kingxlnc

Weirdly, Bruce despite being 'a local' may have even replaced him in the hatred ranks. It's helped his cause that he was first replaced by Carver, who was worse, then McClaren who got us relegated (even though not as hated and smarmy), and Bruce who is the worst of the lot. I don't know why but I created a matrix and the data fully supports it. Carver and Bruce are the worst we've had - and ironically they were both Geordies - so that myth of only wanting one of our own is nonsense. The main things to judge: Type of football played? (score out of 3, 0 terrible, 3 great) Did they have good players to work with? (0 - great players, 3 terrible) Mike Ashley compliance (3 = non compliant, 0 = extremely) Did they talk us up or down? (0 - talk down, 3 talk up) Did they get good results? (0 - terrible, 3 great) Bonus: Will also include where are they from (Geordie 1, Non-Geordie 0) Pardew - 1.5, 0, 1, 0, 2, 0 = 4.5/16 Carver - 0, 2, 0, 1, 0, 1 - 4/16 McClaren - 2, 1, 1, 1.5, 0, 0 = 5.5 Benitez - 1.5, 3, 3, 3, 1.5, 0 = 12/16 Bruce - 0, 2, 0, 0, 1, 1 = 4/16 Howe - 2, 2, n/a, 3, 2.5, 0 = 9.5/13

For some reason I recall at the time hearing that he wanted Milner to be the new Rob Lee

Decent.

No Keegan wanted to play him centrally and build his team around him, but was lied to that he needs to sell Milner if he wants to get Bastian Schweinsteiger in. With that swap on, Keegan agreed (as anyone would) but it was a lie, Ashley offered £5m or something paltry for Schweinsteiger which was laughed off by Bayern. Keegan was fuming after that.

If anything, we should be in the position post-Howe to get the 'next' Mourinho, the highly rated guy at Sporting Lisbon instead of the past it version. Even though I do like Mourinho and he obviously has affection for Mr Robson's club. But no point even entertaining this, we are all hoping Howe is the next Keegan, survive this year then have a few title tilts in the coming years and even to win something, finally.

Well Sunderland won six in a row and still went down - so theory disproved :P

I wonder if Fraser's work rate etc can allow him to play RB, and in front of him have Almiron who's also very hard working. Basically trying to think of any and all scenarios which would enable us to NOT use Krafth

Even if he's out to the end of the season, he's still one of the signings of the season and already paid back that £12m with the two goals and culture/mentality shift instilled into the rest of the team

Perhaps we can go towards this: Schar Lascelles Burn Murphy Targett Bruno Joe Willock ASM Wood Basically 5-3-2 / 3-5-2 I know Targett is more defensive but can see that working - better than the likes of Kraft who is terrible in both a back 4 and a 5 There's no-one really else that can fit there. Manquillo would have been a great like-for-like with minimum disruption so it's sod's law both went off.

I’d defo start him as currently Villa have their own flair Brazilian in Coutinho (who is in good form too) that they want us to worry about whereas Bruno is an unknown quantity and will make their preparation on how to handle him difficult.

Temperamental French flair left-wingers are synonymous with the club (in the PL era) as much as a revered number 9 knocking them in

Any chance of him getting in Brazils World Cup squad as a midfielder or is that going too far?

Perchinho v2.0

In a way, maybe it's a good thing we missed out on the likes of Botman and Ekitike given their ages (21 and 19), with the position we're in, everyone signed is either a model professional and/or leader material, battle hardened to keep the team up. I think having this group injects some life, some winning spirit and most important some stronger mentality in what was a fragile group previously. Secondly, we've scored a decent amount of goals this season, relatively speaking (it's not been like previous seasons under Benitez, for example where we kept it tight but couldn't score many). The defence was haemorrhaging goals so it was right to focus on the back line which is much stronger now and with Bruno we have someone who can facilitate the fast counter attack with his range of passing and transitions. We have a bit of everything, Wood for the long ball target man approach, Wilson and WIllock for running onto the through balls and finishing, ASM for the magic, Almiron for the pace and tenacity, Joe to break it all up and Shelvey to distribute from a distance without needing to defend. It's a fairly balanced side now, so it was intelligent spending, as opposed to Saudi's flexing their muscles and trying to show UAE and Qatar the new kid on the block. That ego driven approach would have been the worst thing - so glad Howe had enough influence to get in what he needs between now and end of the season.

It has to be him and Joelinton in a midfield two, with three attackers and Wood up top. Him and Joe would perfectly complement one another, Joe to break up attacks and keep composure and Bruno to thread through balls to runners. It's quite exciting - Wilson would love this type of service too. Might see Willock get a few goals and may even give Miggy a new lease of life. I think whilst Wood is here Fraser will be starting though, for that crossing ability.

Wth get that done asap man

I'd actually like to see Almiron revived, perhaps Bruno coming in can do that. Bruno and Joe playing and protecting behind in a 4-2-3-1 Dubs Trippier - Schar - Burn - Targett Bruno - Joelinton ASM - Willock - Almiron Wood Ideally, Almiron would even play in the middle and there's someone who can come into play on the wing, whilst Willock's fresh rangy legs would be a great option from the bench. Wood would be a good hold up player for those runners from midfield to play into.

If Willock can rediscover his form, it negates the need for Lingard

He does in that it's EXACTLY what we needed and he's a top performer etc. But he's not that big name that makes you think oh wow these guys really are here to stay. Trippier you could make more of a case for - the fact he left Spanish champions etc - but RB's aren't the sexiest of statement signings... Just being greedy I guess!

Wouldn't get Kurzawa AND Targett, same position so one or the other - and the fact Targett is lined up for his medical confirms the choice

Would love one huge statement signing, of Dembele or Zapata ilk - our Robinho signing

Honestly would rather Zapata for an extra 10m or so, this guy is too much of an unknown quantity when you think Bruno was 35m Hugo seems overpriced in comparison in terms of what he has achieved we can’t be buying potential right now

This could be a Pokemon style spine - Burn > Bruno > Brereton Make it happen

Is Ando7 really Andy Carroll btw? Or is that tongue in cheek?

Another number 10 for Everton Replaces Sigurdsson I guess