Seen some nothing rumour about Elanga but then thought if he is of ANY interest, why wasn’t he in the PSR deal with Forest? Everyone else seemed to get a player they wanted or could use. We got Vlachodimos.
I never said I didn't. For clarity I said the fans have convinced themselves that the 'only ' reason they missed out on 4th was because of injuries. That's why I found your question a little odd mate.
They've been using injuries as the excuse for everything for almost a year ? It's all part the game though.. managing squads and conditioning... that's why Bunce is now here because they inwardly identified an area they can improve. That works better than just blaming luck.... a more in depth thought process was required. A good move I think..pleased it wasn't just me.
I'm not going to name players because I've decided it's unkind and they're very successful people regardless of what I think. I'm simply identifying the fact there will be a rather high % of lower quality players in the 11 for the first month of fixtures. The margins are small so a high % of lower quality players in an 11 should not be underestimated.
Just trying to see which 3 or 4 players you were talking about that mustn’t have been in our squad when we finished fourth.
Don't look in the past we're not going there mate. the landscape changes every few months. Go through the names and ask yourself if they're genuinely top 4 material today and you'll have your answer.
Gruda announced by Brighton, who now have him, Adingra and Minteh compared to Almiron and Murphy. We’re being left behind. Thing is I reckon a lot of coaches will see what worked vs Newcastle (sit back, hit on the counter vs Burn) and we will find it just as hard again this season. Howe just does not and cannot evolve.
I think you're correct .... let's not pretend the likes of Brighton and West Ham weren't already close to Newcastle and they're now demonstrably stronger. Newcastle have done nothing and it looks like another season on of below par players getting regular 1st team football. There is no chance whatsoever of this squad landing top 6.
Season long avi and username? I'm saying Newcastle will finish higher than Brighton. You're saying the mighty Brighton will finish above Newcastle. To be clear, if you're taking this bet you're saying Brighton will be top 3.
Brighton are leaving us behind? At RW maybe, but who've they got compared to Isak, Gordon, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Tonali, Willock, Hall, Botman, Livramento? Actually, semi serious question as I have no idea about the respective strengths of most of their squad lol
Woah woah woah! Brighton have a 31 year old boss! I meant we’re being left behind consistently in the market, and Brighton’s right wing is stronger than ours with significant upsell potential. Their recruitment has consistently been better - but they have to sell their Gordon, Bruno and Isak every year. It’s a different model and if you asked for a combined best 6 players using both squads, you’d only have Newcastle players. My issue is specifically from last summers late window stupidity, through PSR disaster, to this windows utter stagnation. Should we finish higher than Brighton? Absolutely, we’ve spent vast amounts in comparison.
I'll bite, with my everyone is fit top 11 for Newcastle: Pope On the same level as Raya and Viccario behind Allison and Ederson Hall Can't currently be said to be as good as anyone in last seasons top 4 but has potential to be better Botman Easily good enough to play in a top 4 team Schar Ball playing, good enough. Mistakes and getting back into position after a marauding run takes him into the next bracket down Livramento See Hall Guimares Easily good enough for top 4 Joelinton Good enough for any top 4 team as a midfield destroyer Tonali Yet to be fully proven at PL level but proven top 4 quality in Serie A Gordon Easily good enough for top 4 Murphy Not top 4 quality Isak Easily good enough for top 4 Of course you also need to look if there are non top 4 players in your top 4 teams.
Are they playing Saturday? That side will never play mate for one reason or another I'd like to see it but top 4 will be gone before we ever see that.... it just never happens and we go with certain other players for big chunks of the season.
