TRon

Surprising if it's true. You would think they would have had major concerns over his ongoing fitness issues but if not, they are doing us a favour.

I just haven't seen him score one where he just passes it into the net or chips the keeper. That's generally a trait of a natural finisher for me. They show the keeper the eyes and then put it somewhere else. But I do take the point in the other thread that he can use both feet which is a fantastic strength in itself. Plus he's not had that many starts, maybe we haven't seen his full repertoire.

You could tell he was dying to make this move permanent. Shame he's just a really poor keeper though.

There's been enough noise around it to make me think we are definitely in for him. With Liverpool also mentioned as being interested there's no way I am going to get excited about it yet though.

We will get a better idea against Fulham next week tbf. Not really sure if it was successful because we were great or West Ham were awful.

I love the guy tbh, even without the finish he causes teams all sorts of problems. I think his movement is getting better FWIW, he's getting on the end of stuff and making good runs. If that's Howe's coaching fair play. There's a lot to work with for sure.

Yes, that was the stand out for me. Showed genuine striker's instinct. I'm still worried about having a striker who lacks pace and power, but he's a good player if we can somehow integrate him into our line up.

Looked like he just put his head down and it went through the keeper's legs tbh. But he got two goals so not going to argue.

He was never going to replace what Sandro brings tbf. Would have made more sense for him to replace Ramsey if he was coming on. He's an attacking player, he doesn't really play the anchor role.

Links with Bowen absolutely infuriate me, especially when they are still happening 6 years after the time they might have made sense. He's been a good player without being particularly quick, but why would we be interested now given we've specifically said we aren't going to buy players at the end of their career arc?

Does that work the other way when players like Lewis Hall start playing worse?

Looks a different player when the game is spread out and we aren't just getting involved in scraps all over the pitch.

Getting regular starts will probably have helped.

I felt there was a subtle change of direction. A lot of nice one touch passing in the first half, and we let the ball do the work.

Looked like the change in formation helped. I also think we just looked to pass it more, letting the ball do the work. It was the best football we've played all season in the first half. There again might just be we were up against shite opposition.

Big miss when he went off. I hope if he's going we get a fee which makes it worthwhile.

Looked well suited to the 4231 formation, he's looked a decent player this season.

Well either way, I am interested to look out for this 4-2-3-1 formation. I was assuming we were playing 3-5-2 last time out but I thought we just lined up 4-3-3 in the end but obviously I wasn't paying close enough attention.

Surely Barnes will be playing on the left?

Shame about the bench

They get a pass because they are not part of the cartel. If we can't win stuff let them win it.

"Ohhhh! Anthony Gooordon...!" Yes we were, at the grounds, maybe not on here.

You have already increased the price to £80m when I was suggesting £70m so I think you realise it's not an unreasonable fee. Our fans have gone cool on him because of the stories of him leaving, but just a couple months ago they were singing his name regularly. He's a proven performer, his stats back this up, and he can play as a striker as well. Of course he's worth £70m. Possibly more.

Feels like our interest a couple of years back has doubled his price and his wages. He's done well out of it anyway.

Bayern Munich have already agreed terms by all reports, and we know Liverpool were prepared to pay £70m two years ago. Newcastle will sell players like Gordon and Tonali, but only if the price is right. Otherwise we could sell Wissa and Woltemade and raise funds if we need to. I think sales of Gordon and Tonali are only being considered because they want to leave, otherwise I think we are not in any desperate financial need to sell after the Isak sale.