Happinesstan

I don't see much problem going forward. I think as long as we continue to compete, and improve, he'll be happy here. He wants to win, for sure, but he's so much more than just a winner. e's the kind that doesn't just believe he deserves to win, but the kind that sees the opportunity to win, and does what is necessary.

I thought Ba was a free agent.

You think a fb should have parity with an attacker? I'm not about to disagree with the principle but it just doesn't happen. Bruno has ten years ahead of him to increase his wages, and he will. I'd actually already be considering an improved contract for him.

That said, it's not me that's paying for it.

When we're talking these numbers, 150k for an attacking player, isn't too different to 100k for a defender. Dunno what Lingard is on at MU but he isn't sacrificing anything to leave so he's really got no right to ask for an increase in wages. Other than the fact he's available without a transfer fee. He's been overvalued by MU for too long, because MU can afford to overpay. I like the kid and [taking the tweet with a pinch of salt] he'll go into every negotiation with the same attitude as every other pro, available for free.

Who in our current squad could complain about earning less than him, with 32 England caps? He's entitled to ask for similar to Trippier with 35 caps.

That's not necessarily true. It all depends upon the situation. If, say Norwich, had come in at the beginning of this season and rescued Schar, they would have performed much better.

He gave us a structure to work on in preparation for the Watford and Leeds games, after an abysmal performance against Cambridge, from a team that included Kieran Trippier. From that Athletic article: "Howe cites the 1-0 win at relegation rivals Leeds on January 22 as the “massive turning point”. Newcastle were 19th, two points adrift and as encouraged as he was by the “buy-in” from players, he knew he required wins to retain their faith in his methods." We don't win that game, IMO, if we delay the signing of a forward.

Needs better players around him.

What were you saying? Incredible achievement. howay the gas.

Exactly. The same people that cry about social media are the ones that justify it's existence in the current format. Stop scouring the web for things to hate.

I think there is little doubt that Rafa would have performed better in the second half of the season, despite ignoring the pundits' demands that he change his methods.

I don't give a fuck what he cost, survival is priceless and we probably wouldn't have done so without him.

TV is full of people like These. Thick as fuck but happy to spout bullshit for a free lunch. They know the script and will gladly repeat it because 99 times out of 100 the script will be followed and they will be vindicated.

Aye. A one man band amidst a well trained orchestra, at the minute..

Shelvey used to get visibly angry/frustrated with the lack of quality around him. It was what I disliked most about him. This cunt has a baby fit every time somebody fails to guess what he's going to do.

No. I've included their cover/replacement in the 7 players we need.

Watching that video of Cannibaga, he's not afraid to come deep. I think Bruno and he would make an interesting pivot. With either Shelvey, or Willock adding the extra dimension where relevant.

Think we need to focus on consolidation, with the season after in mind. Our current 25 man squad is: 1 Martin Dúbravka 3 Paul Dummett 5 Fabian Schär Double his salary for a year 6 Jamaal Lascelles 7 Joelinton 8 Jonjo Shelvey 9 Callum Wilson 10 Allan Saint-Maximin 11 Matt Ritchie 13 Matt Targett Sign permanent deal 15 Kieran Trippier 17 Emil Krafth 18 Federico Fernández 19 Javier Manquillo 20 Chris Wood 21 Ryan Fraser 23 Jacob Murphy 24 Miguel Almirón 26 Karl Darlow 28 Joe Willock 29 Mark Gillespie 33 Dan Burn 34 Dwight Gayle 36 Sean Longstaff 39 Bruno Guimarães This gives us 9 spaces in the squad. In order of priority: We need a keeper, obviously. Not a first team priority because I'm happy enough to continue with Dubs. But getting rid of Darlow and Gillespie leaves us short on back-up. Woodman may be back, of course, but we need somebody of equal quality, or better than Dubs. Happy to have a youngster come in for a year or two, but got to be somebody that can step in. Should be looking at somebody that can replace Dubs in the next year. Right Wing. We need a huge improvement in technical ability out there and I would be prepared to break the bank, or take a punt on a free superstar, bugger the wage structure. I'd double Bruno's salary for next season anyway. Almiron should be adequate back-up/competition for next season. Forward. If we get the right [Salah] player for the RW then we might train ASM to do the Firmino job, which would give us a different option. But we definitely need a goalscorer that can stay fit. Again, somebody that can come in as back-up/competition, with a view to taking over the following year. Midfield. If we get the right players, mentioned above, then we really don't need to do too much to the midfield. But if we can get good deals on those positions, I'd be hell-bent on Bruno's mate Cannibaga. A midfield three of Bruno, Cannibaga and Willock/Shelvey, with dynamic attackers in front, would be immense. Defense. I wouldn't change the first team back four. There's maybe an error or two in there, still, but we're sound with these four. But I do like that Trippier lad and think he could make us even better, so I'd probably make that change and keep Krafth as the back up. But we're short on cover at LB and Schar and Burn will likely need improving upon the following year. So there you go. We have 9 spots with 7 priorities. That shouldn't upset the harmony, too much. Get to it Amanda and Eddie.

The thing I like about him is his character. He's ambitious and wants to win things but, and this is what suits us, I think, he's happy to be competing. As long as we continue to progress he'll be happy here. If he's on £1million a week in five years... Imagine the wage structure.

If it means Joelinton bagging a brace from the left, I'm all for it. Thinking about his flick that set up the penalty vs Wolves, he might be an effective Firmino type for us. If we get a Salah type on the right wing.

It's yankee cunts doing that, not scousers.

Then we leave him well alone. We want players that justify a pay rise, not players that have failed to justify their last one.

I think CM box to box is his future. Hs aerial dominance in CM is a bit of a rarity. Bruno in the Shelvey role, but under Howe's desired system so not sat in front of our own box, with a Cannibaga or Willock in the attacking role.

"Channow"