LJM Owl

Only positive after that performance is that at least half these players hopefully won’t be here next season. No passion or desire from so many of them.

Could you imagine the meltdown from some on here if the only one spotted was Mike Ashley

100% agree - all you have to do is look at the numbers we’d have to achieve to even stay up at this point (with or without a points deduction). Even without any points deductions, we’re the worst side in the league currently - 8 points from 15 games, 5 points from safety, meaning we’re averaging 0.33 points per game less than we potentially require currently (through 15 games). When you build in the reality of the current points deduction (which is almost certainly going to increase, arguably we’d want it all this season really) - we’re 17 points from safety. If we assume it’s an average season and 4th bottom gets 1 point per game, we’d need to get 50 points over the next 31 games to even match this (1.65 ppg) - that’s a 76 point season, comfortable playoff form. For reference, when we achieved the great escape under Röhl, we got 51? Points from 35 games (1.46 ppg). When you build in the fact that we probably won’t be able to massively change the squad for the next 9 games before the January window, maybe we can get 2-3 freebies in and we improve a bit and can get 1 ppg over the next 9 games - that’s would put us on 5 points from 24 games (without any further points deductions in the meantime). This means we’d need 41 points from 22 games to achieve 46 points (1.86 ppg), which would be an 86 point season, basically automatic promotion form. This isn’t meant to be a doom and gloom post - reality is we shoild just enjoy a stress-free season knowing the outcome for us already and back the team to hopefully build the foundations of a promotion challenging season next year. At this point, if we can beat Rotherham’s 23 points total, it should be seen as a good achievement given our current situation and squad.

It would be great to actually start building proper developmental relationships with the best academies in the country. Hopefully Amass (and others if they join in January) continue doing well here and we can get another 2-3 exciting youngsters on loan for League 1 next season.

Yes Here is an interview he did in June: https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/manchester-united-premier-league-netherlands-ajax-ruben-amorim-b2779009.html?utm_campaign=lighteradlayout# Seems like he still wants to play for the right reasons (not a final last payday at 27). Worth a punt in our position tbf.

Presume these would both be with a view of playing next season for us in League 1. Fosu Mensah clearly is/was a very talented footballer, however he’s only played 1050 (12 Games worth) since 2020/21 which isn’t a fantastic sign for a 27 year old - but got to keep an open mind I guess.

100% agree - I think someone like Bernard is the type of player that likely stays next season in League 1 under a new ownership, he’s out of contract next season (I believe?) and is coming back from a long term injury, so a mega season in League 1 could get him a very good championship move if he doesn’t stay further. I think any player that doesn’t want to be here next season should be allowed to leave in January (not for free obviously but for a reasonable/agreeable amount with the player) - Every senior player that is still at the club has more than earned the right to go if they get the opportunity considering the months of turmoil and upheaval. Personally, I’m of the assumption that basically only Palmer and Bannan are guaranteed to be here next season (assuming neither retire) - I’d love to build a squad of all the promising youngsters but I can see Charles, Cadz, etc getting decent interest from vulturous clubs come January.

Personally, if we finish 12th next season and properly bed in 4-5+ of the youngsters as starters (Cadz, Weaver, Fusire, Brown hopefully establish themselves as starters every week - I don’t think we keep Charles past January unfortunately), I’d be more than happy with that as an outcome. I would rather a new owner comes in and invests in the longer term health of the club (Stadium, Training ground, etc) and we shift the first team to be more of a pathway for the academy/younger players (to buy and sell for profit) and make the squad more on the younger end of the league as a whole. Thinking we will do a Birmingham etc is a nice thought but also could easily end up back where Chansiri has.

He’s the new Ross Barkley loan - everyone can see the talent a mile off. He will have a very good career at premier league level.

They were originally planning to announce the successful bidder (subject to EFL approval obviously) prior to the Derby by having them walk on the pitch - the problem they’ve probably realised is by having a minimum of 28 days marketing, the likelihood is that even if they know already all of the potential bidders, it’s on the market until the 21st? So once the process has been closed off, there is probably gonna need to be a few days to go back and forth if the offers are presumably close to negotiate the best deal/figure out the best buyer, likely extending the initial offer process for a couple more days.

Could be Allan Campbell or Rinomhota also - they’re the other realistic options left in midfield.

Wasn’t sure regarding Hause’s injuries - it’s the same with someone like Reece Oxford that is free, if you can get them fit they’re a top end championship player but they’re forever crocked. Jamal Lewis has just gone to Preston, hasn’t he?

If you’re interested in seeing who’s available currently: https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/statistik/vertragslosespieler#google_vignette Realistic targets for this season (and League 1), I would say are: Emmanuel Dennis (27) - Released by Blackburn earlier this year and failed to gain a contract at Watford after a trial a few weeks ago. Allan Campbell (27) - had a good spell at Luton, recently released by Dundee. Kortney Hause (30) - squad player at Villa for a long time, released and linked to midtable championship sides back in September. Andy Rinomhota (28) - released by/left Cardiff over the summer, previously linked to the club. Jayden Braaf (23) - came through at Man City, been at some good clubs across Europe but never really established himself, think a Musaba/Fizz type player who’s not yet reached his potential. They’re the first 5 from the list that jump out as potentially good signings to make in January going into planning for the next season in League 1 that could be with us both in League 1 and if we made an immediate return to the championship.

