Shak

Yeah Pedro just makes far too much sense as someone who can play Isak's role in a similar way while also having the versatility to not be strictly a backup CF. Price bracket I expect us to be operating in too, four or five in that 20-40m bracket.

That was class tbf

Kind of delighted for Arsenal, the hypocritical dickheads.

Aye, in a vacuum it's not a big deal but there were a few whispers about him being a bit of a dickhead which makes it slightly more concerning. A huge reason why we're doing so well under Howe is that it seems like our team spirit is absolutely impeccable so even a hint of someone being a bit difficult is more of a worry to me than it usually would be.

Be interesting to see what sort of team we send out for this, especially if ASM is out. I know Eddie doesn't like to change a winning team but we got badly outplayed until there were major changes at HT so I would imagine he'll not start the same 11 again? Wonder if he'll be tempted to start Isak and Wilson together if Maxi is out. Would ask them a lot more questions than our Joelinton and Murphy on the wings plan of attack today.

+78 isn't an inconceivable score tbf.

Think he'll look even better as the CF in a front three once we get wide men who can get in behind and take advantage of the space Isak is creating when he drops deep and pitch in a few goals. Can you imagine him with Diaby and Kvaratskhelia either side of him? (I'd 100% be into spending $200m on just those two this summer btw. Hold like trials for a new LB and CM, get some local lads in )

He's clearly trying to square it to Wilson.

Aye, he's a beast in the middle of the field. Really hope we see a midfield three of Bruno, Joelinton and Willock soon enough. Longstaff has put in a cracking shift the last few months and I'll always be happy enough to see him in the team as he's extremely reliable but the other three are a step above him IMO.

It wasn't going in until the keeper hit it, which is the basic rule.

That's a ludicrous decision considering some of the ones we've seen not given. Even Bee Slag on the commentary didn't seem to think it was gonna lead to anything.

Aye, so fucking exciting knowing we're almost certainly gonna fucking do it too

Sign of a good team and all that. Another fucking MASSIVE result. We're gonna fucking do this. Imagine looking at these three fixtures a week ago and being told we'd get 9 points, getting nine goals in the process. Fucking class

Genuinely gutted for him, really felt like it was starting to click. Hopefully the reporting of it as a minor injury is accurate and he isn't out long but it's hard to not be downbeat, lots of little niggles this year and you wonder if his body just isn't able for what Howe demands from his players.

Christ, if he's injured again. Massive shame for him as he was just looking comfortable and finding form. Also a huge loss for us if he's going to miss significant time. Time for Gordon to step up.

Hopefully no injuries and just a bit of rotation. Bruno is the only player who if he's out my confidence will massively drop. Isak I think the dropoff to Wilson is significant in general play but he seems to have rediscovered his goalscoring form so I think we'll manage either way.

Aye he's the price bracket I expect we'll be looking at. Expect we'll see a handful of players in the 30-50m range. Maddison, João Pedro, probably get a top class LB for that kind of money. Might be one player we go big on, I'd guess Diaby if he's interested.

Rice in Longstaff's role would be fantastic. All the energy and presence that Longstaff has with much more quality on the ball. Him, Bruno and Joelinton would be absolute carnage in midfield

Signing all the biggest dickheads in golf didn't exactly create a positive vibe

I think another big money winger is pretty much nailed on this summer, personally. Gordon and ASM will be fighting it out for the LW spot with Almiron and another left footed winger fighting for the right side spot. Obviously they can all play both sides but think Howe ideally wants a left footed player on the right and a right footed player on the left. My guess is that we'll make a real play for Diaby, he's been consistently mentioned as a long term target and this summer might be the time for him to make a move. Could see Bowen being the backup plan to Diaby if we're priced out of him.

Most seem to think that there's absolutely no way that Yasir will end up testifying. Ultimately PIF/LIV are the plaintiff in the case against the PGA. If they can't get that decision overturned they'll just drop the lawsuit rather than expose themselves to anything they don't want to. Difference between how well they've done with Newcastle and what a massive shitshow LIV is is quite striking. Glad we have Stavely running us instead of Greg Norman, I guess

I'd guess next season the wide options will be a new RW battling with Almiron and then Maxi and Gordon fighting for the LW. Murphy the emergency depth. Maxi has done enough this last week for me to now think he might just stay. If things go wrong for him next year we have Gordon who is probably viewed as a LW long term by Howe and we can also go to the Joe-n-Joe show on the left too like you say.

I just don't think there's a massive future for Joelinton as a left sided forward. Great that he can cover there and maybe you play him there in the odd away game where you want to neutralise the opposition's right side a bit more but I just don't think he's going to be of much use in that position against teams who sit back and ask us to break them down. However, think he's an absolute animal in CM. Would really love to see him in Longstaff's position with Willock on the left side of the midfield three. Think that's probably our best three man midfield although Longstaff has been so damn solid for ages now so rightly won't lose his place any time soon. I'd be leaving Bruno in his spot and signing another CM who offers the same engine our others do. Rice would be great (Bellingham would be the dream signing but it's not realistic) and if not him then someone else of that ilk. Picking two from a group of Rice (or whoever we get), Joelinton, Willock and Longstaff next year would be good with me. Maybe add a young player (Ashworth can surely rustle up another Caicedo or MacAllister type from somewhere, seems a reasonable ask? ) and that's a solid group for next year IMO.

Like Joao Pedro would make a lot of sense on paper as someone who could be Isak's understudy as CF while also being an option on the wings. You'd wonder if he'll want to go somewhere where he'll be first choice though, which I don't think he'd get at Newcastle.