STM

I said at the end of last season that we would get off to a flyer, like top 4 form and then gently tail away towards the end of the season. So I will stand by that.

This not played at the ground anymore?

I accidentally put 7th, was meant to put 9th. Quarter finals in the cups. Not both, just one decent run will do. From an aesthetic point of view, I want us to have the whole season looking like a progressive side, who want to keep the ball, who wants to attack the opposition etc. Eddie has already started this, so I'm comfortable it will be achieved.

There's a guy who used his own metric and made damn sure that Forest landed on the right side of it. Let's be clear, they have one player who might get into our side and that's Johnson. Par -10 if you like.

Reckon we should have a new poll, including 6th to 12th. Personally, i think we are in a battle with; West Ham - who could make a serious push for top 6 if things go right, I'd argue they have a stronger squad than Man Utd and are certainly in a better place. West Ham, I'm really impressed with, they have made some great signings and if we finish above them we've had an amazing season. Leicester- who I project to have a slump season. They still have quality players but the vibe around the club isn't right. As it stands, I fancy us to finish above them but if they were to sack Rodgers and get renewed impetus they could move back up the table. Villa- who have the squad to compete for top 8 but not the manager IMO. Finishing below a Gerrard managed Villa would be a real disappointment. Other outsiders; Palace, Brighton, Wolves. If any of these sides finish above us something has gone wrong. I don't see us surpassing Man Utd, not with them having a new manager. He should get them on enough decent runs that means they aren't catchable for us. IMO, we will finish in 7th, 8th or 9th. I'd plump for 8th but we are a funny club when we have momentum. 9th if we take a few injuries and Leicester find some rhythm.

Genuinely mental reading that.

From a 7th-10th battle point of view, good that Palace got beat. Let the race for 7th commence. Actually can we have a 7th-ometer?

How Jordan Ayew is still playing PL football in 2022 is beyond me. He's the new Shane Long. Does he have Viera nudes or something?

Aye, let's just keep him. He'd be one of my first subs.

I'd test Arsenal with 40m for Smith Rowe mind. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Thoughts so far? Arsenal look lively but perhaps too open at the back? I still don't like Xhaka and Partey. Palace look pretty much where they were last year. Reckon they will struggle away from home but have good home form.

I think Harrison is dead and I think there is a small chance we go back for Maddison. Of course we will have other targets and I'm sure we are working at them now. I still expect us to go foreign. Better value.

I don't doubt the possibility that we have backed away but IMO any journalist who says we have already started looking at other targets whilst not naming the targets, is just guessing IMO. Give me names, I will listen.

People said the same of Bruno and Botman. We are a big club, we have big ambition. Even when we were shite, good players wanted to join us... see Owen, Wijnaldum etc.

My first thought was... is there anyone we could get?

He will want to be as close to the training ground as possible.

I heard he has a Paqueta clause in his contract.

I'm certain of Schar starting. It's either Botman or Burn with him.

I'm sure he said his family ars joining him soon. He said he lives in a house now, as opposed to the hotel.

His family still haven't moved up yet.

Yep, in same bracket as the rest in terms of availability.

Nope.

The club could do a huge US angle, sell newcastle shirts over there and sell US shirts over here. I dunno, just makes a bit of sense to me. He can also play right across the front.

I know its the wrong thread but surely either or them could be sold our project. Pulisic would also increase our exposure in the USA which I'm sure is part of our commercial strategy, especially since Darren Eales appointment.

Werner and Pulisic