Pilko

I swear I've never seen a player refused as many legit pens as Callum Wilson is. It's ridiculous

That was not a "terrific save" in the first instance ffs. He was barely at half-full stretch, reached the ball yet didn't get a firm enough hand on it to take it round the post.

Dubravka absolutely pony.

Miley getting some serious minutes this pre-season so far, can tell he's not just there to make up the numbers.

I wonder if we loan him out in late January depending on what cup competitions we're still in by that point? Can't see him going out this summer.

I've got a room like Alan Partridge's fan, except it's all Sterry and Anderson and David Copperfield.

So far this pre-season: Gateshead - goal & assist Rangers - assist Villa (first half) - goal & assist Feels like he's staking a proper claim to get some decent minutes this season in the midfield three. Definitely growing in influence.

Anderson is really coming to the fore this pre-season, feels like he's matured a lot.

Good finish Anderson. Having a fine pre-season.

I'm sick of Ollie fucking Watkins. Bet he scores on the opening weekend, win lose or draw, he seems to be turning into one of "those players".

Not really. Nicknames are bad names

You could change it to Bluto or Mr Toad

I think we'll get Livramento / or whatever alternative and that'll be it IMO. That's what I think "the plan" is. Anything else will be either an U21 signing, a response to any serious injuries before the deadline or if someone on "the list" becomes available unexpectedly. Once we get the fullback signing in we probably need to concentrate on shifting some of the excess - Hayden, Hendrick, Fraser, Manquillo or Krafth, Watts, Lewis and at least one of the keepers, maybe two. Ashby could probably do with a loan spell too.

And, though his surname may be the same as that of Alan Barnes, no he is not a relative of his.

We paid around £16.5m in 2019 for him. If we sold at £20.5m we've basically just sold him at cost, inflation-adjusted. Circa £30m doesn't feel like a stretch at all.

I might bloody have to now. See ya later.

Nearly as shit as your Barnes one but not quite.

Fuck me, someone get this lad the number for the Samaritans. We're getting a close to 1-in-3 goalscorer from left wing over a 6-year period, proven Premier League performer and you piss your knickers like this?

Get him in then!

I thought he was good today, another goal involvement to go with two at Gateshead. He looks like he's grown up a bit and is starting to assert himself on the games a little more - there were signs of that at the back end of last season (Forest away, Leicester home) and again tonight. I think he's going to be a good option for us, given his versatility. Not sure he'll become a world beater but I think he turns into a good squad player for at least the next couple of years.

£40m I think is a decent deal for us. As much as an in-form Maxi (Man City (h)) is an absolute treat to watch, the guy spends too long injured and is one of those players who needs a run in the side to start posting decent performances. I also think that given our new found status as a "bigger side" means a lot of teams will camp in with two banks against us and sit deep, which doesn't really play to Maxi's strengths. He needs space to run into and operate in and is most effective in end-to-end games where the opposing side attacks and leaves some form of space in behind. I also have a sneaking suspicion that Eddie doesn't fancy him too much, despite the complimentary quotes and general positivity. He can be absolutely unplayable on his day but his injury record and usual need for 3-4 starts on the belt to get going again probably counts against him. He was one of the only bright spots of an absolutely stinking Bruce era and got us out of the clarts quite a few times in that period and I'll always remember the guy fondly, but if it is indeed £40m or more I think we need to sadly let it happen. If it's nearer £25m as some rags are reporting then it's a bit of a piss take, I think £35m minimum represents a good deal for us. Lower than that feels a bit Shan when you see what an absolutely finished, older and less exciting Fabinho is going for. All the best Maxi.

That's a really good header. Isak mercurial in the build up.

She'll be too busy having a party to play in the next three friendly games.

Bruno is at fault for being casual, but you simply don't pass the ball to someone in that particular scenario whether they want it or not. Darlow should never make that pass & should know better.