Nobody should realistically have come into today with anything more than vague hope. The fury that will spill out from Howe's comments and throughout the day will be insane (rich, I know, coming from me). I mean, take a look at the top 50 transfers that have been completed this Summer - the list of buying clubs is Real, PSG, Man U, Atletico, Juve, etc. etc. We're miles away, and reasonably so, from convincing a player we're better than UCL clubs. I've been as guily of saying "why aren't we in for Koussounou/Todibo/Soule/etc." but, honestly, I'd never heard of any of them before this month!!!! Are they better than Krafth? Genuinely I don't know - but Howe, working with Krafth every day, says they're probably not a big upgrade and certainly worse than Schar. Same with Chiesa or Cherki - talented but one's had tonnes of injuries, the other is as talented but sulkier and lazier than Ben Arfa. Guehi would be enough, if it happened. I suspect it won't - but Lacroix is being held up by Palace, so presumaly still a chance and Deeney thinks he's moving (Deeney's like Agbonlahor, mind). I think we then need to work out how we get Barnes more consistent and on the field at the same time as Gordon, with Murphy and Almiron as backup - that, at least, makes sense. Add Guehi and that first XI can challenge top 6. Will require some work on the training ground, a full return of Tonali and some luck with injuries but again the fanbase - myself included - probably needs to chill back as we're really two quality additions (one, if Barnes can work out) from as good a first XI as we can expect. Non-rant over.
Sounds like something like that may have happened but for all we know he was asked of he wanted to sell someone. It's all guesswork. We just have to get on with it... they'll have more money available in 2 years they'll have literally hundreds of millions available.
Waste of ****ing time. Look at our squad man. It's riddle with journeymen. Can't get players that can make an improvement, just an excuse. They've ****ed it big time and have set us back 2 years. Brighton and West Ham with a possibility of Bournemouth are now challenging top 10 positions as well as the sly 6 and villa. We could be in real ****, if Isak, Gordon or Bruno gets injured. Lose to Spurs Sunday and the NUFC will get toxic very quickly....... they are in a real mess
If Howes saying no it's his neck on the block either way so I guess you've got to let him decide. It can't be easy making these decisions. We don't want to be constantly threatened by psr... the long way is the right way.
I have accepted being in a battle with Brighton, villa and spurs for the europa spots for the next 3 seasons
Dunno what folk are so down about this for... he's a good young keeper. Pope is #1 - great backup / cup keeper. Admittedly, he's not a CB or RW, but I've never been against it - -assuming we ship some out on loan or perm.
For me personally I don’t rate Pope, he’s a mid-low PL keeper, so I’d have tried to spend another £10m and made Marma no.1. Appreciate there’s a lot of reasons why that’s unlikely, I just think Howe is too loyal to certain players.
Villa were absolute dogshite at the end of last season and are in 12th place right now, the 3 season forecast from that ain't great.
