Emotic

One of Eddie's little weaknesses, IMHO. He has shown that he likes to bed players in progressively. It's the right way to go about things, normally, but not when your options during a relegation battle are Ciaran Clark and Karl Darlow, ffs.

I don’t have a doubt in my mind that we’re working on at least one striking option. A club that has just made an offer of 30 mil for a centre back won’t be going into the next half season with Dwight Gayle upfront

We actually might, given that Botman and Carlos have drastically different styles of play. We might not sign both, but a “cultured” defender (with a left foot), like Botman, alongside an “all-action” player like Carlos, would be transformative. We’ve been linked with tons of CBs, I’d be surprised if we end the window with just one incoming.

How many staff do you all reckon we have with all these irons in the fire. Watching that Sunderland Netflix documentary makes me imagine two blokes in cubicles just sitting around working the phones, sweating and caving in to outrageous demands on deadline day

It’s really typical Newcastle for us to be sat at the arse end of the table when everything should be in place for massive buys. Clubs worldwide are skint and tons of good players are at the tail end of their contracts this year. We’d be hoovering them up if we were mid-table. Now it’s geography and league position messing with players desire, plus our desperation messing with clubs valuation of them.

'kin hell!

Watching to the end of that video with the exotic names, and then seeing the final lineup with Matt Ritchie still in at left-back

Still only 21 years old too. Amazing that he was such a prodigy at such a young age.

If both Lingard and Martial want away, we should be in the running. Either of them would keep us up easily and probably won't cost the 70 mil Euros being bandied about for the likes of Vlahovic. If one of them comes, it should also give a reasonable buffer to slowly ease in a (cheaper) foreign-league star like Azmoun, or Barbosa.

I remember when Traore first signed for Villa and what an astonishing coup it seemed at the time. And remembering him against Pardew's Crystal Palace on his debut, completely tore them a new one. Thought that he'd be world class. These days I amuse myself on the new football365 refugee forum thread on Adama Traore, replete with his absolutely shit stats. There was a time when he and Ryan Sessegnon were considered the most exciting young wingers out there. Really astonishing to see how much their careers have regressed.

Maybe we're pursuing targets zonally?

Lacazette is another one with six months left on his contract, no?

Barcelona “hoping that Newcastle will help them out” ffs That’s unreal. “Here, take my world class player, just 80 mil”.

Can CouCou play as an out-and-out striker? Of all the superstar names being bandied about, his seems relatively plausible. Only issue is if he wants to come. Barcelona needs money for Torres and everyone else seems skint.

Since we're on a roll signing older players from Atletico - 34-year-old Luis Suarez, anyone? Contract is up in six months too. "Big Name", experienced in the Premier League - ticks all the PIF/Eddie Howe boxes.

I'd hope our "end of window" signings would be from that spectacular buffet of superb players who'd be free to walk away for free in the Summer - and not a bunch of flawed big names. We've got a bit of money and clubs would rather get some money than lose the player for nowt in six months. Ginter, Lingard, Sule, Dybala, Kessie etc. If they haven't moved by the last week of January, their clubs may be tempted by a reasonably large offer.

What's Ramsey's injury record this past year, like? I'm quite certain we'd stay clear of anyone made of Pringles. Ramsey, Umtiti, Wilshere aren't the sort who'd help us avoid relegation. Young, hungry, fit winners is what we should be after. Players with no baggage. Can't imagine having a string of bad results and then having a Galactico throw a strop.

Easy way for a journalist to get clicks, I reckon. Bad news - Great news - Bad news - Great news. Couple of days back it was "Trippier set to sign - but will Chelsea hijack the bid?". Today it's "Newcastle has eyes on EVERYONE". It could all be made up, but it matters nowt. It's all about the clicks.

If it's really his account liking the tweet on the Trippier signing, there has to be more than meets the eye. Can't imagine Lille being too happy about what would be a clear sign of intent on the player's part. No matter how subtle, it means his head has been turned.

Plus, wor Eddie seems to like giving players a generous bedding-in period. Not unreasonable for players from foreign leagues, tbf. Which might explain the preference for those with prior PL experience.

Yeah it's weird. If I had literally died at my work just six months ago, I'd throw in the towel and enjoy a nice relaxing early retirement. And I'm a skint accountant

Barbosa isn't a "beast-type" traditional centre-forward though (although he looks it). He plays very deep and has a bit of a soft shot. A little reminiscent of another Brazilian in our ranks....

How is it that West Ham and Newcastle have practically been interested in the same targets for years, man? Does Nickson work for both clubs?

Fantasy front six lineup of a Paraguayan, Chilean, 2 Brazilians, an Argentine, and ASM?

Looking at the clips of Alvarez and Barbosa - do the South American leagues not believe in marking, like? Everyone just standing still whilst the striker nips in behind.