urban fox

So, apparently Southampton are reportedly going to sue us if we get promoted and have breached the rules. We in turn are going to sue Everton. Meanwhile we, along with Everton (again), forest, villa, wolves, Chelsea, and possibly a few others face possible points deductions for next season. can someone please tell me how the whole system is not broken? the PL etc saw this coming, have likely already been informed by several clubs that they may potentially breach, hence the climb down and reduction in Everton’s points deduction. would love to see clubs effectively going on strike, refusing to fulfil fixtures until the whole mess is sorted out

So with 10 games to go, w8, d1, L1 = 25 pts which would leave us on 106 equalling Reading’s record. Anyone know what their goal difference was? We could take the record on GD.

Sky certainly seem to have an agenda against us. The way the deal is structured certainly benefits favouritism. How many times have we been their pick compared to Leeds for example this season, never mind the number of live games the so called big six get compared to the rest of the pl. Remember every appearance is mega bucks extra, so by keeping our appearance to a minimum we get less (not to mention when we are on the pundits are invariably biased to our opposition) the whole thing is rigged

Thing is, even with a salary cap, playing for one of the big clubs will attract better sponsorship deals etc for players so it only partly solves the issue. There are so many ways that the big clubs can manipulate how they pay their players (things like share options etc) but at least it would be step in the right direction.

Other clubs think that we may have breached ffp. An article in the sun, written by a Leeds supporting journo. whilst of course it may be entirely possible, if it does turn out to be the case then I would be surprised given the lack of activity in 2022, the business we did last summer and the fact that we did not have a fire sale in January. the article talks about us posting £140m losses but (assuming that is accurate) that would include interest payments on the training ground, admin and other costs exempted from ffp calculations I would imagine.

Coady, Albrighton and Vardy in for Nelson, mavadidi and Daka. Feel we need experience for this one. Marc will always put a shift in and can put early balls in for Vards, who despite what some say about being over the hill, was banging them in before his injury. Coady will steady the ship at the back and give Faes the opportunity to push on. Maybe Doyle for JJ too. We really miss Vesty's passing.

The next game is always the most important and every point on the board is worth the same as any other. play the strongest side possible, take the points and then reassess for next game. why rest players for the following game, who could then pickup an injury in training, fall ill etc and then not feature after all. We are in the final quarter of the season and this is not the time for wholesale changes. Being able to rotate is important as there will be injuries etc but the main thing is to maintain the balance of the side and keep momentum up. Our squad depth should give us the advantage in terms of in game changes to rest legs and tactical switches for certain games etc

Difference being Shilton would catch the corners or crosses rather than punch them. That said all keepers seem to prefer to punch than catch these days.

Yep, the figure the courts use when calculating fines is based on net and will also take into account mortgage/rent and other essential outgoings so his gross, bearing in mind he will be on the higher tax band will probably be around 3x that.

Could history repeat. What are the chances Man Utd at home, Southampton in the semi and Chelsea in the final again?

So, once again we have several players who will be out of contract at the end of the season. We have heard little in terms of contract renewals for those players, and unlikely we will until our fate is known in respect of what league we will be playing in next season. Working on the presumption that those affected will most likely want away, with the possible exception of Albrighton, if we fail to get promoted, who would do you think will be offered new deals, and will want to stay if we are promoted. Obviously, some deals will need to be on reduced terms due to ffp and the financial situation, and that may influence their decisions. Here are my thoughts Ndidi. Keep. offer new deal which i think he will accept Vardy. one year deal with option to extend but on reduced terms ,possibly heavily incentivised with respect to appearances/performance. He will fancy a swansong in the PL. He is the GOAT and his previous loyalty should be recognised and reciprocated Albrighton. Possibly a player/coaching role if he fancies it. Model pro and good influence on the youngsters Vestergaard. Keep. two year deal with option Praet. released Iheanacho. released Doyle (loan) sign if fee reasonable, one for the future. If asking price over £15m release Yunus (loan) Decent but not shown enough consistently. i like him but if obligation terms not met, let go unless we can get him on a reduced fee Fatawu. (loan) obligation has been met i believe but sign regardless

At this stage, there are no easy games, just some that are harder than others. Whoever we get as long as we give it our best shot that is all that we, as fans, can ask for. Don't think any one will be playing second strings with a date at Wembley at stake, except maybe us if we draw man city away and decide to rest some for the league.

