James

CM will improve if you sort out the front line which we have done. They won’t be amazing but they will be “better”

Just reading the transfers to date for the PL and in terms of anticipated % improvement we are probably number 2. Most clubs look like they just plan to contract a little or just maintain the status quo

We're not gonna spend £35m on one player, and he's hardly likely to change his mind about coming here just because we might sign Ryan Fraser. I think it’s very unlikely too as I think Bruce has found better use for £35m. But I still have this down as maybe 15% chance if no other clubs come in, Lille drop the price by £5m and the player decides to take the stepping stone option.

Wonder whether we will go back for Soumare towards the end of this window of big club interest isn’t forthcoming? Although on the other hand we’ve spent roughly the same budget on our four incoming players so money could well be gone.

Going to throw this out there: Ashley has backed every single manager bar KK during their first full summer transfer window. In fact his failings seem to occur in the windows thereafter. Discuss

Pardew’s Crench signings were often quite quick fire. Think Rafa had a burst too

He doesn’t have an injury record as much as Shearer didn’t. Two ACLs over three years ago and only one moderate injury since

Three of those had a terrible attitude though and three of those all wanted to be Number 10. That was part of the problem. Lots of neglected weak areas in that team and an on TV / vs Big Clubs mentality.

Same agent as Lazaar?

Don’t Panic!

Adam Armstrong then

If they come back it will be some shadow company with its own structure. We won’t initially realise it’s them

He’s a good player but the way he refused to sign a short contract extension to help Bournemouth escape relegation in case he got injured and jeopardised his next contract was a very poor. Reminiscent of Michael Owen really

He was in my FM team that got Exeter into the CL but I then sold him and bought Chilwell from Chelsea

Sounds like something is up, according to the Mag: After announcing this as a friendly, NUFC and Middlesbrough agree at last minute to change it to a ‘training match’ no team news, media or in game updates. Match bets were voided. Shelvey disappeared Lascelles sent off for violent conduct Lost 5-1 Will be possible that something leaks out from this.

Nice and baggy should have gotten Steve Bruce to model it

Other than Joelinton this is a good forward line if pulled off. Just then get a LB and a CM of just moderate respectability and you have a mid table team there. If "pulled off". Makes it sound like a dream. Anyone still wanting Ashleys club to do well is beyond help. Remember how we finished comfortably mid table such that someone very credible paid a £17m deposit to try and buy us? Of course you don’t as you need mental help for your hatred of women! But for the purpose of everyone else, pulling off a mid table squad on the cheap is longer term the best outcome for escaping this purgatory.

Other than Joelinton this is a good forward line if pulled off. Just then get a LB and a CM of just moderate respectability and you have a mid table team there.

They’ve faked their death on a canoe but really living in a Granny-annexe in the house

Especially when

It’s unbelievable really. He’s a £15m asset who can potentially yield much much more £ based on key saves like he did last season. You’ve lost the yield and devalued the asset. Most businesses around the world would be getting rid of the individuals responsible.

Unless we are intending to raise £45m by selling Lejeune Schar and Lascelles of course in which case might be a good deal

HBA wouldn’t have been a regular in SBR’s team bit he would have taken the LuaLua role and turned quite a few games

MBS will never take the test. Within his country he is beyond reproach. In their eyes just being tested by a piddling organisation such as the PL would be a national embarrassment and a sign of real weakness and impotence. Bad things would befall PIF even if they entertained the idea of MBS taking the test so they will walk away rather than asking.