sushimonster85

People putting 2 and 2 together and getting 43.

I imagine he is going to end up at Inter.

I know it seems mental to turn your nose up at Neymar, but we already have one wide player who doesn't really take their pressing/defensive work seriously, add another to the 11 would put a lot of stress on the defence... That being said, it's fucking Neymar, of course I'd have him lol.

Think you're stretching a bit there mind... Totally different shade of blue, and that looks far more gold/orange than yellow.

Social media? Ever since they went daft after us getting relegated there on the final day of the season I've hated them lol. Us and Villa are in very similar positions at the moment (that last part being key). Both lower half clubs with money they're willing to spend to get into the top half/top 6. It should be in the coming years where we really start to pull away. If the PIF are really serious about this we will soon start to see some of the benefits of essentially being state owned. Commercially we should be able to pull away from them pretty quickly, and therefore have way more FFP room to play with, as well as the willingness to spend.

Actually like all 3 kits. Like the just the simple black and white stripes, no fucking about with daft collars or sleeves on the home. Obviously the green and white is going to be a touchpaper. Which is actually a shame as I think it's really nice. Blue and gold always works. That badge is a little suspect mind. Shame as the other two looked stitched on, that one looks a little cheaper by comparison. Really interested to see who the sponsor is. Have a feeling after all this build-up it may just be Fun88 still for one more season.

I feel like he is finally starting to look like the player he was under Rafa under Howe, especially in these last couple months. Think he will be a good depth option, and considering his natural fitness he is a great option to have on the bench when trying to defend a lead late in the game.

As harsh as it would be, I feel like if it were to make way for someone of Lodi's calibre people would be ok with it.

Jack Harrison would be a really strong, if low key, signing.

If we do have a more conservative budget in the £80-£100m range, there is no way we're spending £50m on a left back.

My totally random, not ITK at all type prediction is site back up tomorrow, followed by an announcement of a (very) limited general sale on commencing on Monday.

That seems especially odd given that I'm pretty sure Anita was the player we signed to cover/replace Cabeye when we thought he was off the first time.

Between this news today, and the Tarkowski stuff from yesterday I wonder if there has been a general shift to a higher calibre of target. Almost like we had a dummy list of targets that seemed reasonable to throw people off the scent, before we start banging in bids for Mbappe, Van Dijik, the ghost of Maradona etc

I'd doubt it. Howe has rarely gone 3 at the back in his managerial career. Tends to save it for very specific game plans, like Chelsea away this season.

Absolutely. I was all for signing him till I heard his wage demands (I believe the figure being touted is £150k p/w). Which would make him our highest earner. He is good, but not £150k a week tier.

I reckon it will be like Jan. Where we will have priority positions, with a good few names on the list for each position that we work our way through.

Honestly believe Lampard will be gone before Christmas.

I know what you mean. Like, sure, Lodi may be better than Targett. But say he is £25m, is he really £10m quids worth better than him?

SkyBet seem to think so. We're second favourites (behind Brentford themselves) to sign him for next season

I feel like Targett my be left twisting in the wind for a few weeks. I think ideally Eddie want's a more attacking left back, these Renan Lodi links are getting to the same stage as Trippier (but also Botman/Carlos) was in Jan. I think they're hoping they can get Lodi in, but that Targett will still be there if that falls through. As others have said, if Targett was the first choice for the position I feel like that would've been sorted by now.

There is no way Almiron won't be in the squad next season. He can play either wide role, or behind a striker. And to be honest no one is likely to pay the £15m or so I imagine we would be asking for.

Got a funny feeling it's going to be a free for all. I think they may make some sort of noise about want to prioritise ex season ticket holders, but that site they have is going to fall over as it is. If they start trying to do fancy stuff like going off of peoples supporter numbers it's going to explode. I don't know what I would prefer they do. As someone who packed in going to games after the John Carver/survival on the final day debacle I doubt I would qualify as someone recently stopped going. Me and my dad are going to try, but with me working Mon-Fri 9-5pm we're likely relying on him navigating that site as it constantly crashes/queue people, bless him.

Pretty sure Staveley has said in an interview (maybe The Athletic one from a couple months back) that new sponsorships would likely not be tied to Saudi. This (potentially like the transfer budget) may have been to throw people off the scent, but I honestly wouldn't be shocked if it were some random outside company.

Wouldn't hold your breath on that part. Off the field we are still in the same position as Jan. Don't doubt we will get what we need, but considering our recruitment team is the same temporary one where everyone is wearing multiple hats whilst also handling transfers, I wouldn't expect things to move quickly.

Player of the Season: Joelinton Most Improved Player of the Season: Joelinton Most Disappointing Player: Lewis. Honestly thought Howe's arrival would spark his career back to life. Signing of the Season: Trippier. I know Bruno is the more obvious choice, but I don't think he happens without Trippier. And Trippier was the most important player for the period that truly turned our season around. (Leeds away and Everton/Villa home) Goal of the Season (feel free to rank your top 3): In order. Bruno v Southampton. Trippier v Everton, Bruno v Norwich Game of the Season: Newcastle 3-1 Everton. This was the game that really lit the touch paper for me. Set us off on our trajectory, and pushed them further into the mire. Honestly think without beating Everton the way we did, things could've been different. On the pitch Moment of the Season (we all know the takeover was the off-field most important): Bruno stoppage time winner v Leicester. Chaos. Manager rating out of 10: Howe 9/10. Bruce 2/10 (Jones 7/10) Season rating out of 10: as a whole, 8/10. From Howe on, 9/10