macphisto

So we both agree that we had no money due to PSR? How could we buy a player knowing we'd have to sell a significant player before the PSR deadline the following summer? The player we earmarked to sell could easily have been injured or out of form to command a decent fee. I don't for one minute suspect Howe would agree to go through what we did last year and the turmoil it caused within the call when we had to sell; you could argue Gordon hasn't been the same since then.

It's not about finding the next global star, though you could argue Isak fits that bill even though we paid a sizable fee. It's about finding players to suit the team and make it better. From buying the right players to fight relegation to players for the future and Champions League football, we have not put a foot wrong. A good scouting team is not about finding gems, it's about getting the big transfers right which is also the case for Liverpool and why they're champions.

We either low balled on purpose knowing it would never be accepted or some unknown reason. You mention grandstanding, it reflects well on both clubs as we look liked we submitted a bid and Palace come off looking good too that they rejected the bid; both sets of fans are appeased. We have an excellent scouting team. They could not have a better track record since the takeover so I don't doubt for one minute that they hadn't identified numerous players we could have bought in the last two years to improve the team.

Have we? It feels like it's been summer 2024 we tried for Guehi, January windows (2024 & 2025) that there is better value in the summer window. This is not me criticising the club, but taking a step back it feels obvious that we had no money, a good few sales and only Hall and Osula added to the squad in two years.

Is it not more incredible to think we had money but could not find anyone good enough for the team for two years and then all of a sudden find four players in one window which is what most people, myself included, are expecting this window?

Yes, better to say we tried rather than we can't buy anyone. All our money went on Hall and Osula. The general consensus is that we would have had to sell other players in addition to Anderson, Minteh, Kelly and Almiron had we bought Guehi which would indicate we were skint in terms of PSR. There was also not even a hint of a player coming in January too.

We clearly had no money more like it, Guehi was a smokescreen in my view.

Made me laugh, what Thai fans think of Mitchell leaving 😂

Dream team with Tom Moore's daughter who could help with building the new stadium and training ground.

Saw this in the Athletic, "Following Dan Ashworth’s departure in February 2024, this will be the fourth consecutive summer window in which a different figure is leading Newcastle’s summer strategy." Is that Charnley, Staveley, Ashworth, and Mitchell? Hard to believe we were still under Ashley four seasons ago. How times have changed.

I'd say Liverpool, lesser extent Brighton?, is the model people want to follow in terms of expenditure v success. DoF is crucial to Liverpool's success and interesting to note they brought back their former DoF and others once Klopp said he was off.

I could see Nickson and Bunce working together in more prominent roles.

Not fussed about him leaving in terms of transfers as they look after themselves to a certain extent through our scouting system and role of agents. More concerned that we need someone in place to oversee infrastructure development, academy, medical department and women's team, etc.

He's made 90 + appearances for Liverpool. I can't think of one player at a top team with that number of appearances and is not a regular starter, who has gone to another top team and done well. Same would apply to Rashford, Grealish, etc. Maybe a player moving from one country to another but not within England.

Don't get me wrong, I'd be very happy with that too but I look at the team, mentality of the group and manager and we will be in a great position should we get this summer right.

Every squad is lacking in depth. Admittedly we lack more than most but if we made 4 signings like we did two seasons ago (2 first team players/two top youngsters) then with a bit of luck, with injuries, we could do it. I'm not saying we will but the other teams are no great shakes and are also screwed if they get key injuries. Look at our form the the past half season and mental toughness of the team, it's entirely possible.

Get the window right and I think we could win the league next season.

I get the first part but not the second as football's role in the world doesn't bother any fans, what does that mean in reality? All you care about is your club. Look how many of us, myself included, welcome Saudi Ownership of our club.

Am I right in thinking no one was too fussed when they changed the badge in the past, same with moving the stadium to Leazes Park in the 90's ( apart from environmentalists)? Is it people were not bothered or rather that the Internet didn't exist? Any one remember articles in fanzines criticising the club?

Would people be happy with the same transfer window as 23/24, 2 first team players in Tonali and Barnes, 2 top youngsters in Hall and Livramento (I know Hall was a loan)? Looking back on that window, I'd be delighted with the same again.

If we get Champions League next season then it will be interesting to see how we approach the cup competitions. Winning the cup this season was incredible but to challenge long-term I'd sacrifice the cups early on to again qualify for the Champions League. Two consecutive seasons in the Champions League would transform the club.

I100% agree with you but does that not apply to all of the top teams? Who replaces Sala, Haaland and look at Arsenal up front at the moment? As I say, I agree with you but a lot of teams go with this high risk strategy. Some of these clubs are taking too big a risk but at the same time I wonder if fans are a little stuck in the past with big squads, say Yorke, Cole, Sheringham and Solskjær? That depth just doesn't exist anymore. Shows how the game has changed.

I could easily see clubs making a lot of money when broadcasting is brought in-house and they launch a Premier League "Netflix" for fans all over the world. Only issues there will be how you distribute the income and if the money will go straight through the clubs to players and agents.

I'd definitely sell him but if it's decided to keep him then I'd give him a new contract if his current one runs out in 2027. One thing we can not do with PSR is risk a saleable asset under 30 years old leave on a free in a few years time. Situation changes a lot once you get into the final 12 months of a contract which is why this summer is so important regarding Willock.