Gallowgate Toon

Think we're going to have to go to £60m in some form, tbh, but this is exciting all the same.

This'll be a feisty one. It'll be interesting to see how they deal with our pressing as that's a big step up factor - do they have the option to hoy it long? Would go with: Pope Trippier Schar Botman Targett Joe Bruno Jow Almiron Wilson ASM

Tbh, I don't think £40m is that low for Barnes but is a bit off for Maddison who I'd say is in the 50-60 bracket. We got Bruno who is an absolutely outstanding footballer for ~40.

He started off the summer saying we had about £50m to spend (which we've already surpassed).

£100m double deal with Leicester for Barnes and Maddison. Get 'er done.

At least it confirms we have quite a bit more dosh to spend. Take that, Luke.

I like Harrison but he just isn't worth that money at all. Move on.

William gutted that they didn't come from behind.

Reckon we'd do a loan w/ obligation buy for a versatile striker.

If this is true, we could be signing him to play as a wide playmaker. Quite a big tactic in preseason has been 2 of the midfield 3 overlapping wingers on the outside and the wingers moving in, as well as having support from full backs. Alternatively, he could form that final piece of the midfield 3.

He looks a bit Paqueta-y in stature and playing style

That was really lovely to watch in parts, like. This should be a really fun season - a lot less pressure and a chance to build a style that gets the most out of SJP. Really hope we make a go of a cup this year.

Aye, Murphy just consistently loses the ball.

I really fucking hope Miggy can take this fire into the actual season. He looks like he actually wants to take risks again and it's great.

Preseason and all but we look sharp, lots of nice interchanges and rotation between forward positions.

Anderson definitely has something.

If we were trying to genuinely make an attempt at top 4, having everything lined up before the season starts is more important as the margins are much tighter. As it stands, I think we'll be aiming for top 10 and a cup run, which gives us some leeway to not panic for the start of the season. It also gives us a short window to see how the squad performs in real matches to help steer final recruitment decisions. While it's always ideal to have everyone in early, it's not the be all. Our manager very successfully integrated a number of new players mid-season.

Barnes gets a goal or assist every 155 minutes, on average. He's a massive step up in terms of output. I don't think we can get him anyway but, if we somehow did, it seems like he's better on the left?

A preseason tactic seems to be to get our 2 furthest forward CMs to overlap on the outside of the winger as they look to cut in. I wonder if Howe thinks that gives Anderson more freedom to move forward when we attack and find his own space.

Wilson is reportedly a 'bad' trainer, isn't he? Probs just doesn't give a shit about friendlies other than getting some minutes in the legs.

Interesting that Howe hasn't given him a runout as a wide forward at all yet. Quite a lot of responsibility to put a 19-year-old in central midfield who is more attacking.

He's a young player learning the game who will have some bad/invisible games regardless of the standard. Micro analysing a preseason performance as a barometer of whether he should stay or not isn't the best approach. Howe will take it all into account (probably training more than anything else at this point) and make a well informed decision.

Love a fired up friendly. Sounds like we gave a good account of ourselves against a very decent side.

That's a filthy quote Sounds suspiciously like @Ando7.