Rich

"Lille refused English approaches for Botman, including one from Newcastle at €35M We will have to be attentive to the central defenders market between this end of the winter transfer window and the next transfer window next summer. Several important clubs in Europe are looking for this position. A significant demand that could drive up prices and do business for French clubs whose players are in great demand. This is the case with Sven Botman. Identified by several European recruiting cells, the central defender is probably the most courted element. But the LOSC is resisting, for the moment, all approaches. Newcastle are however very urgent and made several offers to Lille, the last of which is around 35 million euros. Except that the Lille leaders will end the 2021/2022 financial year positive on the economic level with the qualification in the knockout stages of the Champions League and the sale of Jonathan Ikoné to Fiorentina estimated at 15 million euros. Financial results which, for the moment, allow Lille to resist and to remain firm. Until next summer, when the door will open for Sven Botman." Loïc Tanzi of RMC, via Google Translate.

Merde.

Any fucking sources for fucking fuck's sake?

There's been nothing concrete for a few days, hence we're back to Sven Botman. I've cleared the decks everywhere in anticipation for a joygasm of signing news on multiple fronts.

Was waiting for the Sangare link. Would be very excited by that, should it happen.

I'm sure you used to know your stuff.

Waugh in the Athletic: ”The embarrassing FA Cup exit at home to third-tier Cambridge United has “focused minds” when it comes to securing signings, according to well-placed sources, and the board has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the squad imminently. Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the club's executive vice-chairman, visited the dressing room following the 1-0 defeat, flanked by Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi, the co-owners, before speaking to Eddie Howe, the head coach. The hierarchy delivered a positive message, attempting to gee up the players, rather than lambast them for the humiliating loss, and vowed that better times lie ahead. Privately, Al-Rumayyan has also stressed the need for further transfer breakthroughs to be made quickly after Kieran Trippier arrived from Atletico Madrid last week.” And “Burnley's Chris Wood is on Newcastle's list of targets, although he is understood to be “one of many” they are considering, both home and abroad. Sven Botman remains Newcastle's top centre-back target, with Howe keen to pair the Dutchman with Diego Carlos, though both Lille and Sevilla respectively are demanding sizeable fees. As first reported by The Athletic, Monaco's Benoit Badiashile is an alternative to Botman, and talks for the 21-year-old intensified over the weekend. Ideally, Howe also wants a left-back and a midfielder, alongside two centre-backs and at least one forward before the window closes.” The critical excerpts.

Massive, massive week. Would be hugely surprised if there aren’t at least a couple in by Thursday.

Was waiting for the Sangare link.

I like it.

https://theniche-cache.com/football/2021/6/3/chris-woods-2020-21-premier-league-season-in-review?format=amp Decent write up here from not that long ago, if anyone’s bothered.

Time will tell, I suppose.

Fair. I just love a big lump, Ironside bossed it yesterday.

And what did West Brom fans make of Rondon? Coventry fans of Bellamy? Our fans of Perez? People are fucking dolts, generally speaking.

For the record I thought Rondon was pretty gash having seen him a fair bit. I was very, very wrong about him. Not saying Wood is of the same quality in terms of all-round play, but yesterday showed how desperate for a fulcrum we are. There’s still a place for a big bruising striker in this league, especially one who has a proven record of scoring 10+ a season in a very dour side. Definitely in a relegation battle, at least. I hope people would be very pleasantly surprised by him if he does come, but naturally I hope we’ll be bringing in someone a bit more exciting.

He’s not “shite” like, no way.

Some of you are unbearable, mind. Dear me. We’ve just signed Trippier. There’ll be other massive signings coming. But surely not every single signing can be that level just yet? The balance between getting players to keep us up and to improve us long-term is extremely tricky, and it does seem that those at the club are aware of it and are doing their best. There may have to be some fairly uninspiring signings in this market, I reckon, but if they improve us and play their part in staying up then we’ll be in a great position in summer to go after genuine class.

Think it is isn’t it?

Cheating cunts.

Bless you.

This is how I felt yesterday. After a game or two it gets very old very quickly. His on-pitch attitude has been stinking since I started going back.

Was just thinking that this morning. Would love to be a fly on the wall in the board room after a performance like that yesterday.

I quite like Wood Feels a bit Rondon, this reaction.

Somehow managed to be worse than Longstaff yesterday, which was some achievement. He cannot or will not tackle.

What has become of Miggy, man? And why the fuck is he still being played on the right?