Gallowgate Toon

Ekitike is slow as fuck.

Fucking hell

I think he'll be our Vidic, in the long run. His title season at Lille is seriously impressive stuff, tbh, and feels pretty downplayed. He'll have a small period of adjustment, I imagine, but we've got BDB to help cover that.

Botman was very complimentary about us not so long ago. It makes sense he'd prefer playing for the Italian champions in the Champions League next year, but that doesn't mean he's doing a Michael Owen by coming here instead.

Smart signing. Our backup 'keepers are atrocious and Dubs is usually out for a decent chunk per season. This is also great competition for him.

Peter Ramage is now our 'Assistant Player Loan Co-ordinator'

We are going to be cog in a fairly massive wheel for KSA. Read their Vision 2030 site and you can see where sport fits into that approach. What matters is if they're doing this to genuinely improve as a country (even if it's primarily driven by economical factors) or if it's all for show. It could be both, of course.

Nesta was absolutely class at slidies as well.

After being particularly awful in January, Bailey seems to magically be on the money as soon as Ashworth comes in...

That is an absolute steal. Absolutely chuffed he's coming back.

Player who was part of the youth set up at West Brom during Ashworth's time there and has crossed paths with him since. Said he's very smart but can also be a prick. Great, he's not here to make friends.

Looking forward to this. Apparently, he can be an absolutely ruthless bastard - hope he takes that approach when it comes to shifting some of the deadwood.

He lost it after he claimed his son asked why it isn't called 'womanchester' or something. In his head, it's been him against the world since. He is so cringey and seemingly very insecure.

“I came in, my toothbrush and that was gone and there was a massive stand-up log about that big in me toothbrush glass.”

Fantastic news!

Liverpool obviously have a very good team but I thought it was pretty noticeable how pedestrian their midfield looked against a smart (but getting on a bit) midfield once the top 3 were kept relatively at bay. Thiago had a good spell in the first half where he was dictating rhythm but, outside, of that, I thought they lacked someone with intent to break lines, change tempo, and get in the box. I guess Keita was meant to do that but he falls into a similar bracket as being someone tidy & effective rather than an explosive difference maker.

Any chance they're doing some practice for the Jubilee?

The Sevilla fan on here absolutely loved Carlos and I could see why, despite some of the moments of occasional madness. I think that's a very good signing.

David can play all across the front line, can't he? Seems to have quite a few strong parts to his game.

Didn't realise Neymar hasn't started more than 22 Ligue 1 games in a season since becoming a PSG player.

I'd love for Targett to sign. There's a chance Howe may have already asked him how he feels about competing with another first teamer next season and not got the response he wanted.

If we want to pick up more points against the top 6 next season then one of the things we need is a strong DM who is comfortable on the ball, imo.

I don't think Neves is that good

I do feel weirdly quite sad about seeing Hayden, Gayle, Ritchie etc. go even though I don't rate any of them anymore and we're hopefully going on to much better things. Including Targett, I think we'll sign about 7... Can see a GK, LB, CB, 2 midfielders (one being Paqueta), and 2 forwards (one of which at least will be able to play out wide). 5 of these will be first-team ready.

I really like the look of Kamara but I'm not sure he's a true DM in the Premier League. Strikes me as a Bruno-type player, quick thinker and gets stuck in well but isn't a defensive powerhouse.