Nods

As badly as we're run and as much as there are probably a thousand scandalous things about us that we don't know, not everything has to be a scandal. His contact is up, his salary expectations are huge, his ability isn't what it was, and for all parties it's just time to call it a day. There's no reason to believe there's anything more to it than that.

The problem with JJ is his total inability to operate under any form of pressure. Press him and he'll give you the ball or knock it out of play. Almost without fail. As a top end team who will likely dominate possession next season, we can't afford that weak link. I'd take Doyle back on loan before playing Justin, even with his limitations. On CBs, I think Souttar would be fine as your horrible, aerially dominant centre half for next season if he's paired with somebody with some pace. As it happens we don't appear to rate him, so hopefully we make it the priority area for our recruitment you're looking for.

4 results under Ruud in the Prem. This clown didn't start in 3 of them.

They do have input. Would Ruud have gone in for Sensi? Would Enzo have blown our load on 'Premier League experience' in the shape of Ayew, Skipp and BDCR? Of course not. Even we, one of the most poorly ran clubs in the country, try to align recruitment policy to our management and intended style of play.

Let's put it another way, who gets more points in the Championship? Ruud or Enzo? You're allowed to find his style boring, but there was at least a plan, and it involved keeping our worst players off the pitch. Call me crazy but that beats no plan and playing lads who struggle to kick a ball every time.

It would have been a lot different. People saying it would be exactly the same have short memories. Probably still would have ended in relegation, but the likes of Kristiansen and Justin, who are beyond poor, wouldn't have had a look in under Enzo. We also wouldn't have recruited Ayew, BDCR, or Skipp. They're all so far away from 'Enzo players'. We'd still have had Rudkin negotiating contracts and transfers, so I'm not saying we'd have stayed up playing like 08/09 Barca. The likelihood is we'd have still been relegated, but it wouldn't have been as pathetic as this.

I don't think anybody is asking for us to become an established top 4 side. Consistent mid-table/top half is all most expect. There's no reason why we couldn't have established ourselves, and you never know with a couple of good transfers and a fair wind, every now and then you might squeeze a Europa of CL spot.

And Brentford, Brighton, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace are established Premier League clubs? And always were? So much wrong with this statement. There is nothing inherent about any club that ought to suggest a default position. You should demand more because our meteoric rise has been allowed to fizzle away to nothing. Quite remarkable really with the riches and reputation to come from that period that what we have to show for it is this lot. The reason your statement is so wide of the mark is also the reason why you should be angry; football never stands still, but we have, precisely when we shouldn't have.

I can get behind the sentiment but the fact you're angry tonight suggest you were clinging on to some hope before Wolves won tonight? It was over a long time ago.

The concept of book value really bugs me. Am I missing something? Seems so dumb as an accounting concept. Yes we'd technically be making a loss on Faes if he was sold for say £4m, but it's £4m more than we'd have if we let him go on a free at the end of his contract. Can somebody explain to me whether it's possible / allowed for us to 'cut our losses' in that kind of example? Or is it just that clubs avoid this apparent 'loss' for the books? Surely profit and loss should be calculated purely by deducting outgoing costs from income each year? Just strikes me as another way in which PSR does more harm than good in football club sustainability. Can somebody who knows more than me explain this? Am I over-simplifying it?

The point is moot as the reality is we will get rid of what we can and we'll be left with what we can't. Unfortunately Vardy, who could still do a job in certain games if used as part of the squad, will likely be one senior player to go for the simple reason that his contract is up and it's our biggest salary. The likes of Ayew and BDCR, though? Who's paying a fee for them? We're stuck with them and we just have to hope they can offer more than they have in the Prem.

I've heard we're the most difficult club Adidas deal with. Top known to swoop in and veto plans at the 11th hour, wasting months of work. It's only the kit but paints a picture.

Context: I live near Manchester. I bought a membership in December shortly after I got a West Ham ticket on general sale. Primarily because I wanted to make sure I'd get tickets for the Wolves game which I planned to watch with an old pal. Thought it might not go to general sale. There were still tickets on general sale up to the day of that game I think, I haven't been to a game since and I won't be going to another one this season. £35 I'll never see again.

Convinced / asked to stay. I take back my comment that I'd be 'amazed' if he stayed to be honest. Could easily be convinced again if it's happened once already. If what I heard is correct, I just imagine he'll be trying to manoeuvre a way out again this summer. I think the issue is partly that he's incompetent, but partly also that he's got one foot out the door. Hardly motivated to work hard for the future of the club. New contract, Vesty? Yeah, why not pal. If we get the message right, hopefully it's enough to convince Top to let him go this time. I'm not ITK or claiming to be by the way. I just have a mate who's Dad used to be senior at the club and the Rudkin summer thing is something he mentioned in passing a few months ago. As with any rumour, who knows how true it is.

I appreciate what you're saying. I don't expect everyone to jump on board. But what we can't have is massive opposition, as it really weakens our position. Silence and a few grumbles from the fans stands us in a much better position than it being widely booed. Top basically can't just dismiss it as an angry minority if there isn't evidence of widely adopted opposition to the banner in the stands.