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The big development his game needs, assuming he can come back to being his old self, is consistent goals. The third at Old Trafford in the League Cup was a classic, as was his winner against Chelsea the season prior. From the positions he gets in, he's got a 15 goal season in him. He's like Longstaff with technique. In my head, I'd pretty much written him off for this season as soon as I saw him go down like he'd been shot against Brighton. He'd pretty much run his legs off for us to help secure Champions' League and it looked like it would be a nightmare to recover from. The false starts this season were very unfortunate/disgustingly handled by our backroom staff (delete as appropriate). It was right to cleanly withdraw him until next season. Let's see how it goes.

I think people underestimate that. He's box office.

Given what's gone on it was probably Ashworth scribbling Man United on the contract after it had been signed...

Quite possibly... Which would be pretty fiery evidence if we ever are serious about bringing a court case over anticompetitive practice.

Ok then This whole FFP situation is a farce... I think our club would support the proposal, incidentally. We'll anticipate benefiting from it in the near future + anything to intensify the friction around the ludicrous regulations.

Need the article text, people... Isn't this just the thing about increasing the allowance in line with inflation? And it applies to all clubs? Certainly a pisser that it didn't apply last season, mind... This January would've been very different.

Re: your two bold bits: 1. I see that as a positive altogether, in the sense of being willing to get stuck in. And hopefully, as you say, working with the motivation to ultimately head a new organisation shaped largely by himself. 2. Yeah, same. I don't have strong opinions about this situation, but he fits the more classical idea of a well travelled pro bringing international insights into our operation. Hopefully brings some new ingredients for us to cook with.

Yeah, as I say, it hopefully is all fine. I think the bit in bold is key. The media reports have tended to make it sound more hands-off than that, but there's a good chance they don't have a clue.

I think we can all agree the famous 'all for one and one for all' team spirit at Chelsea will help pull him through any teething trouble and make his first big job a roaring success.

Not at all. But I guess we can't hold it against him too much, it's a hint but it's not a guarantee there's a problem with him. And it's possible he's picked up a huge amount of experience, knowledge and personal credibility through being involved in so many clubs in so many leagues of the world.

I was shocked how the article kept going on and on!

He did - I think one came in pretty much his first match - but it was the bread and butter that was the complaint. He's definitely got spectacular bursts in his locker.

It was a message designed to appeal to thick cunts mate.

I haven't seen THAT many of them - maybe I've missed some - but yeah they're very keen to defend themselves, the project and the club whenever anything kicks off. I think back to the double statement on the Saudi headdresses back at the start - keen to upset no one. Can't really fault them on being proactive, generally.

Must just have been poor phrasing from an expert communicator, then.

I was under the impression it was extremely underwhelming before the injury. Definitely read a Swansea forum saying he was a waste of a signing.

Agreed, addressed it in a following post. Largely agreed. I do think how the last match was handled was rotten. I'd be looking for ways to make it up to the fans who attended e.g. free merchandise or whatever. Given we'd taken the stick of going out there already, ideally some kind of uber-meet and greet could've been arranged with players who didn't actually play. I haven't got too much of an issue with the trip, I just think she should be braver in truly shouldering responsibility for it - in the very justifiable context of FFP, as you say.

Yes, certainly. But there's a line in stating she merely backed someone else's decision - "wasn't me, guv". "The decision to go was taken by management, and ultimately I have to support their decisions.....we are doing everything we can to support our manager." Forgive my cynicism but I think that's legalese in the sense that Eales and co. are management, but most ordinary people would interpret it as being "the manager" Eddie Howe. Using his popularity to de-energise a stinking PR situation.

Is she dragging Howe into the firing line there, or am I having some kind of stroke? First time I've been properly unimpressed.

I kind of feel sorry for Man City fans, particularly having known a few loyal ones before it all happened. It's almost like their club got kidnapped in one of those Central Asian wedding ceremonies and everyone's telling them they should be pleased about it. One of those I knew was a young middle class lad born and raised in London. We both agreed at the time of the takeover he'd look like one of the biggest glory hunters in the world. He had the true joy stolen from him. However it's happened, I do feel lucky we aren't being forced on the same path as them. It would feel so hollow.

I don't know but my guess is there are attitude problems with him. As your link shows, he's consistently highly rated, and bits I've seen are seriously impressive. But somehow it never works for him, now with multiple clubs and managers. I get the impression he's cocky as fuck, which might play a part. I wonder if he might be a late bloomer, maybe play a big role for a team that gets promoted in 3-5 years.

Won't lose sleep over it, but in the context, I read that as plans being put in place for their replacements

They're being a bit confusing with the headline. Further down they cover what would've happened in prior seasons without VAR, and apparently Wolves would've had Champions' League in 19/20.

We've been linked consistently with him since I think last summer, so wouldn't be too surprised to see it happen.