Transfer Window Jan 2025

[billywhitehorse]

Maybe he could be employed as a driving instructor for the youth team players. He could do this in his snowman outfit.

[The Old Man of Storr]

Richard Kone apparently, a 21 year old striker who has scored 16 in 28 games this season and is apparently the best player in the league.

An interesting character, he was homeless in Ivory Coast, played at the 2019 Homeless World Cup where he was scouted by Athletic Newham, scored 88 times in 109 non-league games before signing for Wycombe and lighting up L1 this season.

I mentioned this in passing last summer or the summer before last [ the years fly by now ] -

We normally cater for couples with our AirBnB facility but on one occasion this affable Scot turned up on his own and was up for a chat -

I discovered he was on whatever board organise the Homeless World Cup [ something I was not aware of ] - an interesting chap .

[DusseldorfHammer]

You can see why fans over here might have a more ruthless and cynical vibe these days.

I haven't seen any real attempts for a joint movement.

[Aztec Hammer]

I haven't seen any real attempts for a joint movement.

The club got some heavies involved to put a stop to it one time.

I know this for a fact because I personally know the people.

It’s not the same here as it is in Germany, imo. This is the ‘best league in the world’ and with that comes a larger degree of exploitation of the fans. There’s no incentive whatsoever to do the right thing. If anything, it’s counter productive for clubs here to do that.

[DusseldorfHammer]

There’s no incentive whatsoever to do the right thing. If anything, it’s counter productive for clubs here to do that.

It isn't really. The "product" is suffering already. Atmosphere at a lot of grounds is poor.

And if supporters really care, their job to do something about the price policy at most clubs nowadays. Smart protests, league wide. There are ways to do it.

[TheHandOfDog]

I think a lot of nuance is getting lost here with the Mike situation. I dont think that many would want him to be given a full contract on big money nor do I think many want him straight binned out of the club. Pay as you play or a different role offered would suit all and id imagine nearly all of us would accept.

[Roby]

I haven't seen any real attempts for a joint movement.

Different mentality over here.

We have a bit more of an individualistic approach - if the tickets are too steep, we vote with our feet.

We decide things ourselves, don’t like being told what to do by people. Brexit should give you a clue on that.

[Pete647580]

What if he literally no longer has the ability to play Prem football anymore?

He was declining rapidly as it was, as you would when you are a 34 year old centre forward who relied on pace and power as your gifts.

I find it difficult to believe he will ever be at the level required again. I would have, and I expect I’m not in the minority here, released him at his contract expiry before he had broke his leg.

Wouldn't put it past him to reinvent himself (again) as a goalkeeper.

[Roby]

It isn't really. The "product" is suffering already. Atmosphere at a lot of grounds is poor.

And if supporters really care, their job to do something about the price policy at most clubs nowadays. Smart protests, league wide. There are ways to do it.

No, their job is what they do on the other five days a week.

The “product” is still far superior to the Bundesliga which hardly anyone has any interest in.

Maybe reel the condescending views in a bit.

[DusseldorfHammer]

No, their job is what they do on the other five days a week.

The “product” is still far superior to the Bundesliga which hardly anyone has any interest in.

Maybe reel the condescending views in a bit.

Bundesliga games are still accessible for the average guy, some seats still appropriately prized, because of fan power in Germany is all I'm saying.

Quality of the Premier League is better because of international audience and TV money in general and the brilliant work by the league's execs in the early 2000s.

In terms of ticket prizes in the Premier League I think we're near the tipping point. Grotesque those stories about the Chelsea bloke making money via the secondary ticket market.

[Spirony]

A new contract for Mickey wouldn't cost the club millions.

And it wouldn't sit right for me, if the club would just release him at the end of the season, while he's still in the middle of his rehab.

*I couldn't care less which car he was driving.

The club could still help with his rehab, use of club facilities etc but that does not mean we have to be paying him to use them

[StevePottsGoalsReel]

It isn't really. The "product" is suffering already. Atmosphere at a lot of grounds is poor.

And if supporters really care, their job to do something about the price policy at most clubs nowadays. Smart protests, league wide. There are ways to do it.

