Shadow Puppets

I didn’t say it wasn’t fine to be hopeful. I just see a lot of posts from people on here and on Twitter being disparaging about players like Dendoncker when they’re a very realistic signing who would significantly improve our midfield options. It’s surely setting yourself up for massive disappointment to be expecting another deal the size of Isak or Bruno to waltz through the door in the next 2 days. Be hopeful, sure, but you must surely see why that is unlikely. We’ve already had a very good window…I just think people need to be mindful of that. Regarding your other point, you being pedantic. Everyone can see with their own eyes that Willock usually plays as the most advanced of our 3 CMs. And regarding the “Arrogance” comment… pot kettle. Right back at ya.

There’s some absolute knackers on this forum like. People seriously setting themselves up for disappointment expecting a big name midfielder or RW to walk through the door in the next 2 days. I even read some requests for another RB after Krath’s injury. It’s laughable. Of course it would amazing if a high profile CM does arrive, but I think it’s also massively unlikely (and that’s ok). We’ve absolutely transformed the first team over the last two windows. Incredible work really. To expect them to also transform the bench in that time too seems just a little bit ridiculous. No team in the history of football has a perfect squad, apart from possibly Man City. If we can improve the squad options in the next two days then great, but people should not be too disappointed if we don’t. Look at our strongest 11 now… it’s outstanding in many ways… Wilson ASM Isak Willock Joelinton Bruno Targett Botman Schar Trippier Pope I’d be more than happy going with what we have if necessary, but a CM who can compete with / improve on what we have would be icing on the cake.

Expecting (and would be perfectly happy with) just a decent CM on loan.

I think the RW position isn’t something we’re focusing on. Howe has already said he expects Isak and Wilson to play together, which leads me to think he’s planning a first choice front 3 of Maxi, Wilson and Isak. Almiron and Fraser are perfectly able backups for that. CM is almost certainly the priority.

Doesn’t bother me at all this one. Pope is considerably better and Darlow is an adequate backup. Dubs has likely forced the move.

I think it’s very unrealistic, and people are setting themselves up for disappointment, expecting 2 starting 11 players to walk through the door. When has ANY team ever had a perfect window and solved all of their problems at once? I’m at the stage where I’m expecting a CM on loan and that’s all. And that would represent a very solid 2nd transfer window.

Seems a lot like agent talk this Alvarez one. No decent sources reporting it.

It’s pathetic isn’t it. The reality is that we’ve played OK, been undone by a lovely goal, and have a lack of quality in depth up front / in CM. There isn’t a team in the country that wouldn’t struggle with two of their best CMs missing and both of their decent strikers unable to play. To say you hope only 3 of these players will be here in 3 years… Pope, Botman, Schar, Trippier, Joelinton and Maxi deserve more respect than that.

The paperwork has nothing to do with us, ffs.

I agree he’s not better than our best 11, but it depends what the club feel we need…to actually improve the 11 or just add more depth.

As a backup…he’s definitely good enough. Would obviously prefer a significantly better “purple” though.

McTominay is not bad… he’s just not good enough for Man Utd.

It’s not up to us. We’re waiting for international clearance.

If you watch the video he quite clearly calls out Romano for jumping the gun when both his Newcastle and Watford sources made it clear that no agreement had been made.

Downie reiterates on here that it was absolutely never a “here we go” situation…

I, and a few others, are just pointing out the vastly different attitude people have towards the local journos when in reality they have been right more times than not this summer.

He was also wrong this morning on Isak already being here.

If that's the case and it's only 3-4 weeks, I think we're definitely still in for Pedro and a CM.

Romano jumping the gun twice in 3 days, eh! (This post is solely designed to wind up KI ?)

Well yeah. That’s another discussion entirely ?

They had all been briefed that to manage expectations.

You should start a Twitter account and get yourself a catchphrase!

Missed this… what did he say?

Pretty sure that all the local journos (I know two of them) were briefed to keep mentioning a low budget to keep expectations in check.

Just for clarification, is he a striker, or can he play anywhere across the front 3? His YouTube videos + that goal vs Barcelona have him in relatively wide positions.