Shadow Puppets

Was lucky enough to be in corporate hospitality today and was sat next to Botman’s dad all game. His whole family, mum, dad, brothers, sisters and grandma all came across. Absolutely lovely family. So proud of their lad. When the flag display was in full flow pre kick-off, Botman’s dad turned to me and said “I think he made the right choice!” ?

He was an absolute pleasure to watch today. My favourite player ?

Can’t fucking wait! The last time I set foot in St James’ it was for the Arsenal game, one of my greatest ever experiences at football. Been desperate for the season to start again.

It was mentioned in the press earlier today that we had been encouraged by his agent that we could get him for £42m. Hence why we were interested I guess.

Because they invest in a business, which is perfectly fine, and that business owner got involved in buying their own football club, which is perfectly fine.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with our approach and, if it is true that we only have a small budget available, so what? We are quite clearly going to strengthen before the end of the transfer window. People just need to calm the fuck down. Look at how far we've come.

It won’t be our budget. It will be carefully briefed to the journalists so that the word gets out that people can’t fleece us.

I'm still convinced that we're going to go back for Maddison.

Still convinced we wouldn’t have come this far in negotiations for us not to end up reaching an agreement. We got the Botman deal done eventually, we had everything agreed for Ekitike…it was the player who turned us down. We managed to get Bruno and Trippier for great prices. Once we go all in for a player we rarely lose out. Give it 3 days and I bet we have reached an agreement.

The encouragement could be coming from agents, it could be coming from the player, it could be coming from someone at Leicester who knows they need to sell quickly. Who knows? As things stand, it's still not 100% clear whether this bid has actually been rejected.

They'll be bidding £20m under the asking price (if it's true) because they're getting encouragement to do so. I think we'll meet in the middle somewhere, probably in the next 3 days.

I'm still confident we'll get him... think we'll put a package together in the region of £50m and it gets done ?

I think £45m is a good offer like. I'd imagine we'll go to £50m and it'll get done.

Outstanding achievement. Really chuffed to bits for them ????

I’d prefer Maddison to be honest. Proven PL quality. (though I would love either)

I’d prefer Maddison to be honest. Proven PL quality. (though I would love either)

Not really. Bruno played from deep in most of his best games last year. He’ll still pop up in the box.

It really depends on your outlook. Maxi, Miggy and Fraser are a pretty rapid set of options out wide. If we can add a Cornet or (hopefully) Diaby, then that would be perfect, but I think adding someone of Maddison’s quality would be game changing. All of a sudden out midfield three is on par with most of the best teams in the league.

He comes across as a tool the same way that Craig Bellamy did. Pain in the arse to opposition fans, but amazing if he’s yours.

There aren’t many higher than him in the PL for output, and if there were they’d be £70m plus.

He would be a game changing signing. Very classy player, and scores goals. Also a bit of a prick, which we need in our side in my opinion. There wouldn't be many midfield trios in the PL better than... Maddison Joelinton Bruno

Yes please! Love Maddison!

Just don’t see the attraction in those kinds of women at all. A fake plastic life.

I think he's fucking hilarious, me! ?

Stop being such a fanny man. It’s done. When they say formalities they usually are referring to paperwork. It’ll be work permit or similar.