TRon

I think quite a few did foresee it though. At least many questioned why we had bought two very highly rated left wingers when we desperately needed a right winger. I rate both Gordon and Barnes btw, did even when we signed them, but it did mean we spent a lot of money on one position.

That translates more like we'd like to sell those four, but there's only really solid interest in Trippier.

Well, I did say his interview had introduced a tiny element of doubt, if you want to put a number on it I suppose 1% could describe it. Obviously people are going to focus on it, because when he says stuff to the press about what his boundaries are, then speculation will start. I've already said that he's just basically jostling for position, I don't think he's going anywhere. But there is still a question mark on whether he'll be allowed as much control over some aspects as previously when there was no DOF, or at least one who was as recruitment focused as Mitchell. Then there is also the role of Bunce as Performance Director. Will that interfere with Howe's training methods? Legit questions I think.

I agree, although they were fine margins, I think any sort of European qualification would have been seen as a success last season given the adversity we faced through injuries and suspensions. But the converse is also true, failing to get into Europe after playing CL will have been a big disappointment. We didn't have a squad capable of managing it, and we have to make sure that doesn't happen again.

Well I just skim over quite a few replies tbf.

Pretty sure I read that he left City because he wanted an easier route to the first team, so I imagine he probably thinks he should be getting a fair crack here next season.

I don't think anyone has issues, but it has introduced a tiny element of doubt, so I can totally understand why people might express that.

I agree and said as much back in January. Tbf I think Eales said the same thing even then when he talked about even having to sell Bruno if we were pushed to the wall. We can't keep holding onto depreciating assets because in the end that will lead to selling appreciating assets instead if we are forced to abide by PSR rules.

Not really. If he wants to stay he will, no one above has been anything but enthusiastic about the job he's doing. I see this as just Howe trying to assert his own voice, he clearly wants to have some input when it comes to decisions taken which might affect the squad. If he decides to leave then fair enough, we'll have to reluctantly bring someone else in. I don't see him doing that though, unless he really does want that England job.

It's understandable that Howe will have reservations, his only concern is to produce results, not look after the financials. For him, a Kieron Trippier or an Almiron are still assets on the pitch, but further up the hierarchy, if we could have got £30m for them in January, that's £30m we won't get 6 months down the line, and then we are forced to sell appreciating assets instead. No one is in the wrong here, but I think for a healthy football club everyone needs to stick within their lanes and let the experts do the jobs they were hired for.

Must admit my first thought on seeing this thread bump was "I hope he's not injured"

Yep. I don't blame Eddie for setting his boundaries, but ultimately he's going to have to operate within the bigger structure. I'm sure we will do everything possible to keep him, but we've brought in Mitchell and Bunce for a reason. They'll have their roles, and ultimately Howe's role is coaching.

Not sure we've got much choice if we can't sell Wilson. We'll probably just have to use him this season then he'll leave on a free. I won't even bother speculating we can sell him in January as what are the odds he'll be fit?

Not what you want to be reading when you first open up the Transfer rumours thread.

One of them has to be sold, we can't afford to keep around two right wingers on the bench if we want to make room for one who is CL standard.

Every time I think of how his value has decreased over the last 18 months or so I have to remind myself that he played a big part in keeping us in the Premier league in Howe's first season. Whatever we get when we eventually sell him will be good money from that perspective. Obviously I think we've outgrown him now so he's only going to be of limited value as a player.

Compete how? See if he can run into clear space then double back to try and get it on his left foot?

How do these transfers to Saudi work? Is it normal just to play one season then move on somewhere else?

Tbh, it's only following a disastrous season our hierarchy could consider bringing in a replacement anyway. Imagine being someone like Pocchetino having to follow in Howe's footsteps in taking this club forward. Now I rate Pocchetino but think he would be a step down from Howe. Even if he wasn't, he would be coming into a club where the fanbase still idolises Howe. Just go for Potter England and do everyone a favour.

Could be here a while then. We ended up having to shift two promising youngsters by the end of June because selling some of the declining assets weren't that easy to shift.

He wouldn't take the job anyway so why waste our time talking him up? Far more constructive to continue despising him for at least the forseeable future.

They were so ahead of their time.

He'd be fine. Sign him up England and put the speculation about Eddie to beddie.

I like Gnonto as a player, but he's just too titchy. I keep getting flashbacks of Ryan Fraser tearing down the wing with his little legs and then only advancing 5 yards.