Thumbheed

I've thought this too, seems a significant portion of our recruitment - both on and off the field - are British orientated in some way, too much to be a coincidence imo.

Think Longstaff was great tonight, can see him really owning the holding role if he continues like this.

This is why I'm so relaxed about our recruitment, we're just a quality attacking player or 2 away from being able to convert some of our stray creative passing into serious chances, the rest of the foundations looks set.

Absolutely incredible what Howe is doing to this side. Absolutely certain he's the real deal and belongs at the top.

Signed 2 players by the 29th of January. Signed 2 more by the 31st (nearly 3).

What if it was a swap deal with someone like Pulisic?

Bit surprised we haven't had more agent and/or selling club driven links, mind. Can understand the explanation that the clubs plugged leaks from their side, but the other?

No compilations videos with Fort Minor soundtrack. Move on.

Because like Wood, I guess the value is not in the specifics of the finances involved, but in how he helps us achieve our immediate goals. 8th place and a cup run in a couple of years makes us more attractive both commercially and as a sporting project for the next level of players we'd need to take us to thr next level.

Actually totally disagree with this. Bare in mind our very short term target is probably 8th places at best then signing a proven albeit aging striker is no less sensible than signing a young unproven striker - as long as they offer us something in helping us achieve that goal, which Zapata would. What is apparent, is that out and out strikers of the 'right profile' - ie young and proven- are at an absolute premium price wise (and availibltiy for that matter) which we've seen with Isak, Vlahovic, Oshimen, Nunez and even a discounted Haaland going for 70 odd million, which at this point in time seems incompatible with our current spending ability. Personally see no reason why getting someone like Zapata who offers presence on the pitch in the form of pace, strength and work rate wouldn't be savvy business for the next couple of years we aim for 8th and give us time to grow our revenue to be big enough to actually splurge when we need to make that bigger push for European places.

Think Howe buys into squad competition so having someone who's good enough to challenge for a couple of positions makes most sense when the alternatives are only good enough to fill in at best.

Totally agree with this. Improving on Shelvey and Almiron/Fraser/Murphy >> a top class striker and loan option

He will, but for the short term you'd imagine he's gonna be one of the first names on the teamsheet so fitting square pegs into round holes doesn't seem like an Eddie Howe type move.

Tbf even Bruno himself said his favoured position is number 8 role because it gives him the freedom to get forward and support attacks. https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bruno-guimaraes-newcastle-united-position-23724026 I can see him in a double pivot which still gives him that freedom, but I don't see Joelinton being the other and it would be a travesty to lose what Joelinton offers us.

Yes, but even so, some far more than others.

Yeh, it does tbh.

Maybe they mean 80m in terms of contribution to FFP? Edit: this isn't a serious post. I don't actually care how much we spend.

disappointed we only got a Porsche instead of a Ferrari after 14 years of not being able to afford a bus ticket.

Except this time, we're good.

I really wanted us to sign this lad tbh. Not based on anything I've seen of him but by the fact that if Dortmund, Bayern and PSG (read Luis Campos) are sniffing around him, then this guy is the real deal.

Newcastle United just casually beating AC fucking Milan to a signing. No big deal.

Guy reached the top levels of football on pure talent alone and without ever putting in any effort.

Considering we might get half of the fee back on Darlow, it's great business.

I think people forget that this is a 19 year old lad who has absolutely zero attachment of any kind to our club, same with Botman.

Tbf, I'd be massively surprised if there were no clauses that stopped him from pursuing Brighton players for a given period of time.