KaKa

1 minute ago, Manxst said:

Conte straight swap with Poch, surely? 

That's what I thought would happen, but seems Spurs want Potter instead.

Just now, ManDoon said:

Conte is such a mercenary  it’s hilarious 

Yup, be funny if he loses out on the top 4 to Arsenal and then bounces  

1 minute ago, Hovagod said:

Eh, Conte’s leaving? When did that happen?

Apparently wants the PSG job.

1 hour ago, The Prophet said:

The Mail are claiming Phillips and Raphinha have relegation release clause of circa £30 million. I'd imagine there will be a lot of clubs circling.

My God ... that is an incredible deal for whoever manages to get either at that price, should Leeds go down.

Van Bronckhorst has been really decent for Rangers.

Yet another manager that was dismissed out of hand by fat dumb Mike.

This summer is going to be so toxic on here

You can't rave about the atmosphere at the club amongst the players and then bitch about the manager keeping a guy he feels has been vital to that on a one year deal.

Never mind the possible European squad implications I already mentioned. 

Utterly ridiculous man.

Top class finish by Nkunku!

N'Dicka and Nkunku both playing tonight, who we've been linked with recently.

Just now, Groundhog63 said:

Comments on here man. Delusions of grandeur already ?

It's pretty disappointing man. But I guess this is just how things transpire when clubs get new owners with money.

I do think these owners are going to be more strategic and patient with things as they have said from the very outset, and so it's only going to get worse this summer, and so we can look forward to that I guess.

Just now, Optimistic Nut said:

‘another look at’

 

We normally get to see him half a season if we’re lucky and he’s never improved the whole time.

My goodness

This is going to be the new coaching teams first full pre season at the club. If it doesn't improve things for him fitness wise and he is still never available then he will leave after next year.

Howe says in the article that he appreciates his professionalism and influence and so they are giving him an opportunity under their stewardship to see if they can get something more out of him, especially as he is a club home grown player that could be useful over the next few years if Europe is a possibility.

Why on Earth is this getting under people's skin so much?!

Can't believe the reaction

He's an experienced club home grown player they want to have another look at over next season, because he's been injured most of this one.

He can cover as a left back, centre back in a two, centre back in a three, and as a left wing back.

After seeing what Howe did with Krafth, it's not impossible that he could be a serviceable squad player if and when injuries start to tally up.

The key thing is ultimately that club home grown status though.

3 minutes ago, Fantail Breeze said:

 

Completely irrelevant for a one year deal. We don’t need to worry about that next season which is the one he’ll be sticking around for.

Well I think it's a one year deal initially and based on how that goes they'll determine whether to extend with him, because he'll be useful going forward, or whether it would be preferable to use some of the younger players coming through instead in those club home grown slots.

Club home grown player isn't he?

We'll be pushing for Europe next season and so will need to have some of these going forward.

1 minute ago, Optimistic Nut said:

I don’t particularly think it’s right but if sanctions are being put in place with Russia, paying millions to players who will pay big taxes to the Russian government contradicts that.

The whole thing is such a mess. Always the regular folk that have to pay the price for these idiots. 

The governing bodies need to bring some clarity to the whole thing to avoid any confusion.

2 minutes ago, Manxst said:

It is terrible, yes, but with the likes of Wimbledon banning Russian players, it’s only a short step from that action to the FA saying the same thing. 

Yeah, I guess. Surprised it hasn't happened yet actually. Rough situation being held accountable for these crazy people in leadership.

1 minute ago, Optimistic Nut said:

Might sound bad but I’m guessing any Russian players bought would pay tax to the Russian government? It’s a massive hornet’s nest.

Well in that case the footballing bodies need to come out and say none of them should be signed. Otherwise I don't think it's fair to just start discriminating against all of these folks, that is so unfair man. The player mentioned is just some 21 year old kid trying to make something of himself for goodness sake. Damn.

20 minutes ago, ManDoon said:

Nah fuck signing any Russian’s tbf

So we're going to judge millions of people based on the dodgy leaders in their country now that they can do nothing about? That is terrible man.

Just now, Sean said:

I feel, although he creates a lot of chances, his final pass rarely sets someone up perfectly. It's just as likely to be slightly behind them, or too far in front of them for the chance to be converted. 

 

That's as big a problem as the rest of the team's finishing IMO.

I'm sure this is often over looked with chance creation stats.

So many final balls in general are weighted so poorly. Always find it incredibly annoying.

10 minutes ago, Dr.Spaceman said:

Based on what though, he's literally making the most goalscoring chances in the league.

Really?! Where have you seen this stat?

1 minute ago, gbandit said:

It says - the other 14, so I’m guessing it’s just looking at players from outside the top 6

1 minute ago, Jackie Broon said:

 

"TheOther14"

Ah, okay. I was about to say man.

Would be more interesting to see a full list.

On that other 14 list, the only guy on there that I would expect him to be behind is perhaps Raphina. Don't think him being top of that list is particularly impressive.

Also, ASM talking about not having quality around him as an excuse for his poor output is weak.

Emmanuel Dennis at Watford has 10 goals and 6 assists in his first prem season for goodness sake, and they do not have more quality than us.

I am almost certain that when better players are brought into the team it will even look worse for him, as he will not link with them well enough, because he dwells on the ball too much.

15 minutes ago, Smal said:

His comments are indefensible and he should apologise and probably be dropped for them but, to the people who say he doesn’t create chances for people to convert… well, he does:

 

 

 

 

This list is so suspicious man ... why does it not have any players from the top teams?

No Harry Kane, Son, DeBruyne, TAA, Robertson? Really? Not even one of them?! Very, very dodgy.

58 minutes ago, Conjo said:

 

Love this guy's game, particularly how unselfish he is, whilst still being a fantastic finisher.

If we land this calibre of player in attacking areas it is going to be a wild fun ride next season man ... wew.

28 minutes ago, r0cafella said:

Source for this?

Just remember reading about it in numerous articles, particularly in the lead up to the Jan window and during it too. 

It's why we were also after Ekitike as the younger high potential option, while also looking at more experienced strikers in Jan.

2 minutes ago, sushimonster85 said:

 

I have seen talk of two forward players, but I think that likely means an out and out striker, and someone who can play as a wide forward on the right hand side. 

I think it will ultimately depend on what setup Howe decides on going forward. I think he originally wanted to play with one out and out striker and a second striker that drops deep, but maybe that will now change.

46 minutes ago, Keegans Export said:

My only concern is that if we pay £25-30m for Ekitike, we're presumably not then going to spend another £35-40m on Schick (or whoever) so we'd be relying on either Wilson staying fit or the young lad hitting the ground running.

Apparently we are going to be getting in two strikers, one first team one with experience and a younger one with big potential, and so I wouldn't be too sure we aren't going to spend around £60 - 70m on the pair.