Viana

Be funny as fuck if he signed now.

For me, he was the first moment I saw a glimmer of our potential. No disrespect to Tripps, Botman, or even Bruno, but for me he’s shown the kind of quality I’ve never seen before.

Thing with Hendrick is always - what is he? Came through as a 10 of sorts at Derby, then Burnley turned him into this weird vague midfielder that plays anywhere.

Would be curious to hear the thoughts of @TeddySAFC as it relates to replacing Diallo. It doesn't seem like he's coming back and if he does it'll be late in the window. Big player to try and replace and it doesn't sound like the intention is to splash big right now.

Look I’m all for banter, but Jeff Hendrick is only walking into Sunderland’s midfield if a chronic illness sweeps the squad.

This was an interesting point to raise, and after consulting understat, he got 7 in open play last year, with 40 of his 69 chances created in open play.

I agree with that. I had no say in Ashley, I had no say in this. When Steve Bruce was in charge I didn't see a path to us being sold at all. If we did I thought it would be some chancer. Still stand by the fact that when it went through I was actually overjoyed with relief at being rid of him rather than enticed by PIF.

If he favors Spurs even slightly then we shouldn't bother trying. We've built a lovely little core here and I wouldn't want to mess it up with people that see brighter lights elsewhere. I don't blame him for being drawn to them either FWIW. We've had a great 18 months, but Spurs have been in a Champions League final relatively recently and it looks increasingly likely he'll be the set-up man for Kane and Son. That's before you even consider the pull of a rich young man living in London. We don't need to be desperate when chasing players, and truthfully, dragging players here was what got us into bother previously.

Jokes aside. The roster is pretty solid. I think Balogun offers a bit of quality the rest of the striking pool lacks right now. If they can find a consistent partner for Chris Richards (Josh Wynder is probably 18 months away from being in that discussion) then the team starts to look like one that can cause problems at the World Cup, and that's before factoring in any players that may enter the fray as precocious teenagers.

Well played. Good game.

Strong performance from the USA. Makes you wonder how good they'd be if they got a full XI of lads born and raised in England.

I wouldn't be so disrespectful to LFEE mate. Maddison has always looked good enough for the league, but I don't think it's unfair to question his credentials as a top four player. He was basically given the keys of the Leicester City attack. His goal involvement numbers are exactly what I'd expect for a player we're looking at to step in and help us make last season the rule rather than the exception. The questions that need to be asked are; can be that guy when we play a team like Leeds at home that want to frustrate the shit out of us? Is he able to step up to the Champions League level? Is he able and willing to play the 8 role like we currently have been doing so. We can't pay 40m for a 10 to use in certain occasions.

Aye, his mum has a lot to answer for. Miss 'I could get him fired' did fuck all.

Genuinely amazes me it passed the test.

There's an argument to be made that the outrageous sums thrown around in transfer fees (essentially the cost of breaking an existing contract) could be invested in scouting.

How do we know he isn't trying to feed the malnourished lions and tigers?

I found Pep's relief at winning the Champions League quite telling. They're likely to lose Gundogan, KDB is the wrong side of 30, and Walker can't go on like this forever. I think he knows a big shift of the core is coming and I think Rico Lewis, Foden, and Palmer will get more chances next season for that reason.

Koeman is a spectacularly bad manager.

It's almost like signing a lad from Brazil, shoving him into a flat on his own with no support and giving him to a luddite head coach isn't going to get the best out of him.

Found it amusing that Barry Glendennig appears to know about every fart that happens at Newcastle but didn't seem nearly as clued up on his own team.

Onana goes then.

She seems like a very nice person, but I have to confess, I can’t remember a single thing she’s said on their podcasts. The clips I’ve listened to always sound nebulous and like a rambling collection of adjectives and in jokes.

I wouldn't go near Tah.

I was saying to the wife it's actually soured my opinion on them tbh. It's not like a live podcast has the same production costs as other performances. Did you mate enjoy it at least?

My opinion is also colored by the fact I was just quoted 250 quid PER TICKET, to watch the Its Always Sunny podcast live show.