sushimonster85

Eddie Howe isn't getting sacked this season. Or in the Summer. Anyone who thinks he is hasn't been paying attention to what the clubs been trying to warn us about all season re this season being much more difficult than last. If we are in the same boat this time next year with no (or an easier) European competition to worry about then he comes under pressure.

Jesus Christ. Go to bed, lads. It's nearly Xmas.

People say this type of stuff but, even with as much as we've spent, we've also shown we're not going to irresponsibly spend cash on a whim. Last season everyone was itching for us to do big business in Jan in order to push on for the top 4, but we didn't. Top 4 was never seen as the plan that early, and the decision makers at the club weren't about to put us in a sticky spot FFP wise chasing that. We signed Gordon as it was a deal that was there to be done, but even that was done more with an eye to this current season than chasing 4th last season. Sure, I thought results may be a little more evenly spread between home and away than they are at the moment. But we all knew there was going to be a drop off with more games. We all (I'm assuming) saw the stats about average league drop off for a side their first season in the CL. Ashworth and Eales said themselves in the Amazon doc that this season will be harder. By the end of Jan most of our injured lads will be back. Top 4 is likely a pipe dream, but I don't think it was ever the realistic target this season. The squad we have is good enough for top 7 this season. And that will be seen as enough. Likely evens us out on the 5 year plan that's probably in place. Honestly think we will only do anything big if there's a deal to be done for a big target that we don't feel will be there in the Summer.

I know the bedwetters will be out in full force if we do lose to the mackems, but I have faith in the ownership/decision makers. Honestly think Eddie only starts to come under real pressure from above if we continue to spend in the Summer (which we will), and find ourselves in a similar position this time next season. Which is highly unlikely. Team should be stronger, with more depth. Let's be honest, we won't be in CL. Potentially Europa or Conference, both of which would allow us to rotate in the group way more than a CL campaign does.

Not sure an elderly mad man from Naples is familiar with fog on the tyne lol. Imagine that's a hint at a London club.

We only have 4 games in Jan. Only 3 league games, though we can't exactly put out a weaker side in the cup. We do need a couple bodies, but if we can get some lads back fit that should be enough to finish in the top 6/7. Anyone who thinks we have a shot at top 4 anymore is (sadly) delusional. But the current squad, with a couple extra (CM and another forward), should be good for 6th.

Can tell a transfer window is coming up when Barca start trying to use their favourite media outlets to flog all the players they don't want.

As well as being a proven PL player capable of goals and assists, Bowen's also English. There's no way West Ham would accept anything less than 75m.

Barcelona link is the daftest one of all. Club who has to sell various parts of their future earnings just to pay existing wages is suddenly going to find 100m+ for Bruno? Only sides I'm really scared of have always been Man City, PSG, and maybe Real Madrid.

Surely free kicks will be Schar?

Wasn't the word always late December/Jan? Imagine if he'd had a setback we'd have heard by now. I'm betting he makes the bench for the Sunderland game.

Think this all depends on how realistically doable they see top 4. With the current lads (assuming no more mental runs with injury) we should be good for at least 6th once we get into the new year and have most of them back. If they want top 4 (and it is looking like it needs to be 4th with us and Man U going out at the group stage this year), we will likely need at least a couple, ideally 3. CM, forward who can play across the line, GK.

Don't get me wrong, it's ok to be excited about Miley's potential. But theres no way of really telling how talented he will be at the moment. He has shown remarable composure for someone his age, but he clearly has the remit of make the easy pass when he has the ball at the moment. Was watching the PSG highlights agains the other night and forgot that, even when not at his best, Tonali was everywhere.

Think it all depends who is available in Jan. Club have shown in previous windows that, if they feel a long term target is available, they will make it happen somehow. I have a feeling Howe's number 1 target is Ramsdale, which I don't see happening in Jan. No way Arsenal will want to do us any favours in terms of structured payments etc.

It's actually a good time to bring in someone to really push Pope/potentially take over. He gets a four month run to establish himself, potentially then stays in till the end of the season. Then they battle it out fair & square over pre-season.

In the first Summer window under the new owners we were 1/20 to sign Dean Henderson at one point. Then Pope came in from out of nowhere.

Where I struggle with Phillips is his fitness. Howe is notorious for introducing people gradually at the best times. Phillips has barely played for 18 months. It's going to be March before Howe will consider him fit enough to play a large part.

I think this kind of thinking is pretty unfair. And I say that as someone who did have a season ticket but gave it up during the Ashley run. Survivng on the final day v West Ham was my last season. There will be some Ashley apologists. But I still feel they're massively outnumbered by the people who felt like they couldn't turn their back on the club fully/couldn't bring themselves to stop going. I'm not going to dig out people with that mindset.

Feel like I probably worked with 17 of them during my time at Benton Park.

I can see Ramsdale being more likely in the Summer rather than Jan. That being said, I'm sure I read something about Howe not liking his lack of professionalism back when he had Ramsdale at Bournemouth.

Mahrez has been my dream signing since the idea of loaning from PIF clubs came up. Imagine a front 3 of Gordon, Isak, and Mahrez. Electric.

Everton will absolutely be one. Their potential new owners also own clubs that would have some very interesting options for them in Jan.

I'm happy for Adidas to do it one more time. The first reboot was alright, just had to deal with it being a Puma top.

Assuming this new loans rule doesn't come in, it should be Ruben Neves over Phillips.