KaKa

Good result for us the Bournemouth win. Rather Bournemouth pegged Fulham back.

In my opinion, there has been both positives and some drawbacks. And we should always been looking to improve. Happy to make whatever type of signing, provided we avoid anymore PSR drama and scrambling going forward, and we should also avoid having to go so many windows without making signings going forward. Thankfully it looks like everyone at the club is in agreement on this, and so I think we're going to be in for some really good times.

Don't get rattled. You were talking about gambling and going for it, and so that is quite different from now saying if we can afford it. And so to clear things up, would you be happy to go with that approach if it meant we would potentially not be able to spend for the next 4 windows after that? Or would then need to start scrambling for Greek goalkeepers to sort out our PSR situation if things go against us and we don't qualify for the Champions League? Those are the type of gambles that are likely if we spend that kind of money. I am not for that at all because it isn't necessary is the point I have been making!

This is based on the assumption that getting more players of a high level is always correlated with paying more money, or can only be achieved with landing your first option. I don't know why most football fans are so married to this idea. Chelsea have literally spent one billion to remain in the same place and still no better than us. Man United and Spurs have spent crazy amounts only to go backwards. Trust the recruitment and build as strong a squad as possible and the rest of the league will be in big trouble for a long time. We identify and sign good players, so there's no need to gamble unnecessarily, because there's absolutely no guarantees with that. I think people are just addicted to those kind of "big" signings because it makes them feel like something extraordinary is happening, which I've never really understood.

I don't think it's an issue of age, as often gets confused on here. There are older more experienced players that can be bought for reasonable fees too. It's about managing the money we have available, and not always gambling on bigger signings, which will then cost us if we don't make Champions League. No more needing to go multiple windows without signings, because things haven't worked out, as that is too risky and could end up setting us back considerably. Fortunately Murphy has delivered massively this season and Burn and Schar have been iron men at the back and not suffered injuries. Not to mention Man Utd and Spurs being a complete shambles has helped massively.

I doubt Barnes gets the hump about moving to the right. I think he really just wants to play more. He seems perfectly fine shifting over, and I would not be in the least bit surprised if he starts to perform at a high level down that side if he gets more appearances there. I trust him more to do so than I do Gordon down that right side, as Barnes combines better with the players around him to work himself into good positions. Gordon tends to be more aggressive driving forward with the ball into space and loves cutting inside when he does so.

Tonali has been a huge hit and was the top end option we ultimately decided to go for, which is fair enough and fine when the finances allow for it. However, in and around the time there were also very strong links with Khephrem Thuram and Manu Kone from what I recall. These two are now at Juventus and Roma respectively, and moved for much less money. I think they have both been really good at their new clubs, and would have easily improved us significantly too and been great under Howe. Our talent ID is incredibly good. And the options we consider across different fees is still bang on IMO. Even without spending what we did on Tonali, I think we would have ended up with a very good player. And so, the Champions League money would be a bonus, but I don't think it will stop us making progress if we miss out here and there over the next few years. The people in charge of things behind the scenes across recruitment and coaching is really what is the difference maker. Between Nickson, Howe and now adding Michelle on top of that, with all working together, I think we're in a very strong position.

It's going to be fascinating to see what their approach is to signings. One of the advantages with Howe is that he creates an environment for players to develop and improve through his coaching. They don't have that and so bringing in players that still need a bit of bringing along is likely not going to pan out, as has been the case for ages with them now. Also, our style of play is easier to recruit for too, and will allow for players that are not necessarily the most technical to still be useful and effective, with the right attitude, application and physicality. It's all well and good wanting to play more of a possession based control style like they're aiming for, but I think it's much more difficult and expensive finding players that can deliver that consistently to fill your team, which is going to be another headache for them.

I was so shocked man. Imagine saying that only the so called "top clubs" should be winning the FA cup and featuring in the Champions League. Just tells you that was the only reason he jumped on the band wagon to support Man Utd, because they were winning at the time, and so he thought it would be that way forever or something?! A lot of these sorts of fans don't actually believe in any sort of sporting competition, which quite frankly disgusts me. PSG and Bayern are the clubs for these cretins. I hope there is much more suffering to come for them.

£12 million and you can have Longstaff.

Going to be interesting to see how their recruitment goes this summer. Things both on and off the pitch have been such a bad look it's now getting to the point players will start turning them down to go elsewhere, unless they throw much bigger salaries at them, which will likely attract the wrong type of characters.

Yup. Locking out Man City and Chelsea would be awesome.

Just listen to this clown man. Hope Man Utd get buried for a long time yet. Find this sort of person impossibly irritating.

https://www.footballinsider247.com/exclusive-newcastle-expected-to-complete-goalkeeper-signing/ Contract is up in 2026 , so will not be as expensive as some of the other options. Never seen him myself, but sounds like his stock has been on the rise and is pretty high right now.

The holding on to the ball thing to fend off players doesn't quite work as well as it used to, and he loses the ball more in some pretty dicey areas of the pitch. Thankfully we now have the ultimate clean up man in Tonali, which covers up a lot of those errors.

Not a bad shout.

Love the direct simplicity of his game, and his efficiency. Uses the overlapping full back so well, and when he's one on one I trust him most to slot the chance away, with a clean accurate strike and no fuss.

I was about to say. No way he's that stupid

No way this is real?! Has he really posted this?!

Quite fitting we smashed them on the day we had a tribute for Keegan. Absolutely perfect.

Great job under difficult circumstances that came about quite suddenly. Really glad they work so closely together and are always stood side by side on the touchline. That all paid off today big time. Happy for him.

Goal difference coming along nicely now too. Such a good good day.

Oles to end the game! God that was fun Get in!

SANDRO TONALI!!!