Gallowgate Toon

Should've had an assist, tbf to him.

Sounds immense. I'd heard there were a lot of domestic suitors interested in the job so it's very interesting we've brought someone who has most recently spent time elsewhere. The Watford CEO was trying to make some moves when up for the game in January but don't think he was ever in contention I have a feeling we'll see some changes to the Commercial and Marketing structure relatively soon, especially as we try to navigate fair market packaging and sponsorship. We were apparently interested in potentially changing the ticketing & access control providers earlier in the year too, probably with the intention of building an app with a ticket wallet.

So much more one touch by the change team.

Hope Anderson gets some minutes tomorrow. Would really like him to be good enough to play a part this season and build him up the Foden way.

We are definitely lighter in central midfield than we should be. It's important to address this at some point but it feels like something you can adapt around tactically and still be an effective team. We don't need to be possession hounds at this point (tbh, I just don't think that's in our DNA anyway, as cliché as it sounds), we can be successful as a mid-block counter attacking side for the next year and achieve what we need to. Plus, if we improve the forward line, we boost the ability to hold the ball in the final third. I think the better balance of our midfield right now against the top half sides might be Longstaff, Bruno & Joelinton, with Longstaff as the deepest mid. Shelvey is probably a smarter bet in that role against weaker mids, as his deep range can be very useful. As much as Bruno can play deeper to great effect, it feels like a waste of his talents. He should be all over the shop trying to influence matches.

I think that's the compilation against Betis who are a pretty good side as well.

That lad talks like a dodgy toucher too.

Top 10 but with a big focus on the cups, for me.

Such a tosser And this is minging craic too.

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.