LFEE

Howe also said it obviously in his own guarded way in a press conference. Along the lines of figures nowhere near those being reported. Was probably around the £50m mark with £5m add ons. Always dangerous to target a player post a big tournament. No blame attached as that was our target and it played out the way it did with Parish & Sky. Felt we reached our limit very early on in that window. The rest was just posturing from Palace.

Well you’ve met me plenty of times? How many times did i tell you? Best crosser of the ball at the club particularly on the run. Cannon of a shot just needed to avoid hitting post every time. One of fastest players in the club. Eye for a defence splitting pass. “Give him a clearly defined role in the team that simplifies his game and with his unselfishness he will create chances and score a few goals”. He’s never going to be a skilful winger that can dribble, nor a physical one that can bully full backs. His future replacement might be able to do all that too but there might be trade offs too. Wingers will be wingers. History proves that. Not really disagreeing that the midfield we are trying to construct has outgrown Longstaff. However surviving a relegation and having a more disciplined structure whilst we tried to win games with clean sheets getting us to 4th he was a very big part of that. With more support from the crowd he had the potential to build on that a bit further if not loads further. Sadly his confidence from lack of crowd support has gone now and his last few appearances usually coming on after Miley are those of a player who knows their time is up. Which is a shame for a local lad living his dream also watching Murphy finally being embraced. To get us up to 10/11th from near relegation then 4th and then 7th in a depleted midfield, first cup final in 20+years. He must’ve been doing something well. Hopefully the fans can bring themselves to give him a good send off likely against Everton and thank him for working with the club and hopefully getting us some PSR leverage.

You said that about Murphy I don’t get moaning at the ground at our own players personally. In the history of football there are very few examples of when it’s been productive

His best game this season comfortably.

Shows me nothing when he plays at SJP. Found all the hype and size of fee etc silly. Dodged a bullet?

Definitely.

Palace apparently only lost 2 of their last 15 away games. Latest one being Man City. Even then they could’ve found themselves 0-3 up without their supposedly best defender.

Two of the most inform teams of 2025. Will be a tough night if we let them settle.

PSG look average when Villa bypass midfield and play long ball over the top.

Trying to get the ref sent off

JT confirmed this morning no injuries from game?

I’m keen on a fast RCB. Just not sure Guehi fits the bill. Would hope for quicker personally and more dominance in the air. Even a bit more aggressive. Not saying that’s an easy combination to find mind at a reasonable price.

Yep. I’ll be very surprised if they go ahead with 65K only. Seems to be Eales pushing that idea with American demand>supply thinking. The fact he’s leaving us in Summer when we secure a replacement might help push through to PIF a more ambitious vision.

4 points from Chelsea and Villa games. Do that and we are in with a shout. Squad still too small to be any more confident at this stage. Admittedly I never ever count my chickens before they hatch.

They turned on Moyes within months. Remember Talksport playing adverts for match tickets before Xmas etc. Their patience with LVG was also short lived as they found his football boring. They give Jose a bit more time due to his recent reputation but they lost patience with him the season after he finished 2nd as they thought he was toxic. Ole they backed due to an amazing 27+ game run but that unraveled after they mistakenly resigned Ronaldo. ETH and RA so far they have stuck with. Think it’s dawned on the wider fanbase they needed to rip it up and start again.

Makes sense. Second city and all that. Another reminder 65K far too small for us this century.

Probably just a good news soundbite to deflect from Howe being ill I’d imagine. Would be good to have him for Arsenal away and go 5 at back again. Villa and do the same would also be amazing.

Could he play down the middle to rest Isak when needed? Wilson looks well off it. Obviously there’s Osula. Gordon no good central for me. Like you say. Can’t see the pair of them starting otherwise.

Does that not just mean no photos or videoing (which i applaud for the record) rather than ability to have your phone on you to check scores?

Look where he was put when it was Murphy subbed and Barnes on a hat-trick. Look where he plays when it’s him coming on for Murphy.

Definitely his most aggressive game I felt since joining us and he’s deceptively fast when he needs to be. Almost seems to hold it back as a surprise for the right occasion. Got to play on the left though like I said a few weeks ago. If you want Gordon and him to start you’ll get more for the team with him staying left. Question is can Gordon bring to the team what Murphy does on the right…

Thought Brighton and more so Bournemouth did off top of my head.

I also heard today he had sepsis.

Third successive day I’ve seen a single magpie. Honestly man just pull the plug on today. Got bad vibes about everything. Can hear those cheer up KK taunts ringing round in the 2nd half…