 | Forum
Thread | Welcome to the next chapter…
at 23:45 1 Sep 2025
It’s hard to ignore that we’re entering a genuinely new era.
From a squad perspective, we’re in a place we could barely have imagined a decade ago. The quality, depth, and profile of player we’re now able to attract is on a completely different level, it’s bonkers to think how quickly we have had to evolve and adapt.
With KMc and Ashton, we have a clear playing identity and a manager who is capable of maximising the tools at his disposal. And a chairman who is making difficult decisions that are ultimately improving us.
We’re stronger off the pitch than at any point in the club’s modern history. The financial picture is as healthy as it’s ever been. There are serious, sustained investments going into the training ground, scouting department, data analysis, stadium, and wider infrastructure. These aren’t short-term fixes, they’re building blocks designed to support success for years to come.
This means some difficult decisions are being made. It’s a totally new group in the space of 12-24 months. A number of players who helped get us here have moved on, and that’s natural. Most have found homes at lower-Championship sides, which probably reflects their true level. They deserve enormous credit for helping deliver one of the most memorable periods we’ve had ever, but the club has to keep evolving.
This is about progress and perspective. We finally have the foundations in place, on and off the pitch, to compete sustainably at the level we want to be. If McKenna can get this group functioning (and he’s going to have to pretty quickly) to its potential, I have no doubt they will deliver more success than the last group of heroes.
I know it’s rough now, but back McKenna. Back the club. Back the players. The future is going to be extremely bright! |
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Reply | Wtf are we doing?
at 19:17 1 Sep 2025
As a club, we’ve gone through an incredibly accelerated period of growth and with that comes some hard truths. Much of the squad we consider “legends” simply aren’t at the level we now need to get us where we want to be. Delap and Hutchinson (and maybe Tuanzebe) are the exceptions, but the majority of those who’ve left this season, if we take the blue-tinted glasses off, just weren’t good enough for where we need to get to.
Last season proved it. When it came to the very highest level, they couldn’t quite make the step up. And it’s telling that most of them have ended up at lower-end Championship sides,that’s their level. They massively overachieved, bonded together, and gave us one of the best periods we’ve had in years. For that they’ll always be known as legends, but football is a ruthless business.
We can’t afford sentiment if we want to keep moving forward. We’ve now built ourselves a much stronger base to push on from. It’s down to McKenna to get the best out of what we have and I’ve no doubt he will. Once that happens, a lot of this will be forgotten.
It’s just hard right now! |
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Reply | So, who misses out from the 25?
at 07:58 29 Aug 2025
Deffo have that feeling.
I can see both Clarke and Woolfenden going out on loan, maybe with obligations. Cáceres potentially still to come in.
Taylor I can see being moved on, James coming in.
I can see a world where Ogbene goes out.
Chaplin might well be in danger too if Akpom is seen more as a 10.
Busy few days incoming! |
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Reply | 8 days of the transfer window left
at 10:45 24 Aug 2025
He’s a massive upgrade on Morsy, getting up to speed with the championship and was one of a few positives yesterday. |
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Reply | Don't understand the negativity….
at 17:59 22 Aug 2025
Think it was inevitable though, probably not in the way he went but was never going to stay.
I think by the end of next week if Egeli, Caceres and HH/Billing or Ruiz are in the building there will be a very different feel to how this window went. |
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Thread | Don't understand the negativity….
at 14:09 22 Aug 2025
David Button
Veteran goalkeeper with over 370 senior appearances across the divisions, the majority in the Championship. Provides experienced depth as third-choice, allowing Slicker to head out on loan for valuable game time.
Azor Matusiwa
Ajax academy graduate who established himself in the Eredivisie before impressing with Reims and Rennes in France. Recently linked with Liverpool, he arrives as the long-term successor to Morsy in midfield.
Cédric Kipré
Voted both Players’ Player of the Season and Supporters’ Player of the Season at West Brom in 2023/24. Brings outstanding Championship experience and is the natural replacement for Burgess at centre-back.
Ashley Young
Signed to replace Tuanzebe. A decorated career speaks for itself, with vast Premier League and international pedigree. Offers leadership, professionalism, and experience to support a younger squad following summer departures.
Jens Cajuste
A statement signing at this level. Thrived last season and was a standout, knows and loves the club, has the ability to dictate games from midfield. Fitness is the key, but once available, he more than fills the void left by Luongo.
Chuba Akpom
Proven goalscorer with 34 goals in 82 appearances for Middlesbrough, finishing as the Championship’s top scorer in 2022/23. Featured in the Champions League last season and brings versatility, likely stepping into Broadhead’s role but can cover Hirst.
Kasey McAteer
Energetic and versatile, capable of playing across the line behind the striker. Republic of Ireland international with a strong work rate, Championship pedigree, and Premier League experience last season. Knows a lot of the players here so can settle quickly. Provides cover during Wes’ injury absence.
