toontownman

In before Canadian close but essentially happy belated Birthday to Gazza. Watched the documentary this week for the first time. Just heartbreaking really. To be honest I was pretty disappointed it told half the story, really lacked questioning why he wasn't better supported and on the whole seemed more like it was used to twist the knife on Morgan, Wade, the Sun/Mirror/news of the world, phone hacking etc. With Gazza as a pawn. Just seemed a very odd point to end with much of his later struggles and modern history omitted. If anything i came away feeling the documentary almost used him in a way the others did to get their agenda across. Once Wade and Morgan were out the way they ended it. Certainly feel for him and it was a career of what could have been. Found the Roeder footage interesting (completely jumping to conclusions) maybe a parallel with Nolan and Carroll, keeping the younger player on track and mentoring, looking out for him. Didn't seem he got that after leaving Newcastle. Also apologies for the obligatory deep breath reopening the bumped thread!

Aye. It does seem AC are laid back and looking at other targets. Also pretty stocked as is. That could just be another layer of brinksmanship on Milans part though! We will soon see. I am just relaxed and happy that if we don't get Botman we will get someone just as potentially great. Good times.

That's Badiashile for me. Think Botman has a cooler head but I want a beast. Botman is more an upgraded Burn. Badiashile gives more pace and is a better Schar upgrade. Over time we will need upgrades on both. We can't do it all this window but a CB pool of Botman, Badiashile, Schar, Burn and bringing another young CB (Kelly maybe) in to replace lascelles, Fernandez and Clarke would be great.

Diaby is quite possible, we are obviously looking at a pacey, tricky, skilled winger like ASM for the right. We were definitely looking at Dembele in January and for the summer. I say conflicting reports with Dembele today too with him definitely leaving Barca but then Le Parisien denying he will come to PSG this summer.

Nope. Must have spent a bloody ton on gardening tools by now though.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10858949/Newcastle-reopen-talks-Brighton-sporting-director-Dan-Ashworth.html

Diaby, Ekitike, Paqueta, Lodi, Henderson... sure why not. Throw in a destroyer DM, Physical beastly striker and CB and we are there. Absolutely no way we are getting 8 new players in though!

Love an old.. Will make a bid in the coming days rumour.

26m for Carlos. Can't believe we would have got a price that low!

Neither matter when the name Bruce is involved.

Admirable ambition from Villa the past few years. Wonder if it's sustainable.

At times I have thought he has been a bit lazy but I think he has been told to stick up front. He definitely has the physical skills to track back and has done so for Canada. I'm not convinced we are in for him though.

David is similar to Wilson imo. He is best as a false 9 or coming from deep. Had a great spell as an AM in Belgium before he went to Lille. Not a big target man and not a wide forward either, maybe he could do a job out there but definitely predominantly played through the middle. He Isn't rapid but does have good acceleration. Is a very good positionally, great movement and is a pretty damn good finisher. Nicknamed the ice man for his calm under pressure. I think Howe would drive up his work rate. He dipped in form the second half of the season which should drive his fee down a little. Second dry spell he has had at Lille is a little worrying. I think that might have put off the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal (heavily linked) Manure (ten hag apparently wants him) and Inter who are also very heavily linked. That Lille side is absolutely horrific though, in fact even in winning the league last year I haven't seen many league winners incapable of passing to each other (especially David) and being so enfuriating to watch. I think he would thrive at Arsenal or Liverpool and in a team that actually passes to him lol. I'd worry we would ruin him but he has a strong character and I'd be pretty excited if we got him. Would prefer Davies though haha.

Not worried in the slightest. Showed great improvement the past month. Counts towards our home grown and if we adequately replace we will now get a fee for him. I do wonder if there is much of a future for him, willock and certainly shelvey. I expect they all stay next season (maybe we shift jonjo) but can't see them staying past that. This contract gives him incentive to prove he deserves to stay.

Disappointing message to receive this morning. Also very random lol

So glad to not give a living shit about the likes of Bruce, Pardew, Ashley etc. anymore. Good luck to them/may they get what they deserve, who cares either way. They are absolutely inconsequential now. Let the good times roll.

And I was just about ready to let Miggy go.... ... now it's personal. Next season the Miggster will kill him with kindness, smiling from bench to bench.

On loan (with option to buy) I am happier with. We need to spend elsewhere.

Wood seems a real good lad and absolutely helped us out when we needed a striker. I'd shift him in a heart beat though. I can't see that we will but I hope we do.

We signed this cunt yet? No? All the best to him if we don't. Been an absolute class act.

There is a reason Miggy stayed face down for 10 seconds. He could feel the heat. It was difused by the time he slowly rolled over and gave Wilson a cheeky grin. Ridiculous decision not to pass though lol

Had just come to terms with putting the phone and computer away and spending more time off it this summer. Ah well. Another year of my kids childhood around zombie dad. Lol "Quiet children, Newsnow is refreshing."

Considering we had no CM to replace Joelinton when he went off we did well. Bruno was off his game but Longstaff did really well. Burnley and their fans have to ask why it took the 70 or so minutes before they inevitably woke up and started playing for survival. Our softer than normal centre held out though. What a season, (hopefully) when we are up the top with people calling for the manager to be sacked because we didn't win something that year, we still remember what an absolute journey of highs, lows, excitement, despair and yet fulfillment can come from a season where we just missed out on top 10. Incredible stuff and one of the most memorable of seasons ever. Bring on the rebuilding and revival in the summer.

Slow mo!

This is true but there is definitely a completely different atmosphere and mentality in this situation. They are fighting for survival which is giving them extra. Not a normal game.