TRon

This is true, in the end he worked out great because of that CL qualification. He was here a long time yet only really had one half season where he really made an impact. Not that surprising that he's getting criticised for the same reasons now that he's back in the US, although he's probably lost a bit of that electric pace which was one of his strengths when he arrived here.

Gillespie must he his cone assistant then.

I mostly ignore them until we get something concrete. Not even bothering with the Scalvini link just yet, that one is just tempting fate to kick us in balls. The DCL one I made an exception for because he sort of makes sense as it gives us much needed striker back up while keeping our big funds for other areas.

All the fast moving deals were done before the PSR deadline came up and we ended up having to ditch promising players once reality bit.

If they are signing Mbuemo and Cunha, that's a fair upgrade on forward power tbh. I suppose it depends on who their striker is going to be. If it's DCL as rumoured, that would be interesting.

Being crocked for a good part of his recent career means he won't have much bargaining power there.

Heard some stuff about the delay might be due to Elanga changing agent at the end of last month. Maybe whoever has taken over needs to give his terms a once over before he signs anything.

I'm not having that. Bald means bald, and as the poster who coined tle Luke Baldwards moniker I know what I am talking about. Zidane's Friar Tuck tonsure is offset by a crucial few tufts of hair on his forehead which takes him out of the slaphead equation.

Burnley are reluctant sellers so are trying to get the best deal possible, we are doing the same?

Tbf, there's only one source claiming we are in for him and I think it said it was Graeme Bailey pushing it, so I would take it with a pinch of salt. But can't deny that Howe has always seemed to rate him, so if it wasn't for the injuries, you could see us going in for him on a pay as you play sort of deal, which is mentioned in that article.

If we are signing DCL, the only reason would be Howe is pushing for it. I wouldn't put this at anyone else's door.

Maybe they thought if it worked for Bournemouth with Semenyo, it can work for them too. Can't see Elanga going for it though, his public jigs with Osula have been put out for a reason.

The big doubt would be whether he's a crock, not his ability. Howe liked him back then, just don't think he's the type to change his view on a player if he rates them.

Howe wanted him when he was valued at £40m+ so if he's available on a free, then you could easily see it happening. `it would allow us to spend big on other areas so you can see the logic.

I do get the feeling Garnacho is going to go on and become a very successful player once he is out of Man U.

Agree. I think the deal would only work if he was going to be a first team regular. Is he better than Joelinton?

Think back to our last bald winger and it should be enough of a red flag.

People pretend like this doesn't matter, but I preferred Elanga for just this reason. It's not in hindsight either, I brought this up even when we were linked with him. It might be petty, but I just don't recall seeing that many succesful bald players.

Your jobs are not likely to be in a high profile job like DOF at Newcastle United with all respect. I mean it might be possible, but would be highly negligent on Eales part.

At that stage going after Liverpool targets they didn't follow through on probably seemed like a sound strategy. But we should probably have done some scouting of our own as well just so might have picked up that he couldn't actually defend.

Which is also a sign that a player might not have bought in 100% on a move and is hoping some other club might step in or offer more money. New thread or no new thread.

Because much though we like to think we are a fair minded nation, we are still as bent as most others. Just we are more polite and proper about it.

Murphy is 30 though. No one is going to offer £30m for him. Would be different if he was 25.

If he wasn't then you have to question why Eales brought him in in the first place. I know Eales is leaving or has left due to ill health, but you can't afford to get such important decisions wrong.

That would be Mrs Tonali then.