ExiledGeordie

I would only add that we probably need two CBs now. One “marquee” signing and one dependable as Botman Lascelles out long term.

That sums it up well really ?

Yeah he’s a titan for us, would be huge to lose him.

It’s a really harsh decision but it’s daft from Burn. VAR has ruined football though.

My god that was shocking ?

It’s made the top 6 almost a closed book. The premier league are starting to shit it now that clubs simply won’t be able to spend money, players will leave and the product will be effected. See recent daily Mail article regarding potential shift to “luxury tax” system.

Do we have a midfield? ?

I can’t fathom why they would’ve put Targett on 100k per week? Seems bonkers and highly unlikely

Righto ?

There’s a good chance Bruno goes, selling Isak too risks wrecking too much of our progression and a massive negative reaction from fan base. Sends out completely the wrong message regarding ambition.

Had this exact conversation with a Villa fan who was a patient at work. He was saying exactly this.

I think this is it essentially. Will be sad that he goes but feels inevitable. The sale will at least help fund a rebuild.

His contract is up at the end of the season right?

Isn’t his contract up at the end of this season?

Isak needs to bury that chance second half and then a brainless act at the end by Dummett, otherwise we win. Last night highlighted again how much deadwood we have in the squad and how weak we are when so many key players are out.

I think Bruno is gone in the summer, I don’t think we’ll sell Isak as well. The only way he goes I think is if he agitates for a move.

Assuming there’s a fair chance Bruno might go, seems a big risk to shift two major players on and strikers are hard to find. I feel we haven’t seen the best of Isak yet too potential wise. The worry would be if Arsenal come in for him will his head be turned? I’m not saying he’d force a move but you could see why he’d be keen.

I think if Isak definitely needed surgery you’d imagine it would happen around now tho the Botman situation makes you wonder about issues like that. Fwiw I was chatting to my local journo mate and he was chatting to one of the Arsenal correspondents (Athletic maybe?) who was pretty convinced Arsenal are going to come sniffing around for Isak in the summer.

I really like Barnes as a player but I agree it was odd to sign another LW when RW urgently needed upgrading.

If Miggy is starting next season I’m going to smash my flat up

I’m a pretty mild mannered fan but if we line up next season with Burn at LB and Miggy at RW I’ll go apoplectic ?

The scans were clearly inconclusive and therefore the medical team sought multiple opinions from knee specialists. One opinion was that it wasn’t a complete rupture and could be managed conservatively obviously with the opinion he could get back to full fitness. There was also the opposite opinion that he needed surgery. Usually with ACLs it is pretty clear cut but doesn’t seem so in this case. There are definitely questions to be raised regarding the medical staff this season but their decision will have been based on specialist opinion. Now it does appear that surgery was probably the best option because he’s re-injured the knee but to suggest they all need firing and are somehow negligent is way OTT. Collectively the club has got this wrong though I agree.

I think he probably gives us next season then goes next summer though I wouldn’t entirely rule out him going this summer. I’d love him to stay for years but are kidding themselves otherwise.

The Botman injury has a massive impact on the summer. I agree 2 x CB vital, another robust striker and a right winger are vital key positions. We could do with a DM but I’m not convinced the club will go for one given Tonali will come back and Joelinton will almost certainly re-sign and given the need for other key positions to be filled. The elephant in the room is Bruno who could be sold and then you’ll see a bit of an overhaul in midfield. The LB situation needs resolving too, too much faffing about from Eddie there now.

In fantasy land ?