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Very cool. However, what we need is for someone to take a book on right wingers over to the gaffer!

Wonder what Man City do upfront now. Only striker option they have now is Haaland. This is the potential problem when you have two really good younger strikers, one ends up wanting out.

Yeah, but I was just thinking if he didn't want to leave or there wasn't any real interest, what other options we might have. I think there are some cheaper right wing options in the Championship that could still improve things, but not sure if that would be manageable financially.

The thing with Miggy is I think we can improve on him with a better offensive player quite easily, for quite cheap. Even if he stays on. I'm seeing Rowe from Norwich and Whittaker from Plymouth Argyle being available for around £10 million. Their wages will be low too. Both looked really good in the Championship last season. They are both young enough to then be backups in future, if they don't hit a high enough level, when we get round to shifting either Miggy or Murphy or both, and can then get a top right winger in. Or is this not a smart way to go about things?

He's the third option upfront. I'm sure the crowd will be fair and get behind him. I can't even think who the third striker is for most teams. I like the options we'll have in that position.

Don't bother engaging man. It's a regular theme that usually ends in embarrassment for the guy.

I know, but it will happen, unfortunately. Yeah, we can't start either really. That would be such a downer.

Nah man, Miggy starting games still would be so bad. If we don't sign a right winger because he stays, he is going to start getting a ton of heat. If no right winger, then Gordon and Barnes have to start. Don't care how or where either. Miggy to the subs bench.

Agree completely.

In hindsight, without Wood, we probably would have had to manage with Joelinton up there, and that would have been so bad for the team. Would have likely still not got too much from the striker position, while losing everything he was giving us in midfield.

It's a great replacement for Summerville, and for a great price. I also saw the other day that Rangers are after Whittaker for a similar sort of fee. Surprised no Prem teams came in for either of them.

Remember when we brought in Chris Wood? He really didn't look too great for us up there. He wasn't quick and the ball didn't stick with him. However, he worked hard and he occupied opposition defenders as best as he could, allowing everyone else to stay in their positions with minimum disruption elsewhere. Allowed us to continue to function as a team and pick up some decent results, even though he wasn't shining up front. Osula looks really quick and quite robust. By what info has been shared he works hard too and is a good character. I can see him at the least filling in, in a similar manner to what Wood did, but with more upside, due to his physical gifts.

Closest was Nile Ranger, who was a disgrace in the end. He had the ability though, but man that kid had issues.

Will at least allow us to put a body up there, without having to move too many other pieces around, in that scenario. He as at least had appearances in the Premier League and knows what to expect, and it won't be a complete shock to the system. Our players are significantly better than Sheffield United's too, and so he should look more useful alongside them.

Yes, exactly.

Interesting article below. Guehi and Thiaw apparently both represented by the same agency. Some speculation that Guehi was always the priority, with Thiaw a possible backup, discussed with the agency during negotiations. https://www.footitalia.com/newcastles-decision-on-thiaw-and-its-implications-for-milan/

The FA cup final against Man United was the absolute final straw for me. Faffing about passing it sideways on the edge of Man United's box only to get countered and then lose the game and get us kicked out of Europe. Was such a horrendous watch waiting for them to do something. Infuriating.

Be surprised if they sell him with how he did on loan, and how he's looked in pre season. Seen quite a few Liverpool fans that are fed up with Diaz. They say he doesn't get enough goals and assists, and looks great up until the key moments. Seems like they want him moved on more than any of the other options on the left.

That Fabio Carvalho has had a really decent pre season too.

For me personally, after that first half season of Howe coming in and improving so many players and nailing the signings he made, it gave me a lot of confidence in his approach. He seems very sure of how he wants to play, and certain of the types of players that will fit his system well. On top of that he has done a great job of getting the most out of his players. Because of that I don't tend to worry too much about signings, and we've also brought in a fair number of players I like stylistically, because I'm a bit anti Pep and the over the top possession football at this point, and really enjoy more fast and dynamic football. I actually like Tosin a lot and was really hopeful we'd get him, and so me enjoying him having a tough start is mostly due to being fed up with Chelsea and their scamming ways, and the fact Tosin chose to go there instead.

I see. Lots of responsibility on Mainoo's shoulders it looks like though. Going to be a big season for him, to see if he steps up.

Should be interesting. I guess that should work. Are you not still looking at Rabiot then?

I wouldn't say so. Although we play out from the back, we don't overplay, and are less possession obsessed. I also think our team and setup is a lot more settled and there are more experienced players in and around the team. Think he would have fit in better with how we play, personally. The whole Chelsea defence looks a mess at the minute.

Yeah, agree on Ugarte. I like him. Although, it will depend on who is in midfield with him, and how that is balanced. Cassemiro was looking wild yesterday. Got sent flying by Carvalho.

Passed it straight to them from inside his own box in the lead up to the penalty.