Doctor Zaius

Having one target for the entire summer is absolutely mental. What if the selling club wants us to pay over the odds for him? What do we do then? Well that's what's happened. Why has our summer consisted of Guehi or bust?

I really don't think being 4 days away from going through two transfer windows without improving the first XI is bedwetting like.

Chelsea in for Toney.

How many do you think we'll get in? Right wing is still a major issue for me. Neither Murphy or Almiron are good enough.

How long have they known they've wanted him? Since the end of the Euros? They should have sacked this off weeks ago and moved on elsewhere. Reckon we're gonna sign Guehi/a centre half and a right winger in the next few days? Doubtful. Difficult circumstances and all but its hard to argue against them making a hash of this window like.

If we have money to spend, which, given we've bid for Guehi we seemingly do, why the fuck haven't we made single first XI signing? I'm fairly astounded that we haven't improved the first XI for two windows. Needing a right winger is glaringly obvious

Sick of the sight of Neville like. You can't fucking escape him. Whatever football you're watching, he'll be there. He's all over social media. Has about 3 or 4 shows from which clips are always been shared. I went to Kendal Calling the other week and for some reason he was doing a fucking DJ set in one of the tents. Have a day off man Gary.

Think this is over and done with tbh

20-23m is par for him I reckon. 15m is poor.

Lovely 14 year bump

He's BBC poster boy, football, the one show, they loved him. Must have done something really shan.

Livramento is a very good defender, defensively better than Trippier, but doesn't come anywhere close to him going forward at the minute. I think we miss the Trippier we had until halfway through last season. He was a massive outlet. He improved every player he had in front of him and so much of our play came from him. Easily the best full back we've ever had, the definition of elite level. He made Ryan Fraser look good ffs. There's an argument were more balanced now but we definitely miss his ability on the ball. Still think he has a part to play tbh but Livramento becoming first choice had to happen at some point. Seems Howe has decided it's now.

Id rather we didn't wait. Botman will be back then too.

I'm reserving judgement until the window slams shut. Clearly the club have had some difficult circumstances to contend with. What I hope, is that Guehi was a priority and we were waiting to see how much we spend on him/another centre half, before using the rest of the budget to sign a right winger late in the window when we've maximised any player sales. The first XI needs that little boost too. Something to keep us fresh. Feel like we're on danger of going a bit stale.

The sale of another starting central defender is obviously going to have an impact on the Guehi sale, despite 'what you've been told', Keith. I'd have liked this, so would Howe but sometimes it's a case of win some/lose some. Nothing is guaranteed and sometimes negotiations fail. The club should have other targets lined up.

Get in. Solid defensively. Joelinton makes so much of a difference. Immense. Fuck Southampton. Deserve all you get for starting your season with Adam Armstrong up top in the PL.

Pawson is a fucking cunt

Hall has been fucking tortured on that left hand side. Woeful so far.

Mad how Sterling is still only 29. Classic case of a player playing since they were 17, hitting 500+ games well before they are 30 and basically being cooked. I feel similar may happen with Bellingham. He's only 21 but he's played 219 games already. Players bodies can only take so much regardless of age sometimes. Not always mind.

Have to draw the line and walk away at some point. Probably value to be had elsewhere for 65m. Hes very good, but he's not worth being held over a barrel for. Is he actually worth 65m too? The EUROS has inflated his value and isn't a good yardstick of how good a player is. Fuck Parish and Palace off and look elsewhere.

Do we have a H2H N-O league?

Good move for him tbh

I reckon Guehi gets done. He's probably at his highest price point with Palace off the back of a good EUROS and with two years left on his contract. They dont need to sell but it makes sense. Another year and they wont get anywhere near as much with a year left on his deal.

I actually think buying a winger is the recruitment teams hardest task. Our right winger needs to not only have the quality, but needs to be able to press. They need to be really hard working and have plenty of stamina. Finding that amongst the quality needed won't be easy. It won't be about just identifying a winger who's available, the data will need to suggest that they're able to do what Howe wants no doubt. Often last season we'd press their full back and if we were just a bit off it, a fraction of a second too late, they'd be able to play out, bypass our midfield and hit us on the break. Happened loads last season when we were knackered. If we play a winger who's press just isn't up to it, we'll get done and it'll cost goals. A pressing winger is absolutely key to how we play and I reckon that's why Howe is hesitant to get rid of Murphy or Almiron. For all they lack in quality (Almiron more than Murphy) both fit his system and are able to hassle and harry opponents.

Guehi and Madueke on loan to buy whilst keeping all our best players + the others we've picked up would be a very good window for me. Two key positions strengthened, a backup stiker and centre half giving us more depth too. Long way to go but we'll see