Whitley mag

If it means not blowing 3.5 million on Phillips with an obligation I concur. I would rather continue with Mileys development, get some of these players back and see how we go. If they can secure a long term target like Gordon and bring it forward that’s a different matter.

Phillips loan Sesko loan Marmardashvili 30 million Not sold on Phillips but it looks more than likely it might happen. Think it’s vital we get a keeper and maybe we can structure a deal for a keeper that keeps us within FFP.

You would hope they’d stay clear of your Mourinho types and go for someone like De Zerbi, the Feyernoord manager or the bloke at Sporting Lisbon Amorim.

Should have been all over fucking Kudus in the summer looks exactly what we needed on the right.

Not a fucking chance I’d take -6 points from next 3 if it meant beating these horrible cunts.

Level 4 up to 7 would create a decent din and get some back and forth with away fans going.

We all need to relax in the grand scheme of things mid table obscurity would have been a cause for celebration not long back. If we have to take a step back for one season, before we push on again so be it. I can’t really get to excited about it, the stress of a relegation battle far outweighs any disappointment at not being in the top 6. Sure the last 2 games have pissed me off especially, and losing to Sunderland would probably turn me irrationally against Howe and the team for a week, but then I’d calm down and accept this club is only heading one way, and that’s to the very top eventually under this ownership.

Few more defeats and tickets will become much easier to get for remainder of season.

Can Pope be relied on to come back after a 2nd shoulder operation, it was a routine save when it popped out again. I’m no medical expert but id be concerned there’s a major weakness now that will always put him at risk going forward. I think we need to be thinking long term replacement now unfortunately.

Have a feeling this lad will be the surprise addition brought forward from next summer. ‘90min has reported extensively on the interest from Premier League sides in Sesko, most notably from United, Arsenal and Chelsea, while Newcastle have also kept a close eye on the Slovenian's development. Intermediaries had previously made it known that Sesko could be available to move in January, with more playing time firmly on the agenda as he prepares to lead the Slovenia line at Euro 2024. 90min understands that nothing has changed in that regard, and all interested Premier Leagueclubs have again been informed of the potential of agreeing a deal. A loan with an obligation to buy, should certain criteria be met, has been suggested, and Sesko's game is one many top scouts feel is suited to top-level English football’.

He talks some fucking shite.

Schar had a stellar season but absolutely should have been upgraded in the summer in my humble. A physical, pacy centre half, DM and versatile attacker with play making ability were the standout needs to improve the first 11. I’m not arguing injuries haven’t impacted the season of course they have, but one look at Brighton away and Liverpool at home suggested the signings of Barnes and Tonali hadn’t dramatically improved our level. If anything the evidence, though limited showed a midfield of Tonali and Bruno looked completely unbalanced. Further evidence such as Dortmund at home and even yesterday showed we’re crying out for a no 6 who protects the back 4. The gaps between midfield and defence are horrific, one pass can undo us and teams are at our back 4. So in summery you completely blame injuries and whilst I accept that’s been a factor, it doesn’t change my view that both our blue chip signings were the wrong players we needed in the first instance.

I never said 3rd choice it should have been someone to replace Schar who had pace. Even with Botman our defence looks like it’s running in treacle at times.

We literally went out of the CL without Botman playing a game, of the players you’ve mentioned I’d bet Botman would have made most difference in the CL games we dropped points in. In the 12 PL games since Sheff United away when Botman last played before returning this is our record - P 12 W 6 D 2 L 4 We lost 5 games in the whole of last season as a comparison, it might seem a stretch to put this all down to Botmans absence and certainly not signing a CB isn’t my sole gripe with the window. However, look how Liverpool collapsed when Van Dijk was out, the influence of Botman missing can’t be underestimated.

Great food, sun, beach, water parks and nightlife isn’t to shabby if very expensive. All those things will appeal to a young couple with plenty of disposable.

It’ll depend how they can structure deals, if a club wants 50 million upfront then I think that’ll rule us out.

The transfer window is undoubtedly a contributor alongside the injuries in my book. Not sure how anyone can argue otherwise when only 1 out of the 4 signings has made a meaningful contribution. We knew at the start of the season we we had the CL to contend with, therefore by default the squad needed strengthening due to extra games we never had last season. You stated that you think without injuries/fatigue we’d have been just fine, the point is we we’re never going to be without injuries and fatigue due to the extra games. The defence has performed admirably without Sven I acknowledge that, but the eye test and these stats show a different story. The effect of his absence has been telling in the dip of other players as well, Trippier looks like he’ll get skinned every week and Schar has reverted to being a liability in a back 4. We’ve also missed other attributes such as his distribution which has made us look vulnerable to the press away from home.

You’re kidding we’ve got away with Botman being out ? I don’t think anything’s further from the truth, Lascelles has done an admirable job but the loss of Botman has been one of the key reasons we’ve looked vulnerable at the back pre Pope getting injured.

Can’t agree with that the squad was way short to fight on 4 fronts, we got lucky with injuries last season and they have to be factored in to any planning. For instance most layman could see last season that any injury to Botman would severely weaken the back line. One of the priorities in the summer should have been a CB with pace. The injuries have been unprecedented, but still think the transfer window was poor and didn’t adequately address needs we had.

I think Schar and Burn did their best to make him look like prime Berbatov yesterday to be honest.

Fair enough but Milan fans said he’s not a great passer and by all accounts had 1 good season. We then proceeded to pay 50 million an Italian record on a player, when let’s be honest players from that country don’t have a great track record of adapting to PL football. We could have had a genuine number 6 in Kone, or a far more technically gifted player in Kephren Thuram. Instead we went down the route of a player who looks like he gets around the pitch, has a good engine but does that offer anything different to Joelinton ? I’m not sure it does to be honest and for 50 million I think they’ve had our eye balls out.

It’s a bit more complex than just saying we signed a top midfielder and top attacker though. Nobody could have predicted the ban or Barnes injury, however were they the right signings in those positions ? Time will tell but my problem is Tonali doesn’t look a 6, creative, or a particularly great passer. Not convinced Barnes is a good footballer, presses well and against top defenders looks weak and doesn’t have a trick. The transfer window was a missed opportunity with CL football and Howe needs to look beyond pace and physicality, as the CL games showed we looked poor technically in terms of passing and creativity.

I would take Ramsdale on loan with a view to a permanent if he looks the biz. Wouldn’t want Phillips long term so would be against us splashing a 3 million loan fee on him. A forward should be the priority and if we’ve got any spare cash that’s where i’d hoy it at. I’d even consider an out and out striker like Sesko and moving Isak wide left to try and spark things. Also it would address Wilson’s long term replacement and future proof us.

Atmosphere better at WHL or new stadium in your opinion ?

Think GK is now a major issue but to be honest I think a wide forward might have the biggest impact, if we could bring somebody top drawer in on the right that might be the route I’d go if funds limited us to one signing.