ALC Fox

With the number of transfers in and out that we've done and the two deals for Bristric and hopefully the new Finnish CB, I think the current set-up involved in transfers is more professional than we've had for some time. Yes we still need to strengthen in other areas. And selling Hamza would create an extra need in this area too. But I think under McCarron we're capable of multiple transfers in the week before the end of the window, even on deadline day if needs be, as other clubs do. Whether those players are available, attainable and willing is another matter but I think we can keep refreshing this squad, jettisoning those that have contributed to our downfall and continue to carry that with them while they're here, and replacing them with players who want to be here, give everything for the shirt and exude the kind of positivity we need to get ourselves out of this mess.

I hate thinking this about an academy product but he hasn't been good enough for us for a long time. I do, however, think he's more than good enough for this level but has been contaminated by the years of underachievement and is a big part of us being much less than the sum of our parts. He needs to go. I'd rather not to Derby but beggars can't be choosers. I hope he puts his personal indiscretions and this sorry period at Leicester behind him and has a decent end to his career, as long as it doesn't come at our expense.

OK I'm back on board. Don't give a damn what happens tomorrow but I want this guy starting alongside Kevon Gray at the weekend.

Still haven't got over us not landing Hasan Sas and Ebbe Sand tbh

Genuinely are we going to be any worse if we replace one of these numbskull CBs with Kevon Gray?

Shame about JJ but Aluko a more than able deputy. A big chance for him and good that Joseph isn't a huge concern. Chaplin trained this week didn't he so hopefully he's not far away now. Great that Page is in the squad. He'll be real boost if he stays beyond the transfer window. Feel like McFarlane needs a chance from the bench today.

On Chaplin, didn't he say that he's being asked to perform a slightly different role to what he's used to. I wonder if he'll end up replacing Skipp.

You have to think a striker is on the way. Otherwise at the moment it's Bristric, Reid, Cullen, Hutchinson, King in that order.

That's very generous of you. I think I was deceived by his barnet as well. Proper fluffy little haircut made him look taller than he is

Haha fair enough. I don't know why but I thought he was about 6 ft like Watson

I feel like that Burns and Watson's height could be real weapons for us this season. Whether they're crossing the ball or it's Alves or Howell, depending on the side, Watson or Burns arriving at the back post could be really dangerous. Having those extra options could really help us break teams down when we're fully up to speed. Wingers who can cut inside, wingers who can go on the outside. Speed, height, trickery. Hopefully they can all reach their potential here because we have real variety.

What is it 16 out and 9 in with potentially 3 or 4 more out and the need for at least 4 more in? It's one hell of a rebuild we're trying to pull off under mad restrictions, so much that we had to pay off Vestergaard a year early. I know it's tempting to be anything other than utterly scathing about this ownership right now. They deserve it. But I imagine that behind the scenes it's all hands to the pump trying to get the squad in the kind of shape suited to Martin's football, but also to bring in the kind of money we want and offload the higher earners that don't want to be here.

They're pure sh!t, Castore. So many suppliers could offer better: Hummel, Macron, Errea, Lotto, Mizuno, Joma, Kappa, Le Coq Sportif.

Interestingly wasn't Aluko considered one of the more powerful U21 players we had, bursting past players, scoring and creating from RB? As far as I'm aware isn't he also the most versatile, being capable of playing LB and CB? I appreciate he's currently quite lightweight to be a CB in men's football but maybe longer term he could provide that option.

Not a bloody chance, I've only just started wearing t-shirts round home this week!

I think the pre-season was aided by having a consistent group of young impressional players for a few weeks. We've since had a lot of players leave both permanently and on loan and a lot of others brought in, and others return from World Cup action behind schedule compared to others. This isn't a settled squad right now, so it's two steps forward and one step back. When the window closes we'll have a run where Martin can coach his squad consistently. August might be a bit tumultuous but by October we could be firing. I hope.

In the format of this competition I believe that's a point for us and 2 points for them

Totally forgot about Josh King. He was supposed to be decent a year or two ago. Did he get a bad injury?

I feel like Carr and Neale are right on the cusp. Probably Hutchinson too. I think there are some creases to be ironed out with them and they need to be playing regularly just to get over that invisible line. If they fulfil their potential on loan, I'd hope they'd be in contention for an early recall in Jan, same with Evans and Otchere

It's a scary world when people would limit help to people who are disabled and ill because they don't like the thought that a slim proportion of those might be getting an easy ride rather than increase taxes for billionaires who can shoulder the burden.

Lazio aren't going to be paying much are they, let's be real. I think this is one we can afford to not let happen and integrate him throughout the season. If we sell him and somehow don't sell Souttar I'm going to flip my lid, I really am.

RB Franchise FC? No thanks. I do get that they have a really professional set-up but we'd just be another Red Bull club. Soulless, hollowed out, nothingness. Of course I'd also rather not have representatives of a despotic regime with an atrocious human rights record. Which leaves little option, really. In an ideal world, some Tony Bloom type or a UK/European consortium would probably be best for ambition and ethics while retaining the soul of the club. Fan groups owning at least part of the club should probably be considered too.

Having that focal point striker should make a massive difference even if Bristric himself doesn't score much. Once we'd settled, Alves was chucking in delicious cross after delicious cross. With someone who will actually attack those balls, whether delivered by Alves, Burns, Watson or Howell, we should at the very least pin defenders back and then whoever is playing number 10 (Cullen, Chaplin, Alves or Reid) should find more space to pick up a loose ball. And I think that will be the effect generally, not just when we're crossing the ball in. Hopefully we'll look more of a coherent attacking team. The two CBs and LB need replacing asap though.

Souttar, Okoli, Skipp, Choudhury all to go in an ideal world. Probably Thomas too. Several signings needed to replace them.

My god we need to sign 2-3 CBs and get Gray in some match day squads