Coffee_Johnny

You’re probably right, in that we couldn’t or wouldn’t invest that much of available funds in one player. I just really rate him; could be a real difference maker, though obviously only if we had no weak links elsewhere.

Thinking it though, maybe if Longstaff and Willock were sold then we could afford a Wharton (or similar) without losing Joelinton. @Mahoneys Tache is right though, as much as we love Big Joe the clock is ticking on getting serious money for him; as it may well be on him playing in the same style as he currently does.

Feels like we are on the cusp of making that difficult to make next step; from good Premiership team competing for top four and cups. To being able to realistically compete for any competition we enter. In current climate, particularly, I wonder whether to make that step as well as a fair bit of luck in getting players who can be truly great we also have to risk selling really good players. This is a risk not just because all that glitters does not turn out to be gold, but also because it unsettles the team dynamic and can break up the relationships which makes us able to do what we have with what we have. All of that is a preamble after watching Wharton last night and imagining a midfield with him Bruno and Tonali. Wharton will only get better but already offers the rare combination of creativity/craft (picks such a beautiful pass) and energy/competitiveness. I love Joelinton but couldn’t see us stumping up for Wharton whilst we still have him. If we would even consider going back to the money grabbing Glass Hovel at all, given the debacle over Guehi. Appreciate it isn’t a priority position but he is the kind of player who is a joy to watch. Losing Andy Cole gave way to Sir Les and then Shearer (as well as Gillespie and that Barca game). Feels like some difficult decisions may need to be made whilst we can get good money for our good players. Joelinton will be 29 next season, Wharton still 21. Just a thought.

You’re not the only one.

Gameweek 35 Man City 2-1 Wolves Villa 3-1 Fulham Everton 0-0 Ipswich Leicester 1-2 Southampton Arsenal 2-2 Bournemouth Brentford 2-1 Man United Brighton 2-3 Newcastle West Ham 1-2 Spurs Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool Palace 1-1 Forest

Oof… .

Same date, guess you win @TheGuv; a ‘quite like’ trumps a ‘wouldn’t mind’.

Was wondering who was the first person to mention Howe (in what became) the Howe thread? Take a bow… (sort of).

When’s the parade?

Have you though? Perhaps the shit-tinted glasses are at work here ‘Mag below Par’

5-0 this season over three wins; does that make us the massive dogs?

Gameweek 34 Chelsea 0-1 Everton Brighton 1-1 West Ham Newcastle 3-1 Ipswich Southampton 1-2 Fulham Wolves 2-0 Leicester Bournemouth 2-2 Man United Liverpool 4-2 Spurs Forest 2-1 Brentford

He was off definitely. Not even the unnecessarily aggressive chasing, but in possession too. Joelinton as well, noticed him being very ponderous and awkward on the ball a few times. Tonali had a great game (thankfully!). Isak is crying out for a goal; not sure if Villa set-up in a clever way to cut him out or it was/is just the way we set up but he looked very isolated. Towards the end of the game (way too late to see if it would make a difference) looked like Gordon was trying to join Wilson more as a two. Would have liked to see this with Isak once we went behind (and were obviously on the ropes) plus a ‘Joe’ swap and Longstaff for Guimares. Bold move and obviously seems in hindsight now, but our boys from Brazil were not at it and the system wasn’t working.

Great game to watch when we were still in it. Too much stuff not coming off for us, the little passes/bits of craft just not quite on it. Bruno and Joelinton not their usual selves. Isak gaging for a goal. It happens and Villa were great. Got off to a flyer and could have absolutely roasted us with a little more luck. Still third (until Monday—c’mon yee Spurs!).

This one, by any chance?

Yep, has been our second best performing manager (points per game) for league games in PL era, for some time now. Getting close to being best. Including cup games, is already the best ever (modern era) in terms of win percentage.

We’re 5 goals to zero, three wins against them this season. Shall we beat the ‘European Champions’ (sic) four times? Oh! go on then.

Thought we’d finish third back in pre-season, doubted it for a while, think it again now.

Scored two for us now. Crying out for a move!

Gameweek 33 Brentford 0-0 Brighton Palace 2-1 Bournemouth Everton 0-2 Man City West Ham 2-0 Southampton Villa 2-2 Newcastle Fulham 1-2 Chelsea Ipswich 1-1 Arsenal Man United 1-2 Wolves Leicester 0-4 Liverpool Spurs 3-1 Forest Man City 2-1 Villa Arsenal 2-1 Palace

Controversially, perhaps I think he is a better attacking midfielder than any of our options (feel like I should have called him a whinging twat first 😉)

I mean, it is technically part of South Tyneside, as is Cleadon, but it’s a couple of miles south of Marsden and like half a mile from Seaburn, so in what geographical cluster-fuck of a world is Whitburn not Sunderland? (It is quite nice though…).

Is this bitterness because you have a MILF for a mam?

If you can find a black and white one and ride it through Exhibition Park, I believe you can get in SJP for free. And if not, well, you can dine out on the anecdote for years.

Gameweek 32 Man City 2-1 Palace Brighton 2-0 Leicester Forest 1-1 Everton Southampton 1-4 Villa Arsenal 1-0 Brentford Chelsea 1-2 Ipswich Liverpool 4-2 West Ham Wolves 2-1 Spurs Newcastle 2-0 Man United Bournemouth 1-2 Fulham Newcastle 1-2 Palace