Yorkie

Downie was levelling criticism from that "prominent twitter account" at Howe in press conferences in 23/24.

I'm a bit done with ultra-clean and definitely think there's room for flair, but that Genoa one is stunning. The subtle stripe effect is wonderful. The best kits aren't made by the template twats at the top of the market, that's for damn sure.

They weren't but we were also nowhere near the Champions League/raking in the revenues that we are now, so I'd argue it's maybe all relative. I guess I can just see the logic in it from Howe's pov. Alright, we're not gonna trade those players on for a profit, but their impact will outweigh the loss. Like Tripps. Whether Watkins would be interested is another matter but we are in the CL unlike silly old Villa. He definitely was but he still fit the criteria I laid out.

I mean Wood is a great example of why it's not that far-fetched. Trippier too. Even Burn to some extent though his wages were probably quite different. Watkins is 29. I could absolutely see us looking at him as someone who can justify their fees/the lack of a major sell-on because of what they'd provide. Trippier is the closest example of us doing this.

I'm not sure it's that serious a shift TBH. Age-wise, sure, but two other major characteristics of our targeting are to A, pounce if there's a great, time-limited opportunity and B, be as risk-averse as possible (i.e. sign PL-proven). We're seemingly prepared to spend big if we can tick those boxes. I dunno if A applies to Watkins and Wissa but perhaps we've identified that it does. B goes without saying.

Very much enthused my us looking at serious strikers that will cost serious money, in addition to Elanga, which is obviously a huge investment in itself. Watkins is an interesting one and makes sense if we're looking to capitalise on Villa's PSR issues. Two years in his contract so it's the only realistic opportunity to properly cash in. Likewise Wissa; he's 28 and playing for a club with no intention of competing for anything serious.

I think we can sell the idea to someone. Joelinton certainly isn't immovable from the starting line-up. Just feel uncertain about the value in signing anyone who knows they're getting the gig of 'back-up', unless they're really young.

Reckon it's more Wilson not signing on. We can't fill all of our holes with players who cost a lot. I'm not saying we're not interested, just doubt that it's a recent thing.

Yeah we've got to sign another CM if we've any hope of competing on four fronts this season. Neither Miley nor Willock can actually trouble the first choice centre-mids in terms of competition; we need someone who's gonna do that.

I find it really hard to believe he's suddenly become of interest to us because Joao Pedro went to Chelsea. (Re Waugh's blurb)

What? Why are folks so invested in the number a player has Does it really need explaining why people care about the number 9? Even if you don't put any weight into that sort of thing yourself, surely at this point you'd understand why some do... I don't agree with STM though; I don't think Isak has any responsibility where it's concerned. It would just be cool if he subscribed to the romance and saw it as an 'upgrade' or (to some extent) an honour, in the way Carroll or even Wilson did. I doubt he's arsed personally but that's okay.

Mixed feelings about that. Any improvement to access is a good thing, but making one round of fixtures free to air is no solution to the problem of 'rinsing fans of every last penny'. It's a deep-rooted institutional issue which cuts across all aspects of the game.

It would be cool if Isak wanted the number 9 because it would show him to be interested in that important piece of the club's heritage; however, he's already scored so many goals in the number 14 that he's well on the way to making that iconic, so fair enough if he wants to carry on. I think we may be without one for a while. Or give it Niamh.

I do agree but selling cheap makes us amenable rather than ruthless. That said, if the club think £12m is a good offer (and given this is round 3, you'd assume Leeds must be pretty close), I'd back the call. I guess I'd just hoped for more.

A lot older and probably a lot higher wages though. It would be frustrating on some level if we passed up the opportunity to sell Longstaff, however, I've no issue in principle with us saying no to offers if we think we're getting low-balled.

Yeah, £15million would be my baseline n'all. Not that I can tell you what a difference of £3million represents in today's inflated market. It just looks better.

He's an established PL player at peak age, who could easily be a mainstay in their team and contribute an awful lot to them. For that reason I'm not remotely surprised we've knocked back offers of lower than £12million. I still think it's low given some of that is add-ons tbh, even with only a year left. That said, a sale - even at a price lower than his market value - is probably worth more to us than him going for nowt next year.

I'd hope we could squeeze a few more out of someone than that but have to accept we're not getting anything too meaty for a player we've established is sixth choice. I think the world of the lad but it's a sensible sale and I think he'll do really well there.

No more than we can trust a man whose name is just another word for man.

Yeah, obviously a big one. I wasn't "there" yet given that - a matter of days prior - I'd been revelling in the misery of another defeat for Bruce et al. Took until Howe arriving for me to regain any feeling on a matchday.

That's really good news. Never doubted that we'd get shit done this summer but it's nevertheless a relief to finally have a breakthrough. Excited about what else is to come and prepared for it to take as long as it needs to take. Getting the bulk of your targets in for day one of pre-season is ideal, but very difficult when you're targeting players of the calibre we are. Excited to see what Howe's got in mind for him.

Best Wilson moment, anyone? Fair few to choose from. Home to Burnley to get Howe's first win was a humongous winning goal, but the pearler at Goodison probably pinches it for me.

We can't sell if no one wants to buy.

All the best, Callum. Glad he's gone and I won't have to read any more miserable and unnecessary slagging of the guy at the prospect of him staying. It was like people missed the bloke in floods of tears waving goodbye to the Gallowgate. Great striker. Hope he gets a good move ideally outside the PL.

Carroll could hardly move when he rocked up under Bruce. DCL obviously has fitness issues but he's only 28 and still been a regular in the Everton side.