kingxlnc

Even at 75M plus, he will be 27 this year I believe so we've had 3 good years from him, he's at his prime, and still more than doubling original investment. But can't see it now he's captain

Maybe a hot take but I would let Bruno go at the end of the season for 90m+ and let Tonali replace him as that central midfielder. Not sure if they can play together but when one or the other play they do really well.

Saw clips of Mason Greenwood on the weekend, he's killing it in France. Plays that RW position, where he comes inside and shoots. Does he have too much baggage / is he good enough for our RW?

Callum Hudson-Odoi is by far the better more talented player He plays LW though so not needed

We may not even have a RW issue if Gordon stays on the right as we have Joe and Barnes who can play there well. Murphy / Almiron is decent backup for RW

Well West Ham rejected him as they were unsure about his suitability for the PL. And they haven’t got a great track record of foreign managers themselves so for them to back away does show a slight red flag

Honestly, he needs to play as a number 10 with a proper ST being up front. 4-2-3-1 Pope Tino Schar Botman Hall Tonali Bruno Gordon, Isak, Barnes Wilson Subs: Joelinton for Barnes (LW) Willock for Isak (10) Osula for Wilson (ST) Murphy/Almiron for Gordon (RW) Longstaff/Miley for Tonali/Bruno (CM) It's really as simple as that.

Mourinho has said he always performs best when he has an African striker up front. Benni McCarthy, Drogba, Eto'o. Would Isak's Eritrean side count?

No - THIS window just gone is the issue. Last summer was still decent in terms of calibre of player and future proofing positions. This summer, we could have had Marmadshvilli as 1st choice - got Vlad as a 3rd choice instead We could have had Chiesa for 10m. We could have kept Minteh and Anderson. We could have had Simikan for 35m instead of Guehi. We could have gotten Tosin if we acted quicker and more aggressive. We didn't get Olise, but could have gotten Madueke had we acted quicker We could have sold Wilson, Almiron, Trippier, Longstaff, Targett We didn't get a better striker than Osula. We didn't get an athletic DM. This summer was a major flop. The beginning of the end was actually Man U winning the FA cup because if we had Europe to contend with, we would have been much more aggressive early on I would have thought.

It definitely is. Being able to add Minteh and Anderson as first team options to this group would have yielded us a couple of extra points for sure, versus what Osula or Kelly have added to the team.

I think we're missing Trippier's influence more than we think. He was so central to the way we play, he's effectively another purple. We haven't figured out how to replace his creative influence. We didn't need a 10 because he was so creative from his position. But if Tino starts, then we need more creativity in the team. I'd be tempted to bench Joelinton and put Willock in. Or even put Hall into midfield and play Kelly at LB.

No - not sure about that with the performances so far this season Last season, yes for sure. Last season was a good season overall, very good style of play, lots of goals, high ranks on all metrics, it was literally just injuries - otherwise it would have been another top 4 season, I'm confident of that. This season has been a disaster so far, literally no game we have dominated fully where we've fully deserved to win. No player is really in form. Even the purples are struggling. The team does need fresh blood and perhaps the tactics need freshening up as its' all become stale and predictable

We absolutely need an Isak backup, and Osula is not it. Who is out there who can replace Wilson’s goals and threat off the bench?

Joelinton was poor, Bruno has really regressed, no one is playing well at the moment

Yes definitely

If you’re including English then Shearer and Owen by far

Kluivert Asprilla Ben Arfa Ginola I was over the moon when we signed Kluivert, was only 28 so felt he was still in his prime… Ditto Ben Arfa

I’m glad he’s doing well for our football fwends Forest, after Shelvey and initially Wood they might have been hesitant taking our cast offs. But now we have credit in the bank and they are winning, with Anderson and Wood doing well and them casting off the Greek gk. All bodes well for them taking Almiron, Longstaff and Lascelles in return for Gibbs White, Hudson Odoi and Murillo in summer 2025

If Lascelles and Botman are back would be less fussed about RCB

I’m expecting RW and RCB in January tbh GK and CF in summer

I did like the one purple per window / or summer strategy. It should be this type of formula every summer: 1 elite, spine-level (future-proof position) player - (Tonali, Isak, Bruno, possibly Botman) (40-60m) 1 high-potential English young player (Tino, Hall, Gordon category) (30-40m) 1-2 good PL level player - (Barnes, Kelly, Pope, Targett level) (take advantage of frees and contract running down) (20-40m) 1-2 young players with potential to play ASAP (Osula, Minteh, Ashby) (12-25m) 2-3 academy players with promising futures (Sanusi, Sahar, Pivas, Kuol etc) (10m) I don't mind letting 1 big player/2 mid players and 1-2 youngsters go each season to fund if required. (40-60m) It freshens up the squad, and keeps improving by both raising the ceiling and the floor.

I can definitely see Isak moving on and trying elsewhere - he's more clinical, logical and focused on himself and his career. Bruno because of his emotions I think is quite loyal and also quite connected to the fans. I wouldn't want either of them to leave. Gordon is more like Isak but acts like a Bruno. I don't mind if he moves on personally, as good as he is, for Grealish-type money. Botman and Tonali owe us so can see another season or two at the very least from them. Joelinton, Willock, Longstaff, Almiron, Murphy, Trippier, Kelly, Krafth are all those who can attract double digit millions and therefore open to them leaving to free up funds. The squad actually does need a major refresh, like 4-5 players at least.

Gordon is quite opinionated - like Bellamy - and Barnes seems more of a team player - so can imagine Gordon would prefer to optimise where he feels he plays best. But it might be to the detriment of the team. B-I-G has always performed well, the few times it has been played. Then subs, bringing Murphy and Almiron on against tired legs can also do the job - better than if they start.

I honestly don't get why Gordon can't play there until January. Barnes is quality and I'd prefer Barnes goalscoring from the left prioritised, (and also Gordon's crossing ability from the right), rather than vice versa.

three cheers for that Ramirez