Turnbull2000

Time to lock this thread! Every new post gives me hope and distracts me from work...

The owners of the breakaway six will certainly be delighted 7th seems about right for next season based on our squad against the competition (Chelsea, Man U, Villa, Spurs, possibly a weaker Pool, and possibly a stronger West Ham)

Especially on the back of no movement in January. I thought we were holding back with a view to strengthening this summer. Instead we've arguably regressed through the sale of Anderson and Minteh, and a couple of players who previously served us quite well - Trips and Wilson - are getting slower and more injury prone.

My god the Chronicle headlines on Newsnow are complete bullshit. Refuse to click them these days. Football365 has been taking the piss, but it's sad how much Reach has destroyed local press. But suppose you can't complain if the public won't pay or click for proper journalism.

That's it. It wouldn't at all be surprising is Isak suffers another groin issue, Pope has further shoulder issues or a couple of hamstrings go in defence. With a very average right side, we're highly vulnerable to a couple of key losses elsewhere.

8th is is... https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/aug/14/premier-league-2024-25-preview-no-15-newcastle Don't think the Times rates our chances of top 4 greatly either, observing today that our line up in our opening game will weaker than 12 months ago.

Think that's looking the end of that then. Time to move on.

Updated as above. Would be surprised to see Spurs placed 8th by the press.

£70m? Just walk away ffs. That would kill us FFP wise, surely.

Think I had too much Sunday night whisky to notice I'm sure a week of potential training ground incidents or players falling off a step ladder at home could leave us with just 10 to choose from. What I expect to see... Pope Trippier Schar Burn Hall Murphy Bruno Longstaff Joe Gordon Isak Defence should be solid enough, but it's infuriating to still have that right side.

Pope Trips Schar Burn Krafth Almiron Bruno Longstaff Gordon Isak Isak to limp off in the 60th minute, Pope to pop his should again before half time 1-2 loss. I've set my expectations nice and low.

That's not entirely true. We could likely spend 2 x £30m no problem.

Jesus, that didn't really occur to me. Our world class contingent wont stick around if there's no further progress shown by next summer.

Would take a top quality centre back over RW is that's the choice we're facing. There's no guarantee Botman or Lascelles will be fit enough to play this side of Christmas, or that they'll be able to bring any form at all on their return. One awkward fall or training ground mishap for Burn or Schar could leave us with a defensive crisis.

The loophole is still there. As someone jokingly suggested, we should sell the Stack to a related party for £20m. Fuck it.

Second bid rejected according to Mail

He's signing for Chelsea....

Sensing that other fans and the media aren't really rating us for next season. Most seem to have us around 7th. Guardian currently predicting; 1. Arse 2. - 3. - 4. - 5. - 6. Villa 7. Chelsea I'd expect they'll have City, Pool and Spurs in 3 of those remaining 4 spots, leaving either us or Man U predicted for 8th.

Can't see us counting on the City case. That would be reckless. If there's no significant increase in commercial income or the Premier League blocks our sponsorships for being 'above value', it's looking certain one of the trio of Bruno, Isak or Gordon will need sold in the next 12 months.

The breakaway 6 are essentially globally established due to their relative success coinciding with massive global growth. We could have been one of that six. Ratcliffe maybe had a point - it's arguably in the Premier League's commercial interest to keep these clubs near the top and in Europe. 'Small' clubs like Everton aren't really relevant any more.

Yes, Gordon to Pool and Bruno to City would certainly perk up our interest

Wouldn't be surprised. PSR doesn't really afford us the 'luxury' of keeping Almiron as a backup for a quality right attacker. We can have squad depth with some bargain basement players, or further quality funded through sales. If Gordon has indeed only 2 years left and we can get £100m this summer, his immediate sale to Liverpool has to be seriously considered.

Been waiting over a year for some announcements to be made. Likewise with the ground. Don't have any reason to believe there are some sponsorships pending approval. We could have had some easy hits by now regardless of the breakaway six and PL trying to stand in the way.

No way we can afford to drop £60m+ on Guehi without a major sale, surely. I fear Gordon will chosen to depart to fund 2 major signings.

With 3-8 months seemingly being a typical lay off for our own players, 2 months out seems fuck all to be honest. In fact I consider it quite fortunate. Man U should count their blessings.