Happinesstan

He's so unassuming. I guess his early withdrawal from playing the game has contributed to that. Confidence is one thing, but you need a certain amount of arrogance when on the pitch. The likes of Lampard and Gerrard nurtured that arrogance for much longer than Howe, and have had less time to reflect as managers.

You're comparing Brigitte Bardot to Sophia Loren.

I'd say the police were in a bit of a crisis at the time, which had it's impact on the average football fan's ability to enjoy the match in safety. In truth the country was in crisis which effected the average person's ability to enjoy life. Of course, I'm sure he wasn't asked in a way that would inspire such an answer. But yeah. However, whilst I'm not too concerned about it, it does hint at the bigger picture of media representatives sticking to a narrative. Meh. Nowt will change.

Yep. Clubs aren't going to facilitate our sportswashing project for free.

No mention of his salary but I'm led to believe it's numerous pounds.

Isn't that the job description for sports journalist?

Precisely. it's nothing to get your panties in a twist about, like. I'm just pointing that out. If the England job became available next summer, would he consider it. I think, and hope, not. But It can't be dismissed. EDIT just noticed the thread title. Didn't realise he'd signed a new deal. Great news.

The horse is dead so it harms nobody.

A couple of times he implies his loyalty is to the end of the season.

It's chalk and cheese. Howe works his bollocks off 25/8 and has the air of somebody that does nothing all day. Bruce does fuck all and sounds like he's in the last straight of his third marathon of the day.

Canny bag of tudor Paqueta crisps. It's not rocket surgery.

Nowt worse than lifeless salad.

Hmm, rocket science. We're not in a position to fly to the next galaxy, just yet. This season is about maintaining orbit. Not much point spending our entire budget on one player that could win us the CL when we're nowhere near qualifying. This season is going to be pivotal, and I can empathise with the desire to get it right. It's weird because everything seems at sixes and sevens. Our weakest position is RW, although I think Fraser and Almiron are adequate for this seasons ambitions, if we improved our CAM. It seems Diaby was our main target, but he wasn't ready to come, but maybe next year? I think this might explain why we passed on the opportunity to sign Cornet, as he'd be unhappy to be dropped after 1 year. I think this is why our attentions turned to Maddison. Somebody who can bring out the best in Almiron/Fraser, and compensate for the lack of goals. Then back in for Diaby next year. Still harbouring a wish that we end up with Cannibaga for £40millionish.

If reports are to be believed, we already tried to buy him in a structured deal, before our interests turned to Maddison. My guess is that it was too good a deal to refuse, but spending all that in one go restricts our chances of getting somebody else. That 17.5M might be the first instalment on Diaby, next summer. leaving Cornet a 17.5M surplus to requirements. Who the fuck knows what's going on. Just bring on the match and let's see where we are on 31st August.

I think it'll be Schar and Burn that start. We haven't seen our best eleven in pre-season, which suggests we're going with [essentially] the starting line up that ended the season.

Based on what?

The worst are the ones that give them the shares just to whinge about them. "Ooh look what I found on the internet. Am I a good boy?" It's nothing more than a human centipede.

I'd be happy with tenth but I dream of better. I think as we are we're a safe bet to finish top half. Somebody compared us to leicester [I think] saying we gained 39 points in the second half of the season, compared to their 27. . I'm not expecting to repeat that over the course of the season, but if we can average 27 per half we'll be fine and dandy, and I see no reason we can't do that.

Of course not. I never said we could. It's not like I'm saying "Chill fellas. 3rd is nailed on" it's simply a reflection of what we can achieve, as a team, with Wood as our forward.

Don't have to tie any knots. We've got two PL players in every position except the 3rd midfielder [I don't class Matty as PL]. However you rate our 2nd choice striker he contributed to all but two of the games that saw the team collect the 3rd highest points over the second half of the season. Ideally we would get a young prospect to develop in time to replace Wilson, but it's not a necessity.

People larking about. Don't go on.

Was Werner's first season at Chelsea, under Lampard? If so then you have to treat his performances as you would Joelinton under Bruce. There could be a player in there.

Once the season kicks off his clickbait headlines aren't required as there is actual news to be reported.

If we've only got £40 million and a club wants 60 for somebody that could go, next season, for 30, it might work.

Although we have bid on numerous players, we've yet to bid over £40 million for anybody. Therefore it's difficult to assume we have more than £40 million available. Howe saying he was hopeful of 1/2 signings would also back this up. We either blow the full 40 on one player, like Maddison, or we get a couple of bargains/prospects.