kingxlnc

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

Good point. I do like this pragmatic way of working and being sensible, but it's semi-surprising, given how Chelsea and Man City first operated under moneybags ownership, and secondly Saudi's objective regarding ownership - all of which pointed to a couple of 'statement' signings being the order of the day. As everything Saudi do is often to square up competitively against their Gulf rivals, bigger and better etc - but perhaps this is where PCP's operations management is doing its work, to ensure NUFC is not just a rich play thing for an oligarch or sheikh, and to ensure there is professionalism to meet the long term objectives of domination. Short term pain for long term gain. I do think Everton's bad example has also helped to temper activity also.

Looking at this post from earlier in the summer, we have only got one second choice and one third choice in so far, in terms of plugging the key gaps in the team. As long as all these positions get covered, be it by loan or full purchase, we'd be in a very good place to meet aspirations. Assuming we could only get 1 first choice, it would be Pacqueta all day long. For RW, I'd be ok with Sarr. For ST, I'd be ok with Cornet or even Dennis. For DM, any of those would be great (but have the least expectation since we haven't been linked strongly with any of them).

I genuinely feel that January was more fun because it was absolutely manic and you got the sense that they could try and bid for anyone. And there were bids flying in left right and centre - due to the desperation and the short time period. This time round it has been measured, controlled and strangely sensible. So still pretty fun, but mostly for other reasons - as it's quite enjoyable seeing a NUFC team actually act professionally and with a plan once in my lifetime.

He had a bad injury - may have lost his explosiveness - plus he's 31. Perhaps a years loan with option to buy for 15m.

Tbh Cornet and Dennis are both really good value at less than 20m each - given that next season is the 5 sub rule, may be wise to get rid of Murphy and Dummett and others and get cover like this in. One to cover ASM on left, one to cover Diaby on the right lol Dennis is actually a decent Ekitike alternative in that he can play RW and CF and has pace and is rangy. Don't think either would expect to start all the time but would be happy to provide competition for an increasingly talented squad. 20M today shockingly is only like the equivalent of the 5-7m transfer of the 2000's. Like Scott Parker or Emre level we bought at the time.

I hope they stay up, to be honest. It's been nice having Leeds back. Their manager is pretty decent too so I think they may surprise a few teams. Think Brentford might have second-season syndrome, Bournemouth look poor, Southampton haven't strengthened enough yet for me.

Trippier genuinely is top tier. Botman is like the equivalent of getting a Woodgate, such is his potential - Woodgate also didn't play for England much but was highly rated everywhere to the extent Real Madrid came calling. But you're right noone had heard of him a year ago, he wasn't even a FM wonderkid that everyone is normally aware of.

He hasn't gone anywhere yet. Chelsea and PSG are the strongest linked. But imagine if he was an option - between him and Diaby I'd go for Dembele all day. He'd not come to us though or would demand silly wages. But think about the 45M+ saving in saved transfer fee on Diaby and surely that could contribute to the increased wages for Dembele?

I read this elsewhere but if we missed out on Diaby and got someone like Pepe on loan (or buy for up to £20m) (from Arsenal) would that be terrible? Pepe has lost his way there, and is low on confidence but they paid £70M for him and he was hugely prolific there. Can't help but think someone like Howe could revive him. He can also take a decent free kick.

Man City look fearsome especially with Haaland replacing Jesus and Phillips replacing Fernandinho, with Grealish already Sterling's replacement. Liverpool are now without Mane who was first choice and integral to how they play, Diaz is his replacement but perhaps not as prolific. Nunez replaces Firmino and Jota. Salah is staying so they will be thereabouts but are prone to a risky transition season, especially as last year they almost peaked at aiming for the quadruple. Chelsea seem disjointed, will be a transitory season. Ditto Man U. Spurs under Conte will be challenging due to their attack which will be in its peak in terms of age plus the defensive solidity he brings to teams. All depends on his temperament. Arsenals youngsters will be a year older and more experienced. The Partey thing has potential to derail them and they still seem light on depth. If Jesus is injured there's only Nketiah. West Ham punched above their weight last two seasons, with only Antonio up front. Without addressing that I see them finishing much lower. Newcastle without any further changes i see them perhaps top ten, given the team still lacks goals (and last season's siege mentality will not be quite as intense). A Broja or back up striker will move them to 9th. A Diaby will get them to 8th. And a Pacqueta on top of that will get them top 7 and maybe even push 6th, barring injuries.

Yes totally Diaby and Pacqueta or even Sarr/Danjuma a instead of Diaby would allow you to even get away with only Wilson and Wood up front. If you needed cover up front, ASM or Pacqueta or even Joelinton could play false 9 if we only had money to buy one 40m plus target I’d go Pacqueta as I believe you could get a lesser Diaby such as Sarr for 25m or so. But to get a Pacqueta lite is pointless and can’t even think who would fit the bill in the same way.

If we were to play 4-2-3-1, couldn't he be the 1 in the middle of the 3, alongside ASM and Diaby? Joe and Bruno behind him, one breaking up play, the other progressing and passing through the middle.

Watching that video... oh man, I was happy to wait until Jan or next summer but now I want him in the starting XI immediately, him and Bruno's understanding would dominate and carve through teams!

Haha I'm from Nottingham so had to defend my local team!

I agree totally, these two plus a loan striker would be a perfect window. Next summer can be spent on a big CF.

Forest had a team with their key players all loanees, Spence, Garner, Davis, Lowe and Zinckernagel. Any team would miss their spine being ripped from them so they have to replace, the team is extremely weak otherwise. I’ve been quite impressed with the standard of olayer they’ve been trying for, Henderson, Williams, Richard’s, the striker from Germany etc. Gives them a fighting chance at least, and they are also buying young players that can grow with the team and not be too expensive wages wise. I think Bournemouth might be in trouble personally.

Almiron is actually decent, he transformed Rafa's workmanlike team in an instant to become a fast paced counter attacking team with flair. Some of his link up play with Bruno last season was very good too, they were on the same wavelength. Think he is hugely underestimated here - he just hasn't found a position, unsurprising given Bruce. This season he could have a similar redemption arc to Joelinton, if given half a chance.