KaKa

I like him a lot, but didn't want to say so on here, because I couldn't be bothered with the responses from people that didn't really watch him closely. I agree with you 100%.

DCL is entering the last year of his current deal. His agent may just be using us to get his name out there to help secure a new contract. Or perhaps Everton are going to be making him available for a price that is very good value, which we might deem to be worth it. There's been reports that Everton are keen on Adebayo from Luton as a replacement.

From what I've read he's a similar profile to Pope. Big, commanding in the area, and a great shot stopper. Seems to be okay with the ball and distribution, but that's an improvement on Pope, who is below average on those. I like it. Don't think we necessarily need a keeper that is a ball player to the extent of those in the more control based sides, as that isn't really our whole approach. Just need a general uptick in distribution both short and long.

In my opinion these types of clubs need to do a better job of identifying the kind of manager they bring in then. Some managers are completely married to their philosophy and how they play. Its less likely to bode well for a team trying to come up and stay in the Premier League if the type of play isn't as pragmatic or compact, if they are unable to get better players in when promoted, and so that was likely the mistake in the first place.

No, not really, but then the clubs coming up have to figure out a way to get better players in to suit the style of play of the manager.

Sheffield United and Luton were more pragmatic and went down anyway. Being more pragmatic does not guarantee more success in staying up, or then building for the long term. Kompany has a way of playing or philosophy he believes in and sticks to that, similarly to what most top managers do. Burnley weren't able to get him better players that could play his way at Premier League level and so it's not looking like it would have worked out there. Like someone else mentioned McKenna should probably leave if he can, because he will likely find himself in the same type of predicament a year from now.

Holding them hostage because we refuse to accept the fee the club that are after him have decided is good enough? Man Utd didn't contact us first to declare their interest and discuss a release fee in good faith. Instead they went to Ashworth covertly to find out what we paid Brighton, agreed a deal with Ashworth while he still had access to all our data/info without us knowing, and then when we found out and put him on gardening leave they try to strong arm us over a fee. If that's deemed holding a man hostage, then let it be so! Hold that man hostage!

Yeah, that's fair enough. We went about it the right way, didn't piss off Palace, and allowed Freedman the space to properly think it through and discuss further with Parish. He got himself a nice new contract, which is good for him. We absolutely have to make sure we are bringing in people that are all in, and so not at all mad at this.

The Man United forum is just astonishing ... I can't look away. They are now claiming we are finding it so hard to get a new director of football, and have been rejected by Freedman, because of how we've treated Dan Ashworth and used the press against him! They've actually somehow made themselves victims in all of this. I cannot wait for this arbitration case man

It's a very dangerous move for him for sure, because the Bayern leadership are absolutely mental. A team like Brighton would be more of the kind of move he should make next, but we'll see what happens I guess.

Having been turned down by just about every experienced manager with a shred of self respect, they've seemingly decided to try and find their own version of an Alonso. As far as Kompany goes, I actually rate him. His Burnley side were brilliant in the Championship, when the players he had were of a similar standard to the other teams in the league. The players were well short of Premier league standard though, especially for how he wanted to play. Giving him a team of top quality players is going to be really interesting. We'll definitely find out for certain what he's made of.

Meanwhile Man Utd are offering £2 million for 'best in class' Dan Ashworth.

We'll soon find out.

The Ederson thing was in case Joelinton had to move on this summer IMO. If the contract hadn't been sorted out. None of Joelinton, Bruno, Tonali and Ederson would come off the bench for us, so doesn't really make sense.

Always found it terrifying how much of a difference the right coach/manager and the right kind of setup can have, and how much it can affect a whole career. Always felt footballers are way too careless about the clubs they choose to join, without considering these things enough. There's a world where Lookman is still stuck at Everton with Dyche, not getting the opportunities to show his best, and being called shit every week.

Yeah, Atalanta has been great for him. Seems a lot more disciplined, decisive and confident.

Ademola has finished these boys. My goodness. What a level he's reached since going to Italy. Been really good for the Super Eagles too. Happy for him.

I saw a tweet explaining this whole Chelsea thing. Apparently the manager has to agree to the guys upstairs not just being the ones who determine what players are brought in, but they will also have some say in the onfield tactical approach! This is the reason why all the more experienced managers aren't being considered or aren't interested. It will be a young and relatively inexperienced head coach type, being directed from those above.

Oh my goodness ... Dan Ashworth man. Tried to throw Howe under the bus apparently https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13448385/Dan-Ashworth-cover-tracks-Newcastle-Man-United-Eddie-Howe.html

I was gobsmacked at the way they were going on man. They really think they should be the ones dictating how much should be paid for another club's asset, and how quickly the payment should be accepted. Impossibly crazy people man.

I genuinely can't understand these kinds of sentiments. We've already moved on and are going about our business. Man Utd are the ones stuck in limbo. The absolute worst case scenario is that he leaves and we get no pay off, which won't happen by the way, but that's the absolute worst case for us, which really isn't going to hold us back. The longer it drags on the better, as it only further hampers Man Utd's plans.

Imagine a manager that conducts himself like this and that has done what he has so far at the club, and wanting anyone else in charge at the minute. Truly baffling. Can't wait for next season. Think it's going to be a really big one.

Tottenham get battered, everywhere they go ...

Someone was claiming they were sure we did the same with Ashworth when he was at Brighton, and he would reveal it Never mind the fact there was never any complaint or issue with Brighton and we never low balled them or had Ashworth take them to arbitration Football fans in general are embarrassingly biased, but my God, that place really is tragic.

Let Froggy have his bit of fun. The tears will soon come. We have the Euros, Copa America and Olympics this summer. Going to be a lot going on for a good number of players. Howe confirmed the other day in an interview that the summer business started and has been in place since January. The season has now ended and Man United are still dicking about and don't have some key people in place still, with no resolution over the manager either. By the time they sort all that out and need to speak to players they're after, with this packed summer schedule, I think it could get very chaotic. We will soon see.