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If Zinchenko starts we’ll win this

Don't think you can plan in detail for 2026 - right now. If we have back-to-back Champions League seasons compared to 0, it's a massive difference. Likw £250m difference when you factor in gate receipts, average ticket price, genuine sponsors, FMV sponsors. Some of our better players might want to leave, some may fall off a physical cliff, and others might enjoy an Indian summer. The manager's status might change. Some of the kids may emerge etc.

I think he was a lot better than he was at Everton, but has gotten worse again this season. Has been going for cheaper options while he was out of form.

Re: decision making, if Howe can get Murphy consistently making the right decisions, it's surely just a question of time until Barnes is. Entirely up to Howe on whether he's open to moving him on or not as far as I'm concerned. The traditional reasons for selling are obvious, but he's made a valuable contribution this season and we've got a lot of games to play next year. So I'll just wait and see.

Still think due to the numbers of kids we snapping up some come good for the first-team lowering our expenditure or they good enough to sell to reinvest in the match day squad. Not sure how far away some of these 17/18/19 year olds will be at in the next 12/18 months

I'm not overly concerned about the definition of world class. Tonali is top dogs, Bruno is top dogs, for our system Joelinton is top dogs. We need a physical beast that can play in that 3 without any drop off. That's probably a £40-60m player. If you can get that quality for less, great. After a RW, CB that's the next priority position for me.

Like if we spend £120m and it’s a GK / CB / RW in, with maybe a back up ST low cost, it doesn’t provide us much wiggle room to then sign the other 5 positions we need in 2026 without a significant outgoing. If there’s a seriously good offer for a player this summer, I think we will and we should sell. Easier to evolve squad from a position of strength.

Can't believe there's still people who want to sell him. He's produced more than Gordon this season and is only proving the value of having a SQUAD of players. Especially if we're playing CL next season.

Would be a good punt, need a big squad to compete across all fronts next season.

I wouldn’t sell but this is the last window we get peak value

Yea this. Our focus won’t be just on this window, it’ll be 2026 too and we will need to sell to buy for that. Be heads in sand to think we don’t, as our squad needs so much work doing for depth.

We don't want to lose his goals and the different aspect of his game compared to Gordon which will suit certain games/situations but at 28 you can't blame the club thinking recycling some players to reinvest is going to have to happen to some of the squad. Getting rid doesn't mean they don't hold value we just can't retain everyone until they retire or leave on a free. It's just not always going to happen perfect timing wise.

I've only captained Salah once in the last 8 weeks.

Will never be a fan of people diving and exaggerating stuff. The only thing I’d say in Gordon’s defence is that he does get targeted and has his feet clipped a lot when he cuts back inside. I just hate flopping and there’s no need for it, I do think he has improved since he was at Everton but that might be bias talking

Hackney will go to team playing in Europe this summer for sure. Boro fans I know are raving about him.

fair enough Mr Puppets, appreciate the intel so far!

Then there's the goalkeepers falling down at corners like they've been hit by a mortar shell when a striker lightly brushes their top/arm etc.

You know what, I don't know. I've only seen a long sleeve version of the 3rd strip so far.

I thought that was the case on Sunday. But since West Ham onwards, the polar opposite. He seemed to regularly make the right run or pass. His decisions were usually spot on. Sunday he wanted to hold onto it a fraction too long and the chance would disappear. I think our whole team bar Bruno and Murphy were guilty of this against Chelsea, mind.

He's a late bloomer. More interested in his quality than his age.

Looks another physical, direct winger type and not that much better than what we have, if at all. Especially in terms of output. He looks clumsy on the ball a lot of the time, too. He has been up and down with his form and has been on a bit of a bad run since around February time, I think. Finally, I think he would cost £60m plus. Which is far too expensive for what he would actually bring to the team.

I didn’t have anyone particular in mind. I’m sure Eddie can find someone who is up there and wants to come. Cba finding an example then having to have a discussion whether he can be defined as world class or not.

Overpriced and been hot and cold this season. Mbeumo is available for a similar price and has been putting up the numbers for a while now