We’re still a striker short and a central midfield player, no question, and ideally need a more like-for-like replacement for Omari, who only departed last week. But is it really all doom and gloom, and is the current negativity justified? I’d argue not, in fact, where players have come in, we’ve more than upgraded on those who have gone out. |
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Reply | Signing McAteer - Will we still sign Sindre Walle Egeli?
at 11:11 22 Aug 2025
I actually see McAteer (although I totally appreciate predominantly plays on the right) as more of a Broadhead replacement.
I wouldn’t be surprised if we were still in for Egeli.
Both are incredibly versatile and we’re getting too caught up on the sides they usually play. Egeli played up top for a long time, doesn’t add to the squad numbers because of his age and fits the model in terms of incomings. There is still a lot of cash available and loads of irons in the fire. |
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Reply | Kasey McAteer - here we go!
at 09:26 22 Aug 2025
Mentioned yesterday on here but I like this. A perfect squad player, versatile, a very good character (take a read of the Leicester forums), knows a lot of the boys here so can be integrated quickly, already fit so can contribute straight away. Nothing wrong with this at all.
The negativity is a bit ridiculous. Not even kicked a ball for us yet. Get behind the lad! |
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Reply | Phil
at 22:17 21 Aug 2025
I understand Hassan Kachloul will also be with Batistuta in a double signing |
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Reply | Mcateer can’t get anywhere near..
at 22:13 21 Aug 2025
I think from a squad perspective adding someone like McAteer makes a lot of sense. Versatile and there’s a player in there for sure. After reading the comments on the Leicester forum seems like he has a good head of his shoulders and a good character, so he ticks a lot of boxes on the type of character we look for.
He’s not the Omari replacement but a good player who can be integrated in the squad pretty quickly due to the ROI connections. |
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Reply | Middlesbrough anticipating fresh approach from Town…
at 20:46 20 Aug 2025
I genuinely don’t understand why people seemed surprised by a move being made for him again.
Hackney took a look, liked the project (or didn’t), but was still holding out for a prem move with a bit of time left in the window. Left the door open for us to go back in.
We can probably offer him a little more now from the Omari sale, no Prem move looks to be on. I can still see him in a Town shirt over the next few weeks.
Alternatively, none of this is true and he told us to do one and it’s agent talk drumming up interest again. |
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Reply | Sebastian Caceres starting for Club America
at 08:34 17 Aug 2025
I suspect Greaves maybe seen as a left back option to cover Townsend injury. So bringing in another CB makes total sense. There has been rumblings of Woolfenden being unhappy too, so wouldn’t be too surprised to see another come in.
Would be a fantastic addition |
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Reply | Matusiwa will be great
at 07:54 9 Aug 2025
I thought he was probably our best player in that first 20-25 mins when we were under the cosh a little. His positioning was great, few good blocks, one good tackle. Good passing.Then after he got caught out with the ball for the booking he kind of faded away, which I don’t blame him for. Was walking a tightrope and wouldn’t have taken much to be shown a second I don’t think.
Was a real baptism by fire for the championship and he would have learnt a lot. Will benefit him in the long run. |
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Reply | Hutchinson on bench...
at 20:54 29 Jul 2025
I’ve heard Omari is actually looking to stay, more on the club side to get the sale done. |
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Reply | In’s and Outs before Brum Away
at 21:41 24 Jul 2025
By the end of the window, AAH won’t be the back up. But worst case scenario he’s fine for the first few games.
Plenty of options if not, just not the usual McKenna type. Szmodics, Broadhead, Chaplin. All can fill in for 20-25 mins when Hirst is knackered.
They’ll be plenty going on behind the scenes and players being worked on we are not aware of. Our two main signings this summer came out of nowhere, I’m expecting the same for the next few. |
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Reply | If he's as good as his old man.....
at 21:24 24 Jul 2025
We were. Pretty soon after he moved to Chelsea. Then again pretty late on his career I believe.
Some player! Great on Championship Manager too. |
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Reply | 'Frightening list of transfer targets'
at 22:03 22 Jul 2025
Bit early to be stressing. We’ve still got a massive chunk of the window left. Just because we haven’t signed five players by mid-July doesn’t mean we’re not doing anything behind the scenes. I give you Kipré and Matusiwa.
Most of the bigger moves, especially from Premier League squads, tend to happen later on once they’ve sorted their own business. That’s where we are fishing now.
Not having a full pre-season isn’t ideal, but we’ve kept the core of a very good squad and added smartly so far. Couple more quality additions and we’ll be in a strong spot.
Ashton and McKenna haven’t steered us wrong yet and have delivered the vast majority of the time. Still plenty of time to get what we need. The squad we have now is still more than capable of competing with the best in the league. Most of the teams in the championship would bite your hand off to have what we have available. |
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