sushimonster85

I know it's mainly due to the delay in getting Ashworth (and subsequently his team) in place, but I do like that it looks like Howe will have a similar role in identifying transfer targets to the one he had in Jan. At least for this next window. I don't think we'll see any real big names, more well scouted and vetted players from across Europe in the style of Bruno. Think the only 'big name' type player could be a LIngard. Maybe a DCL if Everton go down.

Can we not go back to talking about when Frank Lampard is going to get sacked?

Gutted for him if that's his season pretty much over. You could tell he was loving his football again after the arrival of Howe then Trippier. The few games they played together they already looked to be developing a good partnership down that right hand side. I think he's probably more gutted as he knows this run in was really his chance to put himself forward as the first choice in that position for next season. I always thought it likely we will add another winger/wide forward in the Summer, and it would be Fraser who's place in the starting 11 would be most under threat if/when we do.

Pretty sure Krafth will have a short-term future at the club for at least next season. Under Howe I think Krafth has now pulled level with Manquillo in terms of being Trippier's understudy. And his ability to cover CB gives him an edge over Manquillo. Feel like the owners & Howe have both been pushing the "evolution not revolution" line. Can't see a back-up RB being part of the plans this Summer. Summer 2023 is when they make a move a for a top quality young RB to come in and gradually take over from Trippier over the span of a couple seasons.

Think this would be one of the few advantages we'd be able to push. Teams like us, West Ham, Villa would be able to promise him starts. But we're now the only ones of that bunch who could realistically promise a sustained push towards CL. Just may not be as immediately close as West Ham. Assuming Chelsea do get shot of Lukaku he would likely start there. I actually think he'd get in at City, but that assuming they ever do decide to go back to playing with a 9, rather than just eventually playing a GK, De Bryune, then 9 tricky wide-players.

I feel like a chunk of the fanbase live in some alternate reality, or 2/3 seasons in the future, where maybe we have the squad depth to actually entertain the idea of not playing our best attacking threat. I get that he can be very hit or miss, and a defensive liability at times, but the fact of the matter is we win more games when he plays. That isn't a coincidence. Even when he is having a poor game he can either generate something out of absolutely nothing and turn a draw into a win, or defeat to draw. Or the other team has to commit at least two men towards him when he is dribbling with the ball, generating space for others.

Totally. The closer we get to kick off the more convinced I am that we should just play 3 cb's like we did against Chelsea and just embrace the dour 0-0 draw. I think they'd take that if you offered it to them.

Can confirm Grand Old Team has been a hilarious way to waste a quiet afternoon at work for a good few weeks now. Perpetual state of multiple meltdowns. Team's shite. Russian funding. Stadium development potentially stalled. FFP breaches. It really does have it all.

4-3-3?

Neither of these points are accurate. Go and watch us pre-Wood then post-Wood (giggidy), specifically time spent in the opposing teams half. The improvement there has been drastic. The pressing point, just go watch Everton for an example of how poor pressing can totally fuck everything up. It has to be done intelligently, and it has to be done as a team. It may sound easy in concept, but it really isn't. Anyway, I actually think we'll play something that looks like a 4-2-3-1 tomorrow. Very similar to what we adjusted to when we played Southampton. Dubravka Krafth Burn Schar Targett Joe Shelvey Bruno Fraser Wood Murphy Doesn't sound like Willock is going to make it, and could probably do with coming out of the team anyway. Long term think Bruno is going to be that deeper CM, but in the short term I think freeing him of the heavy duty defensive burden could be good.

Honestly believe all we need is 4 more points. I think even being as pessimistic with predicting results as possible, it's hard to see us not getting at least 4 points between now and the end of the season. Actually think 6/7 points is more realistic. Just had a look back to see if there was precedent for an identical drop off to a one that would see us relegated. Only recent-ish one I came across was Swansea in 17/18. On 31 points with 8 games left, 15th in the league. Preceded to only get 2 points from their remaining fixtures and went down. Worth pointing out the team in 18th at the time (Southampton) were actually on 28 points, rather than Burnley's 24. Even if Burnley win their game in hand they're still a point worse off than Southampton were that season. Main takeaway - we're not definitely safe, but relegation is extremely unlikely.

