STM

Will just make it all the more satisfying when we get there. Our constant pushing money into every area of the club will bare fruit. It's like they are using a tennis racket to stop a water cannon at this point.

Ivan Toney would be an outstanding signing, if Arsenal decided not to bother. I'd be surprised if someone didn't gazump us. Him and Isak would be lethal, as a pair or alternating. Wilson to Brentford would be a fair shout too.

Richard Hughes? Sounds like one of Eddie's Brexit mags appointments. It's a PASS from me. There's not a fella abroad called Juan Loadsaplayers or something? Big black aviator sunglasses and wears chinos and brown shoes. Much more suited to our club. Just the ticket for me.

I suspect Miggy didn't leave because the move came too quickly and from a place where he wasn't expecting. For all the money in the world, playing in Saudi Arabia would be fucking shite compared to the PL. You are basically retiring from high level football. That's fine of course, nowt wrong with taking in a final wedge, I'm just not sure Miggy and his family were ready to jump in January. Chances are, he will have had longer to think about it now and he will have made his mind up one way or the other, about whether its something he'd entertain. Don't worry about the Saudis or getting a decent fee. They don't give a fuck, we just need to make sure it "looks" right, nudge, nudge, wink, wink. Failing that, Miggy would start for half the PL sides anyway, so there will be no shortage of suitors. He's a managers dream because of his workrate. I don't really see him staying in the PL though.

Fair enough. Really keen to see how this goes.

Might have to have a look on YT. Would certainly like to see him get a pre season in... and some training time under Howe.

Isak, Tonali, Botman, Bruno, Pope? I'm not being pedantic but aren't you just using the tired "every player has their price", mantra? Which of course is true. Someone sticks 150m on Isak, he's gone. Also hasn't our FFP threshold changed this summer, haven't we regained our wriggle room for spending on the 3 year basis (I'm not an expert at FFP )? My point on Longstaff was that far too many unlikely things would have to happen for him to leave. Longstaff would have to want to leave. We'd have to receive a bid of probably 25m+ to consider (not my valuation but I suspect Howe wouldn't let him go for less) Howe would have to be on board from a principle point of view, I.e letting a local player leave

Really interesting point of view because I'm the opposite. I've been convinced that he will never play a meaningful game for the club (he might get some pre season outings). Also, I feel the Dutch league is a terrible gauge for a players ability. In order for him to be a success in the PL, he'd have to be amazing in the Dutch league. That said, I've not kept up to date on his performances and potential can play a big part (look at Kanes loan moves). If he stays with us, he will be a 3rd choice RW at best. He'd be much better suited to another loan move IMO. I'd love to see him get a PL loan move or even an good Championship loan (Burnley next year). That would be a better gauge for where he's at. Again, I might be wrong and I hope he's class.

Said this yesterday. Longstaff won't be going anywhere and I'm not overly bothered. We can and have won plenty of games with Longstaff in midfield and when he's at his best he's a really good PL player but also we all know that there are limitations that should find him down the pecking order. IMO theres a reason Burn, Longstaff, Murphy will be around for quite a while (to varying degrees), they are players who love the club and keep something of an identity in the dressing room. Anderson is a puzzler to me. I don't know if Howe sees him in a similar vein or whether he'd be tempted to cash in. Part of that is because I'm unsure of Andersons long term potential myself. Wilson, Miggy, Targett, Lascelles, will all be seen as expendable for the right price.

There has to be a young goalkeeper with real potential knocking around Europe. Won't even cost alot either, if we do the job right. If we get into Europa/conference we can offer them plenty of games. Dubravka burned his bridges with his Man Utd stuff, IMO. Time to move on.

I actually agree. However, I'd like the option of a traditional number 6. Even if its for specific games or moments. How that would work in terms of ins and outs, I'm not sure. I suspect Howe might be grooming Miley for that eventual role but that's just a guess.

I don't think Gillespie will, he's like the nuclear button option for GK. I suspect Dummett might just hang around the U-Bend depending on numbers. Dubravka will be 100% gone IMO. The defenders don't trust him and he's making noises. Miggy and Wilson I reckon will go. Lascelles 50/50. That's how I see it anyway.

I can't stress this enough.... because it seems some are hopeful of it happening.... we won't be selling Longstaff under virtually any scenario. If you believe that Longstaff will be sold, you possibly haven't been paying attention to what Howe is trying to do. He's part of the furniture man. ? In all seriousness, I'm fine with Longstaff staying, provided we have (at least) 3 players ahead of him the pecking order.

The more advanced role might help him mind.

Was just about to say this. We might get Willock back for Blackburn too and we won't beat Arsenal with Bruno anyway.

Bruno is a much better technical player than what Speed was.... but is that what football is all about now? There's more to the game than that. I do think Bruno is the better player but let's put a bit of respect to Speeds name. This current NUFC side would benefit from having him in our midfield. We certainly wouldn't be so soft and open. Speed was also excellent technically, used to take the odd free kick and penalty (scored one against Newcastle for Everton) but he was much more than that. He was an absolute leader in the middle and about one of best players you could have in your dressing room. Remember when he came back for Shearers testimonial, a Bolton player at the time, was like 34 but still better than any of our CMs at the time. A real class act. Fondly, fondly remembered.

Toney is in the final year of his contract and Brentford have basically admitted they are selling him. He won't be coming here though. Spurs, Chelsea, Arsenal 100%.

Both Schar and Botman had a go at Dubravka for not coming out of his goal... spotted on the match cam.

30/40m for Big Joe? I don't care if he's in the last year of his contract...that would be a crime. I'd genuinely rather keep him for a year than see us let him go THAT cheap.

Momentum is the thing.Villa are sliding. Man Utd are climbing and we are one more win from possibly finding similar momentum. However, as much as its nice to look at the possibilities.... we really just have to do our own job. I'm convinced Villa won't finish top 4 now. Which further solidifies what a superb job we did last year.

Villa look more open than us here.

All I'm saying is that I leave terms like "failings" for Tory governments, not for 9/10 managers who've brought us more success than anyone in 20 years. But you do you.

Good post. If next season (we have half the injuries) and we are playing similar, then absolutely it's a different discussion. I just can't see it though. I think we'd have to really cock up our transfer window in the summer.

I agree, with the slight caveat that we need at least one of our main strikers to have a good fitness record. Therefore, Wilson out and someone in. We should also be looking for wingers of such a standard that could at least fill in up front, like Gordon.

You see even this is OTT. His "failings" man. I don't know if I'm reading it wrong or it's just me but "failings" is just a word I wouldn't use. If I talked about Peps "failings" I'd rightly get laughed at but I could easily point to more than one moment where his decisions cost his side a trophy. On the Saudi point. In a scenario where they sacked Howe, THEY would be wrong, not Howe. Then we could talk about their "failings".