Summer 26 Transfer Window - hopes, speculation, rumours etc.

[PaulWinch again]

I don’t think it’s papering over the cracks at all. If we win a trophy and finish top 5 it’s an incredibly successful season - the most successful since winning the European Cup.

However, as I mentioned before, the downturn in league form since the turn of the year is a pretty good indicator the squad is coming to the end of a cycle. We need to do a fair bit in the summer.

[Rigadon]

It's a bit like where the end result of a game dictates how people remember / consider it (good, bad, shit, amazing etc).

This season could either be our best in 40 odd years (win Europa, finish top 5), or it could still be one of the most depressing ever - and I know people will point to the relegation years (circling and then being flushed) and say I'm being silly - but if we finish 6th and don't win the Europa, the disappointment will be enormous.

In terms of the squad rebuild, without CL it will be nigh on impossible to replace those leaving with as good as / better options.  The next 2 or (hopefully not) 3 games are probably era defining.  Better than being 10th with nothing to play for though eh!!!!

[Clampy]

It is so hard to tell whether this squad is good enough. The final league position and a trophy is a very good indicator. But I can’t help feeling it might also be papering over some very large cracks.

Also, we don’t want to wait until the squad falls off a cliff before making those changes. We should act from a position of strength. So I’d advocate a major overhaul now, whilst there is still some debate.

How can a final league position and winning a trophy be papering over cracks?

Well it’s very fine paper, obviously. Like that stuff Boris and his missus put in the Downing St flat.

My point is, we are simultaneously on the brink of a very fine season and also teetering on the edge of needing a massive rebuild just to stay in the game.

Just try and enjoy it. Our first European Final in over 40 years and you sound absolutley ecstatic.

[Dante Lavelli]

However, as I mentioned before, the downturn in league form since the turn of the year is a pretty good indicator the squad is coming to the end of a cycle. We need to do a fair bit in the summer.

I think it is probably somewhere in the middle.  We are not as bad as our current form, but equally we are not as good as when we were in touching distance of top, but massive outscoring our XG (apologies haters).

Without doubt we haven't got much/any value out of Sancho, Guessand, Bailey and Elliot.  Reallocation of those resources alone will hopefully mean we stay competitive i.e. top 6 and a cup run.

[oldtimernow]

And right on cue Football Insider comes up with story designed to damage our cause…

[brontebilly]

However, as I mentioned before, the downturn in league form since the turn of the year is a pretty good indicator the squad is coming to the end of a cycle. We need to do a fair bit in the summer.

I think it is probably somewhere in the middle.  We are not as bad as our current form, but equally we are not as good as when we were in touching distance of top, but massive outscoring our XG (apologies haters).

Without doubt we haven't got much/any value out of Sancho, Guessand, Bailey and Elliot.  Reallocation of those resources alone will hopefully mean we stay competitive i.e. top 6 and a cup run.

Sancho, Elliot and Luiz, their wages go back into the pot. But Guessand and Bailey certainly aren't going to be easy to move on. Hopefully Palace go for Guessand but new coach going in there, we will end up paying for a fair chunk of Bailey last year of his contract no matter where he ends up. Mings & Barkley will likely move on too but with a year left on their respective deals aren't in any pressure to.

If you look at the rest of the squad, we are more reliant on McGinn, Cash, Torres, Watkins, Tielemans than ever. That's simply not sustainable. Hope for the current group we can finish on a high as I feel it's the end of an era rather than the start of a new one.

[Sexual Ealing]

And right on cue Football Insider comes up with story designed to damage our cause…

How could Football Insider damage our cause, even if it wanted to?

[oldtimernow]

Says Tielemans will be leaving….just as we go into three of the most important games this season🤷

[Sexual Ealing]

I think our cause might be a bit more resilient than you think!

[Tuscans]

 Aston Villa are understood to have made discreet enquiries to understand Neco Williams’ situation heading into the summer — Forest have opened talks for a new deal.
@SamiMokbel_BBC