Sometimes a player just does not "click" at a club. Perhaps style, confidence, lack of game time in preferred role, doesn't get on with others in the squad or the manager or even sometimes homesick. We have seen this before with the likes of Krameric, or more recently Soumare. Some move on and do great things others never reach their potential. Vestergaard was brought in, never really got much of a chance to show what he is capable of when utilised to his strengths and obviously was unhappy here due to his treatment by Rodgers (convinced to stay, then ignored, something that BR did with others too). Yet he has been given the chance to turn it around and, luckily for us, he has taken it and "clicked" to the extent that he is now a contender for player of the season.

The smile on Fatawu's face in this pic says it all. it is that of a young man enjoying his football under a manager that they trust and respect whilst still able to share a joke with. Compare to the attitude under Rodgers in his last 18months or so

Then give us newcastle in the semis and wolves in the final. We owe them for 1949

When he had offers to move previously, he turned them down for personal reasons (new baby etc) even though he was obviously unhappy at the club due to his treatment by he who must not be named. It will be ironic, assuming he is offered one, if he was now to turn down a new deal to stay when he is playing some of the best football of his career, in what appears to be a happy squad under a manager that understands and utilises his best strengths.

Agreed with respect to needing some incomings but selling is going to be the problem, as apart from the self serving greedy bunch who have screwed the system for everyone else who will be buying? With almost the majority of the clubs scared of breaching ffp, or simply skint i think the majority of moves this summer will be free agents. I can see this being the case for a couple of years whilst clubs balance the books and current player contracts start to run down to the point where transfer fees normalise to levels that are affordable and selling clubs will not be making a loss on amortised values. Of course this will result in the usual suspects gaining even bigger advantages being able to mop up most of the talent while everyone else struggles

Been really impressed with him. Last night Bournemouth obviously targeted him, as a young backup keeper, with their in-swinging corners and crosses but he dealt with them all pretty well. Only time he got caught out was the cross that everyone left, which then hit a divot and bounced onto the post. Not quite as assured as Mads in possession and played a couple of straight balls to players that were being tightly marked or decided to go long when he could have been a bit calmer. These are things that he will improve in time. Our biggest problem with him will be keeping him as i think there will be plenty of clubs who would take him as a number one in the next couple of years or so

So, hypothetically, if Soton somehow manage to do over Liverpool and we drew them at home in the quarters, with the league game moved forward to the weds, we could play them twice at home in the space of a four days

He's here He's got Hair He's every f***king where

Thought he did ok for a first start. A bit naive and probably trying too hard, hence hung on to it a bit too long and the yellow. Good management by Enzo to hook him. A second yellow could have set his confidence back massively. a good loan spell next season and he could be a decent squad option for the future

Really enjoyed that. Good game to watch, proper cup tie. For Someone who apparently can’t defend or run vesty starts the move edge of own box, runs full length of pitch leaving everyone in his wake and chips the keeper . Only a last ditch header off the line stopped what would have probably been goal of the season. deffo motm, closely ahead of Hamza who was everywhere.

Still think we win the title but I think the record points tally is probably a bridge too far looking at our remaining fixtures. Think we will lose a couple unexpectedly against one of relegation dogfighters and draw a few, like Hull away and finish on something like 103 pts. Hope I am wrong and we go on a massive unbeaten run to end of season and absolutely smash it

Seem to recall it was a home game against Swindon? Lined up as normal, but as soon as we kicked off Walsh went straight forward and played upfront for the whole game. This then set the pattern for the rest of that season

Personally I would start JJ over Doyle for this one. Feel we need that extra bit of pace against these. Also need to start Vardy. Experience, big game player and bang on form again. Yes, he may not be able to go a full 90 every game (twice a week) these days but these are the sorts of games he will relish