Chicken Dancer

I think PIF will flex their muscles and he'll sign a new deal towards the back end of the window.

I wouldn't mind us trying for Hayden Hackney from Boro. As we've seen in recent years, there's some talented players in the Championship. It would be good to get the next Wharton/Eze/Rogers before they become £60m + players, and you'd imagine he would be available for a fairly reasonable price for what is a position of need (when Longstaff goes).

We definitely need a centre-half, no doubt at all. Hopefully if we sign Ekitike it doesn't mean the budget has nowt left. I wonder if that given his season was decimated by injury last year, we could try to loan Scalvini with a relatively hefty loan fee, but with an obligation to buy next summer if he plays a certain amount of games.

I did think there would be someone who is the 'face' of the club. I suppose Staveley sort of was, but I would definitely be in favour of an appointment that would put someone front and centre. Communication is key and I think we've only heard from Eales a handful of times.

Hopefully we can poach him then!

How many Miley brothers in total is there? I see Mason has signed a scholarship now. Am I right in thinking there's a fourth that's over at sunderland?

Really? I’m just basing it from the fact we were heavily linked 2 years ago and we often go back. As I say, I really hope not.

I’ve a feeling we will go back in for Maddison. Really hope we don’t. I think he’s good but that’s about it. He’s very hot and cold, but I think we will nibble if there’s a deal to be had.

They've probably already given him a nudge ala Trent to Real Madrid. Not that Liverpool would ever do that of course.

I still think they will need to sign some experienced players. They're giving it a go but I'm not sure it'll be nearly enough. The main motive for these signings will be that a couple of them perform well enough to warrant another club paying double the price in a year or two. Can't blame them for that. I can't see which of the 17 will be shite enough for any of the 3 promoted sides to stay up. Perhaps Brentford but even without Norgaard & Mbuemo, they're still streets ahead of the promoted 3. It's shite really, but it's the way that it is now.

Aye there either needs to be built in devices that limit speed (like that thing new drivers get) or a much harsher punishment than a slap on the wrist and some points on your licence. I've seen the idea floated before that everyone undertaking their driving test should be made to go through a course that highlighted the dangers of speeding (and drink/drug driving) with some real life stories/examples. My Mrs done jury duty about 5/6 years ago and one of the cases was some knobhead speeding to get through a light as it changed from green to amber - ended up killing some poor person (can't remember if male/female). She said it was absolutely heartbreaking, so showing this type of tragedy would sharp wake up 95% of new drivers. The 5% are the type that will never change. When I drop my kids off at school on a morning, it never ceases to amaze me the amount of people bombing through going at least 30mph. It's actually a 10mph zone during pick-up/drop off time, and the roads are rammed so it would be very difficult to spot a child running out between cars. I'm constantly drilling it into my kids about road safety. Honestly as a parent I could say that it's one of my biggest fears - the worst bit being your child could do everything right, it just takes one dickhead going too fast to ruin everything.

I absolutely hate people who go 100mph + constantly. I've got mates that do it. You're not just risking your own life, but everyone else on the road. It's absolutely ridiculous that people find the need to speed - just leave earlier ffs. How many times have we all been in the car and someone has sped past us only to get stuck at the very same traffic lights? It's a disgrace and needs stamping out of society. Even to this day I hate driving on certain roads and I've been driving nigh on 17 years. Hugely sympathetic to Jota, his brother and especially his family, but it must hurt them even more now that they know that it was ultimately an avoidable death. It's a huge shame and hopefully a wake up call to the boy racers out there. It won't be.

I think even for the most sane mackems, they just hide their hatred of all things Newcastle well. The mask slips every now and then. I've one mate who genuinely finds RTG and the whole 'FTM' shite embarrassing, to the point where we send each other photos every time we see an FTM licence plate (trust me, there's so many).

Never liked Forest fans since that horrible night in December 2016 (granted it wasn't their fault). Huge set of entitlement and I was glad they didn't qualify for the CL last season. Nowt wrong with being proud of history but ramming the European cup wins down the throats of others whilst conveniently forgetting they spent a generation in the lower leagues. If it wasn't for Clough they'd have been a nothing club forevermore. (Fully aware they probably see us in a similar way).

We've a very good XI on paper mind. Certainly for the next few years if we can keep hold of Isak. A younger, long term replacement for Schar and the average age of the 11 - save for Joelinton - would have yet to hit their peak years too. Very exciting times.

He was in year 7 when we won promotion the first time He might have helped us from the stands I suppose. Is a very sensible signing for Leeds though.

I'm not arsed what number he is as long as he doesn't take 9 A winger wearing 9 is all sorts of wrong.

I'd sooner shift Dubravka to Saudi for about £5m than consider selling Pope. Trafford looks like he will be a good Premier League goalkeeper - perhaps even great - but for now Pope is a good Premier League goalkeeper. Pope should be our #1 for (the start of?) 25/26 unless something changes. I'm fairly certain Trafford will know he won't be #1 initially, but with the intention of him being first-choice for many years. He's 22, basically a toddler in the life of a keeper. He could be our #1 for 13 years +

I still think that when we sign Trafford, Pope will be first choice. Certainly in the early period of the season anyway.

We definitely would need someone who can play in between Isak and the midfield in certain games. Over the last few years we've been heavily linked with Maddison and Pedro - two players many of us questioned where they would fit in our system - but it shows Howe would love for a player who can play that role in certain situations. I think versatility is key. We don't want to sign an out and out '10' as we rarely play with one, but rather someone who can play across the front or perhaps in a midfield 3 too.

I just didn't like some of the things he was putting out on his socials in the relatively early days after the takeover. It was very much 'us v them' for the whole ST vs member shite that rumbled on for a while. I do think it's important to have a body that is independent to the Trust, though.

I love Joelinton but his durability over the last two seasons alongside a gruelling season approaching means we almost certainly need another central midfielder. That's unless Howe really fancies Miley as the 4th choice going forwards, but even still we will need a body to replace Longstaff who can hopefully offer slightly more. If we can shift Dubravka we should definitely sign Fraser Forster for a homegrown slot. Pretty sure he's out of contract. On Longstaff, he can leave with his head held high. He leaves a cup-winner, as well as scoring some really important goals for us in the last few years. I think Leeds is the perfect move for him - he's actually brilliant off the ball and that's something that will be very handy for them given you'd expect them to be conceding plenty possession in the majority of their games. The club has outgrown him and there is absolutely no shame in that - he has contributed massively to our success since the takeover.

That ain't the trust, but I also struggle to get behind anything with that 'eez from waaalsend' fella at the front of it.

Nah I totally get you. I remember not being too sure on Gordon, who despite a slower season last year has been worth every penny (and more). If Howe thinks he can move the needle I trust him, I think I’m mentally still stuck in the age where £60m gets you a world class player. A bit like me old man when the pints go up 10p in the new year in the club. Absolute uproar.

I’m glad it’s done. If Howe wants him - which he clearly does - then he deserves to be backed. I think talk of £60m was ludicrous, but then what’s £8m these days?