Outfox the Fox

A 3 year contract - that is likely to mean he'll be first choice keeper! Vieites to battle out Jakub for the number 2 spot (or one of them to leave).

He's 22 and already had 4 loans out, so it could be a sale. Difficult to guess how much they'd want.

Yes behind Claudio Bravo & Joel Robles for a couple of years, so never established himself at Betis. Lack of opportunities doesn't mean he's no good, perhaps we could kick start his career!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran_Vieites

Its VIEITES (an extra i), but you're right he does look good. I'm pretty confident he'll be our first choice this season.

I think Vieites could be first choice this season, his ability on the ball, in passing and awareness was clear in the first half against Northampton (far better than JS) and suits Martin's style.

I reckon Hamza will also be our first choice right back this season. Aluko / Joseph only backup. I can't see us signing any full backs. At least that would leave a space in midfield (along with lots of 'space' on our right, for opposition wingers to get crosses in - and allow them to face only 10 City players for a good chunk of the game!).

Why did Westerlo get rid of Simons, when he left them in a decent, just above mid table, position, at the end of the 24/25 season? I would have thought that was pretty successful for Westerlo. And what did he do / where did he go in 25/26?

Perhaps we've been trying to persuade Parker to come from United! Can't see it happening though.

My bet is that we've now reached agreement with West Brom to release Gill and there'll be an announcement tomorrow, saying he's coming as Martin's Assistant Manager. I think Rhys Owen will also be there. Parker is very unlikely and I reckon Begovic will stay as Goalkeeping Coach, so no Thornton. As to who Martin keeps from the current backroom staff, Kingy yes, Hughes probably not (hopefully) and I can't remember who the current Analyst is.

As Percy said this at the beginning of the week, I guess the main holdup, has been sorting out his backroom team. He would want Matt Gill as his Assistant Manager, but all the talk at West Brom, is that Gill is staying there. If that's the case, I dont know who else he'd want for that job. Rhys Owen (Performance Coach) is very likely to be coming in from Rangers. Dean Thornton, RM's usual Goalkeeping Coach seems to be happy at Millwall and Ben Parker, the usual Analyst, is well set up at Old Trafford. So, I would imagine there's been a lot of 'tooing & froing' going on, trying to sort out the backup staff

https://filbertway.com/2026/06/13/final-leicester-manager-push-makes-confusion-at-west-brom-as-matt-gill-admits-loyatly-stays-with-russ/ This seems to imply that I might be correct in thinking that the delay over Martin's appointment, has been held up, as we're trying to agree a deal with West Brom, for Gill to come in as Assistant Manager.

Thanks, Ric, its nice to have the feedback - I try!

As Percy said this at the beginning of the week, I guess the main holdup, is sorting out his backroom team. He would want Matt Gill as his Assistant Manager, but all the talk at West Brom, is that Gill is staying there. If that's the case, I dont know who else he'd want for that job. Rhys Owen (Performance Coach) is very likely to be coming in from Rangers. Dean Thornton, RM's usual Goalkeeping Coach seems to be happy at Millwall and Ben Parker, the usual Analyst, is well set up at Old Trafford. So, I would imagine there's a lot of 'tooing & froing' going on, trying to sort out the backup staff

Hopefully, he is in advanced talks with a host of other clubs - and does the sensible thing (for us and himself) in choosing someone else!