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It's probably good news if Howe has made changes to training in consultation with Bunce. And potentially surprising to be honest, subject to the details. Among other things it palpably demonstrates his willingness to engage and seek improvements. I'm sympathetic to Bunce being brought in, not least as impacts in fitness and such are generally tangible and clear. It was a concern of mine throughout last year that our training might be unsustainable - particularly with the added load of Europe and our current echelon of player (highly talented or God-tier athletes but generally not both until we reach the tippy top). And as I've said in the past, there comes a moment when running faster and trying harder is no longer an option when looking for ways to win. In short, I agree it's good to have things livened up with fresh ideas, perspectives and personalities every so often. It's part of how you keep a leader vibrant.

Read to me like he was partially walking back his original aggressive take on the interview, rather than declaring civil war. With Waugh doing the same thing in a similar article today, albeit from the opposite end of the spectrum. They seem to be settling on it being a badly handled interview.

Yes, respect to Krafth but this is a no brainer.

So you're saying 12 points clear by Christmas?

You could be onto something there... I would like us supporters to be a lot slower to believe bad things about people at the club who, going only by the evidence of our own eyes, have offered nothing but the utmost commitment to the club.

Main thing I'm taking out of this is Isak is trying to get players to join us rather than looking around for himself

Aye, Sanusi might get some minutes in cup games if we're winning by a good margin, but that'll be about it unless we're having a very ropey season again. He said in an interview that Howe had set him a target to physically develop this season to compete against men, so that'll be his main focus.

This bit, definitely. Think we'll really benefit from this week.

One of the issues I have with the position - forget Mitchell for a second - is how limited the opportunities to really assess someone's performance are. A manager can be witnessed match to match. A DoF 'really needs three to five years to really be judged' - by which time they can quietly burn half the club down, in the worst case scenario.

I'd like you to be right, but it's kind of the opposite way around. They tend to be more and more influential in how a club functions. They need more attention, scrutiny and accountability.

I hear his boss is very accommodating to staff who want to move on to fresh pastures. Doesn't believe in standing in their way.

All players we sign gain several yards of pace, this is well established N-O lore.

We need more people who speak like that, not less.

I'll be surprised if he does start against Wimbledon, personally. Happy, but surprised. Wilson would be the first choice, if he's fit. Second half for Osula if we're already ahead.

Was he? Not disputing it but he seems to have been pretty backseat when it comes to actually running the club. I just recall several news articles after Eddie had first been rejected saying Yasir had been most impressed with him but the collective board had chosen Emery. And Amanda later essentially confirmed that in an interview.

He'll definitely want it all to work out, and I'm not saying he'd get rid of them over Howe even if it's true. But he looks to be a very shrewd customer, was one of Howe's earliest backers - pre-Emery - and has received nothing but results and dignified conduct in return since then. I could see him finding Eddie's representations far more persuasive if the worst comes to the worst - I think he'll have a very low tolerance if he spots any bullshit.

You can see Pope ruins Gordon's day with the player description just after 1:27

That F365 article is just based off the Sun's article. Not taking it seriously for the time being as some parts don't quite add up and it's 'too' perfect a shitstorm. As an aside, just a gut feeling but counterintuitively I think Yasir would be more inclined to back Howe over Mitchell and/or Eales if it came down to it - subject to how this season goes. He's probably Eddie's closest senior ally nowadays, when I think about it.

Safe bet that Southgate isn't on Gordon's Christmas list Quietly destroyed his managerial practices there. Pretty clear he's been affected by all that, with Liverpool bubbling away in the background at the same time to top it all off. Optimistic that this latest England trip will help hit the reset button - having both Eddie and Carsley rock solid behind him will do wonders.

If there are guarantees about clubs not going under e.g. all funding provided up front by owners, I couldn't give a shit if transfer fees went into the billions. If billionaires and trillionaires want to pump their money into our economy, let them.

Spot on.

Unless they find a way to rig it so they do e.g. heavily modifying the price and salary caps of players downwards if their club has not qualified for CL at least twice in the past 5 years.

It's basically what you can get away with, as things stand. Internally to the Premier League, there are guidelines about transfers being conducted in good faith, but who determines that is anyone's business.