sushimonster85

Ramsdale one is an odd one. I do think he is an upgrade on Pope, but only marginally. But then I said the same about Pope with Dubravka and was massively wrong, so I'll trust the recruitment team/Eddie. 

Not confident going into this one at all. Our away form combined with them being a tricky side to play against at the best of times has made me very pessimistic about our chances. That being said I reckon we will end up 7th, got a feeling both us and Man U will get beat on the final day. 

As others have said, not having Joelinton, Tonali, & Willock for most of the season is what has really killed us. Our three most phsyical CMs all missing, all (largely) at the same time. You can handle one missing, maybe even two, but all three has left our midfield looking very lightweigh most of the season. 

Howe won't be under pressure currently. The noises coming out of the club all season is how everyone was prepared for it to be a much tougher campaign, the injuries on top of all that just made it worse. Now, if we don't get Europe and find ourselves in a similar position this time (or even come Jan/Feb) next season, then he will be under big pressure. 

59 minutes ago, Steve Charlton said:

it might be better if Rashford actually starts tonight as he's a lazy bastard when he wants to be,Tino will run him ragged

Tino and Joelinton destroyed him at SJP.

4 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

If we sell Wilson, I don't think his replacement will cost £50m. And neither Solanke or Sesko would join if they were to be sitting on the bench..

Been saying this for a while, the Sesko/Solanke links/wishful thinking are non-starters, even if Wilson goes. They only become goers if Isak leaves. 

Sesko isn't going to happen. We aren't going to drop 70m+ on a guy who plays in the same position as Isak. Unless Isak leaves.

Chuffed with both these lads coming in. Finally getting some depth to the squad, although frankly if Eddie can improve Tosin in the same way he has with others there's every chance we end the season with him and Botman as our CB pairing. As good as Schar is on the ball we have been desperate for some recovery pace at CB for a long time. 

Think Kelly is a solid PL player but likely mainly been brought in for depth.

Mathematically it's in our hands. Realistically it's in Brightons hands. Their final 2 games of the season are both at home v Chelsea then Man U. I can't see them losing both.

6 minutes ago, vexred said:

72,000 people watching Goldbridge lose his shit 

He had a glorious breakdown when the goal was ruled out 

Everton fans singing "going down going down going down" to Luton fans. Stay classy lads...

Thank fuck. 

J7    Bruno    Tonali

Coming to cinemas 27/8. 

Still think our biggest incoming fee on any one person could be Ashworth. 

Jesus, our first 'deal close' followed by 'actually deal not that close' of the Summer and it's only the first day of May. Gets earlier every Summer it feels like. Going to be a loooong window. 

2 minutes ago, Keegans Export said:

Isn't it possible that there is a clause in his contract that any disputes would be settled by arbitration? 

I doubt it, but even so. If there's a period of gardening leave tied to a compensation fee in his contract I don't really see arbitration doing much in this circumstance. 

5 hours ago, jonny1403 said:

People keep saying this but ignore the extra 3 points we gained from the West Ham game when we could easily have drawn/lost.

I don't really mean how the game went, you could argue we were lucky to escape all three games with what we got based on how it went. More just on paper you'd look at these games going in and thinking we really should be picking up 3 points. 

Have to bounce back with a win here. Feel like 6th or 7th is all going to come down to the game at Old Trafford, but can't afford any more daft dropped points at home. I still get angry when I think where we'd be with those extra 4 points from the Luton and Bournemouth home draws. 

1 hour ago, Sima said:

Aye, Brailsford calling in a few favours.

 

Coe has the status with the Tories to get this done.

Better be fast, probably only have till October...

I imagine his xA numbers spiking (in a small sample size) this season isn't a fluke. I think it's part of his game Howe & his team will be working on. He could have had a couple of assists on Saturday had things turned out differently. 

42 minutes ago, STM said:

Genuinely pleased we've taken this decision. Would rather have 100% Willock next season.

Yep. We're going to start (or just about in Tonali's case) next season with Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton, Willock, Longstaff, Miley, & Anderson all (fingers crossed) fully fit and ready to go. From no one to an actual selection headache. 

11 minutes ago, kingxlnc said:

Out: Targett, Dubravka, Karius, Longstaff, Wilson, Lewis, Ritchie, Hendrick, Hayden, Dummett

Have to bring this up everytime I see it. In the next couple seasons (at least) if we want to have a full squad for UEFA competitions Longstaff isn't going anywhere. We weren't able to register the maximum amount of players for CL this season as we didn't hit the home grown quota. We're not about to start selling the HG assets in the squad. He will be a squad/bench player next season, but he isn't going anywhere.

Forgive my ignorance, this puts them into the league below the women's super league, right?

1 hour ago, Slim said:

Yeah I enjoyed that

Same. Always nice to see Eddie relaxed and having laugh. He generally seems so focussed and intense it's nice to see the other side of him every now and again. 

Lads got thighs like Roberto Carlos.

8 minutes ago, 80 said:

Still think it's silly to try and minimise the offence of gambling on your own business. Opens a massive window to corruption that could kill the sport. If you lose the trust you risk everything. A slap on the wrist isn't enough, ill or not.

Don't think anyone is saying it should just be a slap on the wrist. But the current punishment, which is multiple times worse than if you racially abuse another player, is clearly wrong. 

Think the logical thing would be banned until you complete your rehab program. Then second and third offences is when it starts to get to 8 months/1 year territory.