Shak

Elanga would be interesting as it would seemingly be a commitment to playing a right footed player on the right you’d imagine, Elanga becoming first choice with Murphy his backup. I did feel at times last year we were a 4-3-3/4-4-1-1 hybrid with Joelinton almost serving as the wide left option while Gordon/Barnes were almost playing just off Isak. You could see it in our defensive shape quite well, operated as two banks of four with our LW having a lot less responsibility than Murphy had. I’d personally prefer to stick with the 4-3-3 and buy a left footed player for the RW but just a thought.

It’s more a reflection of how far you’ve fallen than any sort of endorsement of Deuce.

Injury issues and his lack of form the last couple of years are obviously a significant worry with DCL. I will say however that I very much see the merit in bringing in a big, physical striker who is good in the air. We know by now that we’re not much use at breaking down a low block and need a different option, something that a target man like DCL would definitely give us. I’d prefer someone else but Eddie apparently really rates this lad and he’s obviously earned the benefit of the doubt at this point.

You might consider being nicer to some of the more respected posters on the forum if you’re hoping to rebuild your reputation.

SHAVE YOUR HEAD CUNT.

I think if Tonali missed time we’d possibly see Bruno dropped into the #6 role as he's played there a lot before. I do think there’s a possibility that #6 may be Miley’s best role long term. But it’s a lot on his plate at such a young age.

I can see why Eddie would want Guehi and Mbeumo over trying to bring someone in from a different league, we are very clearly looking for players to come in as first choice in those positions and those two are about as sure a thing as you can get in terms of hitting the ground running. Positions like backup striker or another midfield option is where I’d like to see us looking to unearth gems from abroad that maybe carry a bit more risk but will come cheaper than buying established PL talent.

Like a modern day Steve Harper?

I think we’ll sell Longstaff if we can get reasonable money for him. The 15m or so PSR boost over the next few years is probably more valuable to us than having an extra registered player that Eddie doesn’t want to use in the squad. There’s also an element of doing right by the player if he wants to leave. Been made pretty clear to him the last couple of months that he’s no longer in Eddie’s plans, if he wants to leave and find first team football then I’d hope we will accommodate him.

Aye at his age Dibling would have to earn his time on the pitch so I do think Murphy would be ahead of him in the pecking order at RW initially. Think Dibling has a lot of potential though and would be a quality addition to the squad. Disagree on the GK, think a top quality GK who is comfortable with the ball at his feet would add a lot to us. However, if the right option isn’t attainable I can see the logic in waiting another year rather than bringing in a second rate option.

Fair enough, though I personally suspect the biggest issue with Gordon playing on the right is that he doesn’t want to. But the broader point was about having a front three that can interchange positions like the PSG front three do, to throw something different at teams. Certainly wasn’t advocating Gordon on the right full time.

It’s probably not feasible from a financial POV given our need to spend on GK and CB, but I’d love to see us go out and sign Mbeumo AND Dibling. Two quality RW options but critically both of them also have versatility. Mbeumo would be first choice RW but also fills the role of backup CF when Isak needs a rest, with Dibling then coming in on the right. Dibling would also be an option for the LCM role when we need something a bit different from what Joelinton gives us. Possibly a bit harsh on Murphy, is the only thing.

Was thinking about this, would appear very doable if we signed Mbeumo as our RW option. Base setup would obviously be Mbeumo right, Gordon left and Isak CF. However, would be a very easy for us to have Isak go left, Gordon right and Mbeumo CF if we’re struggling and wanted to throw something different at our opponent during the game.

Can’t really do it in league games as goal difference is impacted, cup games aye though.

Don’t recall a ref ever just not bothering with injury time

Loving PSG going for the throat, showboating but with intent. Hard to blame him for the first Doué goal, but keeper has been beaten at the near post for 4 goals.

God I can’t wait until we have a player like him

Shave his head I say.

gbandit has just shown up at my house scantily clad in soiled rags, carrying a bindle full of even more heavily soiled rags and is demanding entry. I hope you’re proud of yourself, Shay.

Really hope we sign the GK, RW and CB before our lads report for pre season training. Presumably we’ll be buying these lads to be first choice so them having the full pre season to bed in and ideally start in our first game would help us hit the ground running.

I think you’d be doing well to find a fan of anyone other than Newcastle that thinks Pickford isn’t a better keeper than Pope. It’s harsh because he’s an excellent traditional GK, just struggles with the ball at his feet. Problem for Pope is that his weakness is such a massive issue in today’s game where the high press is so prevalent. And he’s not just bad with the ball at his feet, he’s horrendous. The keeper is supposed to be an easy outlet for players when trying to play out from the back, always there to reset if you get into bother. Our players don’t have that with Pope, which can lead to them making mistakes when they try something more difficult. You can also see when he comes out to sweep that he’s instructed to just hoof the ball into touch when there’s nothing easy on. It’s just giving up what should be our possession.

Not with that attitude.

Shay falling apart under the pressure. No surprise to see. The big wanker.

Briefly misread that as wanking. Would be quite the stat.

Oh Shay, can’t you go five seconds without humiliating yourself?