Away Toon

Bit controversial but I’d be looking to upgrade Pope with a goalkeeper with some semblance of footballing ability. Either that or instruct the players to never pass the ball back to him.

Doubt it, Pep would never pick him, ever.

Without Longstaff's physicality we are being overran in midfield.

We don't normally play well without Longstaff so it will be interesting to see how we manage without him.

We are going to get what we deserve ultimately and that's all we can really hope for.

Hw would have definitely improved us.

So with Liverpool looking likely to pick up maximum points from their remaining games, we will soon find out if as a club we've grown a pair since the League Cup Final surrender or if we are still paralyzed by half a century of failure. Hopefully the latter starting by beating Arsenal on Sunday which should just about clinch it.

England midfielder Mason Mount has one year left on his contract and is yet to sign a new deal with Chelsea. Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle are all interested in the 24-year-old. (Mail Sport) Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe will have a transfer budget of up to £150m to spend this summer with Arsenal and Scotland left-back Kieran Tierney, 25, among the targets. (Sun)** Newcastle are monitoring Roma's Brazil centre-back Roger Ibanez, 24. (Nicolo Schira) Newcastle will consider selling French winger Allan Saint-Maximin, 26, this summer. (Football Insider)

Should get a better idea after today if the owners and management have started to change the losers DNA that has stunk up the club for the last 50 years, this seasons cup final not being a positive sign. We as a club have to start winning the key games that matter and today is one of them.

Why would anyone blame Burn, he's not picking himself to play left back which is not his position.

Nobody said that, just that Emery is better.

Nobody is writing Gordon off certainly not me, he just doesn't look particularly good so far especially for the money we paid. I personally don't know why we bought him, the position he plays was certainly not the highest priority to upgrade.

I honestly can't remember anyone on here thinking buying Gordon for 45m was a good idea.

Emery has won at least 10 major trophies in his career. Rice was by far the best player when we played them both home and away and everyone on here would like us to buy him. What's your point?

What does this mean? That so far Villa are on top, leading and tactically look way better organised then we are. There is no comparison at all between Emery and Howe's careers.

Well they should be 3-0 up already.

I wouldn't be surprised if we get a 5-0 hiding at this rate.

Poor by Trippier. Missing Longstaff.

The problem with Rafa is simple in that he wants a project with him being in control of all transfers and being the de facto sporting director. Clubs no longer want to do this as when it all goes to shit there’s nothing left to build on.

??

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Newcastle and West Ham are the frontrunners to sign Ivory Coast winger Wilfried Zaha, 30, on a free transfer when his Crystal Palace contract expires this summer. (Star Sunday) Newcastle have also been long-term admirers of Scott McTominay but Manchester United want at least £50m for the Scotland midfielder, 26. (Star Sunday)

I wonder if we'll be back in for Ekitike?

Schar was MOM I thought.

Rice is by far the best player on the pitch and normally I don't particularly rate him.