Hanshithispantz

Both goals were great like, Almiron's ball out to Trippier for the first was something we really lacked from our forwards. Trippier's ball into Almiron for the second was fucking NAWTY as well. He'll bring us so much next season along with Botman.

Aye I'm more thinking Almiron tbh, going off this pre-season, but I do think Fraser can contribute a lot next season. I doubt either will hit 21 goal contributions like.

He basically had Wilson and Fraser like Kane and Son a few year ago Wilson 14 goals and 9 assists Fraser 14 assists and 7 goals I really want us to sign another 2 starters, but i'd still be exited to see how we do with this squad. I do think we've struck gold with Howe.

Not sure how you get either Brexit or Paqueta from that like

I wouldn't say any of those are overrated like. Shelvey gets shit on a lot. Willock doesn't quite look a midfielder yet I think most agree, and people are just happy Longstaff is starting to look back to his old self. Longstaff and Shelver especially look like solid Premiership payers but it would be nice to bring in someone a level above, like Bruno.

Swedish keeper was 5'10. Ours and their one on the bench were 5'7 Wrist strengh will probably be a factor too. Tbh it probably makes things more entertaining, but literally everytime women's footy is on you hear about the keeping.

He played against Burnley although I don't think we've seen much from it. Made a great tun into the box at one point, hard to take much more away.

Ekitike is clearly a ridiculous prospect like, we may have been chasing him regardless of our striker situation (although the fact we needed one will have pushed us to offer as much as we did). Howe has basically said we're just going to look for loans if we need to. He knows gaps will need to be filled.

It would be nice to go ballistic in the narket but the off field improvements are far more important. We will likely make another big signing you would imagine though.

We could easily see better performances from players we've already got. Fraser had a really good season for Bournemouth a few years back (about 20 goal contributions), Targett looks like he could probably improve going forward, Maxi showed more of a willingness to play for the team late in the season and Longstaff was looking solid. I don't expect every player to turn things around or improve but there will no doubt be a few we'll be looking back on in a years time in a different light.

He could be getting help from family. He could have pulled a loan out etc. He could also just be making more than what is assumed. Jamie Reuben got him tickets to the races before so the club helping out with flights and tickets isn't exactly out there.

We had comfortable top 4 form for half a season without ever looking out best. We could finish pretty much anywhere tbh, it's hard to tell how we will be, but Howe and the team showed last season that they can perform above midtable level for prolonged periods of time. Carrying that into next season will be very difficult but it makes little sense pretending our ceiling is lower than we've already shown. Willock is a year older, we have Wilson and Trippier back, Botman and Pope are clear improvements on paper, and everyone has a full pre-season under (from what we've seen so far) the best manager and staff we've had in recent years. I wouldn't be shocked at all of we finish 6th like (although I wouldn't put money on it )

It's a shame it's so hard to find old interviews and thigs as there's a load of Pardew content out there which will sadly be forgotten I remember one where he says something about someone/something being "brilliant" with a proper cunt smile on his face, the "naked eye" comment etc. He was just an absolutely ridiculous cartoon charecter and it's easier to see the hilarity of it all after the takeover.

The Pardew years are atleast funny to look back on. The dance in the FA Cup final was so outrageous too that I struggle to even dislike him anymore. There's just nowt about Bruce.

Made a mug of absolutely everyone of us thinking he was the wrong choice for a relegation battle due to being too attacking like

Good watch. That, along with the things we're seeing like the squad meeting with Brailsford, are why I'm not even questioning our recruitment, or the contracts we're giving out. Most players in our squad will never have had a pre-season like this. I think we'll absolutely batter Forrest on the opening day.

Which one is this?

He's in the 99th percentile of wingers/forwards for being dispossessed. Also in the 99th percentile (top all in all I think) for successful dribbles. He's obviously very good running with the ball but he needs to make better decisions.

Depends on cup runs but 5th or below would be disappointing I'd say given Ten Haag's reputation.

We agree in anycase, I'm saying Draxler is more suited to a possession based side (if out on the wing) where as we need either someone like Harrison or Diaby (both direct, the forner being more rounded, the latter being more attacking). He would probably do a job in a midfield 3 but I would much prefer Paqueta, aye.

I mean he's played the majority of his minutes on the wings like (even at PSG) so that's a canny mad claim to make, zero. I suppose him on the right of a midfield 3 would make more sense for us though.

There's not much difference between 3 goals a season and 5 goals a season in this context tbh, they both suggest a winger not really suited to scoring goals, or who is playing in a system that doesn't cater to it. Given the fact he doesn't really contribute off the ball and gets dispossessed more times than 99% of the league, he really needs to be contributing to like ~15 goals a season. The kind of numbers Bowen and Barnes are hitting. I think he could do it with better players around him if he listens to the coaching staff.

You would imagine any winger we bring in is left footed with an eye for goal like. Or someone like Harrison who's a decent mix of graft and ability. Haven't seen Draxler in years, but he seems more suited to a possession based side?

I checked Transfermarkt and they labelled Trippier but that could be way off. I'm not sure on the full fee (just that we had to pay more after staying up)

Take away Joelinton and we've already broken our transfer record 4 times within half a year We'll probably do it again this window too. The most important moves are being made off the pitch in anycase, but over the next couole of windows we'll 100% continue to see a dramatic improvement to the squad. Both in purchases, and exsisting players performing beyond what they were previously seemingly capable of.