Pre-Wood any sort of long ball forward was effectively giving the ball back to the opposition. Wood is so strong with those headed duels that the team can play the ball forward and be pretty confident that they can commit the likes of Max, Fraser, Willock and Joe forward to contest second balls 100% of the time, rather than preparing for the ball coming immediately back at them. He is also very committed presser, he never shirks pressing duties, and generally presses in a very intelligent way. Know when he is best to press the man vs when its more advantageous to close off a passing lane. If you look at players average positions when attacking during our hot streak Willock spent a lot of time super close to Wood, almost like a number 10. This isn't possible with Max or even Wilson up front. Yes, his goal threat is less than ideal, but it isn't a coincidence that we have looked so much better since he has settled into the team.

I still don't get the sentiment a lot of people seem to have re Wood. You see it mostly on Twitter but it's start to creep in here as well. There is no way he will (or should) come out of the 11. He isn't scoring goals, but in terms of how we're currently playing he is one of the most important players in the team. Like suggesting dropping Wood and playing Max upfront just boggles my mind when I see it.

I honestly don't think Joe is a 10. If we do get a top class box-to-box destroyer of a midfielder I honestly think he could go back to being a wide forward. He could own that area of the pitch, and provide a lot of support to the full back on whichever side he is on.

if we can get 3 points against Wolves I honestly think he won't play again this season. Or at least not till the final couple games. If we're pretty much safe after this coming weekend there is no need to risk anything, may as well hold him back for next season.

If you thought January was bad for reporters using us for clicks/to shift papers the Summer is going to be on a whole other level. Don't believe anything till they're holding the shirt. Also, while we're on. If we're talking about stealing continental keepers from mid-table sides, give me Jose Sa at Wolves over anyone already mentioned.

I'm the same, rather than looking at any one individual game I have the mindset of 4 points from these three (well, four including Norwich away after) games would likely see us safe. Which should be doable. Should.....

I assumed it was an April fools, but the official tweet from the club took you to a page where you could pre-order it....

Definitely. Currently have Max, who has an insane top speed, but then seemingly needs 10 minutes to fully recover from any sprint.

Will say the same thing with the Bailey 'budget' that I said when Edwards came out with a 'budget'. Take any budget talk with a bucket of salt. They will have a general idea in their head, but (like with Jan) it will be done on a player-by-player basis. On the one hand there is no real upper limit to what could be spent, but on the other (as seen in Jan) they're clearly not going to go mental.

It makes sense that Botman may now just be one of many targets, rather than the number 1 CB target. He had that status in Jan thanks to a combo of ability & us having no other left footed CBs. Now we have Burn we don't have to focus quite so specifically on left sided centre backs.

Yep. Don't forget this Summer is Covid contract fallout. Load of fantastic players available on a free. Wouldn't be shocked to see us in for at least Boubacar Kamara on a free. I actually think our big statement signing may be one of the higher profile free agents. Costs more in wages and signing on, but save money on the transfer fee. Honestly think someone like Rudiger could be on the table.

To be fair to Luke Edwards, I wouldn't be shocked at all if he has sources at the club giving him those vibes. It's far better for bargaining if the press are reporting that you're not look to over-spend in the Summer, rather than having a bunch of 'NEWCASTLE TO HAVE UNLIMITED TRANSFER BUDGET' type stories. The truth will likely be somewhere in between, as it was in Jan. They will have a list of targets, enter into negotiations and see if they can get a price they're happy with.

In terms of pure shot-stopping I would totally agree. I'd even say he is better at that aspect of being a keeper than some of them. But it's pretty clear at this point that Howe want's a keep who's comfortable with passing the ball out from the back. All those keepers are better with the ball at their feet that Dubravka. Out the lot mention I personally would want Leno.

Think Miggy will always be one of those players who shines in a non-elite league. Great work-rate, and decent technically. It's his decision making and physicality that let him down. Drop him in the Dutch or Portuguese league where he will get a touch longer before being closed down and I think he'd do well.