Happinesstan

Leaving the big clubs no choice but to form a ESL?

Delighted with this, would have been so disappointed if he'd gone elsewhere. He's earned this and I hope he is our first choice for years to come. More than anything this transfer reassures me of the loyalty and integrity that has been growing.

Has anybody said he is as good as Digne going forward?

Agreed. He's just as reliable going forward, he just takes fewer risks because he respects his defensive obligations and has Maxi in front of him.

Yeah. In the games when Maxi was injured he was overlapping all the time. It tired him quicker but he looked more than capable.

Oh I wasn't suggesting you were. I totally agree, just pointing out that if we're still interested then they have reason to believe it's a realistic prospect. Whatever the media say. I suspect Ashworth might be vital in this regard. He'll have the most experience to assess whether the player is stringing us along. I might be basing that on the reports about Henderson, mind.

Howe said Lewis would get a chance in pre-season.

I'm torn. On the one hand, if they're not 100% convinced then they might not be 100% committed. But you can't really blame a player for considering the option of AC Milan. I think if we end up getting Botman then we have to trust that Howe is convinced.

There's Thomas Strakosha. Unless he's signed for somebody else.

Not a chance. He's the dictionary definition of consistency.

Does he get brutally murdered?

Nowt but best wishes for the lad. Served his time with us, and time to move on. No room for negativity towards players being shipped out.

He does remind me a little bit of Dennis Wise, with a brain.

Not against this as a plan, but I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Targett make himself irreplaceable. He just seems like the type of player to really benefit from Howe's coaching. Could easily be our Milner in 10 years.

Was just thinking today that maybe we were stalling to bring the price down. £15mil was agreed before he fell in love with the club. Shrewd business if that's the case.

Yeah. He explained how he saw himself as the "centre of the wheel" and the interviewer was like, "I can do a better metaphor than that"

I'm stumped by this conversation. Just tell me if you're pulling my leg before I go crazy.

"It's about being patient" I doubt they've told Bruno anything different.

Need to know basis.

Yep. I'm excited to see who arrives. I'm not excited to see how many players we can be linked with.

Botman to Ake doesn't sound right to me. One is 6'5" the other 5'11".

"It was like an old man's urine off a child's face, Stew"

They paid their bribes in separate cheques.