As you say, cassa. From what I've read, the EU is trying the same trap that they laid for May (and she fell into it) and trying to stage discussions according to their ideas of progression. Whether or not it is true, I'm unsure, but it seems that they are predicating (or trying to do so) any trade deal on our acceptance of ceding access to our fishing grounds.
Hope Boris can be tough; he's going to need to be. Then, they want to neuter our financial power. W.T.O. rules beckon, I think, but if we accept that that is the position, then we can ignore them and go ahead and build trade deals elsewhere. Faced with a fait accompli, the situation and negotiations would change.
If only all Remainers have got the message - they haven't, they're still moaning on. :(