So the Fonz is the fourth player to sign up for the Seasiders in two days. We're now on a dozen players, two thirds of the way to fielding a starting XI with subs. Albeit we're without a goalkeeper, have a centre half pairing of vintage and vanished, an untried left back and a released right back. From midfield pushing forward looks OK, but could still do with more additions and that's where we're at.

The horrible realisation that we only have 10 days until the start of the new season is finally starting to dawn on those in charge at Bloomfield Road and at least Clarke, Cykwa, Melling and Delfouenso have been around the club one way or the other and so won't be strangers to Riga and his set up. Fan reaction has been interesting with the optimists saying all the signings are solid players who have played at this level. The pessimists will point out few have played near the top of the Championship and the Riga Revolution has a familiar feel to previous regimes. We keep getting teased with one or two names that raise the eyebrows and we may well end up with some Premier League loanees during August - a strategy that has seen some decent players come to Bloomfield Road over the years. At what stage the players will gel and we'll get points on the board is a real unknown. You would wager last season's impressive start won't be repeated this year.

If it wasn't bad enough that fans have had to put up with the ridicule of an 8 man squad, Blackpool's supporters now have to watch the unsavoury exchanges between Karl Oyston and Valeri Belekon. Clearly this has been brewing for sometime and the harmonious partnership which brought the club such success, has now turned toxic. Neither side is coming out of it with much credit, although as Karl has presided over one of the most disastrous summers in football, most fans are siding Belekon (some more hesitantly than others). Whilst both claim to be striking a blow for fans and the club, you get the feeling that both will also have their other hand firmly on their wallet. Let's not kid ourselves that either wouldn't walk away if a sizeable offer came in for their shares. Only the fans have the clubs best interest at heart and the latest developments are merely an unseemly sideshow.

Don't expect either party to dig deep and make their personal fortunes available for serious squad investment. Indeed, the only ones putting their hands in the pockets are the fans. It's highly unlikely that Belekon will reply to Oyston's letter, indeed the only attention it might get is from Disney who may turn it in to their latest fairytale, however it might just turn up the heat on some of the claims that have been made about the club's finances. There's no black and white at Bloomfield Road just murky waters and it's hard to see how that will change in the forseeable future. Fan protests, an increasing supporters trust membership and a final parachute payment means the owners aren't off the hook yet.

The arrival of the Fonz doesn't mean Happy Days just yet but at least players are starting to arrive. Maybe Owen could chip in another pound or two to help us out - after all that's the sort of irrational conduct of a genuine fan.

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