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So we previously we where overflowing with left backs, now its overflowing with goalkeepers, what do we think the next position will be?

Hall back in the squad

If he where to stay at home, he'd miss about 5/6 days of pre-season (depending on when we fly back), plus a friendly in which he'd likely feature in, which is quite a lot of time when the season starts in 2 and a half weeks, so it makes sense to send him out. Plus, like you said, if he was to just be milling about at Benton for them days, it'd probably make him feel likes not not actually part of the squad

I don't know if I'd class that as "substantial" like, it feels like that's just the going rate for a Premier League loan these days

While it's not exciting in any way, I do think it's not a bad deal to be honest and actually pretty sensible, he challenges Pope more than Dubs does, he's better then Pope in certain aspects and if he does well enough we can make it permanent, if not we shake hands and we get a proper upgrade on Pope next summer.

That article feels like it's more about Hope patting himself of the back than any sort of news or update. Infact there is 0 new information or even an illusion to new information in that article at all

As a complete aside from our whole situation, i'm really glad i'm a lot more dethatched from social media these days (Other than this place) and I have a much more chilled approach to following the sport then I used too, as the transfer window these days is just pure garbage from start to finish, there is absolutely nothing redeeming in it, there is 0 enjoyment in it , every transfer for every club is seemingly known well in advance and drags on for several weeks until its complete, and in that time you'll have Twitter ITK's spouting absolute nonsense, journalist looking to cover column inches with the same stuff regurgitated again and again with no new information ever offered, agents putting out names of other clubs to manipulate the buying club for one reason or another, and people like Romano who just shout a tirade of guff continually, normally from agents using him as a vessel, so he can make a quick buck. Then you have fans of other clubs with a online following like Rory Jennings rage-baiting fans of other clubs all for engagement, as well as actual fans who just use the internet who's emotions go from one extreme to the other based on whether their shit sinks of floats at a given moment, with absolute zero room for nuance, breath or critical thinking. Its actually ridiculous how obscene it all is.

Ahh fair enough. I mean I can see why thats concerning, though as far as we're all aware the situation is still the exact same as it was yesterday, in that he's not for sale from our perspective, and Liverpool havent even submitted a bid yet. Not sure if its quite worthy enough of the increase in blood pressure that a lot of people have seemingly gotten from it mind

Why are people up in arms all of a sudden? Is there any news thats come through or something?

It was £27m we apparently offered and what was accepted, and thats what Man City are paying.

It may be the case that we waited until halfway through the window, but it could also be that we where negotiating and getting the price down. The point is, whenever we did have a bid accepted, Man City could still swoop in, as that clause always existed. And Ramsdale as a loan with an option makes sense in that it gives us a better option as backup/ someone who is on a similar level with Pope, while allowing us to keep our options open next season if we want to go big on a goalkeeper then.

By all accounts we did have a bit for Trafford accepted, Man City just had a matching clause and decided to activate it.

No-one is obviously above criticism, but Howe's signing have basically had an 100% hit rate, so I think he's more than warranted the "I trust Howe on this one" slogan people have been saying, especially when you add in the fact he's won us a trophy and gotten the club into the Champions League (twice) and saved us from a near certain relegation. From my perspective, the dude is a living club legend, and he can do what the fuck he wants in my eyes, if he wants to stick Ramsdale upfront as a Isak replacement, sure go ahead, he's more than earnt it

Come on now, we may not be getting our transfer targets, but the effort is well and truly there and you know it

With the whole "tyne bridge" thing, who signs off on the marketing for this stuff? As looking at the press-release it looks like it may be Adidas who do it? Its such corporate nothingness of a statement though, you see it quite regularly with other clubs, where kit manufacturers feel the need to say its linked somewhat to the area, when it clearly isn't. The way its been released somewhat stealthily with no build up of fanfare, not video etc it makes me think they know its a whiff, and with the connotations of the color that they just wanted it to be put out there with everything moving on quickly.

Its probably the most boring away shirt we've had is a while like. Its not bad, its just not good either. Just pure "Meh".

ngl a sadistic part of me is looking forward to creating the "Rate our Transfer Window" thread on September 2nd.

I don't think "Conceded most in the league" is a particularly fair when he was playing for a Southampton side that were rivaling Derby's record like. Like he saved the second most shots in the Premier League last season, but that stat is a bit worthless in itself as he played for Southampton.

Basically this.

How is Pope done like? He was perfectly fine just a couple of months ago at the end of the season, but all of a sudden he's done? And Ramsdale isn't shit, it's uninspiring I'll give you that, but he's not shit, and was pretty solid for Arsenal for a few years.

If a loan + option which this seems to be, then this deal actually makes a lot of sense, loan fee depending.

Ehh? Come on now behave?

Yes, pretty substantially, he's probably better than Pope too, its just not by much.