STM

I don't think beyond their first team, they have a strong squad at all (Man Utd), I don't think their signings improve them much at all. As for Spurs.... Kane is an exceptional player, of course but I don't rate many of their squad at all. Son isn't the player he was. Bentancur is a good player. I wouldn't swap any of our defenders or midfielders for theirs. I'd rather have Villa's squad than Spurs.

Completely disagree with everything you've said but then I normally do.

Any thoughts that Howe might not see things like you? He MIGHT see Dan Burn as an asset who helped us have the equal meanest defence in the league, he MIGHT look at Miggy as our top goalscoring midfielder and someone who carries out his press exactly how he wants. I've yet to hear anyone come up with a left back who doesn't cost 40m+, who can defend and attack with equal quality.

I'd agree but in case I'm mistaken Howe has tended to play Anderson on the left of the 3 CMs? I think it's Tonali vs Longstaff and Joelinton vs Willock vs Anderson

Imagine Howe pulling the old switcheroo if we are looking for a winner: Tonali Bruno Miggy Isak Barnes Wilson

What I think the team will be: Pope Trippier Schar Botman Burn Bruno Tonali Joelinton Miggy Gordon Isak I think Anderson will be extremely unlucky not to start but Howes weight of trust in Joelinton will win over. Had Longstaff not been injured during pre season, I think he would have started ahead of Tonali. Gordon HAS to start, he's full of confidence and Barnes will have to wait his turn like everyone else. The BIG difference, will be our bench. Chalk and cheese to previous Newcastle squads: Dubravka Lascelles Willock Anderson Longstaff Barnes Wilson Miley Targett Murphy To choose from. Lovely options.

Willock is one step away from being one of the best progressive midfielders in the league. That one step is him putting the ball in the back of the net. He could have had 10+ last year had his finish not alluded him, he'd had a bit of luck/confidence. I think he's got almost everything. He's getting better and better too.

The way I see our squad right now (out of 10): GK: Pope 8, Dubravka 6.5, Karius 5.5 RB: Tripper 9, Krafth 6.5, Manquillo 6 CB: Schar 8, Botman 8, Lascelles 6, Burn 7, Dummett 4 LB: Burn 7, Targett 7, Richie? 4 CM: Bruno 9, Tonali 8, Joelinton 8, Longstaff 7.5, Willock 7.5, Anderson 7, Miley ~ RW: Miggy 7, Murphy 6.5 LW: Barnes 7.5, Gordon 7.5 ST: Wilson 8.5, Isak 9 Note: I don't know why I did this, was just bored.

We need a couple of defenders basically, we have enough in wide areas to chop and change when players come in and out of form.

I wasn't. Other clubs may sign 10 players and get 5 of them right, where as our approach seems to be to sign 3/4 every year (slow and steady) and nail every one of them. So far, whether it be an absolute banger like Tonali/Isak or a smart domestic signing like Gordon/Barnes, each one has added value to us and is nudging our squad further and further up the pecking order. Let me ask this, who's squad is ours comparable to? IMO it's better than Spurs, especially when Kane leaves, it's not quite alongside Liverpool or Arsenal (and obviously City). Its probably on par with Man Uniteds, at current, who have just spent 10m more on that lad from Atalanta than we did on Isak (I know who I'd prefer). To say we've got a squad even close to Man United in under 2 years is an absolute astonishing achievement. Imagine what it will be like in another 2?

I think there's a clear calculation on our part. When we sign them, I bet its not "will they be good enough for us?", but more "how much will they be worth in 3 years?" If they turn out to be good enough for us, fantastic but I'm fairly certain it's now part of our strategy to start farming players. Saliba is a great example of how every now and then you can discover a golden nugget. I don't think Arsenal had any intention of keeping him until he started smashing it in France. I bet they were as surprised as anyone. Edit: Hadn't realised Arsenal spent 27m on Saliba. Probably not a great example. Still he was 19 and has doubled in price, possibly trebled.

Like it or not Chelsea are the masters at it. Sent Colwill on loan to Brighton as part of being "fleeced" over Cucarella. Brighton then turned Colwill into a 50m CB and Chelsea got him back.

Aye thats 130m for Grealish and him. No wonder that Villa are hoying the cash around. Their FFP balance is probably healthy as fuck for a few years.

From a logical point of view, how well would Minteh have to do at Feyernood for us to consider playing him in our first team next year? He'd have to absolutely tear the Dutch league apart, and even then it wouldn't be a guarantee. On the other hand, if he can do well enough to grab the attention of a few scouts across Europe's... shall we say, more average sides... we might well get a half decent fee for him 9? 12? 15m? It's massive for us, if we can start getting the conveyer belt moving. It's the same reason why we are signing up all the best domestic youngsters, if they don't make it with us, you can get a champo club to take them and slap a 25% sell on into the deal.

I'm convinced the reason we are signing the likes of Minteh and Kuol is in order to flip them for a profit.

If Southampton are looking for right backs (good right backs too) then they must be expecting Tino to leave. Hopefully we can sort a deal out. The good thing is that we don't need him on mathday 1, he will have a few weeks to get up to speed.

Bit annoyed actually, i was hoping he'd come back in pre season firing on all cylinders. I hope his ankle is fixed and I hope in the next 2 weeks he comes up through the gears.

Hope might be an acquired taste but agree with everything he says here: Miley Starting 11 FFP and selling Maxi Targets at the end of the window

As I see it: City = Worse Arsenal = Better Man Utd = About the same Liverpool = Better Newcastle = Slightly Better Chelsea = Better Villa = Better Brighton = Slightly worse Arsenal and Liverpool are going to be the real winners.

Manquillo is comfortable in both fullback positions. He won't be sold unless, as you say, we get another in. There will be plenty of shite La Liga sides who would be willing to take him. I will always have a soft spot for him. A no fuss, likeable player.

From what we've seen, I'd say he will smash the championship. Hopefully he gets 30 games and can really compete for us next year. Or... He smashes it and we can fleece someone like Southampton are doing.

Just wait until Howe "trusts" him.... Ain't that right TCD?

90s: 1 2 5 6 3 7 8 4 11 9 10 00s: 1 2 4 5 3 6 8 7 10 11 9 10s: 1 2 4 5 3 6 8 10 7 11 9 Seems to have been the evolution in my mind.

@Rich did someone quote you coz I can't see their name?

Kids stuff is amazing. The beat thing I bought was his Boca Juniors Maradona top. Also got Brazil 98 with Joelinton for me but its a bit snug.