Rich

He’d fit in really well there and they do need a refresh in those creative midfield roles.

I'd still like us to bring a decent CM in, mind, not saying I don't want us to replace Shelvey in the squad. Just don't think it's as dire as is being made out.

You said "an injury"*, which is a massive over-exaggeration. Longstaff is perfectly capable of playing deeper, for one. There'd probably need to be another four injuries to midfielders for Schär to be considered there. Shelvey's played 34 minutes in the league this season and hasn't made a start. Even if he isn't replaced we're basically where we've been all year.

Deadline day sends people proper loopy.

What an unprofessional turd.

Tommy's fucking magic, he's Seany Longstaff's cat. He pisses on the spare bed, but Sean said don't do that.

He's the one true Schärminator.

And one has the choice of and probably prefers Arsenal or Dortmund to us, which is fair enough.

Jacqueanory

He’ll be quality for them and would surely mean Gallagher stays put.

He was canny at WBA too, tbf, and was in the World Cup squad. He’s also not on strike.

That it’s now very unlikely.

Downie’s now “outside the training ground”, i.e. in the car park at the stadium, talking about the Berge deal .

Got Sky Sports News on for the first time since last January. It’s absolutely woeful. Miles behind on most stories, awful “analysis” from Lee Hendrie and David Prutton, plus the joys of a Gary Neville impersonator at 8 in the morning. Harrison Ashby’s a centre back apparently.

Howay the lads!

Jesus, you are desperate. (He’s knackered.)

His pinned Tweet is his Lodi “exclusive” from August. Absolute chancer.

Would Gravenberch do for you, then?

I know what you’re saying. I just think he’d plug the Shelvey hole/improve on Shelvey and leave us able to sign a marquee midfielder in the summer. Thought he was the best player on the pitch in the 1-1 with them up here and he did well in the cup, too. Big bastard, left-footed (don’t have that option in CM) and scores shitpingers (also lacking this in CM currently).

Late move for Billing, anyone? 18 months left on his deal, some rumoured interest from us last January from admittedly poor sources, and Howe’s obviously signed him before. Could be a Burn/Targett safe bet sort of signing, if none of our other options are available. Bournemouth have got Hamed Traoré joining tomorrow for £20M+, who’s a left-footed CM capable of playing LM/AM and more signings seemingly on the way, so they might be open to it despite him being a regular. Loan with obligation to buy at around £15M would probably do it?

Howe has said quite unequivocally that Anderson wouldn’t be going anywhere this window, to be fair.

It’s been covered about five times today. It’s “nominal”, which usually means sub-£1M.