Gallowgate Toon

"you'll probably win" but we're arrogant clowns for thinking it

Berge fits our giant freaks mould.

Fucking yas

Will be a bit sad to see him go, tbh. Think he's looked good for us under Howe but his injury situation warrants getting shot now.

Hell of a change for the lad going from a low possession, dull-as-dishwater side to us. It'll be an adjustment, I'm sure. I have a feeling Howe really likes his movement off the ball when in possession, an option who can make Miggy moves from the other side (or come on in games to do the same). I'll be surprised if he starts much for a while.

Brighton fans at work are fuming, rightfully. What a shit statement. I think it's a fair offer for him based on his actual ability though.

Trying to get a bit more excited about him - scored a couple of nice goals earlier in the season when Everton were showing a modicum of form. Good movement & tidy finishes. The GoT thread on him from last season is still a mixed bag. Some calling him a bright spark in the side, some saying they don't think he's got what it takes, some saying their shite defensive tactics make it hard etc.

Don't think he'll start much for a while as I think it's going to take some time to build his fitness up.

Not bowled over but I think he'll be a good signing over time. Quite a lot of aspersions cast about ability considering he's 21. It's interesting looking at other players who are now/ have recently been producing output compared to what they'd done at 20/21 - Grealish, Barnes, Nketiah, Harrison etc. Not everyone is a Foden.

For me, the most disappointing thing so far is the young talent that we've missed out on considering that's seemingly always Ashworth's MO. Santos, Ouattara, Danilo etc. have all gone for very reasonable amounts and yet we couldn't agree on a fee with Franca. Perhaps clubs have agreed to ridiculous sell-on fees or whatever but just seems really weird that we're so value-driven but then seemingly won't go and take a punt on at least 1 bright talent for less than what we paid for Wood.

Christ, I hope Baldwards is wrong. There've been some good value signings this Jan, imo, a decent amount of which would've improved us without impacting FFP much.

Caicedo is a good player but some Brighton fans are twisting at the £60m offer for him as if it's some kind of insult

Managed to convince Vitor Roque to join us.

We started with Jacob Murphy in that fixture as well I think if we'd had the bench/rotation options that we do now then we'd have been able to take back more control in that second half - we ran out of gas after about 70 mins and that's when the problems started.

Christ, can something just happen ffs

Think it's a more delicate job to balance things than meets the eye. ASM and Isak are both fantastic options for us but I think Howe will only make one change next week so as to not disturb so much of what we do well in terms of defence and control. I have a feeling it'll be Isak for Wilson but I don't think that sorts the problem of players like Joelinton, Willock and Longstaff getting a lot of chances that they're missing, but it will help in taking Wilson out of the firing line who doesn't look mentally or physically at it right now.

Given this man's love of A-Ha, surprised that's not something we've played/used for him yet.

Our own manager has said 'dangerously short' about front options if injuries hit and 'light' in reference to our midfield depth. It'd be bad to not address either this window and, tbh, there's little reason not to either.

Only rationale I can see for us letting ASM go is if we know his body is struggling.

If we make it then I think it's a good final match-up. Likely a tight game, I think we'll come into some attacking form over the next few weeks which would be a great help to our case.

Last night, he lost the ball a bit (dodgy pitch) but his defensive work was outrageous, kept & took the ball in lots of high-pressure situations, and played some absolutely fantastic passes (even in the first half). I think we're at the point with him now where we notice more of the bad than the good because he so often makes the right choice.

Think that's a bit harsh. Both of his Leicester performances were top notch, imo.

Should've had an assist. Some tremendous runs. Excited to see what he can do as we integrate Isak and ASM into the starting XI more. In theory, it should open up more space for him, Trippier and Bruno to do their thing.

Easy to forget that Gordon is so early into his career. 21 ffs. We're paying as much for potential as well as what he can offer short-term.

"100% ready to play" - out for the next ~6 months with a cruciate injury. Don't think it's very wise to spend a lot of money on a crocked player, tbh.