail out until new ownership was secured.
He kept within FFP rules and never had to go into Administration.
In other words, he is the devil we know, which for many people is better than the devil you don't.
From his point of view, a Championship club will tie up fewer of his resources than a PL one, and we represent a safe home for his dosh due to the loyal fanbase.
We are desperate TBH and we won't have a pop at him too much if he does the deal, not for a while anyway.
Our model of investing in local & Academy talent is similar to Newcastle's already.
From his point of view, it will make a change to be actually welcome somewhere rather than being the subject of constant abuse from the ungrateful hordes LOL.
The main issue that always crops up at Newcastle, namely "we have 50,000 fans, why aren't we top of the PL and winning stuff?" etc, won't be a problem here for some time to come, thus he obtains a breathing space from all the flak.
In conclusion, we don't have to like the person taking over, or approve of his business methods, but he has done nothing illegal (as far as I know), he isn't just a front for a deeply oppressive dictatorial regime in a foreign country, and he isn't an American with no real knowledge of how English football works.  He is the devil we know and he has money.  We could do far worse.
IMO Ashley, right here right now, is the LEAST WORST option of those available, and that's why I voted for him on here.

Ashley now at 50% on here.
I think I know why.
He has other local investments a.k.a. the Sports Direct sweatshop.
He is English.
He withstood fan criticism for a long time, kept Newcastle solvent, and didn't bail out until new ownership was secured.
He kept within FFP rules and never had to go into Administration.
In other words, he is the devil we know, which for many people is better than the devil you don't.
From his point of view, a Championship club will tie up fewer of his resources than a PL one, and we represent a safe home for his dosh due to the loyal fanbase.
We are desperate TBH and we won't have a pop at him too much if he does the deal, not for a while anyway.
Our model of investing in local & Academy talent is similar to Newcastle's already.
From his point of view, it will make a change to be actually welcome somewhere rather than being the subject of constant abuse from the ungrateful hordes LOL.
The main issue that always crops up at Newcastle, namely "we have 50,000 fans, why aren't we top of the PL and winning stuff?" etc, won't be a problem here for some time to come, thus he obtains a breathing space from all the flak.
In conclusion, we don't have to like the person taking over, or approve of his business methods, but he has done nothing illegal (as far as I know), he isn't just a front for a deeply oppressive dictatorial regime in a foreign country, and he isn't an American with no real knowledge of how English football works.  He is the devil we know and he has money.  We could do far worse.
IMO Ashley, right here right now, is the LEAST WORST option of those available, and that's why I voted for him on here.

Right...
We are almost certain to be playing in League 1 next season so we might as well get used to it now, no matter whether the points deduction is 12 or 21 or somewhere in between.
The administrators have made it clear that Roo is going nowhere and so has he, much to his credit.
SO - time to ditch the disrespectful song, time to show up to games if we possibly can, time to bombard Radio Derby with defiance and support for the players and staff, and above all time to get behind Roo and support him.
Like the Brexit debate, the time has come for everyone to accept that we are where we are and that Roo is our man for the next few seasons, during which I'm sure he will get his coaching badges, do his very best for us, and play his part in turning things around from the current unprecedented disaster.
The administrators are confident that a buyer can be found, that the club is "95% viable" going forward, and that Roo is their man.  I like those odds!
COYR!

Right...
We are almost certain to be playing in League 1 next season so we might as well get used to it now, no matter whether the points deduction is 12 or 21 or somewhere in between.
The administrators have made it clear that Roo is going nowhere and so has he, much to his credit.
SO - time to ditch the disrespectful song, time to show up to games if we possibly can, time to bombard Radio Derby with defiance and support for the players and staff, and above all time to get behind Roo and support him.
Like the Brexit debate, the time has come for everyone to accept that we are where we are and that Roo is our man for the next few seasons, during which I'm sure he will get his coaching badges, do his very best for us, and play his part in turning things around from the current unprecedented disaster.
The administrators are confident that a buyer can be found, that the club is "95% viable" going forward, and that Roo is their man.  I like those odds!
COYR!

