TRon

Nothing wrong with getting freebies tbh, I just don't understand why he's pretending to be remorseful about it. It's half arsed at best, neither here nor there.

They looked a damn sight better with him on, think perversely it will help their season that Haaland is out.

Not really sure what was the point of posting that. If you don't want to go, don't. If you are going, then why pretend you don't want to?

PIF did a great job in identifying the right man. Both first choices have been undeniably successful, Emery at Villa and Howe at Newcastle. Either would have been great choices, but Howe was the right fit, and apart from any other reason, because he wanted it more. That means he is more likely to be a long term success here IMO.

But I don't think it will affect the players confidence which is key. Lads like Murphy will never have the best control, but now he's a certified cup winner, he will be more confident in what he CAN do and not worry so much about what he can't. I think it's the lesser players who will be uplifted for the rest of the season. The likes of Isak or Bruno were never lacking in confidence anyway.

This has always been their problem. Joelinton is a very effective PL midfielder, but that's because of the pace of English football, and also how we set up right across the pitch. It's not going to work if a manager doesn't know how his team is supposed to play as a unit. I've barely watched a Brazil game outside of the world cup, but what is the manager trying to do exactly?

Will attempt to get to the Great North Road for the bus arrival since I can walk it, but since we will be in a big group with a couple of very small children not sure if I will get onto the town moor itself even with the tickets. But seeing the bus itself will be good if it's anything like the last time.

He's probably the best striker in Europe, obviously other clubs want him, and the press are going to hype it up. Just get used to it and be happy that he's under a long contract, and we'll be looking to give him a better one. We aren't looking to sell so not much other clubs or the press can do about it except stick their nose against the window and keep looking on in envy.

There's no way they will pay £30m like. Or even if they would, why would he go there if he can come here for that much?

It's one of the stupidest links I've read so far this year. It claims Liverpool turned down £50m last summer, but we are now thinking we can get him for £30m even though he's got 4 years of his contract left. As if we would be doing our business through the media in any case even if it were true. Only plausible reason I can think of it being printed is that we are fed up with Liverpool media links with Isak and maybe this is a counter punch to try to unsettle Quansah.

Agree, I think it's very important that he seems to relish learning to get better at his craft. Going to Spain during his hiatus from management was well documented, and he's happily admitted he wanted to get better. There's undoubtedly been times when he's been outdone by his opposite in the other dugout, but then he's come back and put it right next time round, Emery being a good example. He's had sticky patches, and he'll probably have more this season, but you feel confident he'll come up with an answer. He's the most intelligent manager I've seen in our colours, the only one who could come close was probably Rafa, but he was far more cautious.

Wish I could believe that but I think he's left sided (?) and I reckon there'll be at least one cartel club in for him.

Against that, they will be champions this season, and I would imagine they would be selling Nunez if they really wanted to go for Isak. Not sure what their PSR position is, but they are probably one of the few clubs who could afford Isak. Whether they would be prepared to pay £150m is another matter. I doubt it.

Except this Oliver Kay guy seems to have a particular hard on for us since the PIF takeover, he's written plenty of previous articles criticising our ownership as well. That's fair enough if he's consistent and had a go at other odious ownerships on a regular basis as well, just maybe I've missed them with me only really focusing on Newcastle.

Can't tell if you are being sarcastic there.

Surprised so many are actually taking this seriously.

I think Guardian readers are probably mostly good people tbh, or well meaning for the most part. They just don't live in the real world which operates along some pretty ruthless principles. Football is no different these days, if anything it's riddled with hypocrisy and greed.

Read today that he's Yasir's favourite player and there's no way he's letting him go. So not that surprised to read this today.

It's because of his lack of pace, so defensively that can see him caught out on occasions. But given what he brings to the table in terms of tempo, control and aggression, it's a small factor, because those other skills are off the charts. He really can dictate a game if everyone plays to his level.

Oliver Kay was pontificating on it today as well, but has to be expected I suppose. It goes with the territory.

Why would he join a club which has won no trophies in eons? If they want to know what one looks like they should probably ask us.

Before the final I suggested he would be worth starting just because of his end product which can win a match even when the performance isn't great, but it was suggested that his defensive work was slack. That surprised me, because I can't imagine Howe wanting a player who won't pitch in when we are out of possession. I don't watch him that closely, but I would imagine he must be at least fairly hard working if Howe wanted him so badly.

I could see us selling Bruno or Barnes because of their age, but the offer would have to be right. Otherwise we would probably just use our budget to buy potential at low prices rather than established players.

Yeah this is what I was getting at. I think we will have to continue going down the buy young potential rather than proven performers, I would imagine with Mitchell on board it will be more the Elanga for £15m that Forest did than £40m for Tino. I think we'll be shopping abroad more so we can make a few signings rather than just a couple, we have a few areas we need more cover.