ExiledGeordie

Getting the train up from London after work today and going to the match tomorrow. We're going to have to play well to win this but I've got a feeling Gayle will be crucial tomorrow. That goal for him last weekend was massive.

Cheers to the lads here with the business acumen for explaining the whole process ?

He'll be crucial in the upcoming games because he's the only finisher we have and his pace will a,says cause issues. That goal yesterday will do loads for his confidence.

I'll obviously get shot down for saying this by my mate who does some work with the club & knows one of the lawyers for the players/club has heard it's still very much on. I've heard nothing in terms of completion dates or anything though.

If you accept that football fans are, generally, morons, it becomes much less astonishing. Good point haha

21, bags of potential. I find it astonishing that football fans in general can write players off so early.

Big Geordie you read my mind, literally just been muttering that to myself :lol:

You get th feeling they're a bit similar don't you. Lascelles is turning into a real leader with muscle at the back for us whereas the other two are more ball players.

Agreed. Rafa wouldn't even need a ridiculous amount of money to turn this side into a decent one - a few key additions here and there and we'd make a massive jump up in ability.

In his first season in the league and he's not ong back from an extended break due to injury. Good player ?

As I've seen Dave say a few times on here if the new owners simply eradicated ridiculous decision making, showed a modicum of respect towards the fans and never mind spending gazillions on players just simply TRIED in the tranfser market we'd all be happy as larry.

Irrespective of the takeover we'll be fine. There's some right dross in the league and with Lascelles, Merino, Dummet back and Gayle getting some goals we'll pick up the necessary points. We'll lose a fair few tight games but equally we'll win enough. I'm not worried because we're organised, we've got great spirit and Rafa is our manager (for the time being at least).

This thread and the transfer rumour thread if/when it happens

If we can bring in a couple of attacking players (striker, creative no 10) it'll give us more options and I think we'll be fine and finish between 8th and 12th. A takeover would obviously change everything.

I was at the London stadium yesterday with my West Ham mate yesterday. They were all over the place at times, defence was shocking. They actually started the second half well, scored and then conceded 30 seconds later. Wasn't massively keen on the stadium but it's much better than I thought it would be.

Fans booing and abusing a player eh, stupid cunts. Just what someone needs to build their confidence.

I don't think he's actually done that bad recently but he was dogshit yesterday. I'd much rather see Mbemba come back in there.

Gayle wih Merino playing and we might be into something, well atleast until January. I thought Gayle worked really hard yesterday and looked pretty sharp. Didn't look to be bothered by any hamstring issues with good speed.

We were absolutely atrocious in possession second half and inviting on pressure.

Inclined to agree here. Whereas it's clear he's hardly a prolific goal scorer I found a few of the calls to total sport amusing with the usual calls for Mitrovic and playing two up front. People seem to forget that Mitrovic has done nothing to prove himself really and there's always the risk of a red card. They also forget that decisions are made based on what's seen in training, none of which we see (effort etc). Might be an argument for changing things slightly and playing Gayle up top but whoever it is we're always going to be short until some genuine quality is brought in.

No easy fixtures but great chance to go into the international break with a win here. A win keeps the general momentum going, a draw wouldn't be a complete disaster though very frustrating, a loss obviously very disappointing. If we play with the intensity we can do at home we should win this. I can see them making mistakes at the back, we just have to hope we have our shooting boots on to stick any chances away. Hayden back into midfield to add some intensity.

Spot on

Completely agree. Disappointing performance but Rafa is getting the most out of what is a very average squad. We'll win tight games just as we'll lose them eight the way we're set up. We're functional because we're limited as a team. Joselu and Perez are complete wank though

That's what I've been thinking. Assuming anyone thinking of buying the club is nearing the end of due diligence maybe we'll see an initial offer around then.

I’d take a point away from home again and then an all out effort to put Bournemouth away before the international break