John P

Do we reckon Kean is going to be starting straight away for Everton, or will he be eased in slowly?

Is a year younger and has a similar record to Pepe before his incredible season last year. Maybe he'd be one who we actually get from France before they become mint and move for millions more a couple of years later. Or he'll just be shit.

Yep, as if all £3-5m signings end up being class.

Perez - ASM Rondon - Joelinton Diame - Shortstaff Joselu - Gayle Am I forgetting someone? + A new pair of fullbacks I wouldn't say buying 2 young players who have never scored more than 7/8 league goals in the German and French leagues is replacing our 2 top scorers from last season. (ASM also seems to play a different position to Perez). Likewise Diame, who featured a lot in the last 2 seasons, isn't replaced by an academy graduate who has never played a minute of competitive first team football. Gayle is clearly out of favour, hasn't featured at all in preseason, and has been rumoured to be leaving all summer. Kenedy hasn't been replaced either. We've signed 2 fullbacks who arguably are no better than the ones we currently have. It is replacing them though isn't it? The question is whether they've replaced them with sufficient quality, and that's obviously to be determined. It might prove to be absolutely disastrous, or it might not. And Gayle's been injured all preseason (so we're told at least). Ok I'll rephrase - we haven't adequately replaced the players we've lost. We're taking a massive risk on replacing proven performers with inexperienced youngsters and putting massive pressure on them to perform straight away.

Perez - ASM Rondon - Joelinton Diame - Shortstaff Joselu - Gayle Am I forgetting someone? + A new pair of fullbacks I wouldn't say buying 2 young players who have never scored more than 7/8 league goals in the German and French leagues is replacing our 2 top scorers from last season. (ASM also seems to play a different position to Perez). Likewise Diame, who featured a lot in the last 2 seasons, isn't replaced by an academy graduate who has never played a minute of competitive first team football. Gayle is clearly out of favour, hasn't featured at all in preseason, and has been rumoured to be leaving all summer. Kenedy hasn't been replaced either. We've signed 2 fullbacks who arguably are no better than the ones we currently have.

The point about injuries is very significant. We had a very weak squad the last 2 seasons which Rafa was able to squeeze every last ounce out of and our injury record was great, probably the best I can ever remember. Pushing the players early in the season with no doubt much inferior fitness methods is probably going to end in disaster and stretch our wafer thin squad.

Apparently we were working on 2 deals yesterday, but now Douglas is saying he thinks it's unlikely we'll get a CM or a striker in, so looks like Krafth will be last one in. Another terrible window where we haven't even replaced the outgoings, let alone strengthen a weak squad. Mint.

How did he do on Saturday?

Yeah I saw The Athletic were hoovering up a lot of writers over the summer. I've taken the month free trial to see what it's like.

Some StatsBomb analysis of him. Click on the link for a few different graphs.

The issue with this (if it's true) being that we don't play with wingers and it sounds like he's an out and out winger? Would end up being a classic case of the club buying players for the manager/above the manager's head which don't fit the manager's system or plan. he can also play up front Fair dos, I thought he was an out and out winger. Sounds like the sort of player Bruce will struggle to get the best out of though. Just read a feature which states his end product is awful too.

The issue with this (if it's true) being that we don't play with wingers and it sounds like he's an out and out winger? Would end up being a classic case of the club buying players for the manager/above the manager's head which don't fit the manager's system or plan.

Precisely the sort of loan he should have been sent out on in the last couple of seasons. Hope he gets lots of game time.

Even if we do get another couple in (very debatable) they'll have absolutely no time to settle in with the club / city / players / coaching staff / system before being chucked into a premier league game. Just horrendous mismanagement once again.

First touch today - easy pass back to Lazaar from a throw-in - shanks it and gives ball away. Welcome home Jack.

That Frankfurt side ripped apart already.

I would be devastated if we spent even 5 million on him. Football really is fucked if he's going for that. You obviously aren't aware of the transformative effect he had on us. He was phenomenal for us last year. In fact, his arrival was just as influential as grealish returning on us winning ten in a row and getting promoted. He's brilliant on the ball, brings it out of defence superbly, never resorts to hoofing it, almost always completes his pass (and I am not talking about to someone stood five yards from him), commanding in the air, and it was his leadership that changed our defence from being a mid table comedic mess to one that barely conceded for a large chunk of the season. You will not find a villa fan who disagrees with that. During one game, the guy who sits next to me turned to me and said "I know this sounds nuts but he reminds me of Paul McGrath". Obviously, comparing a mere mortal to a deity is not acceptable, but I understand why he said that. I CGAF if he cost 20m (20m being the new 5m), I am extremely relieved we've signed him. The caveat to all this being it was done in the Chmapionship, where Fitz Hall, Tamas Kadar and Mike Williamson looked good. It's a risky fee but at least you're having a fucking go, unlike some.

Dan Storey wrote an article (a very good one) on the whole mess at the club at the minute and said Longstaff was 'likely to leave.' I tweeted him to ask if that was his knowledge or just speculation and his reply was - "As far as I know, he's keen, Man United are keen and Newcastle are prepared to sell. Which suggests it will get done." Doesn't sound good.

So they've been bullshitting all along?

Jesus fucking christ. Incredible. Even for Ashley, this is incredible. What is the fucking point in this football club?

If I was him I wouldn't worry, Lossl is shite.

How the fuck does this shit take 3-4 days?

if rafa fucks off i'd like to think he'd do the same for the good of his career, whoever the next pardew is could see him disappear from existence Aye, this is on the assumption that Rafa might stay. If Rafa goes I wouldn't begrudge anyone wanting to leave tbh.

I don't reckon he'd go there. He's a local lad, loves the club, only been in the team a few months and seems very sensible. Last thing he needs is to go and sit on the Man Utd bench. They're not exactly a massively attractive proposition at the minute either.

Odds slashed overnight apparently on him becoming Celtic manager. Often means fuck all though obviously.