jackflap

Problem with Longstaff for me and even Howe alluded to it is that he's the type of player that needs to find a rhythm to bring the best out of him, he's technically below par and his footwork is below that again. I can't see how he'd work out as a good rotational player if he needs to be playing regularly to be at the required level. Anything north of 15m I think would be good business provided there's a suitable alternative they like. I'd like to see them sign a young no. 6 with the potential to be a long term option in that position and is able to grow into the role whilst Bruno is at the club (assuming he stays) with a view to succeeding him should he eventually leave. Feel we need the option of someone tailer made with traditional attributes for that position but as it is we've enough bodies in midfield.

Guirassy is still banging the goals in for Stuttgart, granted he's 28 and will probably be looking for a big contract but with his release clause at 17.5m euros he on paper represents a good value signing.

Think he's up there with Nobby as my favourite ever Newcastle player. Sublime baller.

Do we even know it's the same knee as the previous injury?

It's not like we're fly pitchers, we can't just knock out a few more players. Hardly had a ball of success there to be relying on it as a strategy. You suggesting we'd sell a player we might not have anyway just to overpay in a deal for a development LB when we can back out.. Especially when there's an added bonus of compromising a rivals FFP position or at least maybe scuppering some of their summer transfer plans. There's no way the kid has gone from being deemed good enough to start away from home in a key CL tie to watching Matt Richie to come off the bench without there being uncertainty from the club whether to pursue the deal.

On Target giving 15m to a direct rival for a decent PL player who's already hit their ceiling wasn't great business. Villa were seeking to move on from him as he wasn't good enough for the level of ambition for the club. Think we expended so much energy on Botman and the Ekiteke pursuit Target was deemed a safe one to get in the door. Seems clear from Howes comments that the permanent signing of Hall hasn't been triggered. Still makes no sense that Howe sees him as an important player for the future, thought him good enough to start away in a vital CL game against Dortmund yet wasn't even worth bringing off the bench when we were at our bare bones and crying out for a bit of energy in the side. Wondering whether finishing last in the group and the loss of revenue changed the clubs perspective on the deal, tightened our FFP position and the club don't want to commit to signing Hall at the price agreed. I'm sure the club have downgraded their expectation for this season and will be making contingencies for no European football next season, something they may not have been doing before the season began. Howe could be being honest in saying that he does want him here for the long term but this would be something that I could see him having to follow orders on from higher up. Ironically our injury crisis could be the very reason why Hall hasn't been seeing game time.

I'm not sure a loan is what's needed, he's a silky player but looks awkward in his body like he's just been through a growth spurt. I think a year with managed appearances and a focus on strength and conditioning would be of most benefit to him.

We were a well oiled machine last season but last night we'd a midfield of Bruno who's probably in need of a rest and had to curb his natural aggression. Willock who's barely kicked a ball since last May and Longstaff who's woefully off form. Pair that with Gordon who probably also needs a rest, an 80% fit Isak and a role player in Murphy and it's easy to see why we're spluttering. Hopefully between the good break between Wolves on Saturday and Chelsea the Monday week then the international break at the end of the month revitalises us. One criticism I would make is that the team looks in dire need of an injection of energy and he's inexplicably starting on the bench most weeks.

At least the players will have to suffer it again in the morning

Hopefully we get another so Trippier can focus on trolling the crowd Stream behind fukk, out of nowhere

Poor by Schar should've caught that

A miggy assist, our luck is in Well worked, we've woken up

Blackburn growing in confidence FFS, subs on quick

As usual Bruno and Longstaff playing like they met for the first time in the tunnel

Poor from Schar but 2 features of Longstaffs game on display in that spell. Beckoning for the ball but not really wanting it and a hit and hope when in a promising position.

A frivolous billion can't even buy them a Carabao cup up against a bunch of squad players and kids in the final. When the time comes that the sums have to add up and they don't Chelsea should be let fail and serve as an example of how not to run a football club.

Looked like he set up to hit it with his left and then just poked it home with his right to throw the keeper. That's an outstanding bit of skill.

Need Trippier to go down with a heart attack to steady us

Hard game back for Isak, gonna be mostly pressing and chasing hopeful balls

Trippier is so streetwise

Schar shanking things is a bad omen

Didn't come across like that to me, seemed he was more stressing how important it is for us to get our transfers right because of FFP. Reading between the lines I'd say a permanent transfer isn't a foregone conclusion and as it stands they're not inclined to make it one. Would love it if it was somehow a masterstroke to scupper Chelsea's FFP position. Appear to make a permanent transfer a formality knowing Chelsea wouldn't be able to resist reinvesting the earnings. Then send them back an asset with a vastly diminished value that Chelsea don't really need themselves but probably have to sell. Maybe we'll round the circle and end up buying him off them at a discount. Feels like this is the type of shit we need to be pulling to break the monopoly of the big spenders.

Seemingly always one injury away from absolute disaster this season, must be incredibly frustrating for the players as well, those playing and injured.

Eddie I love you but you're behaving like a moron

I hope he stays but wouldn't push the boat out for him, think the club is due a certain amount of loyalty from him despite his right to maximise his earnings. Think he can go up another level as a player with the right coaching, get the feeling he's still learning his trade as a midfielder. His link up play with Bruno is superb and one of his main strengths so if Bruno goes does that diminish his value for us? Could see a big stylistic shift in midfield if that did happen.