Coffee_Johnny

Artist’s temperament. He’ll retire to rich sportsman’s equivalent of a Parisian garret, unfortunately without a ballon d’or gracing his mantelpiece.

Hoping to see young ‘Billy’, as he was known at Bristol Rovers, get a run out today. How great would it be if he earned Howe’s confidence and nailed the place that would have been snapper-legs Etikite’s.

Mbemba! The allegedly aged Botman of an earlier era’s pre-season excitement.

Wouldn’t be surprised if we signed someone like Zapata. We clearly need another striker, even if just for cover. Can’t remember last season’s stats, but he’s 31, couple of seasons in him, and has basically scored 1 in 2 in Serie A. I am assuming it depends on who else is really available to us and how much they are genuinely prepared to pay for alternatives or other positions. I guess there will be at least two first teamers coming in, probably three, and at least one of them will be a journeyman/‘right for now’ or loan.

Well here’s to bones becoming bone! … is it too early for a pre-match pint? (Asking for a friend).

Game day! Still tickets available for both sides.

Well done that man. Classy goodbye ?

Murphy in off the post!

? I prefer @Wolfcastle’s take! ?

Darren Bent getting a run out…

Some of the forwards we’ve been linked with, in one place (most recent cheaper updates…): Strikers Barbosa, 25yrs. 88 in 137 for Flamengo. 5 in 18 caps for Brazil. Market value £23.4m (probs add 10-15% to all estimates). Calvert-Lewin, 25yrs. 45 in 164 for Everton. 4 in 11 for England. Market value £36m. Broja, 20yrs. 6 in 32 for Southampton, previous 10 in 30 for Vitesse. 4 in 14 for Albania. Market value £19.8m. Osimhen, 22yrs. 24 in 51 for Napoli, previous 13 in 27 for Lille. 15 in 22 for Nigeria. Market value £55.8m. Ekitike, 20yrs. 10 in 26 for Reims, also 3 in 11 Vejle BK (loan). 0 in 6 France U20. Isak, 22yrs. 32 in 103 for Real Sociedad, previous 18 in 33 (in Germany mainly 2nd tier). 9 in 37 for Sweden. Market value £27m. Gabriel, 17 yrs. 0 in 54 Santos. 1 in 12 (Brazil u15 and u17). Market value £9m. Kalimuendo, 20yrs. 19 in 60 for Lens, previous 0 in 3 for PSG. 13 in 24 for France u17/u21. Market value £16.2m. de Tomás, 27 yrs. 44 in 85 for Espanyol, previous 82 in 128 in three Spanish loan deals from Real Madrid. 0 in 4 for Spain. Market value £22.5m. Zapata, 31 yrs. 66 in 126 for Atalanta. Previous 40 in 141 (various Serie A). 4 in 34 Colombia. Market value £25.2m. Scamacca, 23yrs. 16 in 39 for Sassuolo, previous 18 in 81 (various loans). 0 in 7 for Italy (9 in 15 at u21). Market value £27m. Gouiri, 22yrs. 22 in 72 for Nice. 10 in 21 for France u21. Market value £37.8m. Dennis, 24 yrs. 10 in 33 for Watford, previous 19 in 85 for Club Brugge. 1 in 7 for Nigeria. Market value £12.6m. (Has played both wings as well). Wingers Gordon, 21yrs. 4 in 49 for Everton. 4 in 7 caps for England U21. Market value £18m. Diaby, 22yrs. 22 in 92 for Leverkusen, previous 2 in 25 for PSG. 0 in 8 caps for France. Market value £54m. Paquetá, 25yrs. 18 in 65 for Lyon, previous 1 in 37 for Milan. 7 in 33 caps for Brazil. Market value £31.5m. Danjuma, 25 yrs. 10 in 23 for Villarreal, previous 15 in 47 for Bournemouth. 2 in 6 caps for Netherlands. Market value £45m. Hudson-Odoi, 21yrs. 4 in 72 for Chelsea. 0 in 3 full caps for England; 4 in 9 U21. Market value £22.8m. Harrison, 25yrs. 26 in 154 for Leeds. 0 in 2 for England U21. Market value £16.2m. Sarr, 24yrs. 23 in 89 for Watford, previous 13 in 59 for Rennes. 10 in 47 for Senegal. Market value £24.3m. Asensio, 26 yrs. 28 in 160 for Real Madrid, previous 11 in 90 (Mallorca & Espanyol). 1 in 28 for Spain. Market value £36m. Cornet, 25 yrs. 9 in 26 for Burnley, previous 31 in 184 for Lyon. 6 in 29 for Ivory Coast. Market value £13.5m.

I love Shola.

Some creepy ‘late night DJ’ commentating on BBC at the mo. Purring like Alan Robson on heat at times.

It seems to have been all getting a bit frantic and frustrated in my daily lurk , sorry I mean the More Transfer Rumours thread… . Thought I’d come in here and quietly revel in the fact we have a game THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY WATCH on tomorrow (…apologies if you can’t wangle, or wag it from, work around the kick off time). Really looking forward to it!

That looks a strong side ? Basically got two additional forwards and an all round genius in midfield.

? re above! ? anyhoo… is the match tomorrow on the club website or do I have to buy a VPN?!

Yes, I think they have. They’ve got Alvarez as well and Phillips is an improvement on recent Fernandinho. Not sure about defence, though doubt they’ll leave themselves light.

Very, ahem, specific…

Well he’s 23 and only really had one good/consistent season and plenty of loans prior to that. One of many risky big (ish) money bets out there. Plus he looks like a wrong un, which doesn’t instil much confidence!

Might get it by 2030, after reading about deferred payments in baseball!

He/most might have a better chance of sustaining that level if they arrive in their mid twenties. Having first been more relied upon in a tier or two below the very best clubs.

Looks like we’ve had the biggest percentage increase: the 78%, 2019-2021, rather than 55%, 2018-19 (wages as percentage of turnover) represents a 42% increase on the 2018-19 proportion. What the hell was going on for Sheffield United in 2018-19? Wages nearly twice the annual turnover!

Still haven’t got my head around FFP, though doubt I need to to honest.