Coffee_Johnny

The impact of formally bidding, however close or far from expected value, of confirming your commitment to purchase a player shouldn’t be underestimated. It can set all sorts of hares running. It also serves all sorts of purposes; some direct/obvious, some more indirect/sneaky; including indirect communication to other targets/clubs. Don’t get me wrong, gone are the days of tipping our cap towards a player and then bemoaning the failure with an ‘at least we tried’. I choose to believe, and see no firm evidence to contradict, that they know what they are doing. And that however frustrating and inexact buying players is, we will have our required positions filled by 1st September. I hope it is with Howe’s strongly favoured targets, rather than the he’ll have to do variety. However much of an emotional rollercoaster this window has been, we’ll only be able to validly judge the approach taken when it closes.

Got to be one of the most influential. Given the fact that we—thanks to him—managed to lose a game we dominated, was effectively the difference between us and Man Utd winning the league.

On balance of relative benefit to the team, I would certainly be happy to let Dubs go (expected him to chuck the dummy anyway, when we signed Pope) and have Darlow on the bench, if it swung the Maddison deal.

Where did it say that as an inclusion criteria? Must have missed it.

‘Cleaning up’ their act.

Ah! Ok. Thanks. Maybe we need to sign Abraham and someone from Lincoln if I am going to roll with this setting a ‘president’ joke.

Iheanacho, who’s still only 25, as a teenager with City, looked like he had everything. What he didn’t have was game time and, hard to capture what I mean, but that sense of being relied upon. Knowing it is all on your shoulders when it comes to goal scoring and forward threat. Personally, I think it shouldn’t be underestimated how that sense of responsibility can bring the best out of the right kind of player/personality. (Probably doesn’t help that they are all set for life after their first big transfer).

Thought he was their best/most dangerous looking player against us tbf.

Woodrow Wilson our favoured presidential trend setter:

Would need to be two and a half thousand of them on the roof.

Can’t get past the thought that this happens this week or doesn’t happen. Get the sense we need to get the big £££ purchase sorted before we move on to allocating and spending the rest of our pennies.

Really enjoyed and admired Cabaye’s style of play.

Good point. Not as much team spirit, all they’ve had is a very meh looking preseason, and not as much drive to prove that they are good enough.

Like what you did there. But more like 9 miles into a 282 mile journey, which could end up at many places, including into the sea, Wembley is just one of many destinations it seems and other travellers apparently closer. Christ, I’ve depressed myself now ?

It’s great. But not sure it is legitimate (as in able to be defended by logic or valid justification ?)

Let the scrapping commence!

Personally, I’d take that, if it led to a panicked almighty loosening of the purse strings. But I think we are too well organised to lose this at home (I know…).

Think I’d put Bruce behind Kinnear, Carver, and Pardew (in terms of their objectionable nature/embarrassment that them being in charge) in terms of my own least liked (relatively recent) list. Maybe Sounness at no.5 and Allardyce coming in strongly at no.6. I know there are past managers who probably trump them (… in their Trumpishness!), for example Gordon Lee (who had a great song) got lots of abuse. Actually, and probably equally unpopular, I also didn’t like Dalgleish. Felt he ruined our playing style and brought in a load of past their best buddies.

You’d hope so. There’s enough awareness out there of what we are trying to do. If that is enough to get him talking to Howe, and team, then I’d be confident they could sell the vision and how he could be a key part of it. The thought of being both relied upon and idolised must be enticing.

Hard to say, but Harrison is not of the same quality as Raphina and definitely not of Phillips imo. With Leicester I am still reeling at the reminder they got £80m for Maguire.

Good points, the random element is unrealistic expectations from selling clubs (thinking Leicester, and Leeds it seems)—these/some of them will only be challenged at the 11th hour. Though, that late stage change will come sooner than 1st Sep (please God!) if they need funds or buy.

I might ‘incentivise’ my 13 year old and let him loose on the project ?

Various press has us vying with Everton for Cornet (who I assumed was one of the three) and who is definitely on his way somewhere.

For what it’s worth, I believe we’ve two buys and one loan (first teamer) coming in in the next 28 days. Maybe one, possibly two, right at the death.

I still need to read the rules properly! Presumably you change your captain every week (if you think someone has an easier game coming up) and similarly makes subs with similar thoughts in mind. Any tips?