STM

Just got back. Rating and thoughts: Dubravka 8 made a few stops and at least attempted to play out from the back Krafth 7 Snuffed out their left, tired late on Lascelles 6 Just can't play out from the back with much confidence Botman 7 Did OK, clearly decent positionally, he was noticeably annoyed when we had that rocky period Dummett 4 Shocking second half, was done time and time again Joelinton 7 Was his usual self, broke up play and moved the game forward Bruno 8 Lost the ball once but was superb for around 60 minutes. Another that tired Willock 7 Got himself in some dangerous areas Richie 5 Worked hard but he's just not up to this level, play slows around him ASM 7 His goal aside, he was still quieter than usual IMO, out of form Wilson 8 Took his goal well Bondswell 7 Better than Dummett

This bid alone should cheer a few people up. It shows that a) there isn't a limited budget, its about getting value and b) they are prepared to sign quality players in positions thar you might not think are priorities. Maddison would be a dream signing.

Maddison can play on the wing, I think that is the whole point.

Thank you HSBC.

Let me know if they fix it. At a caravan in wooler, got John Anderson blasting through the site.

Tickled me.

I mean, I don't know why it's funny but it is.

Apparently one of the painters at the ground said that the whole stadium is getting painted, including the roof, this according to Roobenstein on YouTube, who's not a gobshite.

If we were to agree a fee with Lyon, there is no way he doesn't sign for us. Absolutely laughable story and I'm not one of those who thinks we will sign him.

Absolutely. The last thing we want to do is panic and end up with Maxwell Cornet or Ismailia Sarr. It's not because they are bad players, they are actually decent players but it's because we want players for where we are going, not where we are. We set our own bar by signing Trippier, Botman and Bruno. We really don't want to fall below that if we can help it. If it gets to August 31st and we have tried everything to get an elite player, fine, we might have to make do with the attacking equivalent of Targett or Burn. We've decent resources, there's an abundance of opportunities, we just need to find it.

I reckon we will have the next deal done by the time Forest show up and then another one before the window closes.

What PIF does, is acts as a safety net. Which is quite handy when you intend on showing ambition and maximising every revenue stream going. It's clear that our owners intend on building sustainable investment, which takes a little bit of time. Our new CEO hasn't even got his arse through the door. If in 5 years we can have comparable income to the likes of Spurs, that will do me, thank you very much.

Let's say that PIF aren't "bankrolling" the club. A few points: 1. They spent millions acquiring the club 2. I've never asked them to bankroll anything 3. They have never said they would be bankrolling anything 4. They don't need to be bankrolling anything

Could be for anything. We are in the middle of jazzing up the training ground. As well as potentially purchasing a brand new site for a new training ground. Of course it could be transfers...

A couple of other points: We went toe to toe with a very decent European club and matched them all over, without playing our strongest 11 at any point. I love how nasty we are. We have become that horrible side that argues on the touchline and roughs up opponents. Nobody who plays us gets a free ride. It felt like a European night. Shite refs, diving players, red cards, goals. Looking forward to the real McCoy.

Ratings and notes. 1st half: Pope 6 Trippier 8 Played as a winger at times Lascelles 6 Botman 7 Looks to have decent pace Targett 7 S. Longstaff 6 Some good long balls, some poor short ones Bruno 6 Anderson 6 ASM 7 Looked bright Wilson 7 Miggy 8 2nd Half Darlow 6 Krafth 7 Schar 6 Burn 5 At fault for the goal Bondswell 7 Already better than Dummett Willock 7 Looked very lively Shelvey 8 Look great when he was playing Joelinton 6 Silly boy ? Ritchie 7 Looked a yard quicker than last season, fair play Murphy 6 Wood 5 Shortstaff 6

Tell me he doesn't face a ban. I'm glad he got his red card out of the way in this game rather than forest.

Shelvey was brilliant when he came on and we suffered when he went off. Hope he's OK.

Feel like we were the better side, so I'm quite annoyed with that.

Joelinton is a huge miss. Wouldn't let these little cunts dive about without reason.

Said this after Burnley friendly. That's 4 goals and 2 assists in 2 games.

Amen. It's like some people expect the perfect transfer window. It doesn't exist. It's an exhausting exercise in brinkmanship.

Spot on but they have an eternity in transfer time (4 weeks) to get the right deals done. If we haven't signed anyone in the forward areas by September 1st, I will be naturally disappointed but I will also reflect on what a tremendous 11 months they have had.

Bottom firmly on seat. ?

Stadium re decorated. Sports direct tat gone. New CEO. New DOF. New manager. Training ground upgrade. New training ground already in the works. Women's team investment. A raft of new staff in other areas across the club. 150m ish spent of first team players, including 3 international class players. Youth team recruitment under way. A handful of deadwood off the wage bill. New contracts for a few squad players dealt with. But if we don't get a striker and winger (and they have to be good or I will whinge at that too) or I'm going to cry like a bairn.