vicente_14

The journos have been given a look at Ashworths FM save and wonderkids shortlist!

I hate how Arsenal go on, they make everything public, we want to buy Rice, the selling club are very clear, 100m is the price, then Arsenal bid 70m, then 80m, then 90m, so so tiring. They would always do it during the Wenger years too, player is 25m, Arsenal bid 4m. Zzzzzzzzz.

To the outsiders the O'Neill sacking seems harsh but dig a little deeper and most Bournemouth fans have been less than convinced by him for sometime. The owner seems to be putting money in. and making signings and fair play if he has bigger ambitions than Gary O'Neill. The other story, doesn't seem worded like it's a Manager, more a club owner, and the still living dildo brother was seen leaving a police station with his lawyer recently, and historically (as is suggested) owned a Midlands club.

The saving on Alba and Busquets wages, I read Alba was supposedly on 291k per week. And of course, those levers!

So much to unpack with stuff like this, the window isn't officially open, much of the noise will be journalists or wannabe itk's trying to get clicks and attention, and whilst I've never been overly impressed with McTominay, I can see past that and see how he fits the system we have, how his skillset fits with what we have and how we play, we can't just fill the team with flair and creation, there needs to be industry and graft too. In relation to Eddie spunking 30-40 million, I think he, his staff and the scouting team probably have better judgement and understanding of whats needed to progress than Bazro136.

Agree, super-talented, have seen a lot of him, I always get the feeling he is just slightly off the pace of the English game, playing at his own pace, coupled with him being shoe horned into unsuitable roles, as in, they keep trying him as a 9 which he really isn't, or a wide forward, again, not really his game. Think Spain would really suit his game, with the caveat that he isn't thrown in as a 9, and used more as a 10/link player. He doesn't seem to like to receive the ball with his back to goal and looks awkward doing so, and looks most comfortable running from deeper and ghosting in. Top player though.

Player of the Season: Joelinton Most Improved Player of the Season: Longstaff, Miggy and Murphy so close too. Most Disappointing Player: Fraser, showed glimpses last season of being useful, also thought Shelvey might contribute positively this season (some might say he did by leaving!) Signing of the Season: Isak, with Botman super close. Goal of the Season: Miggy vs Fulham, just outrageous. Assist of the season: Willock vs Spurs for Isak, pure filth, and Isak vs Everton, oh my word. Game of the Season: Spurs (H) / Man Utd (H) / Brighton (H) as we looked and felt so dominant despite the added pressure. Also, Leicester away after the restart, straight back to business as usual, and West Ham away, pumping them in their own stadium is always fun. Moment of the Season: Walking along Wembley Way, been too long! Manager rating out of 10: 9.5, might be harsh, but some of the draws should and could have been wins and the League Cup Final. But, love Eddie and his team, feels the perfect fit, at the perfect time, Keegan vibes but with a more steely and serious edge, going to be an absolute legend. Season rating out of 10: 9.5, same reason as above.

Gargle tcp (dilute with warm water), its rank and you’ll smell super medical but works!

I find the most grating thing about the DJ, the ridiculous amount of time he takes with the birthday shouts at half-time, one recent game, he went on and on and on, was actually quite funny, as if he was never going to stop and might continue whilst the second-half continued!

Understandable, all had that feeling!

I watched him very closely and he showed plenty of promise, some nice touches, good pace, and eager to drive forward, I think a work in progress and a player that 12 months from now will be of real value to the side once Eddie has really had time to develop him. His decision making seemed to be the thing letting him down, a few times Isak and Willock were less than impressed by his choices but this is something that will improve with elite coaching. One thing I was watching, was his body language and general demeanour, he didn't seem happy and often looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. I think as fans we often take it for granted that a player arrives and should instantly be perfect, that's how it works on FM! We overlook the other factors that contribute to a player, such as moving away (yes, not a million miles from home), but still, a young lad moving away, to new surroundings having left his home town in slightly acrimonious circumstances must have an effect mentally, the hefty price tag, the eagerness to impress, there are many factors to this beyond just the obvious footballing ability. He needs some time, a full pre-season and once he is fully settled and more comfortable in his surroundings he will begin to flourish.

I lived in Brentford for a short while, this view isn't limited to the football team!

Been decent the past few seasons in Spain, deserved call-up.

Agree, Crespo is so underrated. Remember watching him live and his movement was next level, such a great player.

He really does. Always thought Dyche was a bullsh*t merchant, spouts absolute nonsense and speaks in weird corporate style cliches, can imagine he delivers an incredible powerpoint presentation and speech!

His decision making was so much better and you could tell he was super focused in fitting into the team ethos and on top of that looked sharp, lively and a real threat, love him, needs to start.

Was born in London, Dad was a Londoner and huge Chelsea fan, Mum a geordie and Toon fan. Used to visit family and spend summer holidays with family in Walker & Byker, other kids were jetting off to Spain or somewhere warm, i was holidaying on Welbeck and Shields Road. Used to go to away games down South and was hooked. First game at St James was a friendly against Sporting Lisbon and Lee Clark ran riot, and i immediately become obsessed with him and he was my favourite player, bedroom walls were covered in the A4 posters of him from Shoot and Match magazines. My Aunt used to get the Pink sports paper on a saturday evening post-match and post it down to along with anything else Newcastle related. Still live down south, near Guildford but have been a season ticket holder for about 15 years now and get to most games home and away.

I thought that they had binned Dyche as an acceptance that they are all but relegated and want to start planning for next season without him. They want to head in a different direction and play a different way so are giving whoever comes in the chance to assess ahead of a potential rebuild.

Always thought this. Carvalho is one of the best defenders to ever grace the Premier league, had the lot, ridiculous recovery pace and acceleration, classy on the ball, great in the air despite not being a monster and the absolute king of the dark arts, so so good.

Superb player, rapid, strong, read the game well and the absolute master of the dark arts.

He rarely pushed forward to provide any width, there were several instances where he could have provided a useful outlet had he pushed on or tried to overlap but seeemd to get to halfway and stop, which meant our players looking to move the ball out towards that side had to turn back inside, slowing things down. Looks a very defensive minded full back with real limitations in an attacking sense, doesnt seem to fit the current formation or ideas, very odd signing, which sems stranger given that Manquillo towards the back end of last season and this pre-season had started to show some form and improvement.

What's the story there, btw? Same as arsenal...stadiums cost a fortune to build in London. I keep hearing people in the media saying it's difficult for Spurs to buy anyone as it's hard to improve the team. I get that it's hard to bring someone in of any great quality to be understudy to Harry Kane knowing they will not see much playing time, but they have not won anything, so surely there is plenty of room for improvement?

For the very little that it's worth, he's got one of the highest potential ratings in the world on PES. A strong, mobile, forward thinking midfielder looking at his YouTube highlights, but I think he maybe plays in more of a DM position. Defensive midfielder, who has spent much of last season being played out of position at left back.

Remember reading in the matchday programme that he had bought a farm in the North East and was loving life there, so makes sense he would return.

He used to be very highly rated/thought of, and tipped for big things. Not seen much of him since he played for FC Basel, where he did look good. Probably fair to assume he's better than Ciaran Clark.