With Southampton and Leeds breathing down Ipswich's necks, it's looking increasingly likely one will supplant the Tractor Boys on the top 2 - with the other likely to be favourites to win the play offs. If that happens, it is also likely that when their respective season-long camping holiday in the Championship ends, Luton/Burnley/Sheff Utd will also be obliged to return from their luxury breaks.
My first question is, has this ever happened? And my second is, is this the shape of things to come? I note with interest comments on the Cameron Archer thread about top clubs 'selling-but-effectively-loaning' surplus players on ffp-friendly buyback deals which helpfully ensure the promoted club isn't saddled with a big wage earner and the player isn't forced to slum it in an inferior league, and wonder if what we're seeing is a new class of permanent yo-yo clubs, with personnel arrangements reflecting that. Probably Leeds will get Archer next year.
Depressing.
My first question is, has this ever happened? And my second is, is this the shape of things to come? I note with interest comments on the Cameron Archer thread about top clubs 'selling-but-effectively-loaning' surplus players on ffp-friendly buyback deals which helpfully ensure the promoted club isn't saddled with a big wage earner and the player isn't forced to slum it in an inferior league, and wonder if what we're seeing is a new class of permanent yo-yo clubs, with personnel arrangements reflecting that. Probably Leeds will get Archer next year.
Depressing.