ExiledGeordie

He actually met up with that fan and gave him some tickets. Fan apologised for behaviour.

I think he’ll go this window

Feels like things are going to explode in the last 2-3 days of the window transfer wise………and on here ?

Eales has said the summer will be transformative, make of that what you will. I’m realistic about things in terms of spending but I think there’ll be a massive overhaul in the summer and the Jan is the first indication of it. FFP will always restrict us and others until there’s changes.

That’s not entirely correct. The first of a new 3 yr stretch of FFP starts in July together with the fact that the new sponsorship deals come into play from summer. We won’t necessarily be able to go beserk but we’ll be able to spend a fair wedge. It’s just that now we are cutting it very fine with FFP and therefore in the current predicament. However the club will always have to learn to sell to generate funds. Agree on the cartel too though.

The “humour” on their podcast is absolutely woeful. Waugh is great to listen to. Caulkin goes off on too many tangents at times. On a separate note I struggle to listen to that Charlotte on true faith. She actually makes some really good points but she’s developed the is kind of annoying drawl trying to be comical which makes her hard to listen to lol Norman Riley and Corby are excellent. All with smiling faces podcast is the best one for me.

Depends what they have lined up imo. FFP has forced their hand to act and continue the next phase of rebuilding.

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Neither would I. I don’t think he scores enough goals as one example.

The Joelinton is an interesting one to see what happens. Wants a wage increase on par with top earners but how high does the club value him? They won’t want him to leave on a free when his contract is up though.

It’s also that if someone comes in an offers him a 3yr contract and offers us a decent transfer wage he’ll want to go. Like you I just think we can’t rely on him anymore with his injuries. We need a solid 2nd striker option to Isak and probably even a 3rd young striker option.

Great post. Instrumental in our turnaround but it’s the kind of bold decision that FFP forces that might mean we let him go. I had a patient in the other day who was ex police and appeared to be fairly ITK with Mag links. Decent bloke, didn’t come across like a bullshitter but who knows if there was any truth in it. Either way he was saying we were actively trying to move Tripper, Lascelles and Almiron on this window. Having Tino and Krafth as RB options and using Trippiers wages and any transfer fee on forward options or other areas might be what they’re leaning towards.

I get where you’re coming from but to be fair the demand was always going to go up with some success. Like you I’m not sure I’ll bother with the ballot next year as it seems there’s so little chance of getting a ticket now but then at least there’s an chance of getting one so maybe (probably) I’ll renew. I got one for Arsenal in the Gallowgate which was great but no other success though recently I’ve not been bothered to try or try not applied because I’ve been away when a match is on. I loved going when Howe first came in and you could get a ticket through membership pretty easily (2 even) and that whole atmosphere and drive to stay up. I went to most home games and went to a fair few last season. The opportunity has changed due to success but as I said I think that was always going to happen so I was expecting it. I’m kind of resigned to watching it on tv from now on really but equally I don’t feel that stressed about it partly because I enjoyed that first season with Howe so much and have great memories from that. I might go and watch Heaton Stannington for some live football.

While I do think we’ve been unfortunate with injuries I’m sure the medical team and management will probably look back at certain decisions and think “did we do the right thing”. I’d imagine the severity of the situation probably made them roll the dice or take a risk more than they would’ve liked.

Cole and Beardsley was just amazing to watch wasn’t it

I bet he’ll always wonder what his career might’ve been if he’d stayed put. But as you say it seems maybe given his lifestyle and just inability to stay fit that wherever he ended up things may not have been much different to how it turned out. He was absolute wrecking ball at the height of his game though.

I can see Bruno going eventually to be honest. Combination of profitability and his desires/ambition but I think it’ll be after next season.

Absolutely, I don’t see him going anywhere

Howe is a victim of his own success. All the positives in terms of impact that he’s had which Kid Icarus has outlined above have led to a meteoric rise in stature. Thats meant for some fans I feel a sense that the standards/league position/champions league qualification cannot drop at all irrespective of circumstances, which is unrealistic. I disagreed with my local journo mate when he said that the club absolutely HAS to finish in the top four now have qualified last year. I just don’t think that’s realistic with the squad we have. I mean even if we’d had everyone fit or just a couple of injuries qualifying for the top four and managing extra games with the champions league would’ve been tough. Howe can and I imagine will adapt tactically and learn from this current situation which has been very challenging but there’s no way his position should be questioned currently. Yes people can comment on or question things he’s done recently but ultimately the injury crisis this season has been the worst I can remember and has completely knackered what we’ve been able to do as a team. Even having 2 or 3 subs (e.g Barnes, Anderson, Wilson) to bring on last night and we’d probably have at least held on for a draw.

Absolutely spot on

The seapn almost starts afresh end of the month. Some time off, hopefully a few players back and maybe even some signings. I think some of the fans need a break too ?

He gets the rest of this season and next season imo. If after players are brought in in the summer (and this month) and we faulter next season then I think they’ll start looking at other options.

Or midfield currently

?? they really do and while doing that keep repeating “Barnes, Anderson, Willock, Wilson, Murphy, Joelinton, Tonali”

I would rather we’d have gone for it more against probably the best side in the world but how exactly do you propose we did that looking at our bench?