The statement put out by the club puts all the blame on Covid, but if that's the case then why isn't every other club in the league also bankrupt?
Truth is, we all lived the dream when there seemed to be a bottomless money pit to fund that dream.  Now we discover that in fact it was a bottomless pile of debt, which shouldn't really have come as such a surprise.
We got so close.  And now it's time to pay the bill for all that dreaming.
Mel seemed to be under the impression that the clever thing to do was to (ALLEGEDLY) play fast and loose with commonly established accounting practices and then let loose a barrage of thinly veiled abuse aimed at whoever sought to question his actions.  As a result, we have no friends in the EFL and very few at other clubs.
Managers and players, many of them chronically underperforming, came and went, and there always seemed to be another pot of dosh somewhere to fund the latest folly, the last of which was the signing of Wazza as first a player and now as manager.
Brentford achieved promotion the right way, by living within their means, selling players when necessary (Josefzoon for example!) and building a team greater than the sum of the parts.  We did the opposite, and it damn near worked!  After complaining about the QPR/Zamora episode, for which they were belatedly punished, we then tried going down that same route ourselves.  And we too have been punished. 
Paradoxically, now that Derby fans no longer have to try to defend the indefensible,we can finally face the truth with clear consciences and move on.  We will be in league 1 next season for sure.  The next challenge is to look at how Bournemouth, Sheff Utd, Leicester & Brentford did it and learn some harsh lessons.
We've been here before and got out of the mire and into the PL (80s/90s).  So we just have to do it again now.

The statement put out by the club puts all the blame on Covid, but if that's the case then why isn't every other club in the league also bankrupt?
Truth is, we all lived the dream when there seemed to be a bottomless money pit to fund that dream.  Now we discover that in fact it was a bottomless pile of debt, which shouldn't really have come as such a surprise.
We got so close.  And now it's time to pay the bill for all that dreaming.
Mel seemed to be under the impression that the clever thing to do was to (ALLEGEDLY) play fast and loose with commonly established accounting practices and then let loose a barrage of thinly veiled abuse aimed at whoever sought to question his actions.  As a result, we have no friends in the EFL and very few at other clubs.
Managers and players, many of them chronically underperforming, came and went, and there always seemed to be another pot of dosh somewhere to fund the latest folly, the last of which was the signing of Wazza as first a player and now as manager.
Brentford achieved promotion the right way, by living within their means, selling players when necessary (Josefzoon for example!) and building a team greater than the sum of the parts.  We did the opposite, and it damn near worked!  After complaining about the QPR/Zamora episode, for which they were belatedly punished, we then tried going down that same route ourselves.  And we too have been punished. 
Paradoxically, now that Derby fans no longer have to try to defend the indefensible,we can finally face the truth with clear consciences and move on.  We will be in league 1 next season for sure.  The next challenge is to look at how Bournemouth, Sheff Utd, Leicester & Brentford did it and learn some harsh lessons.
We've been here before and got out of the mire and into the PL (80s/90s).  So we just have to do it again now.

OK here's my 2p worth.
If they are in the squad then they must be, in the opinion of the management, capable of doing some kind of job on the pitch this season, otherwise why pay them?
In a league where fitness, physicality and commitment count for more than skill, surely that's what needs to be prioritised now when training/signing/loaning players, based on the theory that this will be another relegation dogfight unless events prove otherwise.
If we can get Davies, Wisdom, Waghorn* back that's a bonus, all 3 can do a job for us still.  Ditto Matt Clarke.
Bielik still out?  That's a real blow, I thought he'd be back by now.
Let's keep faith with the home grown players who give their all every time (Buchanan, Sibley, Bird, Knight) and hope that they are now stronger after last season's battles.
On paper this is still a squad that should be able to achieve a mid table finish in this league.  
The players who have gone are mostly those who didn't feature much anyway (with the exception of the 3 mentioned above).  If Marriott prefers to play for Peterborough rather than be managed by Wazza (and maybe learn something) then that's his loss, good riddance.  'Big fish, small pond' mentality.  Trouble is now that, following the rule that every ex player scores against us, guess who'll be the next one to do so?
Roos, Byrne, Davies (hopefully), Wisdom (hopefully), Buchanan, Shinnie, Bird, Bielik, Knight, Sibley, Waghorn* plus CKR, Lawrence etc on the bench, that's still a competitive lineup if the collective attitude and organisation is right.  The experienced 'spine' of Roos/Davies (hopefully)/Shinnie/Waghorn*, together with younger 'runners' (Byrne, Buchanan, Sibley) would surely be capable of holding their own in this league, wouldn't they, provided that they were managed/organised/motivated properly?
It's now clear that this season will be another holding operation, underwritten by MM and awaiting final resolution of the ongoing EFL & ownership sagas, with the aim of achieving 21st place again.  The longer this goes on however, the more likely Wazza is to jump ship &/or be tempted elsewhere.  If anything his stock will have actually risen having kept us up last season.
*am talking about the Waghorn who played v Sheff Wed in the last game rather than the doppelganger** who turned up for most of the other games LOL
** I think that's probably the first time the word 'doppelganger' has appeared on here***
*** A 'doppelganger' in German is a 'ghostly double' or shadow apparition of a real person...

