Football

In other news, looks like our massive recruitment campaign is still going strong. Bridcutt in today or tomorrow for half of what Sunderland shelled out for him and just waiting for Ince to come back off his hollybobs to sign for us.

I imagine we'll have to sell someone at some point soon to balance the books if the current spending trend is to continue.

47 in 151

Sign him up

friminiyo

I think I'll just look at the ins/outs mid august, followed by Wikipedia pages of signed players. If I'm really in a pickle I'll recycle some opinions from the boro gazette to maintain appearances.

hold the fucking phone...

http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/stewart-downing-transfer-boro-west-9509093

Isn't Hughes off with McClaren to Newcastle?

I believe that's just lazy journalism. Player of the season last season to reunite with former manager at new club... yawn.

There's usually strong Hughes to Liverpool rumours at this stage of the summer, but they're also a bit quieter this year.

From what I've heard, there aren't likely to be many more outs other than the released players that have already gone. Hendrick to Villa is the most likely, but that's gone a bit quiet now too.

man utd's rumoured line up for next season

@roboto Not knowing their financials but FFP might force their hand to sell?

Not a bad lineup. They just might finish above Liverpool, again.

better than last seasons formation

Kopites with short term memory loss already? Do u even top 4?

we even 2nd i'll have you know

Ah, selective memory loss...

i'm beginning to feel confident about next season and we haven't done our marquee signing yet

it's all about next season or the last good season

*insert Kopite mood graphic here*

That's the spirit

It's unlikely. FFP seems to be getting relaxed. With our new mega investor Mel Morris on board, we can expect to be able to make a loss of up to £15m (I think) this year without being punished. This is made up of the £2m default limit plus a maximum of £13m that can be invested by our owners.

We seem to be going for it and trying to buy our way back to the Prem. It could be glorious for us or equally glorious for our rivals if it fucks up.

we can expect to be able to make a loss of up to £15m

That's the loss we made last year.

It's about next year's loss.

If we sign Downing, massive.

... let down

west ham fans seemed to like him last season , he was one of the most creative players there, why are they selling ?

Because they've cottoned on to the fact he's the most one dimensional player in the league?

I don't know if they are, seems there is a rumour in Boro about it.

We play 2 deep lying midfielder who both break up the play, Leadbittter is less destructive and more creative, Clayton is stronger, more destructive, more defensive but less creative. I can't see Downing replacing Clayton, he couldn't do that job. He would be an upgrade on Leadbitter in footballing terms but Leadbitter has been our captain and a leading figure in this mini renaissance so I'm not sure how much you'd want to replace him. You could bump Downing out to the wing but what's the point, he be marginalised in games.