Two main responses really:

1. Moyes. He doesn’t seem to be one to play youth or fringe players. This season he seems to have decided 4-5 players out of a small squad just won’t play almost no matter what. Do these players need replacing? Or are they just ‘not ready yet’. This will make a huge difference to next season. If we suddenly have Aznou, Alcaraz, Patterson and Dibling it will actually be like having new signings.

2. The Friedkin Group. They seem to be prepared to play the ‘free agent’ market the way American ‘Franchises’ do. This could make a big difference and might suit Moyes. If we bring in three experienced players with no transfer fee (Harry Wilson and John Stones rumours are out there, as well as right back or two) then we can actually build and develop the squad in a way that suits Moyes without taking financial risks. That might leave space for 1-2 proper transfers in the Dewsbury-Hall mould (presumably targeting a ‘9’ like Delap).

I usually have a clear idea of what I think we need by now, but Moyes sees players and team selection so differently to many of us that it’s hard to guess at what business we’re looking at in the summer. I do still think we’ll be looking at ‘clever’ spending rather than ‘big’ spending though.

Mike, this was an awkward article to write in terms of trying to stay focused on the theme, the owners. I could have gone off on several points, two of which you covered very well in your post. I felt that the article was a little unwieldy but could have been writing it for the next month and still not have been fully happy with it.

I think that potentially, player unrest may play a big parting this transfer window. If promises were made, or if there were expectations in terms of game time, and they haven't been met, then it may cause issues. You are right to say that game time for the players you mentioned could be really positive.

Conference League football may well be a necessity in terms of keeping this squad happy.

I think you are right about the free agent market and one ir two astute signings. Quality over quantity.

Hi Kieran, excellent article, fair play 🤜🤜.

You raise many valid points, particularly around the multi club model which TFG have. I wonder are we overachieving in their eyes this season, and what would happen if both Roma and Everton qualified for the same European competition?

For me, given the chaos of the last decade, a pragmatic and sensible reinforcement of the squad around the left and right back areas, along with a couple of decent strikers, would do for next season. I also think we are over reliant on Pickford, if he was to get injured, I don't think our backup keepers are up to it.

I'd like to see a Moyes succession plan so we can transition more smoothly into a new era. All of this is achievable with the professional setup TFG gives us, experienced in the business of football and professional modern day sports.

There is still a decent number of games so anything could happen still but it seems quite likely that a crystal palace scenario will play out. I haven't heard of any behind the scenes restructuring required by March 1st so assuming the best on the field we could qualify for europa league and get bumped? That would suck