toontownman

Far less concerned at this than us spending 25m on Chris Wood. Pretty excited about him to be honest. He will fit this squad and team ethos completely.

I am taking that to mean you have bought some Gordon inspired trousers and fashion statements.

30-35m with 10 add ons was always what looked reasonable for this deal. We would all like it cheaper but it's going rate for high potential young English players in a crazy market.

Everton squad today

Congrats, hope they fix your rash and stuff. Best of luck.

Dumfries agent flew to talk to us about a move today according to Italian press. Sounds like more bollocks to force Manure, Chelsea or someone else's hand. Don't see any of him sitting behind Trippier, moving Trippier to LB or him starting Right Wing above anyone else, especially if we signed Gordon too.

Wow. RIP. Didn't think he was that old. A real legendary name in that field. Literally THE go to guy for our best players.

Alfonso is SURELY due one right piece of information. Can play secondary striker. If it was in addition to Gordon and on loan I would take it. Maybe a bit too similar though. Rather have Gordon if its either or. NO ANDO...

Big Dunc? He eats them alive.

Im not a fan of this type of behaviour, it will always make us wonder if he and his agent do the same if he finds himself out of the team here in the future. We also don't know the other side either. What he is being subjected to by fans or whats going on behind the scenes at Everton. The fact he has a chance to move up and wants to leave to further his career has likely been accelerated due to how the fans have turned on him. "He is utter shite, we have much better. We better not sell him for less than $50m though". Likewise I don't think he is pulling these type of antics if Everton weren't being ridiculous on his price. He clearly see's it as a big move and one he might not get in the summer. He is probably right too. We might get someone else or if we are in a CL position still come season end we might aim for someone better than him then too. I am sure we are pretty relaxed. Everton only stand to lose more money on him if they refuse to approach our offer. The fans and maybe other players wont want him back, he doesn't want to be there anymore. They will likely have to discipline him or make him train with the reserves etc. They will lose at least 10m off his value come summer. I expect we are happy to wait up to deadline day if Everton don't cave. He can't play next Tuesday so there is no need to push to get him in earlier at our own expense.

Think its bollocks and his agent and Roma are struggling to shift him. It was reported AC milan had agreed a deal for him a day or two ago wasn't it. He has been shopped around us and Spurs and suddenly Bournemouth are in the running. Seems suspiciously like thats the kind of club he will end up at and all the others have passed.

We are talking being located, earliest on page 155 of the Transfermarkt free agents list here.

Not a judgement on the guilt/crime/punishment but is that a pretty regular punishment for the crime these days in the UK? The fine is likely bigger than normal due to his wealth right? or is this pretty much a standard punishment for anyone? Don't remember it being this harsh when I left the UK but it's also so horrifically lax in Canada, despite being a focus of improvement since I've been here. For Joe he has hopefully learned his lesson and we all move on.

How would people feel if we shipped ASM but bought Gordon and Maddison? I love Maxi and still think he could be incredible here but he certainly has short comings and question marks around both fitting into what Howe wants from players/tactics and staying fit. He is a true magician and difference maker though, more than anyone else in the team.

Back to say his goodbyes

He absolutely fits into our team ethos and youth mandate, he is a fighter, exceedingly pacy and versatile position wise. From what I have read he is a great trainer, singled out for praised loved by all of his coaches (Ancelotti, Rafa and Tory Frank) and clearly gives his all on the pitch. It is potentially important he won't take up a squad place for this season too. I'm not sure if he will be a game changer for us though in the way Bruno, Pope or Botman was but he certainly has time and good coaching on his side though, and he can perform in this league right away. He almost singlehandedly saved Everton from the drop last year. I watched quite a few of their games in the hope they would go down and every game I watched he was the only one trying and the only difference maker picked out by commentators and pundits. Anything good came through him. Sure a lot of Everton fans hate him right now but I don't particularly trust their opinions over the last few years form. 5 months ago Gordon was their idol and saviour. He is being scapegoated. At worst he is a product of the rest of the team and coaching set up. He clearly has the tools to be a top player. Could give a shit what he looks like, does or wears off the field provided it's not distracting him and affecting his game on it or getting the club into trouble. We are fanbase that embraced model era Keegan, Asprilla and Peter Beardsley's beautiful face. If we get him I think doubters are going to be more than pleasantly surprised. Price wise, unfortunately for a young, hyped English attacking players 30m plus is a starting point now. It's a rancid market. Provided we don't go over 40m (ish) I am excited by his addition. I do hope he just isn't our only addition this window.

Exactly, already getting shades of FA Cup final and Charity shield PTSD!

Howay 5-Oh Shearer signing Robson hiring Arsenal 4-4 Keegans Return Takeover I find it hard to rank too many on field moments! so many great ones.

Provided we get the job done next week it will be a pretty interesting final. Real shame Manure are in the ascendency though. Will be very difficult.

Gerrard to Everton? That would be more amusing than them bringing in Bruce! Piss off the Everton and Liverpool fans in one fell swoop.

So they are taking Beislas demand of bringing in Pacey players seriously then.

All the best to you Karl! Our depth at GK is immense right now.

The break in between both games is massive for us and our squad. It was clear that lots need some recuperation time. I would expect a different performance, for the better at SJP. Outside chance we might even have a new player to sit on the bench or the stands and give people a boost too.