Shadow Puppets

I really think people are reading far too much into it. Looking for issues to explain away what is likely pretty innocent. Its not unusual for deals to go down to the last week of a transfer window, and it’s also not unusual for teams to hold out for players they really want over knee-jerk purchases to fill a void. I’m no expert, but everything I’ve heard behind the scenes about Eddie’s relationship with Mitchell so far has sounded pretty positive, albeit my info tends to come from the playing side rather than management side. And also a couple of agents I’ve got to know pretty well recently. I think there’s a genuine understanding across the whole club of the difficult position we’re in with restrictions, and I think they’re working from a really small list of agreed targets, as small as 2-3 players for each needed position. If we can’t get those players I don’t think you’ll see us buy for the sake of it. Regarding any specific info I’ve heard these last couple of days, obviously everyone is still expecting this Guehi deal to happen (as they have been for the last few weeks), so I’m still expecting it to happen. All I know is that Guehi himself has been essentially just waiting for the green light, and communicating that to some of his friends up here. According to one of the agents I’m friendly with, he thinks a lot of this week’s activity is going to hinge on Chelsea, and the domino effect of their dealings. He also thinks we will try for Madueke (but this was before his hat trick today). Also, he reckons that we have been scouting Gianluca Prestianni (18 year old winger / forward) from Benfica. No idea whether that’s for now or the future, but he seems a live wire from his highlight reel. My gut feeling is Guehi will sign and we’ll push for a loan with option to buy RW, but either way I can’t fucking wait for the window to close.

Give over man… Dan Burn is a perfectly capable PL squad player (and in my opinion will go down as one of our shrewdest ever buys). Murphy also decent squad player. Longstaff has his plus points too. I agree they’re not players who should be starting week in week out, but the point I’m making is you’re suggesting that we need to replace them in the starting lineup when in reality we already have (they’re just not fit), apart from Murphy.

Agree to disagree on that one, but even then, there’s still Tonali.

I’m confused by this post, because, with everyone fit and available the only player of the 3 you mention that’s likely to start still is Murphy. We already have Willock and Tonali who will start ahead of Longstaff once everyone’s firing, and Botman and Schar will start at CB long term (and Guehi assuming that still happens). CB and RW are absolutely the priorities for the window, but it’s odd to choose 3 players to improve upon out of a team clearly not our strongest.

The goal was quite rightly ruled out for handball like. It goes directly in off his arm. It’s not rocket science. Joe should probably have been sent off. Not convinced he was intending to clothesline him as such, but it was dangerous for sure. The rest of the game was an odd one. Started well, then they dominated (which a team will always do at some point). Overall, poor first half. Started second half well, and then they grew into it again. After the subs though (around 55 mins ish), I thought we played some good stuff… certainly enough chances to deserve something from the game. And altogether we just looked far more commanding with Willock and Trippier on the pitch. Overall, a fair result, unbeaten, and a result we wouldn’t have ground out last season. Much to improve, but I’d prefer to look at the positives.

Well not really. He had a good few months on loan, and has looked lively in his first outings as a Brighton player. That’s very different to being better than either Miggy or Murphy. (Not saying he won’t become better, but we just don’t know)

There’s literally no evidence to suggest, as yet, that Minteh is better than either Miggy or Murphy.

It is definitely from their programme notes. It’s up on Twitter. So it’s not really news.

Just to point out… these quotes are taken from tomorrow’s programme notes, which are usually written early in the week and printed midweek. So there’s nothing new or concerning in there, really.

I haven’t got a fucking clue anymore to be honest mate. As of yesterday afternoon Guehi was telling members of our squad that he was expecting to be travelling up here to sort the formalities today (or certainly from the impression he gave very very soon). I have no idea if anything has fundamentally changed or whether it’s just taking (even) longer than expected. But I’m going to refrain from sharing anything else I hear on this one… there’s clearly a lot of mixed info flying around to journalists and players.

😁

Barnes is right footed though.

Was it recorded today?

So Eddie has pretty much confirmed this morning that he hasn’t asked to leave. But didn’t rule it out. Which makes sense. From what I saw on Saturday and through the rest of the summer he didn’t strike me as someone who was desperate to be away like.

He hasn’t come out with anything though has he? It’s just Craig Hope doing what Craig Hope does.

Craig Hope stirring the shit again.

👀 Okay... so I've just been told what I'm assuming is the same as what Downie has been told, hence his confidence today. We're expecting to get this deal agreed tonight / tomorrow, and Guehi is hoping to travel up tomorrow. That is the plan, as things stand, apparently. Whether this info is watertight or not, I don't know, but it comes from someone pretty damn reliable with close ties. Sounds like we're nearing endgame.

🤷‍♂️ I was simply replying to Jack saying that they clearly aren't together anymore.

You're probably right. I'd just be surprised if he's asked to leave / if he was desperate to leave. There's every chance he may leave, I know... it just goes against what they're telling people 🤷‍♂️

They seemed very much together at the weekend 🤷‍♂️

The bit in bold isn’t accurate as of Saturday. Box hasn’t been taken, you're right. But they have bought a new house.

For what it's worth (probably not much), I'd still be a little bit surprised if he leaves. As recently as at the weekend, all seemed OK and according to some of his family they're all still settled up here. I know earlier in the summer Villa had enquired about him but it was knocked back, as did a French team (think it might have been Nice). At that time, at least (around the end of the Euros), he wasn't interested in leaving. But obviously you don't know what goes on behind closed doors and whether the outward show is very different to the reality. 🤷‍♂️

Yeah... that's bullshit (100%). And making up stories (which I assume your source has decided to do for shits and giggles) isn't helpful to anyone.

For what it's worth, still (as of this morning) I'm told that they're working hard trying to sort the Guehi deal. Still their number 1 choice, player still expecting it to happen soon. There might very well be truth in us opening talks with Tapsoba too, but the Guehi deal isn't dead.