Theregulars

I think the Spanish picked up quickly that the ref was going to give them leeway to dive and waste time, helped them a lot.

Thought it was obvious she was getting closed down and should have recycled earlier. Was a bit “hero ball” for me.

Braindead from Bronze.

Don't fall for it; they'll still put out the best footballing 11 in the UK this weekend. There's a reason they've invested so heavily in a squad. Still an incredibly challenging task and anything we get should be applauded vigorously.

Too easy to forget that their line-up absences never mean that much because of the incredible depth of their squad. I want to see us turn up, execute our game plan well and see where it gets us as a barometer of progress. Perhaps I'm being defeatist but I struggle to see any team beating Manchester City at the minute.

Oh me too - I thought they didn't rate him is what I meant, as he barely had a kick last year. I'll always have a massive soft spot for Lascelles, can't wish him anything other than positive vibes. I'm personally fine with him as 4th choice CB but thought the coaching staff disagreed with me.

I'm guessing they see Krafth / Livramento maybe as enough RCB cover. Obviously they've more confidence in Lascelles than I thought (to be fair maybe he's improved loads too, might be nice to see).

Hemp is like a battering ram

Point may have already been made but that could be why we’re keen - spell trippier with Livramento and put hall on the other side to replicate what trippier does from the left (ie wide midfielder when in possession). I can see it as a loan with obligation to buy or outright buy only, no real value to Chelsea in anything less.

Yup in

I suspect Chelsea may go a similar way to Everton in 3-5 years' time. 2/3 of their central midfield cost more than most PL clubs' estimated worth.

Surely there must be different stages between unproven and world class? Schar isn't world class, but he's a proven decent PL centre half.

Free hit, let’s have a go. I maintain that we were unlucky at their place last year.

Walk on, walk on…

I agree, but in these documentaries (in my experience) the narrative does tend to be somewhat linear.

I loved the Last Dance, brilliant. I watched the equivalent documentary on the Maple Leafs. I constantly had to text my girlfriend (Canadian)'s brother to get background info. You are correct to correct me because there was a bullet point summary as you say, but I would have liked, for example, a few lowlights; fans giving an opinion; players saying how bleak it was etc - maybe like 5 mins? Just think it made their arrival feel flat to the casual viewer.

I mean it literally, at times I found myself looking away because I thought it was so contrived. Not really to do with "sports washing" etc, just thought it was fucking dreadful, paint-by-numbers auto-content telly. The bits where Staveley tries to explain the difference between the PIF and KSA by listing them as separate nouns and nothing else and where they pretend that setting the parameters for the Gordon deal in that meeting room was off the cuff stood out as particularly ridiculous. In terms of linear narrative, a complete absence of any information about why the Mike Ashley era was so bad was questionable (unless their assumption is that nobody other than Newcastle fans will watch, which would seem weird).

Is it? It's just what I thought of the production as somebody who works in TV.

Found it hard to watch; the pretence that it's not staged made it cringeworthy for me and the completely forced narrative about Longstaff's performance felt laboured and cheap. Thought it was, all-round, poor television and the latest example of empty, replicant stock content for sake of sales and nothing else. Glad we did it for the money but don't think I'll watch the rest.

If we sign a Tino and an Asprilla in one summer then boy howdy I can't wait for Adam P to make the connection in video form. To be clear I had a beer with him in Philadelphia, he's an astoundingly pleasant and interested guy. I totally want him to succeed having spent time with him.

Shearer

Not if it involved/s Mike Ashley...

An amount which both sides are happy with.

Man I wanted so much better for him! Could easily go and play for a real side in a real league!! Tbf I think he did say he couldn’t play for another European club (but that might just be faux emotional bullshit to cover the greed). “Inter Miami” for goodness sake. Nick Imaginary Madrid of renford rejects, at least it’s funny.

Very possibly, I don’t follow football outside of NUFC or Barca in enough detail to know though. When I’ve watched Maddison I’ve seen a special talent, but have no feel for what he’s like defensively / in particular systems. I would say that any player we are seriously in for will have been subject to a very thorough character and attitude analysis, so if he passes that then good to go. re: money I don’t think any transfer fees reported to us are real, and I don’t think any reports of our budget are either. Very much a situation of just enjoy the summer and see where we are come august.