Abacus

A lot of companies will be belt tightening with sponsorship often being one of the first things to go. I was thinking as well that European football should be a huge benefit to sponsorships. Saying that, with the expansion of the competitions (almost half our league being in some form of Europe) whether that starts to dilute it's value. Already, I hardly watch most of the many games and skipped most of both the Europa and Conference league, including the final of the latter one. But I've no idea what the general audience figures are for these and whether they are going up or down per game, admittedly.

I agree in that I think he's a better LB than RB. But then, the other point you made was about his connection with the RW, where previously I think Trippier and Murphy worked well together. So maybe it's about what's in front of Tino in either position. It's all about connections across the pitch and Murphy was a RW most thought should be upgraded despite delivering great crosses for Isak. Tripper's intelligence and leadership and then Isak's finishing meant maybe Murphy was so much more productive than he might otherwise have been. So far, I don't think Elanga has been an upgrade, but behind him he's been working with a declining Trippier and Tino who doesn't yet have the same command of the game or attacking ability. Or, crucially, the availability to form that understanding over a long period. Dunno, I'm in two minds about Tino.

Republic of Ireland play a friendly against Qatar on Amazon Prime PPV tonight, apparently. They must be raking it in.

On the Ramsey point re training, he has looked better and better as the season has gone on in my view, though. I wonder how much Gordon going will force a change in tactics and therefore training anyway. He's been our most impressive presser of the ball up front (when on form), now there are very few who can do it. It could work out OK in that respect, if we're really aiming for a change of style, which I think we will need to do anyway to compete on multiple fronts in the future. Variations of what we've done successfully in the past have worked out pretty well and has been good to watch until this very disappointing year. Now it's up to Howe and the recruitment team to find a different way, given the direction the league has taken towards percentage football and away from passing out from the back. I just hope we don't turn into a long ball / set piece / percentage team. It's going to be a key summer and season, as people have said multiple times.

I don't know the details behind it, but a press report from Martin Hardy mentioned that the deal could be concluded now, and then he officially moves on June 15 once the PL window is officially open. Although I'm a bit confused by even that bit, as the La Liga transfer window doesn't open till July 1st apparently. Maybe you can legally agree a transfer early, and then it just goes through to be formally registered once your league's transfer window is open or something.

I'm just glad it seems to have been sorted quickly. I've no idea if it's a fair fee or not, you could argue either way. But possibly putting two and two together and getting it wrong here, but it seems like he's wanted away for a little while at least and if so I'm glad he's away from the squad. A bit ungrateful towards Howe in my opinion, as we took him on and helped make him a better player, and then he wasn't trusted in the run in when we had a chance of Europe, but there you go.

Oh well, he's away and it looks like there's enough interest to get close to what we want for him. I just want it done really. We know he's a confidence player, can be great on his day but there haven't been enough of those for a while. So, mild shrug. I'm actually looking forward to seeing what we can become without him. We need committed players and he doesn't seem one of those any more. Huge summer ahead all over the squad.

Fair play. You've had a good season and most people thought you'd do Chelsea over. Which you really had no right to expect, given the gulf in finances, but still did anyway. So enjoy it, at least you didn't turn up to make up the numbers. No complaints really with where you finished. Deserved. End.

Sunderland still finishing rock bottom, despite all this hoo ha.

Yes, this has been the problem, or also our strikers being in the wrong place when they do cross. I'm certain isak and Murphy made each other look a lot better, but there hasn't really been any cohesion up top for a while now since that partnership ended.

I think a 4 is about fair. Some decent performances, a lot that weren't. A good run in the CL and cups, but the league determines everything, really, and I've never really known how or if we'll turn up. I'm struggling to think how you'd describe our style of play to an outsider and never want to go through another summer like the last. So, 4 might be generous. But I think of it as a nothing season really.

I would sell him. He can finish, but the rest of his contribution is pretty weak. He's not a starting player, more of an impact sub and so a bit of a luxury in my books.

I agree with this. It was the Palace game where I had a proper wobble. Yesterday was ridiculous. Glad the season is over.

Dokko, you're one of my favourite posters. Mostly agreed on this, but I think that the escape from reality doesn't quite work for footballers whose reality is playing football to a top standard. I'm pleased he has spoken out and a lot of what he's said often goes unsaid. I'm sure/or at least think you would be too. Personally I don't think it requires caveats to include everyone because it's his own personal experience. And yes, he's also a fairly dreadful left back of which I cannot deny, however much I like him as a human being.

Could we get back to talking about how rubbish Isak is please? K thanks.