Or alternatively, we’ve spent close to f*** all compared to some of the wealthiest clubs on the planet and some others with sugar daddy owners and we’ve still got by relatively comfortably and we now have a top notch academy bang in the middle of one of the biggest talent pools in Europe.

FORMER CRYSTAL PALACE STRIKER ALEXANDER SORLOTH CAN’T STOP SCORING IN SPAIN.

Sorloth famously started just four Premier League games during the most forgettable of spells at Selhurst Park. Though a tally of 12 goals in just 16 starts at Sociedad is proof of how effective this powerhouse centre-forward can be.

-.-'

Not in the Premier or Bundasleiga he cant.

It has taken him 4 years to finally start scoring at a decent level last, season at Real he only scored 4 goals in 33 games.

Good luck to the lad but like Bamford we couldn't wait that long. Again like Bamford he failed at multiple clubs after us so I don't think we can be blamed.

One more point

I thought this was supposed to be a thread about transfer updates, not a trip down Memory Lane over a striker that was absolutely awful for us.

I get the academy thing, it needed to be done to cultivate the talent we've been losing to other clubs all these years however from all the reports thats circa £20-£25m invested. Another way of looking at it is that value is one decent/average premier league player. Doesnt justify why we cannot compete with other clubs financially. Obviously its now the stadium. I can see PVs frustration getting the better of him further down the line.

Agreed. The club are looking at the longer term not the quick fix. The clubs below us are currently panic-buying to try and stave off relegation. Their inflated purchases may work. for one or two of them - some others will find themselves in financial difficulties when they get relegated.

Parish seems to believe that we are not in danger of relegation this season (and the betting companies agree with him). There IS money available to buy players (per an article in The Athletic) but only if the right profiled player becomes available and can be got.

The Academy already seems to be producing better players given the number who have been sent out on loan and the fact that the U21 team is still challenging for the PL2 Premier title against the likes of Man City, Arsenal and Chelsea and having just beaten Liverpool on Merseyside.

PV came in and agreed to work on a project which undoubtedly wasn't going to be completed in the first 18 months.

Like other fans, I really want to see us bring in a strong CM this window and this may yet happen. However, I don't want to see us throw money away on a panic buy that we alter regret.

I'm not saying we need to go for expensive signings but the academy (that was paid for by the sale of AWB) has yet to still produce the players capable of going straight into the first team and holding their own in the PL to stop us playing right backs at left back and leaving two number 9's on the bench cos they're s***.

The academy may deliver a couple of players at some point but not in time to cover the eight players out of contract in the summer.

We should be protecting the PL revenue stream and investing in good enough players from the championship or other leagues and improving them and selling them on, as Brentford do. It seems our scouting network is incapable of doing it though.

As for the £120-150m that needs to be borrowed off textor for the
new stand - do we really need it? or should we do something different (rebuild a a smaller main stand than can be extended later) and invest in the squad now...

This coupled with governance by committee, B+H wanting out and to invest in Chelsea or Man U the club seems to be in a fooking mess to me.

The Academy will not produce a raft of EPL ready players overnight. I think we may have one, David Ozoh, that might force himself into first team reckoning next season. Others that have done well out on loan will be reassessed during the summer.

We don't need 8 players from the Academy to replace the out of contract group. Why would we do that ??

Brentford's scouting network is widely admired but like everything in this world, some scouting networks are better than others ! Chelsea seem to be hijacking Brighton's bit by bit.

I've not read anything to suggest that Textor is financing the stadium redevelopment - I must have missed that.

As to the club being in a mess, I don't agree. But it is unsettling to see reports of fallings out at Board level and the continuing saga of H and B looking elsewhere.

Old, Ungifted and White

Exactly Willo - these players should see us a stepping stone to greater things if they perform well for us over a couple of seasons...so they should be chopping at the bit to come to us, obviously there's competition but if Brentford can get them then surely we could after 10yrs in the PL.