Yorkie

To me it seems fairly simple this summer; the top targets are here and that's where we'll try first. If it doesn't happen, move onto the theoretically more attainable targets; players on the continent or those less-coveted PL players.

You'd expect our alternatives to be on the continent.

Is it plausible that Chelsea are after him just to stop us from having him? Him and Delap don't exactly scream title challenge, assuming that's their target.

It's got nothing to do with Ashley. Losing our best players would be a disaster. What's happening in reality is that we've not made a signing yet, like everyone else in the league not pinned down by PSR. And that's if you believe Trafford isn't definitely happening.

That's interesting and a bit heartbreaking. I can remember making this post and then much later thinking I was stupid for ever thinking it, knowing more about what Ashley was like. Guess it wasn't that far wrong after all.

Also, there's always mitigation. It's called PSR.

Good God, man. I must have missed the bit where we sold Isak to Sunderland for a tenner.

We just glazing over the last four seconds of this?

Palmeiras Botafogo highlights. Let the bodies hit the floor.

The teams who have been particularly active so far are Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Man Utd. Brentford replaced their keeper and Brighton are doing the Brighton thing. June's business has been carried out by those teams not impacted by PSR (shock) and those with a totally different modus operandi to us. If you've grave concerns at this point I think you need to chill out. At the very least we're clearly signing Trafford, and that's a really significant signing. He's clearly who they picture being our new long-term number one. We're going after PL players because that's the safest way to invest major funds, but we're swimming against the tide when it comes to actually getting those deals over the line. But I've no gripes with us starting there and moving down the list as time goes by. It would be ideal to have all of our number one targets in immediately, but only a very small number of teams are blessed with the ability to do that.

The calendar is ludicrous, that is beyond doubt. But saying the Club World Cup is "the worst idea ever implemented" is just throwing the baby out with the bathwater. It's a global game; there should be room for it. There does need to be effective lobbying against this tournament - there's so much to criticise. But it should be in the interests of delivering a good version; one which isn't motivated by geopolitics, revenues and vanity. What Klopp is saying is just reductive. Pointless too; it's here now, and it'll almost certainly expand. The calendar absolutely needs review. But let's start by looking at the dead rubbers, like international friendlies and tournament qualification; let's maybe fuck off bloating the UEFA competitions; let's explore the domestic cups (could the League Cup be in alternate years, for instance?); let's consider more player regulation - e.g. maximum appearances per season. A CWC for the right reasons really shouldn't be beyond the comprehension of the game's leaders. But here we are. We've got odious, narcissistic self-serving cunts pulling the strings, so it's impossible. (But enough about Klopp, wahey!)

If Howe's already had his ear he'll end up here, no bother. SJP was rocking when he played for Watford up here n'all so he'll have that memory working in our favour.

Their one from a couple of weeks back with a host I've never heard from before having a conversation with Henry Winter was terrific. It bore absolutely no relation to any other TF podcast ever recorded.

Wonder if he'll take the number 9. Be a bit edgy from a NUFC lore perspective seeing as he's not an out-and-out CF.

Yeah not sure what the issue is. Sorry, repeating myself now, but it's great to see a colour badge on an away kit for a change.

Aye, nailed it. Nut right about the first two games as well, there was some promise there. Evaporated seemingly in an instant though. The place was absolutely stinking again by the time Sheff Wed knocked us out of the cup at home.

I think what people say of Bruce is true of McClaren. Decent guy, competent coach, just massively out of his depth and utterly incapable of arresting the slide towards relegation which had been inevitable since the end of the 5th season. I seem to recall enjoying having someone who seemed to display a vague interest in tactics and playing people in the right position, etc, but ultimately he was nowhere near up to it. Not helped by hopeless squad management provoked by the ownership's policies.

Look at that subtle off-white colouring. The tasteful thickness of it. Oh my God. It even has a pussy cat.

Pardon me? That's Pumas and it's exceptional.

Now there's a title update and a half.

The Spurs one is actually kinda cool and has a very subtle tile pattern on it:

In terms of referencing buildings, this one had the potential to be a bit of a cult classic were it not associated with arguably the worst period in the club's modern history:

Eritrea/Isak?