Joey47

Slightly disappointed to still have Fun88 for next year. I've seen that an early exit of the Fun88 deal has been negotiated, so this is the last season we will have it. A positive spin is that if we have a really good season and maybe even get Europe, that would significantly boost the fair value of our next sponsor compared to what the fair value would be currently.

Yeah, interesting that all these Italian Journalists are saying that Botman ONLY wants to join Milan and it's the new owners that will decide if they want Botman or not. Part of me thinks is that line is the Italians covering their backs so it doesn't look like little old Newcastle pipped the mighty AC Milan to signing Botman. Notice how it's only the Italian journalists that have reported Botman prefers Milan.

My mother is mexican so I would also love to see him involved Wasn't it just a 1 year loan with an option to buy for Muñoz though?

Botman seemed very up for joining us in January considering he was liking instagram posts about NUFC. I wonder what changed since then. Not that it's inexplicable that he would choose AC Milan over us but still.

The reason I joined this forum was for takeover news, which I was completely obssessed with. I even retweeted all of Keiths letters to the Boris Johnson and Richard masters before I realised he was a whopper Before I knew about this place I used to browse the mag and nufcblog.com. Haven't really been back on either of those since joing this forum.

The only thing I can remember him not getting 100% right was when he said something along the lines of expect a surprise in the coming days. I think that was supposed to be about Jesse Lingard signing but Man Utd scuppered that deal on deadline day.

Can anyobody tell me the origin story of Ando, like how he got a name on here in the first place?

Has to be Ekitike surely

Any particular reason you've quoted that from back when Bruce was sacked? Feel like it could have a hidden message

This makes him sound like the next CR7 or something The guy who runs this twitter knows his stuff though so very exciting. I particularly like that Ekitikie is equally comfortable making runs in behind to stretch the defense and dropping deep to link play - a proper modern centre forward. He isalso very smart in his movement in the box as shown by how many of his goals have come from inside the 6 yard box. This versatility is something few other strikers in the world could provide.

"Journalist, Sean Casey" What a fucking joke man. This guy is a bigger bullshit merchant than Burnsie. Have him blocked because he chats pure shit, just says what he knows the fans want to hear.

Probably should have checked before typing all that

Is this his first season starting in Ligue 1? I wonder why he's been on the radar of so many top clubs since January? Obviously he had a very good first half of the season especially considering his age, but I'm sure you could find a few strikers his age with quick feet that have scored around 10 goals in Europes top 5 leagues right? So many questions I know but I guess my main question is, what is about him that has really made him stand out to all these top clubs?

This is just my personal opinion and it's all speculation but... Various things make me believe that he wants to at least have the option of going 3-4-3 against certain opposition: He had success with it at Bournemouth against Conte's Chelsea. I think he wanted to play it more at Bournemouth but didn't have the right personnel to do make it work. He very often speaks of wanting players who are versatile (Dan Burn who played for Potter as a left CB in a back 3, a LB in a back 4 and even a LWB I believe) His first game as Manager (vs Brentford) he set us up in a 3-4-3. This was nothing like Bruce's 5 at the back formations the game was too hectic and back and forth and we had no control. After this he got us playing 4 at the back again because he saw for himself that we didn't have the players needed to play an attacking 3-4-3. Even after this failure against Brentford he tried it again against Chelsea as you have mentioned. If he wanted to only play a back 4 why would he want to sign Lodi (can play in a back 4 but most say he is defensively suspect) while it would be so easy to sign Targett (a very good LB but not LWB) for a bargain and just forget about the LB position. The only reason I can think of is that he wants flexibility to at least be able to play various formations including his 3-4-3. It's been well documented that he spent time studying Simeone's Athletico Madrid who switch between a 3 at the back formation and a 4-4-2 depending on the oppostion.

Yeah, especially given the clubs that have been interested in him. Most notably Dortmund who have arguably the best scouting in world football? I have no stats or anything to back that up but just going by the insane talent they bring through.

Yeah I just saw your comment and those names popped straight into my head Wouldn't disagree though that the french league is probably most similar league to the PL.

You seem to be 100% convinced Howe is going to play a 4-4-2 I think a 3-4-3 or sticking with our 4-3-3 is more likely but I guess all we can do is wait and see. Fuck, I'm so excited for next season!

Saivet, Thauvin and Riviere disagree

No thanks, this guy is not a footballer.

This made me think, who was the last player to enhance their career through playing at man united?

Grimaldo and Denayer would be insteresting left field shouts for LB/CB. Asensio seems unlikely due to wages right? From what I understood the main reason Ekitike didn't happen in Jan was more down to him wanting to play a full season at Reims before moving. Renato seems pretty nailed on to go to AC Milan from what I've seen. They can have Renato and we'll take Botman! Joao Pedro, must admit I haven't watched him enough but I don't think he's anything special.

I'd say he's pretty out of our league currently, don't think there's any club in the world that wouldn't be happy to sign him right now.

I agree with your take on xG. Regarding Nunez and him scoring double his xG, the question is: Has he managed to do that because he is an elite finisher or has he been extremely lucky? I've seen in here about players who usually outperform their xG like Kane and Son but how many other forwards actually double their xG?

Everton have losses of 170m over 3 year FFP period. 105m is the maximum allowed losses for the 3 year period FFP is a such a fucking joke.

I really hope we don't sign DCL. However I think he could be one of the best strikers in the world at winning headers, his jumping reach is quite crazy. But we already have Chris Wood for flicking the ball on (giving it back to the opposition)