Lush Vlad

That’s just how Eddie likes them in this system. Might be a good Burn upgrade. But a bit injury prone, like you say.

No idea on names. I don’t watch all the European leagues. Or even keep tabs on players that are often linked to big moves anymore. But I think right forward, striker and a left back. Right forward is priority. I think the striker depends on what happens with Wilson. 2nd choice to compete with Isak or a younger 3rd choice type that perhaps can cover across the front three. Left back is kind of dependant on what happens with Hall and Targett. But seems like we have 3 left backs and none of them seem a strong first choice sort of level. Howe loves Burn, despite his flaws. Targett fell out of favour a bit and has been injured a lot. Hall doesn’t get a look in. EDIT - I would have said centre back. But seems Lascelles is staying for another season and we also just gave Krafth and extension. I do worry about the lack of pace in the back 4, mind.

Because they would play a right footer on the left. With Miggy constantly cutting in and attacking the defenders stronger side. I assume?

Clearly had an attitude problem and a bit of a flawed genius. But I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed watching a player more when on song. I don’t think it’s outlandish to say he was the best dribbler in the world bar Messi, when he was on it. Always been a Tino man since when I first got a Toon shirt off my Great Uncle. But HBA is my favourite player, I think.

I think an Arsenal fan got a few slaps last season? Supposedly was being OTT and almost goading people. So hardly surprising. It was up in level 7 and there was a short clip on Twitter of it.

How good is McKenna, by the way? I suppose he needs to maintain this with Ipswich for a bit longer. But I think he is similar to Rob Edwards and could be given a shot at a bigger/Prem club next. Both have done amazingly well with the players available and respective budgets.

I quite like him. But I think that ship has sailed. Would have been a decent signing on the cheap or a free. But he signed a new deal, missed some big chances and has now fallen out of favour. Yet would still now cost us quite a bit more. If he was the 3rd option to perhaps cover across the front three and we had two strikers ahead of him. Think Isak and Wilson level, but ones that could stay fit. Then I’d be all for it. But I’m not sure why he’d trade 3rd or 4th choice at Arsenal to be 3rd choice here.

Kind of agree with others that a rest for Trippier and missing the internationals might do him some good. He’s been playing through a couple of niggles this season as it is. I do worry a bit about our build up, mind. His forward passing is so important for us and we still often go down that side to progress up the pitch. Tino much better at carrying the ball, TBF and a really solid 1 v 1 defender.

I was gonna say. I’ve heard indirectly from managers where I’ve worked that they’ll only offer pay rises if staff hand their notices in and then they will counter offer. From speaking to recruiters and also mates that work in that kind of field. They reckon more than half their candidates will get an offer, say it’s not about the money. Then stay when they get countered. It’s a bit shit that so many businesses operate this way and also employees, as well. But seems to be pretty common place.

Still not sure we’ll go for a specialist DM. But having someone else other than Bruno that is capable of playing the deeper role, would be nice. I still don’t think Tonali is that player and we know the rest of them are not really up to it playing there. If we keep Joelinton (and Bruno…..). Then I don’t think we prioritise midfield at all.

That works both ways, TBF.

Where’s he got that £180k a week from? I didn’t even think Bruno’s new deal was rumoured to be that much. Didn’t realise he might be back playing this season. That would be a boost if he was available for the last few games and we had something to play for.

Isak has struggled to stay fit since getting here. Wilson has a pretty dreadful injury record throughout his career. He’s missed half his games here, for example. He looks to have finally lost his sharpness this season when he’s been available. Gordon isn’t a striker. Might be ok as 3rd or 4th choice. If those ahead of him in the pecking order could consistently stay fit. It would be madness to rely on just Wilson and Isak again. Wilson needs moving on.

Didn’t they start the year with 3 home games in a row where they conceded 5? Villa, Brighton and someone in the cup, I think. Horrendous.

I think if we were at home. I’d fancy us, again. I know we’ve got a few players back since. But we were really poor away there in the cup. We couldn’t string two passes together. A similar setup to the weekend might see us to best effect here. Even more pace on the counter now with Tino playing. Assuming Trippier misses out, of course. They’re such a strange side. They look like they’re really clicking some weeks and have had some decent results or at least performances. But they still seem wasteful in attack and soft at the back when it matters.

Their first shot on goal and what was more than a half chance. Came on 66 minutes and it was a comfortable enough save from Dubs, from a shot outside of the box. I like O’Neill. But his comments come across bitter as fuck. We may have had a bit of fortune with all 3 goals. But we had better chances right up until they finally tested our keeper. Even after that. It was hardly the alamo. Two routine saves and that was it.

Link up out wide with Gordon was really good. Isak seems to enjoy playing with him. He found loads of space first half coming in more centrally and all. Oh and some of his passing was great second half. Never really been part of his game that stood out to me. But certainly has it in his locker to play balls wide and in behind. Spurs last season being the most obvious example.

Not really. I was going to caveat that I don’t think they’ve suddenly become a good team. I still think they’re in a bit of a false position. Find out at the end of the month.

Massive win that. We really needed a routine, fairly comfortable, almost boring at times win to nil. The fact it has come against a team in and around us, is even better. Willock was immense. Bruno had a brilliant and disciplined second half. Longstaff was much better playing high again. Murphy helped with the width and press. Subs all contributed positively. Just a shame about Trippier and West Ham’s late couple of goals.

Good to see the press back. Longstaff playing high like that is where he is effective. Don’t want him anywhere near the build up. They’re having a lot of the ball. But not able to get in behind much so far. I feel like we have played well. But been a bit rushed and panicked in some dangerous areas. More goal in this for us if we keep disciplined.

Eh? That seems like a massive overreaction and also downplaying loads of stuff. That fan village thing. An overhaul of the youth setup. The training ground improvements. Some, albeit minor, improvements at the ground for the players. They have appointed architects and design consultants for the new training ground, I think? The study into the new stadium or expansion of St James’ Appointing Ashworth, who then subsequently wanted to leave. That’s not necessarily their fault. The women’s team. A shit load of money spent on players, putting us right up to the line with FFP by all accounts. Probably missed some and all.

Why do you suspect the project will be downsized?

They could ask for some taxpayer money to fund the purchase?