toontownman

While the jury is obviously out we saw improvement from Willock, Longstaff and Shelvey by seasons end. You can see why Howe is optimistic he can use all three. He did however talk about having to be ruthless. If we have the room and budget, replacing one of those with a quality CM should still happen. We need that RW and Striker though first. January seems more realistic. Jan/next summer: CM, RCB, another striker, Trippiers successor. Potential 2nd LB if Lewis doesn't improve. Wing improvements.

Wait..who scored? Couldn't quite tell.

Yep. If we get the striker and winger we want, then a CM.. and shift the fringe players I could see us looking at a loan/purchase if something decent pops up. Have to be looking for someone young I think. So next summer most likely.

Linked with Ake again. Like London busses these LCB's. Can Ake play RCB? Lol. Think we are fine until January or next summer with Botman, Burn, Schar, Lascelles and Fernandez. Think we will get another young CB that can play RCB (Maybe Badiashile, down the line)

Broja to Everton would make some sense having lost Richarlison. A loan would work for their lack of FFP room. I would imagine he is not our top target if we aren't also moving for him though. Could also mean DCL is on his way as Broja is more similar to DCL than Richarlison. If Dominic wants to leave they will probably cash in and look at another bigger money striker to accompany Broja. Seems unlikely they would let both go this summer though.

Almost as much nonsense as the tielemans link but the chronicle promoted it so I'm all in. Exactly what we need. https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2022/07/03/ucl-club-braced-for-40m-newcastle-target-and-leeds-bound-star-to-leave/ I'd rather pay 5-10m more for haidara than Tielemans.

Pulisic?

Leeds, Villa and now spurs all linked with him. No mention or us yet with Leeds supposed to be the destination but spurs trying to hijack the move. (According to the press)

Agree on that, in time. I think weighing him down with that type of responsibility will be a detriment like it has been with lascelles. He needs to continue to settle here and grow without the pressures of captaincy.

Broja and Lingard would be underwhelming. That just shows how the expectation has changed though. Broja seems like he could be a smart signing on loan or otherwise. Just not as sexy as most we have been linked with. We desperately need a CM leader in the mold of tripps. Doesn't matter if they are an AM/DM/CM. Leadership and stepping up is big games is what we are missing there imo. Bruno and Joe are great but I don't see either as natural leaders. Willock and Longstaff need someone to really learn from. If we can get solid additions at RW and upfront without spending too much I would go all out for a captain in the centre.

Had a pretty poor season by his standards. Seems weird to say I think we could do better lol

Can't believe it wouldn't have been our first signing this window if we wanted it to happen. That said we have professionals dealing with that type of stuff now that won't prioritize on sentiment.

Not the DM we are wanting (because he isnt really a pure DM) but I wouldn't be surprised if we try and loan Gini in from PSG late in the window, if we still have room and need. He played well as a DM and almost everywhere else in the middle for Liverpool.

CM seems the position we are least likely to get out of the three, at least as far as press narrative have spun things for priorities. However It's certainly still a position that players are getting linked to us every week. Out of all three RW is probably the one we could limp through with most. An injury to Wilson and we are back looking bleak again. CM improved massively with Brunos arrival but we still got ripped apart and looked powderpuff against some opposition and bullied. We sorely need a decent RW to take pressure off ASM but I do think we would limp through best there than we would with not getting a striker or another mid,not least if the striker could also play out wide. Stupid to say but I would be a bit disappointed if we didn't managed to get a decent RW, quality young striker to fight with wilson/wood and another CM. I still think we will. It will likely just go down to the wire, so much time left in the window and so much guff to also ship out of the squad.

Yikes. A goalkeeping legend outside of the Prem growing up.

Deserves his own thread tbh. What a guy. End of an era has never been so aptly used. Been with 32 managers. Absolutely insane. All the best to you Derek and thank you!

He can play RCB so not impossible but pretty unlikely at this point I'd think. Maybe if we get the striker, right winger and Central midfielder we want, then managed to shift Clark, Fernandez and more dead wood in the squad. He would be an amazing addition and successor to schar/partner to botman. Don't see us spending that much though.

Worse.. the shady agent could be family. That is always the worst lol I still think we will get him. Hope he isn't the only striker we get though. Wilson New striker Wood Ekitike Should be our pool. Seeing as we generally only play one up top we don't need a 5th. Joelinton or a reserve play can also fill in.

What are people's thoughts on Conor Gallagher. While there was lots of odious cretin vibes, lots of people really wanted him here 6 months ago. Have our expectations already passed him by? Looks like Villa might be his destination.

Almost don't believe he is a target for us. Just think if we really wanted him and vice versa we would have made it happen already.

At this point I have no bloody idea who we will end up with. Think it's clear we will get a RW, Striker and CM/AM. Also wouldnt rule out more if we shift alot of the deadwood out. We are linked with so many and likely talking to lots not even reported on. Regardless of who comes I just feel at ease and confident whoever comes will be exciting and quality.

He got a job! Amazing. Great for David if he stays. Fonseca will have them back on the front foot!

Interesting options of who we have been linked with. Alongside Paqueta, Ruiz has probably been linked more than anyone to us. Then there is Eriksen. There are a bunch of other central mids we have been linked to. I wonder where everyone ranks in the priority list.

Weird. Maybe waiting on another deal for a joint presser? Bizarre.