Abacus

From the Athletic re Watford; Flores told The Athletic after his dismissal two seasons ago that he felt undermined by the scrutiny to which he was subjected at the training ground... he mentioned “someone taking notes while the coach is training...it’s not normal ... I have more than 500 matches as a coach, so how can he analyse me?” There's surely only one manager who could give that training ground spy complete writer's block. Come in, Mr Steve "blank page" Bruce.

Don't get suckered in, Mehrdad! Of course you're more than welcome, but we all did too and can show you the scars. After everything, really glad if they're getting some joy from this win, mind.

I listened to the match on Talksport 2. They seemed to think he was alright, especially towards the end of the game when we were trying to see the game out. Rather have him as a focal point than not, and he definitely needs time with his new teammates. Whatever, it was a decent shout just to have sent Burnley into such a flap.

Don't know either. Maybe it's that the other owners didn't sign up to those terms so can't be sued. Or maybe that she also has the management contract to run the club day to day, so makes the decisions. But agreed, I hope the hateful idiot gets stung.

Complete guesswork, but it was Stavely that he gave the loan to, and so presumably it's her that had to adhere to those conditions on that loan, not the club or the other owners. Think it's very hard to prove criticism, and that's why I'd guess it's really all about the advertising. I read something at the time (in a tweet, so take that for what it's worth) saying that they were supposed to stay up till the end of the year, which one thought was till the end of the calendar year, and the other thought it was till the end of the season. Might be talking a load of old nonsense with all that, mind.

Ah, it's about the Sports Direct signs then, if that's right.

Well, exactly. Every club knows that we're rich and also desperate, the weakest possible starting point. We have no bargaining position and everyone we deal with knows that. People saying "just pay them whatever they want" don't seem to realise that what they want is basically not a fixed amount but simply as much as they can get. Quick, get someone in before Leeds! Well, other clubs won't care about our result against Leeds. In fact, if we lose that game then we get more desperate and it only strengthens their hand afterwards. Suits them all to push it to the last possible minute in January, as that's when they'll get the most. This whole idea that we'd sign 5 players on Jan 1 was always a fantasy for that very reason, and that would absolutely be the case with a DOF or not.

"I know we've done a few bad things, but this Jeff Hendrick really takes the biscuit"

So, Saudi Arabia are now embarrassed to be seen with us

Haha, saying that Howe is bright, genuine and hard-working is a lovely little dig at Alex's dad! Well played, Mr Hope.

To be fair, he's generally just a contrarian - says OTT things for what he thinks is comic effect. He's not really a journalist. Just someone that thinks his opinions are funny and likes to get a reaction. Despite smoggie connections, he doesn't particularly have it in for Newcastle - he'll slag off any given team or their fans on any given day just for the fun, so not really worth listening to. Hates taking the knee, for example, like your embarrassing uncle. It's interesting, though, that he admits to lurking on several Newcastle forums to have gotten the general opinion of the fans about Howe for his opinion piece. So, as I say, he's no journalist.

He's been out of form, reportedly carrying a knock, playing in an unfamiliar team with a different system, and then thrown straight in. I think he needs a bit more time before making judgements. I do know we don't have time, but that's on us, not him. If Gayle had been fit, I expect he might have been played instead, with Wood on as a 70 min sub. Long term (well mid term), maybe that will be his best role, coming on to change the style of play if we're behind, with set pieces etc. We'll see.

Everton

Haven't they suffered enough?

Wait, there's not even a Wetherspoons?

Quick, how much for Will Grigg!?

Funny how Mike is always surprised by the extent of the problems he inherits when he buys anything. Like when he was shocked we hadn't paid cash up front for all our players (like no club does), and so was sadly was justified in stripping the club down to it's bare bones and run it on a shoestring, like the big saviour he is. It's almost like buying distressed assets for peanuts might mean they have some big underlying problems.

Feels like obvious game-playing by Lille. Said they weren't interested in selling, but then considered the offers made. Plainly trying to jack up the price, but they'll get nothing like that amount in summer. Like most, I'd never heard of him before, and still wouldn't be surprised if this reignites before the end of Jan. Also not sure why 30m to start with for a 21 year old with that little experience and none in this league is described as some ludicrous lowball offer. Oh, that's right, it's the Baldy Man. You can't blame us approaching them either, particularly if we've also been working on back up targets at the same time. Order of priorities now for me is; Striker Full back Midfielder Central defender Striker 2 Goalkeeper Central defender 2 And on and on and on...

Here's a crazy opinion that should get me jailed. I do wonder if he's better suited to Bruce's style of football (if that's not a contradiction in terms to start with). Constantly running at a defence for a whole game is kind of knackering. So actually, a game where you only have about 30% possession and you're just passed to from out of your own half occasionally, with the licence to run at retreating defenders with their backs to goal and just cause mayhem...well, that suits him down to a T. But take a game like yesterday, where you're expected to be on the ball more, and their team is set and sitting back. Without the space to run into then you just end up doing stepovers and then trying to cross the ball to no-one in particular. I think he's really talented and can be great to watch in what has been a poor team. But it's quite hard to think of where he should actually play if you're not planning on playing mainly on the break. If you want a more possession based brand of football, basically, I'm not sure if he fits in.

He's playing a completely different style of football to the back end of last season, mind. A bit like with ASM, maybe they both suit much more of a counter attacking style, rather than possession and pressing. He'd arrive late in the box last season and get a chance which, with his confidence high, he was likely to bury. Started this season late without much of a pre-season too. I'm not saying there's a player in there for us if he can't adapt - but maybe he's just in the wrong team right now.

I think Howe would have come across a lot better if he'd just said something along the lines of; We're really disappointed with the result and the performance today. Credit to Cambridge, but individually and collectively we just didn't do well enough, and I include myself in that. We'll be working hard to improve all across the pitch and take what lessons we can learn from it. Then leave it there. Of course, maybe he did say something like that and the quote is just cherry picked from other stuff he's said. But looking for positives in a poor defeat is always a bit annoying. I do think some of his team selections and subs have been a bit questionable at times so far, but he won't get everything right, no manager does, and I'm still a fan. Bad day at the office today, mind.

Just reading in the Times that he's bid £50m for Derby. Due to being in administration, the article goes on to state; "With a transfer embargo in place, Derby can only sign free transfers or agree low cost loans..." If he takes them over, you could replace this with; "With Mike Ashley in place, Derby can't even sign free transfers or agree low cost loans..."

Rooney would tear the remaining bum hair from his head. I really don't want that baggie jeaned pound shop salesman to inflict his brand of utter misery on any other set of fans, though.

Dear Ralph, We intend to drink your milkshake.

Maybe, but I still don't think that would make it an investment asset. That would imply you intend to sell it. Using the SOL to secure a loan is more like taking out a second mortgage on your own home, but doesn't make it an investment asset. Like I say, better than average chance that I might well be missing something. But, either way, you're right - their finances are a mess.