kingxlnc

I do feel many of the papers are predicting between 7th to 9th for us. Seems overly optimistic. Mostly based on last seasons second half showing - but that was unsustainable as it was very close games and the pressured siege mentality that contributed. The team hasn't strengthened enough compared to the other teams near us as they already had huge head starts, eg West Ham, Leicester, etc. If those 2-3 signings are brought in, I would definitely agree 7th to 9th is doable - right now it seems a stretch as it's a long season and we do seem light in areas.

At this stage, Cornet seems straightforward and a bit of a no brainer. As we have a bloated squad, I’d love the two signings we make to be highly rated youngsters under 21 who will be phased in and get decent game time, Sesko and Sulemana. That might cost in excess of 60-70m but you could get that back for just one of them with Howes coaching ability and the higher platform to showcase their abilities on within 2-3 years. All of these improve the squad considerably. As for directly transforming the first XI I’d be ok with getting an AM like Paqueta or Maddison the following summer as well as a new marquee striker as long as the above happened.

This place would go into meltdown. With good reason tbh, I would be fuming too haha

To be honest with Almiron and Anderson both able to play that number 10, I'd be fine with spending on a top top class ST, like Osimhen or Sesko or even Zapata as a short term option

Then wait until he is. After yesterday tbh I'm actually ok with Almiron in that position more than I am with him at RW. Spend the money on a RW and ST instead.

For me you'd go for Pacqueta over Maddison every time. One starts for his country, the other doesn't. One is highly professional, the other is a bit of a lad. One has friends already at the club and would settle quickly, the other doesn't. Pacqueta is more versatile, more willing to come and would probably be cheaper and easier to negotiate too.

If we do sign Cornet I think it would be a Demba Ba type of signing, people not overly enthused but ends up doing well.

If we could only get one in permanently, and it would mean you lose the other to someone else would you rather Pacqueta or Sesko?

Always wanted us to get Mexes he was a great wonderkid on some of the early CM games

Ok seeing Almiron just blow all the budget on Osimhen and we can delay the RW for now

Even Forest, every few days they are completing deals that they definitely wouldn’t have prepared for months in advance as they would have had no idea they were coming up. It definitely can be done, I do feel we are being overly cautious or perfectionist.

I’ve been more excited with Sesko than I ever was about Ekitike, can’t see the hype around him to be honest and I was of that thought even when it looked odds on he was coming here.

“How’s the whey protein, did you say?”

I also think Forest are going all in as they still see themselves as a big club, who are now back in their rightful place, and never want to run the risk of the pain of the past 23 years again. They have been selling their history and heritage hard to newbie signings.

That's our Pacqueta and Diaby alternatives, we also need Florent Singama Pongolle up front as our Isak

I've decided now - the three signings I want to round the team out before end of transfer window most now. Sesko, Kamaldeen and Pacqueta I would also keep Anderson Gives us serious strength in depth up top, and would future proof the team as Anderson, Sesko and Kamaldeen wouldn't need to be registered. Would bring the total age way down of the squad. I know that's like £100m of transfers but you could add in sell on and other clauses for first two, loan with obligation to buy for Pacqueta. Let Murphy, Manquillo, Fernandez, Ritchie go out on loan / perm. I'd even let Wood go if need be, as Sesko is a bigger better younger version Then you would have a 25 man squad of (bold no need to register): Pope (Dubravka, Gillespie/Darlow) Trippier (Krafth, Manquillo) Schar (Lascelles) Botman (Burn) Targett (Lewis, Dummett) Bruno (Shelvey) Joelinton (Longstaff) ASM (Fraser) Pacqueta (Willock, Anderson) Kamaldeen (Almiron) Wilson (Sesko, Wood)

I see this window happening in three phases. Phase 1 - June - early business, get low hanging fruit done, make Targett permanent, follow through Botman from January discussion, get Pope (from relegated club before anyone else comes in) - and complete defence. Even you can see from the Ekiteke it was just following on from the work and preparation they did in January where it was nearly a done deal then. Phase 2 - July - clear the decks. The current squad is majorly bloated, so there's been a lot of work in getting rid of the fringe players, with only Ritchie, Murphy Matt Longstaff and Fernandez left out of the obvious ones to get rid of. Frees up space for 2-3 new players. Phase 3 - August - get attacking reinforcements, as the market settles and panic sets in at selling clubs that they may not get their asking prices and also see what loan players become available in the last week of window. I genuinely believe they are measured in everything they do and so will have a clear plan. I wouldn't rule out anyone yet - even the likes of Diaby or Pacqueta. I did think we'd be in for some freebies in June - but I think their plan is to sprinkle stardust in with reliable trusty PL players with good character (what Howe loves), rather than add decent to good risks who may not settle like a Belotti. For every Botman there's a Targett/Pope. For every Pacqueta there's a Harrison. For every Diaby/Isak there's a Broja on loan, etc.

Having been associated with some absolute nightmare people over the last 14 years, the despicable characters of the ilk of Ashley, Jiminez, Wise, Vetere, Kinnear, Pardew, McClaren, Charnley, Justin Barnes, it goes to show how abhorrent Bruce really is when I’d consider him the worst of the lot. That’s some going.

This would be amazing he is genuine wonderkid i do like this policy of the next up and coming Haaland in Sesko and the next Mane in Kamaldeen i also think it’s great for the youngsters themselves as Howe would develop them well At this stage of our journey I defo would rather be the Borussia Dortmund or RB Leipzig model than the PSG / Man City model. in a few years we can supplement these maturing youngsters with a sprinkle of world class experience and watch them fly

I read somewhere he doesn't want to leave Italy.

Agreed Not sure with our RW issues why we haven't been linked with Noni Madueke - as we seem open to youngsters. I'd be ok with 1 senior and 2 youngsters. Pacqueta or Tielemans, Sesko, Madueke It may be for FFP it is loan with obligation for a big purchase. Perhaps £40-50m total for two signings + another on loan.

Looking at the positions still left to upgrade - we need a CM, RW and ST First and most expensive choices for all - Pacqueta, Diaby, Isak (£150m spend in total) Second choices - Tielemans, Sarr, Dennis Third choice - Mara, Harrison, Cornet I'd be happy with 1 from the top and any other from this list. I think the top list are all game-changers so any other combination would be fine for this window. My personal preference (assuming only 1 first choice and 1 from each of the others) - Pacqueta, Sarr and Cornet

Yes Pope is the equivalent of Man City signing Shay Given from us, even if I rate Given more than Pope. But it’s a carbon copy transfer and a good early stage one in the project

Honestly think he could be converted to centre forward, the inverse Joelinton. He's tall, a good finisher, pacey. Young enough to learn. An Ayoze Perez type of centre forward, so more of a CF or SS rather than a ST. He times his runs well and so could definitely get 10 goals a season.

Sulemana is also a top top rated talent, elite level wonderkid, even made it into bbc top wonder kids alongside Bellingham and Alvarez etc. he’d be perfect for the right wing slot and he’s under 21 too