yeah alphonso davies has recuperated and regrouped after getting skinned by sergino dest for instance
The Chinese owner of WBA doesn't seem inclined to invest money in them, in fact last summer he told them he couldn't settle their debt (most of it still pending) due to restrictions imposed on him by his government: https://www.expressandstar.com/spor...t-because-of-chinese-government-restrictions/ I don't think WBA is going to last long in the Premiership unless someone else comes and takes it away from Mr. Lai, who so far seems quite disinterested in the club. As for West Ham, there are rumors that one of the big American "private investment limited responsibility" firms is ready to take over, and when those do they dump quite a bit of funny money there at first, so there is a chance they go on a buying spree right after it happens --if it does happen. https://www.hammers.news/club-news/...ims-ultra-wealthy-have-eye-on-premier-league/
Wigan are still appealing their points deduction, and the appeal is set to be heard on July 31. So, if Robinson really does have a relegation clause in his contract, Wigan are probably going to want to wait until at least next month before making any decision on his future, because they'll be free to negotiate a higher transfer fee if their appeal is successful.
The point deduction thing just seems of limited usefullness. They really need to institute an owner's ban or something (although bankrupting a club is probably not ideal either...) But tying league promotion/relegation to administration issues just seems awfully clunky. Maybe just draw lots and give one player away via league wide lottery for every offense at the end of the season... "And Wigan must give up... Robinson. His rights will go to... Fulham FC to do with as they will. As you were!"
Lol, mixed up my sides. Cresswell is a decent PL player and signed through 2023, Masuaku has show potential but is streaky. He just signed a new contract so is certainly in the club's thinking. Left side is a harder nut to crack. It would be great if he got experience on the right side as well. Love me some two sided players
Perhaps if it weren't so often changed on appeal, I might agree, but there seems little consistency and I'm not sure behavior changes much, but I'll admit to not having looked into audit results pre and post point deduction. And for over 1/3 of the Champs teams it has not much teeth. If you're not promoting and not at risk of the drop, it costs money, but not life-altering amounts. And it hurts the team community more than the bad actors. Should really be football bans for individual actors without letting them pull money (which is, of course, impossible but would be more fair.)
Considering that Wigan was right in the middle of the table prior to the deduction, I'd say it had teeth this season for more than just a third of the teams. This season, the top 6 would have fallen out of an auto-promotion or promotion-playoff spot with a 12 point deduction. And 9 lower-midtable teams other than Wigan would have fallen into the relegation zone with a 12 point deduction. That's 15 or 16 out of 24 teams that would be significantly affected.
Except not all 6 get promoted, so sure, not having a shot at promotion is something, but is not promotion. Regardless, getting dinged points is not something anyone aspires to, but I wish the pain were more targeted at the folks directly reponsible. But nobody axed me.
Very telling quote here: I feel like I’ve done well enough where now, wherever I go next year, I want to start. In January the idea of going to Milan, it probably didn’t even come to my head that I probably would have been on the bench… now I am more prioritizing a team where I am going to start than a team, just because they’re a big name.” Sounds like he's cooled on Milan.
I don’t think he ever had anything else in his mind. Dest is down right arrogant in the best way. Glad AR is realizing it
Meanwhile, Wigan coach Paul Cook has resigned to explore new opportunities. Highly regarded within the English game, only Chris Wilder, Pep and Jurgen Klopp have won more league matches in the top 4 divisions since the start of the 2015-16 seasons, despite always being at clubs with pretty limited resources. It might be worth Antonee waiting to see where he lands before making a final decision.
Judgment Day for Wigan will occur in ~13 hours at 4 PM GMT/Noon EST. They will receive a decision on their appeal at that time. A 2 point (or greater) reduction of their 12 point penalty will almost assuredly keep them in the Championship for another season and allow the club to get closer to market value for Robinson this transfer window.