OK here's my 2p worth.
If they are in the squad then they must be, in the opinion of the management, capable of doing some kind of job on the pitch this season, otherwise why pay them?
In a league where fitness, physicality and commitment count for more than skill, surely that's what needs to be prioritised now when training/signing/loaning players, based on the theory that this will be another relegation dogfight unless events prove otherwise.
If we can get Davies, Wisdom, Waghorn* back that's a bonus, all 3 can do a job for us still.  Ditto Matt Clarke.
Bielik still out?  That's a real blow, I thought he'd be back by now.
Let's keep faith with the home grown players who give their all every time (Buchanan, Sibley, Bird, Knight) and hope that they are now stronger after last season's battles.
On paper this is still a squad that should be able to achieve a mid table finish in this league.  
The players who have gone are mostly those who didn't feature much anyway (with the exception of the 3 mentioned above).  If Marriott prefers to play for Peterborough rather than be managed by Wazza (and maybe learn something) then that's his loss, good riddance.  'Big fish, small pond' mentality.  Trouble is now that, following the rule that every ex player scores against us, guess who'll be the next one to do so?
Roos, Byrne, Davies (hopefully), Wisdom (hopefully), Buchanan, Shinnie, Bird, Bielik, Knight, Sibley, Waghorn* plus CKR, Lawrence etc on the bench, that's still a competitive lineup if the collective attitude and organisation is right.  The experienced 'spine' of Roos/Davies (hopefully)/Shinnie/Waghorn*, together with younger 'runners' (Byrne, Buchanan, Sibley) would surely be capable of holding their own in this league, wouldn't they, provided that they were managed/organised/motivated properly?
It's now clear that this season will be another holding operation, underwritten by MM and awaiting final resolution of the ongoing EFL & ownership sagas, with the aim of achieving 21st place again.  The longer this goes on however, the more likely Wazza is to jump ship &/or be tempted elsewhere.  If anything his stock will have actually risen having kept us up last season.
*am talking about the Waghorn who played v Sheff Wed in the last game rather than the doppelganger** who turned up for most of the other games LOL
** I think that's probably the first time the word 'doppelganger' has appeared on here***
*** A 'doppelganger' in German is a 'ghostly double' or shadow apparition of a real person...

Daaaaaa da da da da daaaaaaaa    daaaaaa daaaaaa daaaaa
Daaaaaa da da da da daaaaaaaa    daaaaaa daaaaaa daaaaa
Ram's hoof Irn Bru
Bieliek's surgeon's got the glue
At paranoia's deja vu
21st century schizoid Rams
Prog lives!
 

Shock news!
Rick Wakeman rejoins The Rams, this time as sweeper, although he looks confused when handed a brush at Pride Park.
Wakeman then quits 5 minutes later citing "musical differences" and then attempts to for a new band with ex Yes singer Jon Anderson, together with the unlikely choices of footballers Neymar and (very surprisingly) Richard Keogh.
The new group then splits when it is realised that their proposed acronymic name (Wakeman, Anderson, Neymar, Keogh) might render them inadmissible to perform in a number of countries worldwide.

Rick Wakeman joins The Rams on keyboards, only to quit 5 minutes later citing "musical differences".  He later admits "I thought it was a band, I didn't know it was a football team, I still offered my services, but they said that I've had so many heart operations that they couldn't find anyone who would insure me...I think I need to lie down..."
Prog lives!

