Novocastrian

27 minutes ago, James said:

At this point probably worth mentioning that anyone we sign henceforth has missed pre-season and we all know how Howe is with players who aren’t properly conditioned / tactically prepared.

Yes, even if someone came in tomorrow they are going to miss the first 3-4 games at least. This isn’t Bruce ball, they aren’t getting thrown straight in. 

Fifth this season with, touch wood’ CL qualification would be a fantastic achievement. Then we bring in another 3/4 purples and establish ourselves in the top 4.

16 minutes ago, Armchair Pundit said:

 

But Shearer scored 283 top flight goals, Kane's only scored 213. At 30 I can't see Kane scoring 71 more English top flight goals to beat Shearer... or are we only talking about Premiership goals? Bit skewed if so.

 

 

 

Either way you want but if we are including Shearer’s 23 Div 1 goals then we need to include Greaves’ 357. Kane still miles off.

Checked, in the 2002/2003 season we were unbeaten in the immediate PL game after a CL fixture. That’s two rounds of groups plus a preliminary fixture - 14 CL games in total. We had two draws in the following PL game an won the rest of the fixtures.

Might be imagining it but I’m sure last time we played CL we had an excellent record of winning the following PL games. Just a recollection that might not be grounded in reality. Point is, CL doesn’t automatically mean a PL drop off.

6 hours ago, timeEd32 said:

Miggy doing his interview in Spanish with the commentator being forced to ask questions in both English and Spanish and then also translating his answers is hilarious. I kind of love how he's just refused to learn the language despite being seven years into his career in two different English speaking countries.

And some people want him to start using his right foot!

1 hour ago, magvicar said:

I'm still trying to understand why we're in for Livramento.

Out injured for a season and only just got back to make a few small appearances and now we're supposedly desperate for his signature and Southampton think he's worth 40 million even though they're battering from a championship setup now.

 

Something just doesn't seem right about this.

We have enough right back cover and if anything it's a top quality left back we need.

I haven't read much of this thread so maybe I'm just saying something that's been said time and again.

I would think he’s on the ‘list’ of players profiled for different positions and with the right characteristics. We are told even ‘unobtainable’ players like Rice have been profiled. He was excellent the season before his injury. He was probably thought of as unavailable but Saints relegation and concerns over his injury have changed the situation. I’m sure the club believe in a couple of years he could be £50-60m player so even at £30m we are still sniffing around at what could be a great opportunity.

£6m - feel quite confident that with some creative accounting and the sleight of hand that is amortisation we will be able to cover Chiesa, Todibo, Kvaradona and one of those Brazilian wonder kids (the ones that aren't going to Chelsea).

4 minutes ago, TRon said:

Saw the highlights of the match against Gateshead, and I still don't understand how the PL can allow green strips. Nowt against the colour, I think the shirt looks fine, but must be a pain to pick out team mates on a grass pitch which is more or less the same colour.

There’s a reason Plymouth Argyle have never played in the top flight. 

Top 5 could be enough for CL next season, we should be targeting that. A regenerated Liverpool and Chelsea may be hard to resist but I'd be disappointed if Villa and Spurs finished above us, I know they are good teams and will also improve but so will we.

He's obviously a glass half empty type of bloke.

Compelling viewing, the club is ran so professionally now. Although Tonali was cool as a cucumber I bet he’s thinking ‘wow, these guys mean business’.

Must be able to spend a lot more than the current noises suggest unless he can play LB.

50 minutes ago, arnonel said:

But. His hair !

Shit Coloccini.

I’m sure the recruitment team have a few irons in the fire but at the moment this looks like one of those wildlife documentaries where the lion pride have brought down a wildebeest and those at the top of the hierarchy are feasting on the choice meat. We are waiting patiently to see what’s left over after the big boys have had their fill. We may furtively sneak in and grab a half eaten leg if we are feeling brave.

Hope we've got something up our sleeve.

Guehi is Palace’s main CB, they’d want £50m, no chance in this window.

59 minutes ago, GeordieDazzler said:

Man U walking away from the Mount deal could set a precedent of teams not caving to these ridiculous price tags on players with 1 year left. 
 

Kind of hope we’ve spoken to Spurs and both teams stand their ground. Leicester will have to blink eventually, they aren’t negotiating from a position of strength, especially with us having got Tonali.

ESL clubs also realising that FFP applies to them, might not be a bad thing in the longer term.

Agree with the person who reckoned this proposed East Stand expansion is what will be used to declare a major increase of the current stadium capacity impossible. There just doesn’t appear to be any way to increase the footprint of that stand without directly interfering with the buildings behind. I get there’s been advancements in engineering and architectural techniques but even mathematics and physics are against us here.

Just now, Jack27 said:

We wouldn’t fill a 100k stadium 

Up to 70k should future proof us.

Moving to Leazes Park, essentially a goal kick away from the current stadium, is close enough to our historic home to not make any discernible difference to the match day experience. Although I can be as nostalgic as the next bloke I’ve no more attachment to the current stands, which are by their very nature temporary structures, as I was to the old wooden West Stand which was there when I first went to SJP. Let’s tear it down and start again but stay in the city centre.

Would be totally underwhelmed by this. Plus I don’t rate Italians in the PL, they don’t seem to take to it.

I’m sure I bought the bar code shirt in 1990 for about £20-£25, shirts in the mid 90s around £30-35. Sizes have definitely changed over the years. I tried on my 97/98 shirt that I wore at the 98 Cup Final the other day (L) and it swamped me. In the Castore shirts I’m an XL.

Anyone ever had one of the pro shirts? I know the price is insane even for a regular shirt these days but just wondering if there’s any significant difference - bar the stick on crest.

1 hour ago, Shak said:

I've decided I'm all in on The Big Szobossman, bring the handsome bastard in.

He’s this season’s Paqueta.