timeEd32

This would be one of the stranger excuses leading to a manager's exit, which means it's right up our alley.

$2.2 billion for the Houston Rockets (NBA team): https://www.theringer.com/nba/2017/9/5/16255460/houston-rockets-sale-tilman-fertitta That's $600M more than they were valued at, $200M more than the largest sale ever. This is what we need - some super rich person to blow Ashley away with an offer.

Dzeko and Sturridge There is no evidence from this summer that Rafa had unrealistic expectations of what types of players could be attracted. There is no way he's upset because we didn't bring those two in. He's upset because we couldn't get a goalkeeper on a free, a young striker on loan, Southampton's reserve LB, Arsenal's wantaway striker (though this one is really not our fault), etc.

I get the impression he may be quite good as his job. Unfortunately his job is doing Mike Ashley's dirty work.

I think this is the worst transfer window we've had under Ashley. Certainly the one that makes me the most angry.

James Ducker @TelegraphDucker I'm told that Monaco and Arsenal have agreed a fee for Lemar but that it's now down to the player to decide if he will go #AFC Would be hilarious if he turned down Arsenal. Please happen.

Prices were crazy in June. They always get more reasonable in the last week.

City with Sanchez is a terrifying prospect.

According to a French journalist Mbappe to PSG is now no longer a loan/buy but a full transfer. How are they going to get away with this?

I'd be shocked if he walks (not that I'd blame him if he did).

In case anyone is wondering there are Newcastle fans on Twitter saying we should stop complaining as we have the best squad in years aWilnd also people freaking out that we're in for Wilshere.

Obviously we don't know the whole story, but I think there's only two people to really blame for this mess -- Barnes and, ultimately, Ashley.

Craig Hope @CraigHope_DM 16m NUFC are waiting for a yes/no from Chelsea re Kenedy, while loan offer has gone in for Southampton's Matt Targett. Steve Crossman @Steve_Crossman Contrary to suggestions elsewhere, Besiktas striker Cenk Tosun is with Turkish national team, has not travelled to London. No fee agreed

He's played two games in the last two years. Was highly rated at Santos (linked to Man City five years ago as competition for Hart). Regardless if it reduces the chances Elliot is our #1 and it allows Woodman to go on loan then it would be a good signing.

At least he can't play against us because you know he'd have a performance like the one against Spurs.

They are almost all cheap relatively speaking and I could go down to the local school and find one better than what we have so there's really no excuses.

Does this mean we're allowed to sign a keeper now?

Liverpool are crazy if they don't accept that.

I don't think he'll walk (assuming we don't sell Gayle with no replacement), but we should enjoy the next nine months. It's all over after that.

There's some (likely nonsense) reports floating around about us being interested in Zoet and including Krul in the deal. Tribal Football cites Fox Sports but I can't find anything legitimate.

Why do they characterize it as a "falling out" between Rafa and him? He's quite obviously been deemed not good enough.

Can someone post the Caulkin article from today?

Atsu loan last summer? Permanent maybe Leon Best?

Not sure about the proper shit part, but yes. But they sold another young player and the manager wants replacements in. Seems reasonable - as someone else said hopefully their board says fuck off to the manager.

Don't think they've started that badly to be honest. You can toss out the 4-0 loss to Man Utd because a) Man Utd appear to be quite good b) three of the goals came in a five minute stretch at the end. The other results are a goalless draw away to Southampton and a 2-0 away win against an admittedly terrible Palace team. They also won their cup game 4-1. I think we'd all be pretty happy if we had that start.