Dr Jinx

Lewis is a big boy eh!

The midfield is the weak link for sure. The thing with Shelvey is that he just doesn’t track back effectively, he tries.. but he doesn’t have the mind set to tackle in the way that Hayden does. Hendrick might be the answer there but who do you drop? Leave out Shelvey and the creativity takes a hit.

Not sure where else to put this post. So when/if we have everyone fit, who will play? I think 3 of the 4 new signings are a given to start. But what about the Longstaffs etc.. Also not sure what’s happening with Shelvey but if he’s staying and not injured he has to be a starter surely? As much as I love Miggy, I think he’ll be more useful as an impact sub (at least to start with), I like what I’ve seen of Sean Longstaff in an advanced role, the physicality is going to give teams problems. Hayden gets the nod on what we know so far, Hendrick might be the better player but he’ll have to show that when he gets a chance. This would be my starting line up.. which would obviously revert to 4-5-1 when we don’t have the ball.

Good lord, Ritchie actually looks insane in that clip. Nice to see the new lads settling in quickly ?

Clearly Joelinton is a better player than what we saw last season. Thrown up front on his own asked to be Andy Carroll, what did anyone expect. He did miss chances that a striker should be scoring but he’s not a striker and we basically created fuck all for him all season anyway. With others getting forward and creating space, he will look a different player, also with the benefit of having a year to settle in. I haven’t given up on him yet.

So refreshing to hear someone come in and say he’d be disgusted with himself if he didn’t reach double figures with goals. Has any forward scored more than 20 goals in a season here since Shearer? (Dwight Gayle in the champo doesn’t count)

Don’t think so. Almiron could be on the bench a lot though, how long will he put up with that though? Lascelles is vital for the back, Fernandez too and I guess Dummett will go between covering LB and CB. Schär for as good as his passing out from the back is, can’t be trusted. Too hot headed and too prone to making mistakes. That’s why Bruce won’t play him. He’d rather have two big lads who just lump it forward.. Lejeune looked excellent at one point in time but he clearly needs time to regain his sharpness and fitness if he even can. He’s had a horrendous time with injuries since he arrived. Maybe he knows the club are fed up with him so doesn’t give a f*** anymore.. who knows. Dubravka Manquillo Fernandez Lascelles Lewis Joelinton Hendrick Shelvey Fraser Wilson ASM Although the midfield will probably be Hendrick Hayden and Shelvey (which is solid enough tbh) I mean there's no way Joelinton is playing central midfield He won’t be, but on the right switching with Fraser might be a goer. He actually looks tidy enough when he has the ball deeper.

Don’t think so. Almiron could be on the bench a lot though, how long will he put up with that though? Lascelles is vital for the back, Fernandez too and I guess Dummett will go between covering LB and CB. Schär for as good as his passing out from the back is, can’t be trusted. Too hot headed and too prone to making mistakes. That’s why Bruce won’t play him. He’d rather have two big lads who just lump it forward.. Lejeune looked excellent at one point in time but he clearly needs time to regain his sharpness and fitness if he even can. He’s had a horrendous time with injuries since he arrived. Maybe he knows the club are fed up with him so doesn’t give a fuck anymore.. who knows. Dubravka Manquillo Fernandez Lascelles Lewis Joelinton Hendrick Shelvey Fraser Wilson ASM Although the midfield will probably be Hendrick Hayden and Shelvey (which is solid enough tbh)

this is what is worrying me, whatever else can be said about Ireland for the last 20 odd years we've generally had a solid no nonsense defence and its looked rather vulnerable in the last two games. Its all well and good wanting to play football "the right way" (I hate that f***ing line theres no right or wrong way to play football) but you have to work with the players you have and at present Stephen Kenny seems to be trying to force a system the squad is in no way suited to. I think they acted too soon on promoting him from the U21’s, if they’d just waited another year or so, he’d have a group that was well used to the system and playing with each other. He could have just taken the majority of that team up to senior level without any major disruption. Older players would then have to prove that they could do a better job and fit into that system? He seems like a decent chap though, hope it works out and not just another Brian Kerr

I think it’s clear that Ashley can’t gamble with PL safety this time when there’s 300m riding on it. He wants to sell as soon as possible so needs to keep the club in the best shop window ?‍♂️

Not unhappy about this.

He’s got the rona

Or at least put it to a vote

Kill the thread please. There’s nothing more to be said about it other than nit picking and in fighting amongst members. Time to let go.

Fraser, Holding, Wilson and Jamal. Oh and Hendricks.. Not bad business if that’s what we manage to bring in considering everything that’s happened since March..

Apparently Barcelona unwilling to pay more than 18 million for him ?

A decent player. I’d question whether he actually wants to be here or not though.. dragging his feet waiting for interest from bigger clubs apparently, and who would blame him I guess.

Joelinton just had a bad year. Total lack of confidence after 10 games or so. Never got it back. He tried though, there was very few if any games where I thought his attitude was wrong. A deeper role where he can make runs, give and go type shit, that’s where he’ll prosper. The problem is, if someone like Callum Wilson comes in, who do you drop to give Joelinton a place in the team?

Lejeune looked absolutely pony there. No wonder we’re being linked with several center backs. Wonder what the story was about it being changed to a training match, some dodgy betting perhaps?

I thought it was common knowledge that this was dead and buried? This is Ashley saying hurry up. This leak makes absolutely no sense if all parties have already moved on after the Saudi withdrawal. Think it's also interesting that it's come from the PA and not one of the National rags that Ashley usually leaks to. I sometimes wonder how people here feel Ashley is evil and the Saudis angel. This people pull out cause they disrespect them by not automatically approved them. They dont give a s*** if Ashely say hurry up or whatever. Learn about the MBS before commenting idiotic Ashley said hurry up. No one can tell anyone to MBS. That is all perfectly logical, but if you think Ashley wouldn't be a dick to MBS, you don't know Mike Ashley!! There’s a line he wouldn’t cross I’d imagine. That’s definitely one person you wouldn’t want to p*ss off. I suspect PIF pulled out at his request, I doubt the PL would have found him to be unfit or improper but there’s no way he’d have opened himself up to be scrutinised like that, especially if sensitive information could then be passed back to Qatar (which it likely would if they are as close as reported)

So you're not gonna wait then !!!!!!!! Seek help.

This takeover denial is quickly settling into the arena of the unwell. Up there with “plandemic”, “anti vaccination” and “5G” Yup, it’s all Bill Gates fault

It’s a load of bollocks to suggest that the deal is being done on the quiet. The deal was done, the negotiating part was finished long ago. If you’re referring to the o&d’s test, why would the PL let it go through quietly when we already know they’ve picked sides with Qatar (Bein) As if they would double cross them now. It’s done, as in not happening/finished. And the cherry on top will be when Staveley loses her case against Barclays, she won’t have any chips left on the table once that happens. This was the chance. We got fucked on it probably by both sides. Fans lose again and now we’re stuck with a Mike Ashley who’s lost his shirt this year. For our sanity we need to let this go.

To be honest I can’t see what this guy can do that Lejeune can’t?

Someone is leaving for sure. Maybe even Lascelles?