I agree with you, but then people on here regularly complain about us not making enough commercial income and I wonder where they think most of that money's coming from if it's not rinsing the fans.

[Crouchend_Hammer]

Different mentality over here.

We have a bit more of an individualistic approach - if the tickets are too steep, we vote with our feet.

We decide things ourselves, don’t like being told what to do by people. Brexit should give you a clue on that.

Also, fans over here are too partisan (in the main) to really organise a joint movement. It is more of a 'them and us' mentality. Fans of every club think they are the ones getting done over. A lot of tribalism is very entrenched so hard to break out of that mentality for the greater good

[Ozza]

Personally I’d love to have gone to a top flight game in Germany, great atmosphere beer whilst watching the game

Looks great every time I catch a game on TV

Premier league football….meh

[Ozza]

I think a lot of nuance is getting lost here with the Mike situation. I dont think that many would want him to be given a full contract on big money nor do I think many want him straight binned out of the club. Pay as you play or a different role offered would suit all and id imagine nearly all of us would accept.

Yeah I think that’s a good way of putting it

[Crouchend_Hammer]

Was talking to my Blues supporting mate at the pub yesterday about League One, and he said Birmingham and Wycombe are nailed on for promotion… “Wycombe, how?” (I don’t really follow L1).

Richard Kone apparently, a 21 year old striker who has scored 16 in 28 games this season and is apparently the best player in the league.

An interesting character, he was homeless in Ivory Coast, played at the 2019 Homeless World Cup where he was scouted by Athletic Newham, scored 88 times in 109 non-league games before signing for Wycombe and lighting up L1 this season.

Not suggesting he’s the answer for us, but will be interested to see how he gets on in the Championship next season, could become the next non-league to Premier League player.

Saw him play a couple of times for Athletic Newham as they are in the same league as a team I watch now and again. He scored a ten minute hat trick on one occassion

[dal]

we apparently have sold 69 million of incoming transfer fee’s for 64 million to raise funds in this year’s accounts, effectively a payday lone costing 5 million.

57 million bid for John Durhran, be lucky

Definitely should not be handing out sentimental contracts

[westlondonhammer]

If it was a contract for valid footballing reasons, then nothing. But if it’s because of some of the waffle I’ve read here and there about doing it because it’s the ‘right thing’ to make sure we take care of him, well then I’d strongly suggest it has everything to do with the club not doing the ‘right thing’ with concessions.

Let’s not forget that it’s us paying for our tickets that helps allow the club to have the money to make these decisions.

How much are the club saving with their concession sham? How much would Antonio be getting from a new contract?

Weird world.

A nominal contract to give him the chance to make a meaningful contribution in the second half of next season... Great, it's the right thing to give him that chance. He might not want it.

But the idea concessions and Antonio getting any form of contract feels wrong. The two aren't linked and separate issues.

The club should look after players
The club should look after supporters.

[Crossd_Hammrs]

Personally I’d love to have gone to a top flight game in Germany, great atmosphere beer whilst watching the game

Looks great every time I catch a game on TV

Premier league football….meh

You can do that much closer to home - there can be good crowds and atmosphere found in League One & Two, and even down in National League North / South.

Unles it's the 'Ultras' thing that appeals to you.

[Soldavan]

Was talking to my Blues supporting mate at the pub yesterday about League One, and he said Birmingham and Wycombe are nailed on for promotion… “Wycombe, how?” (I don’t really follow L1).

Richard Kone apparently, a 21 year old striker who has scored 16 in 28 games this season and is apparently the best player in the league.

An interesting character, he was homeless in Ivory Coast, played at the 2019 Homeless World Cup where he was scouted by Athletic Newham, scored 88 times in 109 non-league games before signing for Wycombe and lighting up L1 this season.

Not suggesting he’s the answer for us, but will be interested to see how he gets on in the Championship next season, could become the next non-league to Premier League player.

Would like us to take a punt on him in the summer. Knows English football and we wouldnt lose money on him if it doesnt work out as I am sure a championship team would want him. Better him than a punt on a lad from lower Foreign leagues? (Would still need a first choice striker as well)

Oh an on Mickey, give him a job as fitness coach.