ponsaelius

He's only on 1.5 million euros a year which makes him one of Napoli's lowest paid players. ADL is a cheapskate and wants to avoid another Osimhen situation, so can see why it's happening. All moves to PSG just seem a bit of a waste though to me from a football purist perspective as what's the point. To be honest though I don't actually think he's kicked on as much as expected compared to what Spalletti got out of him.

Alright Oswald

Dubravka is not as good a goalkeeper as Pope. He's aging, commands his box to an inferior level, doesn't come off his line proactively to sweep and isn't as good a shot stopper. He was massively exposed slotting into our existing team last year particularly with the defensive line and system remaining the same. We started conceding goals at literally twice the rate as we did with Pope in nets. However - there is not only one way to play football and defend. Having more control in possession during games, which Dubravka's composure and ability on the ball has undoubtedly contributed to (not the only factor obvs, but it's there) has allowed us to control games to greater degree and far reduced the number of shots and chances he's faced. This is proactive defending/goalkeeping, preventing the chances from happening in the first place. It's not too dissimilar to the endless tedious debates around Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool. Yes he is exposable 1v1 and gets caught out of position defensively and it can be immediately obvious on those occasions when it happens. However he's an exceptional footballer on the ball and the entire shape and mentality of the team changes when he's on the pitch for Liverpool. This not only means being better going forward but by design being better defensively as they are far more proactive.

I still think we might sign one player this Jan, but it's entirely dependent on somebody (particularly Miggy, but maybe also Longstaff too) moving out the other way. Tbh I wouldn't be surprised if we don't want to let Dubravka go partly because it would necessitate signing Trafford now - when we'd rather move for a wide player if it became possible.

Caqueret going Como. Seems Lyon definitely fireselling.

It would be a massive help if he could kick on a bit and help us out resting Isak. It worries me how raw he looks for a 21 year old though.

Yes, I know, but there's still a process. It's called a notice of demolition application. This was approved earlier in 2024. https://portal.newcastle.gov.uk/planning/index.html?fa=getApplication&id=131631

Eventually yes.

There's a planning application in but it's not approved yet.

This is not talking about the student blocks named after the area of the Town Moor, but the area of the Town Moor itself (the land immediately north of Leazes Park). Also a side point but the uni don't have permission to build the new blocks yet, even though they've cracked on with demolition of the old ones.

The other thing with Castle Leazes option is it's close enough to the city centre to still benefit local businesses, and use all existing transport infrastructure, but it probably is that bit further away that would mean more concession revenue on site like Spurs stadium gets if you created a very good/different offering to local pubs (similar to what has been achieved with Stack).

I think there's generally a conflation between the two sites, and somewhat understandable given the closeness and that you probably would need some impact on LP to do a Castle Leazes plan. But it's far more viable than a Spurs-esque rebuild directly on LP that would be, IMO, an absolute non-starter.

Also I'm not a fan of the idea but just because Homes England have bought a big chunk of the Forth Yards site now I really don't think that would preclude them again being willing sellers if PIF wanted it. It's an extremely difficult area to develop due to remediation required and the other adjacent landowners needed to make a workable joined up site. It also remains questionable in terms of viability at North East land values. This is why nothing has happened for years. A stadium led regeneration plan with foreign investment where traditional sale values aren't as relevant would be one of the few schemes that could consolidate and deliver that entire area, tbh. I don't think the club are interested, but it's probably one of the easiest doors they could push if they wanted to.

It's actually a pretty good and well informed article, and probably the most accurate so far in covering the various constraints that have been mentioned in dispatches about expanding SJP. It also does well to cover the benefits of SJP location in terms of transport/infrastructure which peripheral sites would almost certainly fail on. The only thing it is a bit light on is the alternative sites for a new build in the city. I still don't 100% get why the focus is so much on Leazes Park, when looking primarily at Castle Leazes is a much more viable solution.

6k at Sheffield Utd tonight is shocking.

Not sure they miss Diaby that much tbh, he really didn't pull up many trees last season for me.

I'd really not like to play Spurs in the final. Actually feel a bit ill thinking about it.

I'm sure back in the day it used to be fairly common for players to actually not be allowed to do things like skiing or watersports etc and for it to be written into their contracts. I guess that's not as much of a thing anymore.

He completely spoiled his reputation with the Man United loan and how bad he was last season for me. I would say this run of form has cancelled that out and he leaves with a solid rep.

Cole would have been pre-PL surely. The only other one I can think of is Hayden but I'm sure he never played a PL game for Arsenal.

Willock

https://x.com/StuartBrookes/status/1876911952485568698?t=AkvBULjeGwQW75Dar5qMig&s=19

Unless they're confident in him signing a contract extension they're having a laugh really. His value will be £30 million max by the summer.

It's not like the FA Cup particularly stretches the squad. Rounds 3, 4, 5 and QF are all on allocated free weekends anyway. You're only getting a fixture postponed if you get to the semi finals.

Howe definitely has a blind/stubborn spot in terms of squad recycling to deal with PSR. He didn't want Wood to go either even thought it basically meant we could do the Gordon deal. I get it but we have to also work bigger picture.