Mazzy

Who's doing his celebration when they score against Liverpool then? My money would've been on Murphy but he'd have to actually score so I'm going to say Schar.

What I'd go with, assuming Hall is fit and ready to play.

There's always one anomaly in the group, ours is Targett 😂

No, he's on more than Isak but less than Bruno. Second highest earner now alongside Joelinton, I believe. £125k puts him on par with Tonali and Trippier. Which isn't crazy, he'll probably play more than Trippier and you'd imagine Tonali is due a new contract soon to bump up his wages, especially if he has a season like last.

The player you break you're wage structure for doesn't matter, it just matters that it happens. Also, I'm fairly sure the numbers quoted are wrong anyway. Bruno is the highest earner on £160k. So we wouldn't be breaking it by paying Ramsey £125k

We wanted to. A new contract for Isak would've certainly broken the structure.

Same could be said for every player anyone signs ever. This is why players have contracts, it's protection for them as much as for the club. It's why this Isak bollocks is so frustrating.

He's on £70k currently so I wouldn't be surprised if that's true. Wage structure will have to change at some point, may as well be now.

If I was Villa, I would be dragging my heels so this doesn't get done until very very late on Friday, so there is absolutely no chance he plays on Saturday.

He's retired now unfortunately.

WHEN he signs, give him the 14 shirt and move Isak (temporarily) to 69.

Would Howe give him a spot on the bench rather than putting two keepers or Neave there? I think he might.

He wasn't playing as an out and out ST like whoever plays that position in our team needs to though. He had MGW playing behind him as a CAM and they would dovetail as almost twin false 9's. Wouldn't be shocked to see us play a (slightly) different formation against Villa to try and help Gordon get more space in behind. He's not going to win anything in the air and he's not got the strength or build to hold up the ball much. 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-2-3 might help him and the wide players, and they are basically just small variations on 4-3-3 anyway so it's not like the players won't be used to it.

They are far unhappier about him leaving than we were about Longstaff going or we would be about Willock leaving.

Looks like this is getting done QUICK!! Makes a nice change and hopefully it's a sign of things to come.

We are. And they are reliant on Bournemouth. I imagine you're right about the agreement already kind of being in place. Maybe just a case of finalising it once they are ready.

Brentford trying to get a replacement from Bournemouth. Bournemouth trying to get a replacement for the guy going to Brentford. Bournemouth are close to agreeing a deal for a replacement for the guy going to Brentford. Brentford can then try and agree a deal for the guy from Bournemouth. Newcastle then try and agree the deal with Brentford for Wissa. We're just further along in the chain, so it's takes longer. Annoying though yeah.

That makes me feel sad and little bit sick. Not the Joelinton bit, just the Gordon bit.

He's played a lot in Villas pre season so you can only assume they planned on keeping hold of him and having him as a somewhat important part of their season. This weakens them and strengthens us, that's always a good thing. We're going to be way off the top 3/4 this season (in terms of points) so anything we can get over Villa, Spurs or Man Utd is massive. FWIW I think the top four will be Liverpool, City, Chelsea and Arsenal in that order. We need to do our best to get that 5th spot, but it'll be fucking difficult.

I don't want a striker on loan, especially not Toney. Isak can fuck off and we can get someone in capable of leading the line in tandem with Wissa. I'd certainly consider El Khannouss on loan with an option to buy though, especially if that gives us a bit left over to bring in a decent up and coming LB to help Hall out.

Finding one who also has the pace, power and stamina to be in our midfield is rare and expensive. If we get another midfielder (on top of Ramsey) I think we'll be very lucky. I'd have like to see us go for Joao Gomes from Wolves. Not amazing at any one thing but a very good ball winner and could fill in anywhere in that midfield 3 if he had to.

The sheer size of the guy compared to how he was would be a help to playing as a 9 now. He wasn't small before but he was certainly a little lightweight for his height. But as others have said, it won't happen, the only way we ever see him play as a 9 again is through a very serious injury crisis. Gordon, Barnes, Elanga, Osula and whatever two strikers we have at the start of the season would all need to be out for him to be back there. I would like to see him at LW again a few times this season though, it has worked very well against certain teams before and he's very effective there in certain situations.

How heavy is that link though?

He's proven himself in a top league at a top team. Hadn't really done that before now.

I don't know why but numbers 12 and 13 should only be used (IMO) for goalkeepers. They should be the second and third keepers numbers. Looks weird on a outfield player.