80

Yes, his end product is pretty decent. It's the beginning and middle which he struggles with. I like Murphy, but I don't think many people realise what a difference a really quality RW would make to us - in defence as much as anything, through retained possession, threat and turning periodic spells of dominance into actual leads without having to throw our kitchen sink.

On this occasion it looks like all the leaking is coming from the selling club though, who are dodgy by nature and very motivated to make the deal sound as big as possible - clearly hoping others would come in. The Newcastle journalists seem to keep getting fed messages from us about 'not recognising the public descriptions' of the deal. So I don't think we can stake our lives on those reports being true. There's definitely something weird going on, just not sure who the weirdos are.

I've got mixed views on this whole situation. I really think people should hold off on kicking off over what the board have done this summer until the window's closed - if for no other reason than it will make your argument a lot more persuasive. Too easy to be written off as a hothead at the minute. The fact is we genuinely don't know what's going on behind the scenes. There's a few plausible ideas, and some of them are pretty grim, and some of them are very reasonable. Mostly I think we're going to have to wait and see to get a clearer idea of the reality. If Eddie Howe stays at the club and appears happy, that's a big signal we shouldn't get too paranoid. Not a guarantee, but a very positive sign.

Well, strictly speaking our owners are cash rich, but whether they choose to put that money into the club is another matter. That's what he's getting at.

I think Bellamy was just hurt over the whole thing. He's a bit of a fucked up bloke, by his own admission.

God that's overstepping the mark.

And in spite of all of that, we should be looking to win. As I said before, a draw is a totally believable result, but it shouldn't be a cause for joy. It doesn't mean we should lose the plot if we draw either, but we shouldn't lower our standards if we want to do anything this season.

A draw will not be a good result, but it is a believable one.

Manages to sound faintly surprised at having to ask them every time.

We don't know we were offered that, though.

What does it say when this fucker getting sacked has put a spring in the step of the nation? Like, why was he employed and pushed so far in the first place? Surely there always were less disliked alternatives.

A little bit of me is quite excited to actually see him play.

It's a surprise to be honest - we've had quite a few talk about him like he was shit for over a year now.

Such good news.

Yes apparently, according to Keith Downie, which was an unexpected boost.

I'm unclear on how conditional elements of fees work, too. If (let's say) £10m is based on us qualifying for the CL at least once during his first 5 years with us, and we didn't do that until year 3, how is that handled?

I think the character element is the most persuasive part of getting him in. Everything I've heard about him is incredibly positive on that side. I do wonder if we have enough credit in the bank on that side of things to afford ourselves one dickhead to help bridge the gap at RW for a couple of seasons, though.

This is the bit that bugs me.

I think that could very well be it.

Our luck is amazing really, isn't it.

I think the quality of the decision not to sell depends on two main things: 1) What the club knew about how long term his problems were going to be (weren't him and his wife having lovey dovey photos on holiday together in January?). 2) What the deal offered was. A lengthy story came out soon after the rejection saying their maximum offer was approx. £6m, with the first bids being a freebie and £2m. Which was insulting, if true. I was open-minded on selling him - leaning towards a yes due to finances - but that story painted a different picture of negotiations.

Not disputing that - it's an utterly classic story of hubris.

Yeah, same. It's finishing in an incredibly sour way considering he can still be considered a club legend - in a pound for pound, time spent here kind of way, at least. In better times, he spoke extensively on a couple of podcasts about how his wife had basically helped rescue his career in his 20s, supporting him with the move to London, keeping him away from bad influences and habits etc. So assuming it is what it is, there's honestly reason to be concerned about him.

Since "it" happened at the end of last year, he's looked like a man who thinks he's ruined his life, to be honest.