TRon

Think those thoughts were probably going through his mind as well.

It's just about being the right person for the job. If I want someone taking a pen to win a game I'll pick Shearer. If I want someone to express joy during a fantastic era of being a Newcastle fan, I'll pick Keegan. Not Shearer's fault in any way, he's just not someone who should be doing narration because he sounds like he's bored as fuck.

First episode is pretty much what I thought it might be. Loads of fantastic material but as I feared, Shearer's monotone narration makes it sound like he's creosoting his fence. Feels like Amanda did a much better job bringing the passion when she was on screen.

Never has a profile picture matched the quote so aptly in the history of these forums.

If we learned anything from last season, it's that the sum is greater than the parts. Chelsea have spent £billions more than us in the last few years, but we still got CL while they looked like a bunch of overpaid brats chucked together without any idea what they were supposed to be doing. There's no guarantees it will be any different this time round for either them or Liverpool.

Would be funny if Lavia took a strop and told them to do one as well.

He's made my day though. Get in Kane you loyal, Spurs shagging bastard.

From Oliver Kay who's generally been writing acidic stuff about us since the takeover. I thought he was maybe trying to rebuild a few bridges with this one.

Agreed, he should do Tielemans and fuck Levy up the arse.

Fair point, Barnes has only arrived very recently, Howe might want to get him up to speed before pitcing him in.

Don't be too shocked if Wilson starts, that's all I'm saying. He looks to have struck up a great understanding with Barnes, I think the early ball without too much faff is really going to be right up Callum's street.

Always assumed German clubs were a bit more savvy finance wise than this. Imagine spending £85m on a 30 year old striker you could get for nothing next season. Levy will be laughing all the way to the bank, that will give him a huge cash pot to spend on appreciating assets. Yes I know Kane is a class player, but I'm just not a fan of throwing that much money at a player who will decline in the next year or two.

Future Messi right there.

It makes sense to build big awkward teams if you can't compete on a skill level. Just not that great to watch. Big Sam was a master at it.

I actually agree with that model in principle, but it's basic economics. If you throw money around hoping you have invested well - great if it does, tough luck if it doesn't. Our problem isn't money, it's that other clubs have been allowed to spend theirs in the last 20 years and we are now stopped from doing it.

Was Lascelles playing when we got drubbed 3-0 Villa at their place last season? Because most of those players mentioned burned our defenders in exactly those situations. Just saying, not many of our defenders are great defending a high line.

Normally I wouldn't want to go anywhere near a CD who isn't rapid, but Andersen reads the game so well that I can understand why we are keen on him. Looks a real winner.

Had a bit of a soft spot for Wolves, not dissimilar to Leeds, Sheffield clubs etc. Probably a combination of nostalgia and geography, although for some reason I've always felt nothing for clubs like Derby or Forest.

Worth bearing in mind Howe was really keen on him as well. PSG was always going to be a harder proving ground for someone so raw, and right now, we've probably moved beyond him also.

Depends how much he's played I suppose. If he wasn't getting much game time, he might not have had much chance to develop or show what he can do.

That's why I said I wasn't sure tbh. I can buy into that, never thought he was as bad as some make out on here. He can usually do a job when called on.

It will be another Paqueta situation, join reluctantly because no one better has shown an interest, then get demoralised and demand a move after 12 months.

His teeth are actually pretty decent, it's the huge gums which are ugly. That's why when he smiles casually he looks good, but when he goes ear to ear it gets weird.

Yep, that's how I usually saw Willock lined up as well. He might drift in, but his main position seemed to be wide left.

Not sure about the pace part, but Lascelles is usually fairly dependable defensively when called on. His main weakness has always been playing out of defence, but he could probably do a job in an emergency.