TRon

Why would you feel excited? All we've done so far is sell one of our best players for at best, a par fee. Once we actually start making some signings which show some promise, I think that's the time to get excited.

Not with Steady Eddie making the decision. He'd need a season of prep to even get a sniff against Quarabag Utd if we played them next season.

I'm starting to think none of the players mentioned so far will be genuine targets. Since we first heard these names, now they are being linked with Man U, Spurs, Real Madrid etc. I would imagine the real targets will be under wraps until the deal is done if Wilson has any hope of faring better than Howe Jr. et al last summer. Shame because I was really hoping the Abde Eze link was genuine.

Kvara was brilliant against Bayern, but then both teams were going at it, and the game was end to end. Arsenal just sat in their own half and that meant the game was a lot slower. That said, PSG were poor overall. You often get this in the final of a cup competition where teams play very cagey football because they are wary of making mistakes.

I was thinking the same thing in relation to the point made by @Lush Vlad re him combining well with Woltemade. I can see that working, but just not under Howe. It would probably need a totally different method of football and build up play. Also, just not sure that having two of your three forwards lacking genuine pace is a recipe for success.

Arsenal are a good cup side because they are difficult to beat, and they can score from set pieces. But they had a relatively easier ride in the KO stages this time round, I think this was their best chance to win it. PSG were very cagey with it being the final, but in a quarter or semi, I think they would have been far more adventurous.

He's a good footballer, but lacks the pace to really frighten defenders. I think for him to be effective he needs to get Hall overlapping, then it could work. Not sure Howe would be comfortable with that from a defensive POV though.

I have a feeling we are definitely interested, but heard Liverpool and Chelsea being mentioned as suitors as well. I guess it will come down to how much he wants us or whether his agent is using us to bring other clubs into the mix.

If we get Abde I am going to start taking Wilson seriously. If we get Camara and the Jaowen GK fella as well....he's the man.

Not sure if Glasner would have been the right fit for Liverpool but when I suggested him as a replacement for Howe it got a fair bit of blowback. He's not too popular, maybe because of what is perceived to be a defensive style, but he's won silverware twice now at a small club. I think he is seriously underrated.

Tbf, if we had gone after Iraola, he might just have waited for Liverpool anyway, same way as Ekitike did.

Same. But I liked Klopp before he went to Liverpool. But tbf, him turning out to be an insufferable cunt didn't really have much to do with Liverpool. Maybe 15%.

Yes but we are Newcastle fans so what do you suggest?

Would you be happy with another Mike Ashley type owner or do you have higher expectations?

The "FUCK PIF" brigade tend to stop there as well. I mean that's all well and good, but once they are fucked, who takes over?

Be surprised tbh. Another Elanga type of deal when we should have done it before he went elsewhere for much cheaper.

I don't think he's saying that, just voicing concerns. Your stance was fuck PIF when they took over I imagine.

He was pretty good at carrying the ball forward at least. End product wasn't quite there but I think his defensive attributes made up for it mostly. My main concern is his injury record is crap so far.

It's an odd one. At his best I really like him and I wanted him to sign a new contract. But because of his constant niggles and layoffs, I was thinking it might be better just to get the money while we can. But looks like that has also put City off as well. Best scenario would be he signs a new contract and then has a couple of relatively injury free seasons.

He's not the most skilful winger you'll have seen, but he's fast and direct. Great running up and down the flank, will win pens and score them. His end product is ok, not terrible, not high class either. I think he'll look good in your team personally, your manager might prefer having someone who doesn't mess about on the ball and just runs at defenders.

Hopefully it's not relevant any more then!

Made the mistake of watching his video after yesterday's links. He looks great, of course today he's now linked with Liverpool.

This has been my biggest doubt about retaining Howe tbh. He just seems to take an age to shift his plan of thinking. If we buy a bunch of technically gifted players, would he even know how to deploy them given how committed he is to Plan A?

Change it back to John by deed poll if it clears any lingering doubts for Eddie.

Camara would be a big one for me. Exactly the sort of signing we fiddled too long over last couple of years.