Ketsbaia

Neto or Raphinha would be the dream. Not sure how realistic the Arsenal links are, considering that's Saka's position.

I do agree that from a tactical perspective, if Howe insists on a four-man defence it needs an attacking full-back (Trippier) plus a defensive one - something which Livramento is not. Injuries and the bizarre Hall situation mean there's nobody else. But, knowing this, why don't we try other ideas? Whether it's Trippier/Livramento as wing-backs that also allows some CM rotation, or even trying Botman as the LB/CB hybrid and bringing Lascelles in. I dunno. Something else that isn't the obvious weekly scenario where the opposition puts a fast winger on Burn and we get destroyed. If the whole fanbase has figured it out then top-class Premier League managers absolutely have. Nervous about what Saka will do, to put it lightly!

Yeah. Even though it feels like they're writing off the last few months of a season where they could genuinely make the play-offs, I'm sure they'll get the summer appointment right. Annoyingly. Whether it's Will Still, Steve Cooper (shame that Palace looked elsewhere), Jesse Marsch etc, there'll be good names available.

Not saying they should sack him, just that I hope they're not blindly loyal to him (like he is to Burn) and are at least open to other ideas.

The goodwill has almost gone. Honestly, the guy is going off the rails with his decisions and loyalties. I know the injuries are a factor but only up to a point. I'd be very disappointed if the higher-ups aren't at looking keeping a pulse on the managerial market. Because I'm not sure we get far beyond the summer with Howe.

Would adore the signing of Neto. And of the top clubs, Man Utd want Olise instead, Arsenal have Saka, Chelsea have Palmer. Main threat might be Liverpool if Salah leaves.

Not been overly impressed with Ashworth's five minutes here, so let's take the money, make him wait + ultimately replace him with someone better. Easy peasy.

Spurs, Villa, Wham, Fulham, Brentford and Burnley are guaranteed for GW29, with either Luton v Forest or Man Utd v Sheff Utd likely joining them.

Tosin, absolutely Considering our financial position, we should be all over the better free transfers in order to bolster squad depth.

Depends if Burn starts.

Hopefully Howe's eyes have been opened, here.

There's been times when Howe would rather make no sub and let his XI run themselves into the ground than bring on Hall. When Bruno gets his inevitable two-match suspension and we're low on midfielders, Howe will still find a way to not use Hall.

It's a modern phenomenon where - no matter how often they lose or have a bad period - these eventual 3 points always puts them back to 6th or 7th. They just won't flush.

Best to assume Brighton signings will go well. They're modern masters.

Chuffed to see the back of that twat. Massive news.

£20m-ish is fine for Wilson but I don't get the reasoning for purposely having even fewer strikers. And to a PL rival as well.

Surely JWP-Soucek-Alvarez remains Wham's first-choice midfield? So Phillips is just adding depth.

I'm not a Miggy fan but, considering all the shite that goes for big money these days, £30m is a very fair asking price imo. Would love someone like Pedro Neto, Raphinha, Roony, Soule, Marcus Edwards or Nico Williams but not sure how realistic they'll be.

Merry Christmas, everyone

Been away all weekend so only just realised the rumoured fee is so low. Anything below £20m can get lost tbh. Hopefully this pushes their Mukiele deal through.

Stick a fork in us, we're done Unless we bring in 2 or 3 centre mids, it's a mid-table finish. God knows what that means for our departure lounge. Sorry to be negative but how can it be anything else right now. We thought this was the start of something special but this season could be a big setback.

Good up to a point, yes. But generally sick of this repetitive late heartbreak. Tactically, is this all we've got?

This not the Wearside! thread?

Aye homegrown players is a tough one: best sales for FFP but needed for European squads. We need midfielders + it can't be Bruno, Joelinton, Tonali or Miley to depart. May have to sell either Longstaff or Anderson.

He's class, like. Chuffed that he's set for decades of chants.