Xen

If that damn jingle is the new goal music...

Jersey?

Little bit lightweight, perhaps, is my only concern. We know the technical ability Alves/Braybrooke/Page have, but need a bit more steel to back that up I think. I'm keen to see how Lundstram fits in as I think he'll give us that, and some level of rotation between the younger lads.

I think the only Outs that are disappointing are James (was never going to come with us to L1) and maybe a couple of the youngsters - although I think those moves are largely sensible ones. Fatawu at a push but I'm not particularly sad to see him go, and he's brought in a decent bit of £££. As you say, bit early to judge but the Ins look to be fairly reasonable, both in quality for this level, and the fees/contract terms agreed. Solid 7/10 on paper. Scope for that to creep up a bit if the new lot live up to expectations.

Two strong lineups at this level, and only Thomas/Okoli were regulars last season. Think it's safe to say the rebuild has taken a meaningful step in the right direction, finally. After years of minimal effective change (and it arguably getting worse) it feels like there's a big culture shift at the club too. Hopefully it bears fruit.

The saving is not having him around the rest of the squad Anything financial is a bonus

Striker BDCR and LB Thomas? Hell no. But as CAM/CB respectively? At least its a change away from something that isn't working. Not quite as committal as I'd want it to be, but got to assume that Kanga isn't ready, and players like OHora/Lundstram (if they happen) will slot in ahead of them as options in time. Otherwise, the squad looks fine. As with every game this season, on paper we should have the quality to win (even with Bobby and Thomas), and its these incremental changes that are hopefully putting us in the right direction. Once it clicks and we get a win, I'd imagine that'll start to pick up momentum and snowball. Hopefully, starting tonight.

How about Roo?

He made the Liverpool fans angry that one time, which was a high point. But his career has largely been a frustrating one that's just never looked like really going anywhere. Seems to have a knack for always being one level below whatever we need at the time - whatever division we've been in. Not to mention the off the field issues. I've got less animosity towards him than the likes of Faes/Okoli etc., but he's still one that I'll be glad to see moved on.

Bit harsh on Iheanacho. He had his flaws but he was still miles ahead of Daka/Ayew, even on a bad day. 220mins per goal in the PL for us. Ayew was 330min/goal Daka was 300min/goal

Technically speaking, we got out of the Championship at the first attempt, too...

Someone has to be the favourite. We're inarguably the biggest club in the division based on recent history. We were relegated despite (on paper) being more than strong enough to survive the Championship (and barring a points deduction, we would have done). Yes, we've had quite a bit of upheaval over the summer, but we've got a manager who has had success with a similar club to ourselves, we've recruited strongly for the division (again, on paper), we've got more depth than most the division in most positions. Most of the younger players we've got would've been expected to at least be at league 1/2 clubs on loan last year so this is a natural level for them now, and some have a much higher ceiling (Alves/Braybrooke). The older players we've brought in like Cullen/Chaplin/Burns are all experienced at this/a higher level. We have issues and glaring gaps in the squad, but every side in this league does otherwise they wouldnt be here. Will we live up to that expectation? Possibly not. But its not hard to see why we're up there as favourites. Not to mention that the betting odds are self-driven so the more money thats put behind us, the more it reinforces us as favourites...

Statues around the stadium - both recent history (title/cup winners) and older significant moments/players Change the shirt sponsor to a real company (not a gambling or crypto firm, ideally something with a local link like Walkers)

You were saying...

If players are a bit below the standard we'd want but actually put in the effort to make up for it, then we can get behind them and their effort might well allow others to shine anyway. Whereas the last few seasons, we've had players who on paper were good enough but just didn't give a crap, and it ended up bringing the rest of the club down with it. When we were last in league one Pearson/Walsh (and again in his later stint) focussed recruitment on character and how they'd integrate into the squad, and it paid dividends. More of the same and we might go some way to getting ourselves back on track. Cullen seems like a step in the right direction in that regard, at least.