ExiledGeordie

They could sell it to him as being the “final peace in the puzzle” to deliver the title (assuming they come up short this season). Theyre also well stacked on most areas other than striker so could probably go all out for a striker. I just don’t see us selling him this summer though as it would completely derail our plans and it would take Isak to agitate for a move. The fee would be massive too particularly as he’s probably about to sign a new contract. The likelihood is he signs a new contract, stays, fires us into the champions league next season then probably stays or we don’t make champions league and we sell him next summer for some ridiculous fee.

Howe always talks Targett up but due to Burns form and his injuries he’s barely kicked a ball recently. Realistically how much is he going to play moving forwards? Wilson also seems like a no brainer to move on in terms of the financial aspect. Plus if club brings in a young, exciting 2nd striking option (e.g Sekso type signing) then he becomes a bit part player and I’m still not convinced he’d be happy with that considering he still has a few decent years left in him. Time will tell. I still think we need 3 strikers even if the 3rd option is Wilson or a young development option.

It’ll be very interesting to see what the club does with Wilson. The ideal situation is we bring in another really good young striker AND Wilson stays and we have 3 strikers. Whether he’s happy with that or whether we’re happy to cash in say if a promoted club wants to take a punt on him with a contract. Tosin and Kelly make perfect sense in terms of defensive reinforcements and free transfers as it frees up money for players in the striking and wing areas. I’m also intrigued what happens at LB and what Howe things if Hall in terms of his readiness to start next season and Targett. Is he going to use Targett as the steady Eddie player to rotate with Hall and have Kelly (assuming he signs) as the emergency LB or will they move Targett on in the summer and bring someone else in? I’m not convinced Hall is ready to be the bonafide starting LB for us and I’d love us to sign a really solid experienced attacking LB but they cost money. Summer will be very interesting indeed.

Assuming we get Tosin and Kelly it’d be interesting to see how much outlay we have for RW and striker.

Faster surely?

My fear too but an excellent signing if we can get him. We are a very attractive option for a player currently. Is this lad canny quick?

Yeah Kelly would make sense, also on a free too.

I will say that if he has another barn storming season next season but we don’t make champions league (and I think we will though) then I think its likely he’ll go.

We’d be totally screwed trying to find a new striker too, they’re impossible to find. Plus the points you’ve made. Isak would have to force a move through and I don’t see that all.

Theres just no way we’ll sell him this summer. Arsenal will almost certainly go for Toney.

I think you might be right but I still think they’ll bring in another striker. No way they can do into next season with the same situation as this season.

And he’s shown how effective he can be in that role. The wider question is whether he can become a bonafide starter which we’re all not sure about. almost feel he’s better wide left running at people than in midfield. Proper physical player though, love that. I’d love to see him score too.

I thought he was poor yesterday and was disappointed but most of the players were poor first half. Seems better as an impact sub but there’s real quality in flashes there so i still think there’s a real player there, needs more time.

Thing is say Joelinton, Bruno and Tonali are starting then Willock, Anderson, Miley, Longstaff from the bench isn’t bad. My only issue is we could do with a bit more creativity/goals from midfield. I suppose we’re still not quite sure where Tonali fits in. The bulk of funds will need to go on CB, striker, RW, maybe even LB though.

When you see Longstaff stuttering on the ball as he is at the moment you realise how crucial Tonali could be for us.

There’s also been a few times where we’ve had a good break and rest and still turned up and been crap in the next game.

Murphy can play the energetic back up role on RW though he is different to Miggy. I think Miggys time is up with us, great servant but time to move him on. Quality options need upgrading on that right side and have so for a while now.

Dogshit performance but again when I look at a starting 11 of ours and see Krafth, Murphy, Longstaff and Burn at LB I’m pretty much expecting it to come apart at some point. Sure we can pull off the odd result like Spurs but we’re going to get found out eventually especially away from home. We can’t be having too many games next season when all 3 are playing in those same positions next season.

I was disappointed not to see Livramento start at RB and while I think Howe got it wrong in terms of how he set the team up he was let down by the players last night who were god awful in possession. Team was out thought and out fought by Palace.

Twitter is awful. I have it on the iPad but I probably only look at it once a week, absolute cesspit.

LB needs sorting this summer/early next season, no fucking about. If he rates Targett then use him as the steady Eddie and blood Hall in too. If not ship Targett out and get an experienced LB in with Hall as the rotating LB. I like Burn but sick to god of seeing him at LB.

I think we need a RW who can tear an arse in a defence, stretch the field and create a goal in tight games. We’re too reliant on Gordon and Isak. I suppose if Bruno stays maybe he’ll play higher up with Tonali coming back in ?‍♂️

Longstaff assuming he stays won’t be getting the same minutes next year. Miley will be improving and we’ll have Joelinton and Tonali back. We definitely need some more creativity though

Agreed midfield is also an issue at the moment

God I hope not