OK here's my 2p worth.
If they are in the squad then they must be, in the opinion of the management, capable of doing some kind of job on the pitch this season, otherwise why pay them?
In a league where fitness, physicality and commitment count for more than skill, surely that's what needs to be prioritised now when training/signing/loaning players, based on the theory that this will be another relegation dogfight unless events prove otherwise.
If we can get Davies, Wisdom, Waghorn* back that's a bonus, all 3 can do a job for us still.  Ditto Matt Clarke.
Bielik still out?  That's a real blow, I thought he'd be back by now.
Let's keep faith with the home grown players who give their all every time (Buchanan, Sibley, Bird, Knight) and hope that they are now stronger after last season's battles.
On paper this is still a squad that should be able to achieve a mid table finish in this league.  
The players who have gone are mostly those who didn't feature much anyway (with the exception of the 3 mentioned above).  If Marriott prefers to play for Peterborough rather than be managed by Wazza (and maybe learn something) then that's his loss, good riddance.  'Big fish, small pond' mentality.  Trouble is now that, following the rule that every ex player scores against us, guess who'll be the next one to do so?
Roos, Byrne, Davies (hopefully), Wisdom (hopefully), Buchanan, Shinnie, Bird, Bielik, Knight, Sibley, Waghorn* plus CKR, Lawrence etc on the bench, that's still a competitive lineup if the collective attitude and organisation is right.  The experienced 'spine' of Roos/Davies (hopefully)/Shinnie/Waghorn*, together with younger 'runners' (Byrne, Buchanan, Sibley) would surely be capable of holding their own in this league, wouldn't they, provided that they were managed/organised/motivated properly?
It's now clear that this season will be another holding operation, underwritten by MM and awaiting final resolution of the ongoing EFL & ownership sagas, with the aim of achieving 21st place again.  The longer this goes on however, the more likely Wazza is to jump ship &/or be tempted elsewhere.  If anything his stock will have actually risen having kept us up last season.
*am talking about the Waghorn who played v Sheff Wed in the last game rather than the doppelganger** who turned up for most of the other games LOL
** I think that's probably the first time the word 'doppelganger' has appeared on here***
*** A 'doppelganger' in German is a 'ghostly double' or shadow apparition of a real person...

OK here's my 2p worth.
If they are in the squad then they must be, in the opinion of the management, capable of doing some kind of job on the pitch this season, otherwise why pay them?
In a league where fitness, physicality and commitment count for more than skill, surely that's what needs to be prioritised now when training/signing/loaning players, based on the theory that this will be another relegation dogfight unless events prove otherwise.
If we can get Davies, Wisdom, Waghorn* back that's a bonus, all 3 can do a job for us still.  Ditto Matt Clarke.
Bielik still out?  That's a real blow, I thought he'd be back by now.
Let's keep faith with the home grown players who give their all every time (Buchanan, Sibley, Bird, Knight) and hope that they are now stronger after last season's battles.
On paper this is still a squad that should be able to achieve a mid table finish in this league.  
The players who have gone are mostly those who didn't feature much anyway (with the exception of the 3 mentioned above).  If Marriott prefers to play for Peterborough rather than be managed by Wazza (and maybe learn something) then that's his loss, good riddance.  'Big fish, small pond' mentality.  Trouble is now that, following the rule that every ex player scores against us, guess who'll be the next one to do so?
Roos, Byrne, Davies (hopefully), Wisdom (hopefully), Buchanan, Shinnie, Bird, Bielik, Knight, Sibley, Waghorn* plus CKR, Lawrence etc on the bench, that's still a competitive lineup if the collective attitude and organisation is right.  The experienced 'spine' of Roos/Davies (hopefully)/Shinnie/Waghorn*, together with younger 'runners' (Byrne, Buchanan, Sibley) would surely be capable of holding their own in this league, wouldn't they, provided that they were managed/organised/motivated properly?
It's now clear that this season will be another holding operation, underwritten by MM and awaiting final resolution of the ongoing EFL & ownership sagas, with the aim of achieving 21st place again.  The longer this goes on however, the more likely Wazza is to jump ship &/or be tempted elsewhere.  If anything his stock will have actually risen having kept us up last season.
*am talking about the Waghorn who played v Sheff Wed in the last game rather than the doppelganger** who turned up for most of the other games LOL
** I think that's probably the first time the word 'doppelganger' has appeared on here***
*** A 'doppelganger' in German is a 'ghostly double' or shadow apparition of a real person...

That sums it up nicely.  Nothing illegal, a loophole exploited at the most, up to the EFL to tighten the rules if they don't like it, it's completely unacceptable to punish a club just because they failed to close their own loophole before!
Sack the EFL!
 

That sums it up nicely.  Nothing illegal, a loophole exploited at the most, up to the EFL to tighten the rules if they don't like it, it's completely unacceptable to punish a club just because they failed to close their own loophole before!
Sack the EFL!
 

That sums it up nicely.  Nothing illegal, a loophole exploited at the most, up to the EFL to tighten the rules if they don't like it, it's completely unacceptable to punish a club just because they failed to close their own loophole before!
Sack the EFL!