Ric Flair

Early days but he just keeps stepping up. Bagsman for the U16s, U18s and then 2nd half of last season for U21s he was top class and scored regularly. Now for the 1st team in pre-season he's doing the same but with minimal fuss. Still no idea if he's good enough but he's certainly not struggling to make an impact.

I was convinced Mavididi would end up in Saudi this summer but I fear we'll get to end of August and he'll be here looking and acting very fed up and we will panic and he'll be loaned out for nowt more than the coverage of his wages.

I've still not managed to find comfort that we are an attractive proposition given the circumstances we have found ourselves in. Even as we try and get our house in order under whatever financial rules we come under, cash flow and going concern is a major obstacle I don't see how we overcome without us basically falling in to administration which is awful business and no guarantee we get to rise from the ashes. Administration brings horrendous implications to people involved at the club and the community but the ownership have far less ability to get a valuation for what they are " owed " that reflects what they put in or think a club is worth. Other creditors also face the unfortunate outcome of not getting everything they are owed and whilst we are not completely privy to our massive credit facilities with Macquarie, that relationship and cycle we are in is why I struggle to see how we can be prosperous again any time soon. The vast sales we have made and still need to make is highly likely to be our last summer of having the requisite players to be able to command such fees to keep the club going and again that further questions the true value of this club beyond a nice shiny training ground that costs obscene wedge to run and a run of the mill stadium. We are relying on a healthy number of bright academy prospects performing at a lower league next season and getting us promoted or building a reputation big enough for us to command similar fees to what the likes of Monga has gone for this sunmer and Kasey the year before. At some point when we get even more vulnerable, clubs are going to take such players for far less and then it really is game over. I hope i'm wrong, but I remain convinced we will be perilously close to going bust in the next 18 months.

You know better than I but I struggle to see where the value is in us, whilst we aren't a normal League One club. No club at that level or even Championship fodder are worth £150m + I think the training ground is such a ghostly asset, it's more of a burden than a positive but KP would need/want a massive figure to sell which is why I don't think it happens and instead will be admin eventually in the next 18 months.

.....

Yeah there's definitely mileage in that, i've always thought that some of these players can be complimented/carried with much better players around them than try an emerge/improve on loan in a team with less quality. Evans in League One behind a decent striker or at RW with the midfield of Page and Braybrooke and Alves in there and our most effective defence will be absolutely fine. Kevin Nolan raved about how he'll be the best player in League One or something to that effect. He needs to take his chances by the scruff of the neck though and maybe if he doesn't i would rather he gets minutes on loan until Jan at least.

Yeah said it for ages now and the lack of height, it limits our options. Braybrooke and Alves look so confident and strong together finally, waited years for a pre-season where they look the part. Probably what's happening now with Evans, it can take a few years even if they appear like they ought to be able to compete.

I thought he was excellent vs Burton once he got on the ball centrally. Haven't seen any of the other games.

There is also a lot hanging over the club in loans to the Aussie bank and legal proceedings from the likes of Leeds. I honestly don't know how you value us. The figure would likely not satisfy what KP will be needing, it's why I think the outcome of all of this is via administration in the next 18 months. I hope i'm wrong.

My biggest concern is the future. I also don't mind this route as long as there's not still major work each year just to survive because our operating costs far outweigh our revenue. If we don't go up immediately and we lose the parachute payments and have to raise similar levels of sales then it's just not realistic when your squad is made up of frees, loans and the academy. It puts huge pressure on those academy players to perform and their value to rocket and some of that it outside of our control as there'll come a point we aren't in a strong position to command £12m for an academy player at League One level. None of this necessarily gets solved by spending £10-15m this summer either but with the right recruitment network that can find serious value for money then we may compliment the brilliant academy we have and safeguard this club a little.

I don't think we have any money, it'll have to be a free or a loan. When I say don't have any money, for the type of players we scout. Not a chance this current lot know how to identify players across the world that could be signed for a million or less.

Hideous piece of business

Which is frightening because what happens next summer, relying solely on academy players increasing value significantly to raise funds.

Just loan him out for a £500k fee and cover his wages would do me. I want to pretend we don't still have £15m to pay/book value remaining.

Out of curiosity can fans provide some players at a similar level that they view as being more consistent than Fatawu. I've read so many times that his decision making is poor and he blows too hot and cold but the reality is if he scored 30 yarders every week and racked up 40+ goal contributions each season he'd be one of the best players in the country. There's a tendency to not tolerate players who show one extreme to another vs less able players who just keep things ticking over and are solid and dependable. I get it to a degree but what many of you are asking for from him is a bit rich.