midds

Speaks volumes of the recruitment policy that's been in operation for the last few years that we've amassed a standard of players that is literally worthless. Hayden, Clark, Hendrick, Gayle, Woodman have all left without bringing in a fucking bean. We've essentially given them away as no other club deems them even worthy of a nominal fee. Another example of Ashley being such a fantastic businessman - allowing a fucking moron to accumulate players who tank in value so much they literally worthless. Problem being is there are another 3 or 4 at least who are in a similar boat - worthless and unwanted, stuck on hefty contracts because they simply couldn't be fucking bothered to scout for better. It's fucking scandalous how they used to run the gaff.

Bookies seem to think they're just as likely to go up as go down. Chances are they'll become an absolutely bang average champo team for a few years yet.

Seems like a good fit for them, reckon if he stays fit he could get 15-20 maybe? Fee must be pretty light too, couple of million?

Is Beth Mead likely to get a sot tonight? Evens at PP

Fair enough, many would agree. I'd love a choice of 3 or 4 absolutely mint strikers but they're the ones who cost the most. Nursing Wilson through the season isn't ideal but we might need to do it, we've already bought a completely new back 4 and a keeper and a mint CM. We can't replace everyone immediately, to think we could do that is idiocy, we can't throw tantrums because they've not managed to fix every problem immediately it's absurd. It's exactly the thing I've been fearing our moronic fanbase would kick off for. Everything now! Fucking arseholes man, just give it a bit of time ffs.

While I'm on I think the World Cup being timed when it is will benefit Wilson. He's had injuries in the past but placing the World Cup in the middle of the season means he only needs to stay fit for about 15 games, then he gets a big break then it's back to it to complete the season. If we're canny with him and manage him then I see no reason why we can't get 35+ games out of him, either side of the WC. He doesn't have the relentless grind for 9 solid months, he can partition his season and use the natural break to keep himself fresh and fit.

I'm not say we should stop looking as Anderson is the answer to all of our problems but I think he's another option. We've all been thinking that if Wilson drops out then it's armageddon and we're utterly doomed but that's not quite the case. We do have options if he pulls up after 12 games and Anderson could fill a temporary gap as and when from the very little I've seen. He's a player and his time at Bristol confirms it.

Watched Anderson this afternoon for the first time and I think he could well save us a few quid this summer. We've been banging on about seeing a bit of youth coming through and pushing for time on the park this season and I think he's more than worth a look. He's raw but he's also hungry and has a point to prove, I'd be including him the squad more often than not and giving him the odd 30 mins here and there in the first few games, we've got 5 subs to use now and he might just surprise a few people.

That only becomes an issue if you believe everything that's written about us. I don't take anything seriously until it looks certain, the amount of utter shite that seems to accompany NUFC on social media is incredible and I ignore 99% of it. It's a cesspit.

If Lascelles is the only expendable CB with value then I'd move him on tbh. Fernandez and Lascelles are of similar ability but one can be cashed in and the other can't. I'd sell Lascelles in a heartbeat and let Fernandez step up for the 9 games a season he might be needed.

Letting the interviewer finish the question rather than rudely speaking over the top of them is groundbreaking. The ignorant, gormless twat before him could learn a thing or 50 from Howe regarding general etiquette and manners.

I'd not even class the Atalanta/Bilbao double header as 2 separate games as I don't think anyone will play decent minutes in both games. It's all about giving as many players as many minutes as possible imo and the more fixtures they arrange the more that is possible. Think they've got it just about right, fitness is the only thing that matters pre-season.

Same as the rest of the twitter freaks - attention. Any kind of attention, they crave it. It's got to be an illness tbh.

Looks for all the world like a player who will need to be paid in full to leave one giant for another #beautifulgame

We're trying to improve gradually and wanting/expecting/hoping to sign the finished article in all 11 positions within a year is ridiculous. We have to accept that moving out the dross that's clogging up the squad and replacing them with a new team of better, but not exceptional, players is the priority. Yes we'd all love to go out and lash £200m plus on 7 new starters but it's not going to happen for very, very good reasons. Gradual and consistent improvement is exactly what I'm after and that's exactly what they're providing.

Pope, Trippier, Targett, Botman, Bruno plus arguably Burn is half a new team bought within the first year. That's incredible and a million miles away from what we've had. People need to chill the fuck out a bit and appreciate what's happening here. Not all positions can be fixed instantly, it's going to take a few years. Fucking greedy cunts man. Everything! Right now!

Seems like we just need to trust them and let them get on with it tbh. Analysing every tweet and opinion seems canny draining, not fun. Think I'll just see what happens as and when concrete stuff comes out.

Sounds like he's got the move he wanted and it's got to be very difficult to turn PSG down at his age. Joining Messi et al must have been a huge draw for him and can't really begrudge him it, it's a huge move and can totally understand why he's dug his heels in and waited for them. We just need to move on and leave him to it now, no point being bitter as he won't be the last player to turn us down.

Guessing the Richarlison money?

I know. It's also a hypothetical neither too.

Don't get me wrong, I'd like as many quality players in the squad as possible and if Paqueta becomes available and the money is there then I'd love to see him in a black and white shirt. Same goes for Diaby. But I'll not lose my shit and moan like fuck if Almiron, Fraser, Shelvey and Longstaff are playing because Paqueta and Diaby were unaffordable. It's a gradual process we're embarking on here and it'll take a few years before we have strength in depth in all positions

We simply don't have the time or the cash to solve all of the problems in a window or 2. We're going to have to accept as fans the fact that we're still going to be a bit short in a few areas for a few years yet, we absolutely will pick up injuries and suspensions this year and we've not got the squad to cope with it yet. Jumping from relegation fodder to pushing for Europe is a 3 year deal imo, we're going to have to dip deep into the squad and the strengthening needs to be a medium term thing. I'm ruling out pushing for top 4 or top 6 or whatever. I would like more points, more goals, fewer conceded and more clean sheets next year. If that happens I'll be more than happy. Setting expectations that are clearly not achievable with the squad we currently have will only lead to frustration and disappointment. They're investing more cash into the team and the club than we've ever seen before. Please don't have pops at them if player x or player y doesn't sign, they're demonstrably doing their best.

25/1 chief. Pile in

Gallowgate block M had about 500 free at about 10.30. East stand block J had about 450 free. Queue moved pretty quickly and I was about 2675 iirc

Done. Gallowgate for Atalanta and East stand for Bilbao. Will probably be the only games I get to go to this season so I'm looking forward to them