timeEd32

We’ve played like a minute of the 5.

That’s a ridiculous yellow

Barnes fault there too.

Terrible cameo from Barnes so far.

Genuinely can’t believe some of the decision making

So proud of him

5th could be on if we can get a goal.

Not ideal, but feels like a change with an eye on three games this week.

Bruno is like why am I playing with morons today.

It’s almost like Murphy is trying to make the worst possible choice with every decision.

Thought we’d be flying today for the final home game.

Leaves us with some nice rotation options for midweek.

If it ain’t you baby, If I ain’t got you, baby Clearly talking to Eddie made an impression.

Why is this even a discussion? I’d be so happy if they sacked him.

Jamie is like “If I keep my hands in my pockets I won’t lose it all.”

Not saying it can't help, which is why I said I'm very into the idea of getting both of them. But they are sometimes talked about like they are magic and it's related to the fact that so much transfer discussion is still focused on fees, while ignoring or minimizing wages, agent fees, and sign-on bonuses. Tonali was expensive no doubt. But it's also not like we were choosing between the two. You can also make Tonali look good by comparing him to Casemiro's deal, but that seems equally irrelevant. My point is just that, while likely discounted, they can still carry a high price tag because the premium on wages and fees is eating into some of the saved transfer fee. Also point taken on the potential benefit if selling them, but players who come in via a fee and without the premium on wages have their own accounting trick in the form of a contract extension to further smooth out amortisation.

I'll preface this by saying I'm very into the idea of us exploring out of contract players. Tosin and Kelly seem like they'd be great business. But I beg people to stop thinking of them as some kind of PSR/FFP cheat code, especially when they come with a higher profile. Kamara was mentioned a couple pages back so let's use him as an example. Wages are approximately £8m per year. Reporting is all over the place on signing/agent fees, but seems like it was at least £15m combined. That means his annual cost is more than Tino and within a couple million of Gordon. In the headlines he was 'free'; in the official books he's no different than a £35-40m player on sensible wages. It's probably appropriate to describe a player like Kelly as free given he's currently on very reasonable wages and is unlikely to command a big sign-on fee. But Tosin, with suitors that include Man United, Chelsea, and Spurs plus reports of 'demands' about a package and negotiating agent fees, seems like he's going to cost at least £8m per year. Is it a discount compared to a similar player? Probably, especially if wanting PL experience. But it's not free; it's Lewis Hall and maybe more. Now the math on these become much more favorable if they are taking the place of someone who's on the higher end of our wage bill. For example, if we got £12-20m for Wilson or Miggy (or a magical world where we can shift Targett) then you're creating a net profit that can provide some flexibility elsewhere.

Similar praise for Emery. What the two of them have done in consecutive seasons is outstanding.

Villa losing (and losing emphatically) is good for the reputation of that tournament.

I don't think it's ever been harder to finish in the top 4 or 6 either. I believe the only two clubs outside the big 6 to have consecutive top 6 finishes since Man City emerged are Leicester (2019-21; 5th / 5th) and Everton (2012-14; 6th / 6th). Maybe even more incredible (and something I didn't realize last season) is we're the only club outside of the big 6 other than Leicester in their title winning season to qualify for the Champions League since City's takeover. Everton in 2004/05 the only other one since Roman's takeover.

Good for him. He has a chance to be a bit of a cult hero here if he comes back and plays at a high level. A 'I'm homesick' transfer request in the next 15 months and he'd probably be one of the most hated players in the club's history. Quite the crossroads, but all the right noises so far.

Agree with this - it shouldn't be a common occurrence that the YPOTY nominees include some of the best in the sport. U21 makes way more sense.

There’s a reason Eales said the goal is to establish the club in the top 6, and he means off the pitch as much as on it. There are levels within that group, but for the most part if you’re there then you’re a series of coinflips from winning anything. We’re not there and, frankly, we’re not all that close financially speaking. But for 2.5 seasons now we are there on the pitch and that’s mostly down to one man. So if your expectations are a trophy or a top 4 finish then you need to realize those expectations are based on over two years of overachieving. Over two years of Eddie Howe distorting the perception of where NUFC sits in the current pecking order.

It's probably my biggest fear in life right now, which is probably why I'm dreaming about it.

We've already discussed this multiple times. In short, that's not true.