Viana

I know we can have pages and pages of discourse on whether this is a good deal or a bright idea, but I'm kind of just basking in the glow of us signing 'good players' (even on paper) in weak positions.

They do, but if they find you to be lying you're fucked and could easily be disbarred for 10 years or life. I'd speculate that Joe has been given an initial denial based on the recency of his conviction. He could probably attend the embassy if he wished but given the shortness of the trip it's not worth it.

Don't know if you've watched this one already, but I found it interesting.

No disrespect to the lad, but I felt he stuck out like a sore thumb tonight. I would usually cut a defender some slack when played out of position but he's supposed to be an attacking fullback, and yet I never felt confident when he got the ball in the final third. He actually looked quite stiff on the ball and I'm still surprised how slow he looks. He'll be an adequate Championship fullback, but very little more.

Watching it again, he's definitely mobile and seems pretty intelligent with his passing.

As if Alan Saint-Maximin and Jamal Lewis are on the same money. Proof, if was ever needed, that life is not a meritocracy.

It's only a friendly, but the crispness and range of his passing has been nice. I can see a few of our forward appreciating his ability to drop it in behind.

My only curiosity is did Sandro manage to finish his cigar during that first half?

I'd argue Savage and his ilk survive for two main reasons. 1.) They resonate with a decent section of the people that pay for these channels. Let's say that 45+ demographic. It's a familiarity. 2.) The more important, and sad, fact is that when it comes to talent booking nepotism and favoritism can often supersede concerns about quality. Both are probably easy to work with so get good reports from the production crew. That travels to the higher ups, and they're not typically engaged with the pulse on social media. Even if they are, there's a good chance BT/TNT have a good working relationship with their agents. It all feeds into a quite depressing situation.

If what you said is right, then we have to do it.

If Twitter is right and it basically opens up three decent deals (circa 40m) we have to do it.

Tbf if they want 120m assuming Alan is 40 of that, then 82m Euro bid would suffice.

I'm sure this has delighted Sunderland to be seen as part of the Newcastle region.

That should tell you how likely it is.

Miami has some rich history with South American number 10s.

Frustrating as I had under 21.5 on my coupon.

I'm pretty sure Man Utd cited COVID and a change in UEFA rules in their defense, meaning it likely wasn't an egregious break of the rules. If we feel another pandemic is on the cards it may be worth revisiting your suggestion.

I hear this argument a lot. It's very easy to pontificate about players being lazy or unmotivated (we had our fair share in that category under Ashley), but I also think it's worth considering that individuals need to feel challenged. It's why so many players take about a fresh start. It's a new set of teammates, new city, and it allows you to shake off some of the baggage you might have been carrying. I'd like to believe Eddie Howe will have done his background checks on Barnes.

I rate Patterson but that's shocking on his part.

The great irony of people saying we can just buy the league is that with FFP we can’t. We will have to earn it through shrewd growth.

Another goal for Chris Rigg last night. Looks a player.

Less a 'come and get me plea' from Kane and more a 'We're coming to get him' from Bayern.

To be fair, can probably do a year there, earn a lifetime wage, then pop back to Europe. I'll be curious to see how many of the new arrivals under 29 see out their stated contracts.

He's a Champions League player, they're Champions of the Saudi League, it just feels like a 100million transfer to me.

Talk of deals not being 'close' is intentional ambiguity. I think the lack of football in the summer means we all obsess over transfers because we don't have the important bit to enjoy. If we can get one more major deal done before heading out to America it'll be grand.