Do you remember early August/late July? This thread was awash with positivity. We had shown massive improvements to finish 3rd, demonstrating in the process that we had an excellent first XI but virtually nothing that came close in reserve - particularly in an attacking sense.
We were told by BVB that the player, who we'd been courting for over a year, was available and willing to come, that they were willing to sell at a reasonable price. The door was opened, and we alone were being welcomed in.
Then the Ed, Matt and Other Prats show rolled up, and it's been nothing but negativity since then.
All our rivals have proceeded to invest and improve their squads in a more savvy and efficient manner to us, and all will add further quality before the window is shut. Arsenal will bring a new GK and one of Partey/Aouar, Chelsea will get a GK and probably Rice, City will at the very least bring in another top CB, and Liverpool will confirm Jota and another CB too. Spurs will confirm Reguilon - a player we've been linked with for over a month - and probably another striker.
We're falling behind at moment where it looked like we'd taken a real step forward, but we're evidently taking the familiar two-step-back approach we've all seen before. All the names and positions being focussed on by our direct rivals - although City and Pool are too far ahead of us to be called that - would be celebrated and valuable additions to our setup, with the exceptions of the GKs.
The lid needs to be lifted, the contents exposed, on how this cub is managed and ran from the top. We need a real inquest and exposure, even if it means those who love and genuinely care for this club ensuring immediate ties with it will be cut.
We'll probably announce both Sancho and Telles immediately after our 5-0 win later today.