Roids

We're agreeing in a roundabout way, if the backups aren't fit for purpose, they're worthless. Ofc I don't expect to have had 2 of similar ilk for every position. For relative comparison, Gordon went down this season , Barnes came in performed better. That season, no single position could be said to have adequate cover besides maybe Isak -> Wilson

We couldn't, I'm not suggesting there was much we could do prior, especially with the PSR handcuffs. But the squad as constructed bar a miracle wasn't going to survive 50+ games especially with the intensity we played with. We'll have the same issue next season if we don't make the right signings this summer

You're speaking of quantity, I'm referring to quality. Tonali was suspended so we had a core of Bruno, Willock, Joe & Longstaff playing twice a week for over half a season, they guys were visibly knackered and couldn't sustain their best levels You may not remember but we led the league for the season in time lost to injury, because as mentioned, the squad was strong enough to play twice a week (not to mention International games)

This is revisionist. We were extremely top heavy in quality and couldn't deal with injuries/lack of form, consequences of which reared its head in the leagie

best of luck to Villa

can we close this thread pls

No need to be salty

They make a lot of money on sales. The scatter gun approach is nuts no doubt but it can work if you're able to recoup most of it on 'duds'. Man City aren't too dissimilar.

McTominay just won player of the season in Italy despite his many limitations on show in the Prem Anthony went to Betis and looked 'renewed' Gyokeres has scored a billion goals in Portugal and is still readily available Sancho looked great at Dortmund but extremely regular in Prem I say all that to say killing it in a foreign league means very little, demonstrating transferable attributes (i.e. technical ability) should be the main consideration

I said this near verbatim yesterday and folks got irate The people yearn for a transfer, no matter how mediocre

You're not allowed to say that

We were excellent all around, bottom 1/2 , top 1/2, doesn't mean there isn't further room for improvement The staleness of the foward line and lack of pace and the back have been consistent issues throughout.

It's an inconsequential sentiment which shouldn't be getting you as worked up as you are

It's a football forum , opinions are shared

Forest sit back, embrace pressure and hit on the counter. Perfect for someone like Elanga who's then given acres of spaces to run into We won't/don't have that luxury, we saw vs Everton how stagnant the offence is when teams don't offer space (Arsenal have suffered with this all year, Man City too for most of the season) Need better quality, not just pace merchants if there are ambitions of consistent Top 4/5

I'm not subscribed to the cult, my opinions on players can be independent from Howe or anyone else for that matter

hope this transfer doesn't happen

Kudus for sure (I loved St Max and think he'd have done well under this Howe side with genuine talent around him, was our only bright spark in a sea of shit).

I hear you but that could apply to every potential signing which makes it a mostly redundant point (unless it's clearly apparent as it is with some players) I can only judge on talent

low level football knowledge and RTG-esque bants

And how do you know he can't? You can't assume the worst of him then write him off on that assumption. Most of us have ambitions of Newcastle being a consistent Top 4/5 side and eventual challengers, Elanga does nothing to help with that

Not when the gulf in talent is that large Elanga is a speed merchant that's it, ability matters and that supersedes that every time (not to mention Kudus is no slouch either) Kudus is also far more versatile and can play across the line at a good level

Kudus is the best player there by a mile NOL never fails to disappoint in its lack of ball knowledge

We need ballers, we have a lot of graft and pace in the forward position but lacking a high level of tech. Isak exists alone, big gap to Barnes and another to Gordon. It'd take our offence to another level. Cunha and/or Buemo would have been near perfect...

Grealish would be a poor signing as I don't think he has the motivation (assumption from a far) It at best offers a short term fix assuming a locks in fully but from a human element, it's a tall ask to ask a 30 yo multi millionaire to take a 'step down' and also expect him to put in the hard graft necessary to succeed. If the price is right, sure but would rather a 22-25 talent on the rise. We also already have 2 LWs so unless we're looking to play him in the middle it doesn't address any immediate squad concerns