sushimonster85

Transfermarkt does indeed seem to confirm he is a right footed left back.

Hmm, I guess I am the opposite. Not with the nerves, also really nervous for this one. But I can actually calm the nerves by thinking about how I felt at this stage in these recent seasons where these games have been all about trying to claw our way to safety. This by comparison is so much better.

Player of the Season: Bruno. The ankle knock has curtailed him a little, but we look so much weaker when he doesn't play it's hard not to consider him our most important player. Flop of the Season: Targett. Feels like even now he's back form injury Eddie doesn't really fancy him. Which is a shame as Burn has need a rest since the cup final really. Most Improved Player: Schar. From solid PL CB who is decent with the ball to one of the best CBs in the league. Unsung Hero: Longstaff. Finally starting to get his recognition after the Villa game, gets through so much work. If he could add a little more composure in his finishing he'd be a £60m player. Signing of the Season: Isak. I thought/think Wilson is class, but this lad is a different level. First properly world class forward we've had since Shearer.

Aye. Call them scouse mackems for a reason.

I feel like this is seeming more and more nailed on. Not a super exciting one but (assuming it's not a mad price) can see Eddie getting a lot out of him.

I honestly think there is a chance Wilson may want to go in the Summer. He seems like someone who wants to be playing week in, week out. If West Ham had any nous they'd chuck in £10-12m bid for him, if for nothing else than to stop him scoring. If that happens I can see the club letting him go provided we sign another younger forward.

True, but on the flip side of that Trippier only cost us £12m and was apparently on 120k a week when we signed him. Brozovic would cost more than double, and is already on 180k a week at Inter, so would likely want 200k p/w.

Reckon this is agent talk. Can't see us spending £30m+ a CM who turns 31 in November and would likely want a weekly wage that would make him our highest earner.

Would be gutted but not shocked if he is out for this and we're trying to keep it on the down low. He spent the last 15 mins of the first half on Sunday limping around the pitch. Was actually shocked he came back out after half time. And I know whenever Bruno is going to be out they try and keep it quiet for as long as possible.

Gordon situation is weird. As others have said, you have to be careful when you bring him on as it's going to get the home crowd massively up and behind the side. Bring him on while the game is close and it could create a cauldron like atmosphere. I would honestly leave him on the bench and only bring him on if we need something, or we're 2/3 goals ahead.

This. You can pretty discount any Barca links as them/agents trying to drum interest in their players. Realistically any Barca player coming in this Summer would break our wage structure.

Aye. Barring injury there's 0 chance he changes a side that just won 6-1.

Surely next season (assuming we do get a more attack mided LB) then Targett would be the more natural backup LB? Him coming in would mean not altering the way we're playing as much as Burn next season.

I know Botman is the shiny new toy, and has a much higher ceiling and will likely become better than Schar, but Schar as been the better CB this season. By a margin. Not that Botman has been bad, Schar has been exceptional. Gone unnoticed but he has been one of the best CBs in the league this season.

I feel like Trippier still has a couple years left in the tank at the top level. Obviously (like most players these days) he keeps himself in top shape, and (more crucially) he didn't actually break through and start playing senior football in his teens, which tends to affect how late into their 30's a lot players can play. First time he played 30+ games of senior football was the 10/11 season with Barnsley when he was already 20/21. Just think with all the areas of the squad that could use investment this Summer they won't see RB as crucial given we have Trippier, Ashby and Krafth.

That was rumour weeks ago. I have a feeling it's pretty much done and they're waiting on the confirmation/announcement of next seasons main sponsor so they can get a picture with Bruno holding a Newcastle top with SaudiA on the front of it.

Thing with Madrid is they can't/won't pay 100m for him. They will instead spend the Summer trying to unsettle him and get his head turned hoping we get forced into accepting a lower amount. It's something they have done for years and years.

Think that will be a job for next Summer rather than a priority for this one. Though I do think Ashby will be the fulltime RB understudy next season.

I actually hope they come up. Largely because they will be no where close the PL level, especially without their current loan players. A good chunk of that squad is the same one that struggled to get out of League One. They come up to the PL they either have to try a Forest and put themselves at massive financial risk, or accept it's a season to get a financial shot in the arm and use it to yoyo back up in a couple seasons.

Yeah, I imagine 6/7 will be the magic number. But likely 4 to come in as fully ready, top quality players ready to go into the starting 11. Think that will be a LB, CM, wide forward, and then an x-factor style signing who is so good they go into the 11 regardless of who's place they're taking. Likely another CM or attacker. Then a further 2/3 high potential younger options. Not players for the u21 squad, but players ready to come if needed, but with the idea they're going to be eased in slowly over the next 12-18 months. A right sided CB for sure.

Agree with the sentiment that people need to chill with Gordon. Miggy didn't start to show signs of really kicking on under Howe till towards the end of last season/start of this season. Firmly believe Gordon was someone they likely had their eyes on for the Summer, then made a move in Jan because the opportunity arose. Firmly believe he will be a real force next season, and will remain a useful option/impact sub for the remainder of this one.

Often mess about with this PL predictor - https://www.worldfootball.net/table_calculator/eng-premier-league/ Just tried a realistically pessimistic run through. 'Realistically pessimistic' as in not losing every game, but drawing the Everton, Brighton, & Leeds games, getting beat by Arsenal & Chelsea. On that run through I had us missing out on top 4 by 3 points to Liverpool. who I think may actually be our biggest threat. This relies on us dropping off, and Liverpool finding their form from last season at just the right time and beasting the remaining games of the season. Think it's way more likely we beat either/both Everton and Leeds, and get something from Arsenal and Chelsea and comfortably make the top 4. But it's not full on done yet.

Will be a gritty one this. That being said, we should still have too much quality for them. Going to say 0-2. Early Isak goal then Almiron off the bench to kill the game with 5-10 mins to go.

I know that Athletic article revealed the contract has another 4 years to run, but I am predicting our FFP situation will have improved to the point where we will pay the break/penalty fee in the contract and bin them off in a couple years. Predict we will be in Adidas or Nike by 25/26 season at the latest.

Absolutely. It won't happen, but realistically you could have three goals from this game in goal of the month. This one, Isak's first (Willock assist) and Murphy's screamer.