TheBrownBottle

Worth noting that Wilson only managed double figures in a PL season once at Bournemouth. He's done alright here

I remember what they said when Gordon left. Consensus seemed to be we'd had our pants taken down. Wonder what they think now?

I think that's true, but I also think there may be some slightly unrealistic expectations of who we'll be able to sign and how much we'll be able to spend.

Haven't heard Catholics being referred to as 'left footers' since my Granddad used to call my Grandma one (still don't understand how they ended up married - both sets of grandparents were the same; one Catholic, one Protestant. Tyneside always was very different from Glasgow, Belfast or Liverpool, I suppose ...)

There's over two months until the end of the window; the 2024/25 season doesn't start until 1st July for FFP purposes. I would have thought that the club selling Minteh and signing DCL would end up in the 2023/24 accounts - which would likely lead to them remaining balanced. Signing DCL does not preclude the club signing a RW before September

Aye, that run of seven losses in eight absolutely knackered us. No chance with Tonali and Bruno (+ A.N.Other) we go on that run. Joelinton's loss was an absolute killer

BTW unless Dortmund bid then I doubt they're interested. Minteh joining Everton should be telling folks that a lot of those links are complete bollocks

Yeah, I think so too. Hard not to imagine with Tonali in the team we don't pick up an extra couple of points.

I love all this stuff - it is like what is was pre-Ashley. The club buying and selling players during the summer months is exactly what should be happening - it is exciting, I reckon. Can't get onboard with the complaining.

Key point being missed this. I suspect that the Tonali transfer will have further fueled this as a concern, too (not looking to bring up whether or not we should have known etc).

I think it is time for Almiron to move on - and I don't think he'll refuse a transfer; he just refused a transfer to Saudi Arabia. Can't blame the man on that front

I'm perfectly happy with it. Build a PL-capable squad, get fully established at the top of the table, start replacing them with bigger names. Our best bet is to have say 18 PL-proven players with the Isaks and Brunos liberally dusted in. DCL is a replacement for an injury-prone and ageing Wilson (who is one of my favourite NUFC no. 9s). I'd rather DCL than an unproven 30m forward from a second tier European league. We're not in a position to gamble ATM.

Still think it is best to judge all of this at the end of the window. Selling Minteh doesn't rule out selling others. Almiron is also a proven PL player - not a great one, but proven. Minteh is not.

In all honesty FM, I don't see how the PL wins the arbitration case, but we'll see

There are far more knowledgeable folks on here than me re this subject, but my understanding was always that this isn't a 'closed' case. There are exemptions given for commercial law when it is viewed to be in the public interest to do so - and Exclusion Orders have been issued in the past (for example around broadcasting rights). We'll get an answer soon enough

They don't; they also don't stock Leeds or Leicester. Nor do they stock Flamengo, who are another 'elite' club. It seems they have seven 'elite' clubs, but only five ... actually are.

Most likely. But the claim is that being 'elite' means adidas market our kits around the world. Clearly not the case.

It is entertaining how a player who has never played for the club nor in a top league is unsellable, yet plenty of people would sell just about everyone except Bruno and Isak in a heartbeat because they're not good enough. Not one person on here knows how good the lad would be. Maybe he'd be great, maybe he wouldn't. If we sell him, I'll happily take Howe's judgement on the player.

Never been on the adidas website before, thought I'd test it here in Australia. This is what their 'football' front page looks like: No sign of us at all - usual suspects. Clearly adidas don't categorise all of their 'elite' clubs the same way. In fact, like Leeds and Leicester, there is no sign of us anywhere on their official website. They're paying us a fair whack, so who gives a shite, ultimately - but if we're really 'elite', then adidas are doing a good job of hiding it.

Sorry mate, didn't think you were - just think that there's plenty of time to get one in. I agree re a RW

Wait until 1st September would be my thinking. No idea who'll end up in and out of the club.

PS - a short list of players I thought (and stated) would be shite signings: Bellamy Batty Given Ba Speed A short list of players I thought would be great signings: Pistone Guivarc'h Marcelino (seriously!) Thauvin Owen We all do it ...

Is there a premium on English / PL players? Definitely Is Howe aware of this? I think he's a pretty smart bloke - and when it comes to football, I reckon he knows a bit about that too - so definitely Managers often succeed or fail based on their transfer dealings, given how these influence results - and Howe's have been pretty damn good so far. @cubaricho absolutely nails it above about raising the 'floor' at the moment instead of the 'ceiling'. Nothing wrong at all with fans wanting some players, or not wanting others. No problem with anyone predicting X will be a bad signing. But I'm more than happy for Howe to bring in the players he wants to improve the squad. Incidentally, the likes of DCL, Kilman and Trafford - if they came in - would all strengthen the squad IMO. Kelly has improved the squad - even if he isn't a world-beater. Same goes for selling the likes of Minteh etc - a completely unproven -player who was bought (as far as I can tell) to sell for profit. To be brutally honest, I'm ok with Howe selling any member of the squad (even Isak, though Jesus wept that would hurt!) if he thinks it would improve the team or squad. I do think that the interests of the club are now dictating transfer policy, not lining a fat man's pockets.

I mean, we don’t - Ashley dropped the CAT when the club was sold.

I completely agree with what you’re saying re our transfer record. Folks are of course able to criticise anything they want, but I’m at a loss as to the vitriol being poured over potential signings. Howe’s and the transfer team’s record is pretty golden on incomings - if he sees something in DCL, we should back it. I’m not cock-a-hoop over his prospective signing, but it’s far more important that Howe wants him rather than any misgivings from me.