There was 22,731 for this exact fixture last season - there isn’t many, if any, clubs that could boast a likely 4-5k+ increase year on year for supporters going from being a playoff outsider to nailed on relegation (we’re playing bloody 2nd bottom ffs). In the last 25 years we’ve had crowds over 27k for league games midweek between September to Christmas 3 times - Hull in 2004, Barnsley in 2007 and 2016, what do they all have in common? They’re local, more away supporters for each of them. This idea that 27k on Wednesday is a failure is utterly disconnected from the reality of attendances for this club for the last 25 years. This is legitimately already one of the best turnouts the clubs had since it was relegated from the Prem. What other clubs could sell 25k+ home tickets for a game on bonfire night midweek, 17 points adrift from safety with a squad full of teenagers? Who? Genuinely. There isn’t a single club outside of the premier league that could do this, jfc half the prem probably couldn’t do. Stop bashing the supporters for what is an absolutely fantastic effort and a testament to the size of this club.

Completely disagree - look at the attendances we’ve had midweek in the winter at a league game since 2000. The highest we’ve had in the last 25 years was against Hull in 2004 was 28,701 - they will have brought 1000s more than Norwich will. This will easily be the best attended midweek winter league game in the last 25 years (from a Home support perspective) and people are complaining, it’s such odd negativity from a fanbase that should be incredibly proud right now of the support shown to the club.

100% agree - the rest of this season should be about trying to properly assess the youngsters who can play a part next season. Any senior player that doesn’t want to commit to next season in League 1 should be allowed to leave in January if they want/can find a move.

We will be dead in the water by January - the idea of signing 30+ year old past it players would be a stupid thing to do when there is basically 0% chance we stay up even if we could sign anyone right now. The faster we have stability under a new owner and can begin planning for next season, the better.

I know some people are a bit disappointed that the game hasn’t sold out; however, in context of our historical attendances, this is a bloody phenomenal turnout. This is a midweek (eg Tuesday or Wednesday) game on bonfire night in the winter months of a season we already know we’re relegated in. Last year, we played Norwich on bonfire night and had 22,731. Prior to this, our highest midweek, midwinter attendance of the last 5 years was Leicester at home on 29th November 2023 when we got 26,036. In the last decade, our highest midweek, midwinter game was against Barnsley on 13th December 2016 - 27,248. In the last 20 years, our highest midweek, midwinter game was against Barnsley on 27th November 2007 - 27,769. Since online records began (2001/02 from what I can find easily), our highest midweek midwinter game was against Hull on 8th December 2004 - 28,701. Considering the 4 fixtures mentioned above almost certainly had a lot more away supporters coming compared to Norwich, anything above 26k is an absolutely incredible show of support from the fanbase.

When was the last time that we got close to selling out a regular midweek league game?

Remember lads, our money pays for nothing… LOL

I know 60 interested parties sounds like a lot (and it is) but sifting through them will be a lot easier than you think. The likelihood is that they’ve got a list of information that they require from all interested parties - source and proof of funding information, background information, there’s probably some sort of form I imagine the EFL has to work out if they’d pass fit and proper etc., there is also a lot of social proofing in this type of thing - if you’ve got an American claiming to be a billionaire that has no googlable information available and they’ve not got a ‘proper’ advisory team around them, they’re likely BS. In the same sense, if you’ve got an individual that is properly engaged and credible through a PwC, KPMG, Deloitte, etc. they’re much more likely to be legitimate potential buyers. There will be the wannabes that pop up or people with a bit of money that will try and get involved (think Adam Shaw type) but the vast majority of these will be sifted out quick and you’re probably left with 25-35 of the 60 that are viable. You then start having chats with them regarding indicative valuation and likely offer ranges etc - there’s no point wasting time with 10-15 people that think they can get the club for £10-20m. Out of the 60 or so to date, they’re probably going to be left with somewhere between 8-15 that are actually serious, deliverable and in contention, with a couple more stragglers coming in over the next week or two to probably take the final pool of viable buyers to maybe 10-20. Exciting times - enjoy this, we’re going to be in good hands going forward (hopefully).

I don’t really get why people are super worried about the value the club will be sold for (in terms of it going cheap and us getting another points deduction) - the problem has never been a lack of interest in buying the club, it’s Chansiri’s lack of response. Reality is someone probably pays upwards of £40m for the club and Stadium, it genuinely wouldn’t surprise me if it ends up being £50m+ with the amount of serious interest in the club. Derby went for £33m in administration 3 and half years ago and we are a better opportunity for someone to really make a mark in English football with a bigger fanbase etc. Reality is the impact of Wrexham’s Disneyification has really helped increase American interest in the EFL Clubs and we are the first fish to be available for cheap outside of the Premier League.

Stadium sponsorship I would like in all honesty - it would still be called Hillsborough by fans but external parties would call it a different name which would only help the club at this point to break away from everything surrounding it. Shirt sponsorship, I don’t mind the new owners company etc but no family names etc - it’s obnoxious and too reminiscent of the Chancer. Tickets have to reflect modern standards unfortunately - £20 was the standard about 15+ years ago. £25 on average for season tickets across all standards would be more than fair, £30 as an average for POTG, fluctuating between £27-35 depending on on the opposition seems fair (Obviously fluctuating between stands but anything over £45 even in the South is outrageous). Corporate Boxes are the biggest mistake the club does for revenue - as we’ve all seen there’s plenty of supporters who are doing well for themselves, they need to be drastically lowered to ensure that these type of fans/corporates can spend £20k- 25k on a box across a season etc

I’m sure they’ll be working on a corporate offer to cover off up to Christmas - they’ll be plenty of interest I’m sure.

Textor Ashley Richards/Harris Shaw Consortium DE Shaw guy Those would be my guesses from what’s in the media and those publicly jockeying for position. Might also be a number of undisclosed American groups (not the Waltons).