Whitley mag

Gonna need a Joelinton beast like midfield performance up against Caicedo. I’m really looking forward to this game, think it’ll tell us a lot where this team is going forward and what’s needed to make the next step to winning trophies. We’ve played well against top teams in big games with no pressure on us in my opinion, the one truly big game against a top team with pressure involved was the cup final. Have these players got the nerve and big game mentality to finish the job, I think they have but Thursday will be the acid test.

Would love a midfield of Joe,Bruno and Longstaff for this with St Max on the left and Isak through the middle. Think we’ve got the personnel to do it just needs everyone to be on it and no defensive lapses.

Think staying up last season was more important but it’s big and could accelerate the project undoubtedly.

Time to finally erase the memory of Trelford Mills lads get this done.

Really fancy Leicester tonight looking at both teams.

Seems a lot of wedge for Szoboszlai but I’d imagine Maddison would be around the 60 million mark. He’s younger and looks much more tailored to the way we play, wouldn’t be disappointed with Maddison but feel this lad though riskier might also have more upside long term.

Keep compact and disciplined we’ll win this, we have more firepower in my opinion. A lot depends on Bruno/Joelinton showing they have it in a big game that really matters. Bruno needs to keep it simple and not try to force things like he did in cup final/Arsenal games. Keep it tight and we’ll get the chances to win it, Isak and St Max are match winners and need to both start.

Great game this now if we win CL is thoroughly deserved and we’ve arrived big time. Exciting to see how we handle it and if we are truly ready for CL football, embrace it and bring the noise whatever happens we’re back in the big time.

We’ll do this man and if we don’t it’s still been a great season. Just fucking enjoy it christ we’ve waited a long time to be competing against Liverpool and Man U again. Today will be a point gained in the end analysis, think back to last week and Man U losing at West Ham. We’ve taken 7 points from Everton, W Ham and Leeds away perspective needed. Liverpool will drop a result, wouldn’t be surprised if it was at Leicester to be honest and Man U look far from great. It’ll be in the bag before Chelsea away.

This is what Allardyce does though he’ll look to defend defend defend, with their front 3 hopefully nicking a goal. He’s a dinosaur but first goal is crucial here or it could get very messy and stop start.

Very civilised for Elland Road.

Oh well NP might have to arrest some real criminals to get their stats up now.

Of the players recently linked and considering positions we need filled this would be my 6 purple targets for the summer with CL football. CB Tobido/Lacroix DM Thuram/Ugarte LB Augusto AM Szoboslai/Wirtz F Roque WF Diaby/Lee Kang-in

Raided City again and taken one of Boro’s scouts which can only be a good thing locally. https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-man-city-manchester-united-26867279

Nico Williams name seems to crop up frequently.

Good news then proper dirty wind up merchant who would try and get under Bruno’s skin from the off.

Aye, still think NW corner level 4 has great potential if the will was there. Near the away fans and would hopefully improve the atmosphere in Leazes end significantly.

Simple for me you play your best 11 which means if Longstaff is unfit Maxi plays. This will be brutal and Tyler Adams will try and kick us off the park. Could go either way and 1st goal will be crucial, we got it at the London Stadium and Goodison, don’t get it here and it will be a real struggle. Not for the feint hearted this one and Elland Road will be a bear pit, needs cool heads this one or we’ll get dragged down to their level which is what Allardyce will want.

Thunderstruck is much better and with local ties makes it unique to us.

How much did Man U spunk on Antony 80 million ? We definitely need a little bit more quality in midfield/wide areas, but I’d be a bit wary about binning off players who’ve had a great season when we need a big squad next year.

Just one of those days balance doesn’t look right in midfield without Longstaff and he was trying to hard. He did the same in cup final and just tries to force things to much sometimes. Still young and big match experience will come the more we play in them.

Big miss today thoughts it’s exciting to have Isak and Wilson in team, it remains to be seen how badly exposed Burn will be down the left.

Always about them they’ve had it no harder than any other city in the North of England.

The reason Newcastle United opted against Joao Pedro move Newcastle United did not revive their bid to sign Joao Pedro from Watford ahead of the summer window - because Eddie Howe has moved on to other targets. Chronicle Live has learned that Newcastle were aware of Pedro's desire to leave Vicarage Road, but the club's rapid rise up the Premier League has resulted in a change of direction with some potential deals. United will now turn their attention to other targets this summer after Brighton & Hove Albion signed Pedro from Watford last night. A source close to the deal told us that Newcastle were not involved in any discussions this time around on Pedro. Newcastle are also much more relaxed when it comes to forwards with £63million Alexander Isak now settled on Tyneside and Callum Wilson in fine form The Brazilian youngster was the subject of a £30million bid last summer but the Hornets resisted any offers last summer and handed him a new contract. Newcastle are keen to sign another forward this summer.

Pedro would have been ideal for us as cover across the front 3, possibly would have even took one of the wide places. I think he would have still been high on the list, but maybe he thinks he’ll get more game time at Brighton and be the main man. Get the impression where probably in limbo aswell with the CL list of targets and the Europa League list at the moment. Hard not to get excited with the level of player we’ll be targeting with CL football, if Vitor Roque is the main target up front I can see why we would be keeping our powder dry.