STM

58.5 points is the average you need for 7th, over the last 4 years. That's 1.5 points per game. We finished on 49 points last year, so in theory we need to find 10 points this year. That sounds easy when you consider the 14 games at the start of last season but you also have to assume that we won't go on top 4 form like we did at the back end of the season. I'd also be interested to see what scope there was for transfers in January. Especially if we get a key injury, like ASM/Wilson/ Targett where we have zero depth.

Fred is utterly shite. Joelinton is class.

That's for replying. Interesting to hear your thoughts.

I think id take a draw.

Either: 1. We go back for Maddison because we know the price that gets him 2. We have someone unknown (probably abroad) who we know we can get 3. We are waiting until the last week when the market opens up and stuff starts happening to find a suitable target

I think what drives me crazy is the not knowing. I'm certain we will sign someone but who? If someone could just tell me, I could relax.

We've got 2 big games against Liverpool and City where Howe might play 3 at the back, as well as a league cup game which Botman will certainly start.

It's no surprise he's a decent defender or a good character but it's astonishing how good on the ball he is. He's going to get turned a few times this season and cost us a couple of goals but his all around play is of a very high standard which means we can take sides on rather than sit back. This is invaluable. I mean this as no joke when I say that Dan Burn will be a good mentor for Botman. Very similar sizes and styles. Hopefully Botman has the pace that Burn doesn't (not that he's slow but I mean proper pace to recover).

We will be 100% be making a move of some sort this week. Fuck knows who. Back in for Maddison with a final bid would be my guess. Dangle Dubravka in front of them.

What do we make of Conor Cody to Everton? Personally i think it's a decent signing. Everton aren't in a position to start asking for progressive centre backs. Cody is solid and a great character by all accounts. I know personalities don't win football matches, but they can pull you out the shit by helping forge a decent team spirit.

Lampard might be ok, if he can arrest Evertons slide and consolidate. I'd be shocked if he somehow turned them into a top 10 side though.

I'm fairly certain they will have a Saudi trip pencilled in. We should be looking to the possibility of any of those players getting injured or coming back fatigued. Pope and Trippier won't start, so they should be OK. Botman might go but probably won't start either.

Loving the positivity and remember don't allow other fans to make you feel like you can't be positive and optimistic by calling you "deluded". We are talking about 6th and 7th here, not winning the CL.

Forest: "We keep spending all this money and we just can't stop ourselves." Charnley: "Hold my pimms."

I think we have a good relationship with his agent and I'd like to think he will at least allow us the time to push for Europe. So that's this season and next. We should also look to give him a new contract in due course, for one he's worth every penny of his wage and two it secures a valuable asset. The last thing we want is Bruno coming into 18 months on any deal. As for wage structure, I presume we could make an exception for such a player. Any teammate who feels hard done by for having less wages than this lad wants booting, as he's crucial to the squad.

I thought Rashford looked quite sharp today and his finishing wasn't previously a problem. Him and Sancho will look completely different once you have a half decent midfield.

I also think the club would sell. It's not because we are a selling club but they will look at 100m as a huge investment in the first team. Make no mistake, Bruno would be cheap for 100m too.

Villa won't come good under Gerrard but they might sack him, if they do then they could certainly do ok. Leicester are similarly in a bad place but have a good coach and some really good players, it's hard to say what might happen with them.

We traditionally have an "o-meter" thread and I want somewhere were we can specifically talk about where we are in the league and the clubs around us.

I'd love to know in what capacity he's advising them? Finance? Transfers? Managerial appointments?

Its just a way of talking. I did give options of 5 positions below 7th for a reason.

I'm not arguing against but which other side do you think would finish above us and if we sign a striker, where would you put us?

That's a fair viewpoint. Who finishes above us?

I would have gone with a better version of Momo Diame. Powerful, quick, can carry the ball, decent feet, good engine.

I went 7th, in the hope that West Ham or Man Utd slip up and leave a gap. Top 5 is settled IMO. I genuinely think it's West Ham, Man Utd and Us for 6th, 7th and 8th.