KaKa

5 minutes ago, Chapo said:

So location does play a role in what club someone decides to move to? 

If they want to move closer to where they're from, sure. 

Freedman is a Scotsman too isn't he? Wonder if that plays into things as well.

6 minutes ago, The Prophet said:

 

Just this:

 

"Ashworth, we understand, also disclosed details to Berrada of the agreement between Newcastle and Brighton that took him to St James’ Park in the summer of 2022. This would likely be a breach of confidentiality to each of Newcastle and Brighton."

Did they actually think with this information they would just then need to offer us what we did Brighton and they'd get him?!!! 

Wow ... Poch seemed to have got his head around what those players were best at, and had started cooking up something with them.

And so this is just fantastic news 

Boehly and Ratcliffe man. What a pair 

1 minute ago, Skjaere9 said:

This whole story is hilarious and seems like it can only help us, but the part that is most fun to think about imo is: Who’s fed this to Hope now, and why?

Probably leaked it to let Man Utd know that we know. And we've got them all ends up if it goes to arbitration.

And so they can save us both some time  and deposit the £20 million pronto.

What a start to the Ratcliff tenure. My God 

I imagine this all got uncovered as we started digging deeper into things in preparation for the arbitration case they raised?

This is too good man. Just too good 

1 minute ago, Toon1892 said:

It was based on ability. He hadn’t stepped up to City’s reserves at the age of 18. They made a decision that he wouldn’t make it.

Ah I see. Be interesting to see what he makes of himself at Newcastle then. Worse clubs to poach kids that weren't quite deemed good enough from.

1 hour ago, Toon1892 said:

Yeah unfortunately the insinuation is incorrect though. He wasn’t offered a new contract.

Oh yeah, I'm sure! I wouldn't offer a contract to someone that had concerns about getting enough opportunities either.

4 hours ago, Toon1892 said:

I want a pathway to a pl first team too. If no one else offered me a contract it still doesn’t mean I’m going to be good.

Think the insinuation was that Man City weren't looking to have him leave. It was his decision.

57 minutes ago, Toon1892 said:

Why do people think he’s going to be so good? I heard through someone with connections that Man City didn’t offer him a contract. The other ‘big 5’ didn’t either.

When he signed I'm sure there was an interview where he said he wanted greater assurances of a pathway to the first team, and that was a big part of why he decided to move to Newcastle.

4 minutes ago, gbandit said:

It’s a very astute signing, going into a CL campaign. It makes a lot less sense for us with our best outcome being Europa Conference 

People aren't watching any of these players man. Just going off of previous reputations.

40 minutes ago, Astroblack said:

 

He was there before, no? Remember him and Grealish ripping Arsenal apart once. 

Yeah, @brummie, mentions this a few posts up.

2 hours ago, brummie said:

 

We, and you, are going to have to work the system.

 

Our (ours and yours) fans are going to have to realise it will be about smart transfer moves, too, not just spunking money everywhere.

 

Also, I've seen Barkley play for us already.

 

TBF, I reckon Emery could turn me into a decent PL player, and I can't run further than the end of the road.

Yeah, exactly. 

Regarding Barkley, remind me, did you guys ever play him in central midfield proper like Luton have this season, where he's been initiating their play from deep?

It's been quite the transformation for him playing in that part of the pitch. 

Reminds me of when Benfica did similar with Taarabt a few years ago, which was just as surprisingly effective.

23 minutes ago, cubaricho said:

 

I guess I thought the consensus was different than that.

 

Although to be fair I stopped reading when someone was suggesting Barkley being a Bruno replacement, even late in games.  

That's because you've likely not watched Luton play this season or paid any attention to how Barkley was being used, and so it was probably the right move for you to exit the conversation. 

Fair play to Villa for the Barkley pickup. Great move.

Brighton much like ourselves suffered this season because they were stretched by Europe and had a bunch of injuries.

Brighton don't rely on individual windows to replace players sold. They are continuously buying talented players and stocking the team at all levels all the time, and they just continue to bring them through.

My bet is they will be right there around 6th to 8th again next season, and pushing for Europe.

And there will be another round of unknown players that are performing for them that everyone is impressed by.

50 minutes ago, TRon said:

 

Bruno plays as a no 6. I always thought Barkley played further forward, more in the Longstaff sort of mould...and to be fair the only way I would want to see us sign Barkley is if it meant Longstaff would be on the pitch less. He's definitely an improvement on Sean.

I already posted the breakdown explaining his change of role at Luton this season. You didn't read it.

Also, they've been on TV a good number of times this season, never mind the two times we played them, have you not caught any of these games?

9 minutes ago, Bimpy474 said:

 

Well i would say Joe or Joe would come in alongside them two. Fitness permitting we might have the chance to properly rotate next season. so you can chuck in Anderson, Miley as well as Longstaff.  Lots of option IF they stay fit in numbers.

Joelinton, Bruno and Tolani I see as the starters.

If Bruno goes down, and Tonali goes into the centre, the likelihood is that Longstaff slots in on the right. Just going by what we've typically seen, and with Willocks injury issues.

Would love Willock to stay fit and push ahead of Longstaff, along with Anderson and Miley, but let's see.

1 minute ago, Bimpy474 said:

 

I thought we did in Tonali, we've just not seen him play.  Be it alongside Bruno, to rest Bruno, not as good but similar enough imo. We don't need a back up Bruno imo, we're stocked with decenty quality in CM, it's just the injuries killed us in there.

 

 

 

Yeah, I could see that being an option, but the problem is that is likely to mean Longstaff coming in as the 3rd starter in those instances. And honestly, I'm no longer comfortable with that at all. I want him pushed down further.

The more I think about it, the more I realise the trouble we are in this summer.

If we dare go into another season with no viable back up to Bruno we are in serious trouble.

However, there are still so many other priorities that I have no idea how we make it happen otherwise it's a cheap freebie type.

Maybe you guys have some better ideas but I don't see it ... well, unless we sell Bruno or Isak. I know which route I'd prefer.

2 minutes ago, Ronaldo said:

Great players, good players and mediocre ones, generally. I know where Ross fucking Barkley sits.

 

You're a funny guy man 

Anyway, I'll just leave this here for people that are interested in a bit more detail and substance.

9 minutes ago, Ronaldo said:

Neither of them is a number 6 and the thought of him coming in for Bruno, man. Just stop. 

Bruno and Barkley have been playing similar roles for their teams this season, whichever way you want to call it.

I genuinely don't understand how you watch all these games and don't know what you're looking at.

Barkley is on a free. We don't have anyone that is close to providing what Bruno does when he isn't available. This whole discussion is centred around funding a cheap backup. 

12 minutes ago, Ronaldo said:

Yeah I’m gonna leave the ward now.

It's okay if you didn't know man. No big deal.

https://totalfootballanalysis.com/player-analysis/ross-barkley-luton-town-202324-scout-report-tactical-analysis-tactics

22 minutes ago, leffe186 said:

Was up in Muswell Hill visiting my sister and the kids. Walked back to town then taking the bus home. Sad Arsenal shirts everywhere. It’s lovely

 

Two little kids in front of me on the 102 with their Mum, both wearing the shirts with the little “Visit Rwanda” on the sleeves. Hope they have decades of this disappointment and pain in front of them.

 

Being a football fan is so fucking childish

Your lot should have been sewing up top 4 today man. Have some shame.