kingxlnc

Have to say RB Leipzig for whatever you may think about those Red Bull franchises, seem to be extremely well run and have a great business model and scouting network.

Self discipline is the key though, and it why we correctly laud the Ronaldo's and Milner's of the world, whilst the Rooney's and Alli's fall by the wayside eventually. Joelinton seems very good in that regard.

Owen actually not a great example to cite, he was done by age 25-26. That 2006 World cup injury ended him as a genuine force. That purple patch with Keegan was more a good run of form over 10 games but it was alarming how little interest there was in him on a free transfer, which is why he had to create that brochure etc. Owen was world class from 1998-2005. Dyer also had a similar peak length wise (although not as high) - From 1999-2006. After that he joined West Ham and signalled the end. Alli achieved too much, too soon it seems. But the kind of player he was didn't rely on pace or physical, it was largely movement based. His issues seem mental, not physical. He has lost his drive. Not sure Lampard is the guy to help him get it back, if Mourinho couldn't.

I'd rather it was the Fulham game as that way he can still see us win!

It's a shame if that Sesko news is true. He along with Sulemana were the two youngsters I was hoping for as it would make us the fastest team in the PL.

Well that might be a good thing on past form, wasn't it said the takeover was deader than a dead thing from dead land one week before it was announced? Welcome to Newcastle Benjamin Sesko!

Don't think I know of a physical striker known for their heading prowess to not be injury prone? Duncan Ferguson, Andy Carroll, DCL. It must be like tall fast bowlers in cricket who get injured because of the impact of the landing from the jump.

That's the real quiz.

Yeah the Athletic mentioned Palace a lot, and have been bigging up their signing of Cheick Doucure on a par with the likes of Bruno Guimaraes in terms of impact.

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)