Yorkie

So do you think Howe has the PSR blinkers on like I do, or he's just not bothered about having his hands tied by our own incompetence (to the extent he'll shield those people from criticism, like Pardew would for instance)?

Think that's a strange comment if it's in response to my post. It's not like I'm reading deeply between the lines.

Says outright in his press conference today that our transfer failings aren't because of the lack of CEO/SD, but because of finances. If it wasn't true, he'd be out the door imo. Why would he stick around if he's surrounded by a clownshow? He knows it's PSR that's done this. Also, fantastic question from Caulkin and a fantastic answer in response.

Wouldn't doubt your assessment of the player but the pricing situation changes when a PL club enters the chat. Sadly the cartel clubs here have inflated the market. Man Utd signed Yoro for £60-odd million. Then you've got the likes of Todibo and Andersen going for more than £30million.

Never seen him play but really happy we've made progress here. Time to just get shit done.

All I can say is: hurry up, Yoane!!

This bloke and Wissa before my next shave and we're all feeling a bit better I reckon.

Don't get me wrong, I want us to act and be as strong as we can possibly be. To totally fuck Liverpool off would be satisfying and you'd love us for doing it. I just worry about the short-term harm of anchoring Isak in Newcastle against his will, but I do accept the argument that the long-term effects of showing defiance could be more important. Must say I'm feeling incredibly beaten down by everything this summer. I'm not going to engage in another debate about the extent to which the club has sabotaged itself (or not, as is my argument). All the external forces make it hard not to feel a bit:

Obviously we need to get an appropriate fee. If we don't then clearly he stays. Probably didn't make that point well enough.

He's making it impossibly difficult though. From what Howe is saying, Isak has manifested a situation where his mere existence around his teammates reduces our chances of winning matches. Therefore, to me, the safer play is to (regrettably) engage Liverpool, maximise the fee, and send him on his way. Buy two new strikers and let's crack on. The alternative is brinkmanship; we shield the rest of the squad from him until such a point that he decides to apply himself. The earliest that happens is probably after the transfer window has closed, several games into the season. Option two honestly seems more dicey to me at this point, particularly seeing as he'll be well off the pace if he ever does accept that he needs to do another year here.

If he scored a shit-ton of goals then everything that's happened here gets put out of sight/out of mind. However, it doesn't seem remotely likely that he starts firing on all cylinders in spite all of this ugliness; he's actively conspiring against his manager and all his teammates. I've never known a player do this scorched earth thing in all my time supporting NUFC; it's quite something really, not a typical situation. He's done here and imo the objective now, sadly, has to be squeezing the maximum amount of money out of Liverpool despite our weakening negotiating position.

I get the rotting in the reserves thing but it's daft and never going to happen; it's not an option. If he stays, he has to get reintegrated and the reasons why are so obvious they're not worth stating. However, reintegration seems totally impractical at this point and the squad/season will suffer for it. That's why he has to go.

That's probably the biggest cuntery of all really, the way he's driving the price down and putting Howe and the rest of them in a harder and harder position. We can't possibly keep him but we can't possibly sell him under value. Literally not had a bigger arsehole since Owen. Can't believe it tbh.

I'm at the point where I couldn't really give a fuck where he goes, just as long as he goes. The emotional gutpunch of him going to Liverpool has already happened, and now he's behaving so hideously, it gets easier to deal with. I accept that whilst it's not ideal selling him to a theoretical rival, I don't think it's a reputational disaster providing it's for a gargantuan fee. And Liverpool will get there. Right now he's the antithesis of everything that's made this squad so special and successful so he really has to go. And I'm excited at the prospect of having two new strikers, chomping at the bit, to get invested in. If it's Jackson, cool, bring it on. The guy from Porto, sure, even better.

Only because you vociferously defended hyphens the other day

This is really good, although I thing it highlights the wrong 'problem'. Their impact on our precious transfer excitement is one thing, but how they impact the market itself is rotten.

If Forest is an early KO, Lockwood will be on the Saturday.

In all seriousness, we're all quite aware that Yawnstein's tweet isn't actually news, yes? The Isak situation has the European striker market in an absolute frenzy atm, agents need to get their clients into the mix. That's literally all this is.

Title structuring is on point, though. Fuck @Mike and @54's reign of hyphen and capitalised verb terror.

I'm generally with you on the wider point, but it's not just because he wants to go to Liverpool. That's bad enough but it's about the disrespect he's shown this summer and tarnishing his legacy. It's hardly a mystery why people are upset by that...

And our PSR leeway has counted for absolutely fuck all anyway.

Interesting point and reminded me I think Isak's inclusion in this season's marketing material provides another clue to him totally catching us out with his behaviour. For example I thought it was pretty telling that Bruno was nowhere to be seen in those amazing videos last year, when we were all but advertising him for sale at £100m.

Hi all. If you would like to take part in this year's Lockwood Cup forum kickabout, please register your interest here. Usual spiel; if you've not played before but fancy it, it's a really welcoming group and great craic, please don't hesitate to get involved. Venue: Dunston Powerleague Time: 10:30am KO (arrive from 10:00) Date: Saturday 4th October Format: TBC Newcastle United vs Nottingham Forest is at 2pm on Sunday 5th. Please Like this post to confirm that you're available to play regardless of whether it's Saturday or Sunday. CONFIRMED IN @LFEE @yorkie @Danh1 @Funtime Frankie @gbandit @Heron @AyeDubbleYoo @JB @El Prontonise @KDT @M4 @ryan @samptime29 @Slim @Shays Given Tim Flowers @HaydnNUFC @Sifu @Kasper @Superior Acuña @Dr.Spaceman DRAW Match 1: Reds vs Blues 🟥♦️⛑️♥️🎅👨‍🚒👠⛳‼️🍷 🟦🐟🐦👗👖💙🧢🧞‍♀️👮‍♂️🫐 --------------------------------------- Match 2: Reds & Blues vs Black & Whites 🟥🟦♥️💙♦️🧞‍♀️‼️🧞‍♀️⛑️🐦 ◼️◻️♣️🏳️🕷️👨‍🍳‍⬛🕊️🎩🐻‍❄️

I don't really understand what you're saying and can't be arsed to figure it out. Players cost more to PL clubs; it happens within the league too, particularly if Chelsea are involved. (Caicedo a good example) If it's easier just to say the club is a fucking joke shambles disaster just have at it, whatever. Bored of trying to fight the corner now and this window is sending me fucking demented. Phone in the fridge.