Lotus

If we need a CB and RW who must be ready to go with little adaptation then I guess that’s all one years money on one player and then all the next years money on the other. Unless we sell a star player or some how massively increase our revenue in just 10 months. Therefore seems reasonable to assume project players may be bought in both positions or one at the very least. Especially if PM wants to stick to his agenda of signing approx 6 new players every year. Brighton just spent £25m on Gruda, a project player. Looks like we can just about afford 2 of those at that price point. Or you’re spending £10m and really reaching.

My own experience of working with Saudi companies and Saudi Govt/Private JVs (17 years worth) is that the Saudis make you do everything as quickly as possible, having underlings employed just to harangue you and constantly put a rockets up your arse. You finish everything you were contracted to do ahead of schedule only to realise they even started phase 1 of their side. Sweet F.A. The project then sits about, collecting dust while they’re seemingly distracted like a toddler. Then they call for a big meeting, turn up and talk big. Proceed to sit on their hands after. Very interesting culture and much to admire as well as admonish (they’ll feel the same about us..). Delivering projects on time or even the same eon is not a strong point. Especially if you have Saudis in prominent key decision making roles. It’s better when they bankroll it but outsource the project management. Our project may have very capable and decisive Saudis in (what look like) key positions. There’s a whole other politic at play though. Balancing interests of Royals and Clans. All in the shadows.

Very interesting to read he will be looking to sign 6 players a year for 3 years, totalling 18 new players and that’s how he’ll refresh the squad. One would imagine that’s a lot of project players. Maybe only 1 first team ready players and 5 project players. Thats quite a different strategy to what we’ve done up until now.

Tbf, when I’ve seen Romero for Argentina he’s looked good. I only ever watch in the Prem when he’s playing us, and especially at St James’ he’s been dodgy af.

If we bid somewhere between £65-70M then we had enough for a cheaper CB and a decent RW. I’m also of a mind that Palace would’ve accepted that much. But neither Guehi nor the option CB + RW happened. If we were in fact offering considerably less, perhaps led by Nickson (conspicuous by his absence) and PM was just a negotiator at the table. He said he couldn’t steer the direction the transfer committee wanted to go in as he wasn’t here long enough. Just advise/support. CP drag it out a bit, they want a bit more than we can afford. Other options less favourable to EH come off the table. CP sell a CB and then another is injured, Guehi deal off. We try to scratch around for a late alternative but there hasn’t been sufficient scouting and analysis. Late panic bid for a RW, comes to nothing. Left with nothing. PM now in charge of things.

I’m not picking a fight with you but don’t you think that fee is perhaps wrong? Maybe a deal worth that inc. signing on fee, wages, potential bonus payments to CP if we won the league/qualified for the CL 3 years in a row, etc… It just doesn’t add up to me that we had that kind of money lying around.

His ability to get us up the pitch will be a tonic indeed.

I agree. Because of the obvious hypocrisy, if we did in fact bid that much for Guehi, has made me examine that premise. All we have is media sensationalism wrt how much the bid was, I think (correct me if I’m wrong). If we then realign that idea with the stated policy and reduce the Guehi fee by £15-20M it starts to make more sense. For me, when it doesn’t add up and we have a couple of suppositions there, we need to redefine/reimagine one of those until the logic holds. If you get my drift.

I think Sheargol (?) was saying the Guehi bids were not nearly as high as were being reported. Doesn’t he have previous for a bit of ITK?

Sandro Bruno Willock Interchanging front 3

Because forums are for speculation. None of us work for the club (that I know of) so all we have is supposition. What’s wrong with it? Because you can’t qualify it? Don’t bother with it then.

Those quote from the Athletic seem to say (to me) that the Newcastle recruitment team had identified Guehi from before when Mitchell arrived.

Jota is pretty good in there air too. He’s also proved himself at a higher level. Not that Barnes couldn’t, just the opportunity hasn’t come up.

He didn’t do much vs Spurs tbf but I think that fact he was on the field changed their shape a bit.

He’s like Jota but perhaps just a level or so below.

I don’t think the problem is that they have too many Ajax players there. They don’t have enough. That will fix it. Froggy will agree.

Yeah, the way Bruno and Sandro are pinning their 2 capable CMs back, leaving Maddison as the man to press JL, a mismatch if ever there was one, was very nice. Really hope that was a planned thing. Props also to Burn for that reverse ball. Also, rewatching it, double props to Murphy for holding his run, it’s on a split second before but JL hesitates and Murphy senses that. Perfectly weighted pass from JL. Surgeon with a scalpel, that ball.

Hope he gets some good experience and grows as a player so we can assess his value either to the squad or the business. p.s. I have no problem flipping cheap younguns for profit. It will be an avenue stream we’ll need to absolutely take advantage of.

Been thinking this but was reluctant to post it 😛 Our style could change into something quite different but on the basis of most of last season and our games so far, as great as he is, we’re wrong for each other. Think we could really do with a striker who can hold the ball up for a lot longer as we’re very slow to support them. Would help us get up the pitch. Anyway, let’s see if we start to play more towards his strengths 🤞🏼

He’s improving bit by bit each game. He’ll get there.

Was surprised he didn’t come on. Someone who could find a teammate with a pass would’ve steadied us through some of those rocky moments.

That is very sad. Imagine a childhood dream becoming a nightmare in a team that’s doing alright ffs. I’d rather he was on the bench but I want him to stay if he’s happy.

Surprised at a lot of these comments. He kept us in the game!! With all he had to do are people really digging him out over that? He saved the follow up shot! I can’t imagine what the score would’ve been if we had Vicario in goal….

I think he’s a decent enough footballer with a great attitude to running. Reckon he’d probably play better football at a club where he’s not terrified of making mistakes. That’s a shame. I really like him.