Polarboy

If this is correct we've got a very decent deal. I presume the Champions League add-ons are something like the next time we qualify for the Champions League, whether that's for the 24/25 season or whenever, then they'll get the extra 5m+.

They only paid 4m for him so they can't complain too much.

Considering the England tax, the Newcastle tax, and factoring in his potential and the level he's already at, at 20, that's about as good a price as we could expect. Surgery for ACL's has come a long way and if you get a good surgeon your ACL can actually end up stronger initially, and then eventually might become only slightly weaker than before it was injured. In any case there's no way the club will spend 40m on a player if they aren't happy with the medical results.

In fairness there's cover, and then there's Livramento who will eventually make that right back spot his own, and who's already levels above the cover we have for Trippier at 20 years old. And I wouldn't be surprised if Manquillo heads to Celta Vigo to play for Benitez, iirc correctly there's been some rumours that he might head back to Spain. Obviously it's also looking like Ashby is away to Swansea to get some consistent first team playing time, so we're then just left with Krafth who's looked good under Howe, but who hasn't had a preseason so could take a decent amount of time to get back up to speed, especially after such a serious injury. Murphy could also play there in a pinch, but it's a bit makeshift.

Ireland finally seem to have a decent generation of players coming through, with Evan Ferguson obviously the pick of the bunch so far. You'd nearly need to go back to the fucking McGrath, Houghton, Bonner, Quinn et all era in the 90's for the last decent squad. The two Keane's pretty much dragged the team through the noughties. And obviously seeing Murphy, Heffernan and Zefi at the club is even better. Is there are a fourth Irish academy player? Ashworth has signed so many young players it's difficult to keep track.

If he does hopefully these people who are saying that he can play both sides aren't talking out of their arses, as he'd be very handy in that case, although obviously he'd be the perfect understudy to Trippier regardless. I still haven't figured out how they are forming that opinion. Edit. Just did a quick google search and there's a breaking the lines scouting report for Livramento from when he was an academy player for Chelsea. The report states that he predominantly played RB at that time as well, but that he was also comfortable on the left. Whether we should put much faith in a scouting report from when he was playing PL 2 etc and not competing in the Premier League proper is debatable.

No idea if there's anything in it, but these new links to Zaniolo are interesting given his versatility. He can play as a 10, 8, 9, and out wide. Iirc one of his former managers played up his ability to play as a 9, but he's mostly played as an attacking mid. I know we've been linked to him in the past, so it could be one to look out for. I'd imagine the next players in the door will be defensive reinforcements, so it might be one for late in the window. Edit. Seen the Geordie Boot Boys, so take their opinion for what you will, giving their opinion saying that the Zaniolo talk likely is, and probably always has been, generated by agents. It's a shame if that's all it is because he has an interesting profile, and he could definitely benefit from Howe's coaching.

They could also be players that are on our list but are further down it.

Matheus Franca, that Brazilian we were linked to more than once, is away to Palace according to Romano.

Darlow is bottom half of the PL level, which is pretty decent. He'll be one of the better keepers in the Championship. 400,000, if that's what the fee was, is pretty cheap given how crazy the market is.

Yeah, Miley and Anderson are going to save us a shit ton of money. Miley oozes class on the ball, and Anderson has shades of Rooney about him with how aggressive he is and his strength on the ball.

Barnes is looking very good. Our best player so far. It's like night and day between him and ASM given how direct he is. He only has one thought when he gets the ball, and it's what's the shortest way to goal.

Watford have an option to make it permanent at the end of the loan according to Downie.

It was only a strain as opposed to a pull, so nothing major. They were just being extra cautious given it's preseason. But aye, we definitely need the pacy RCB and LB that are supposedly on the list of positions we're targeting.

Since when has Given been working for the club? I seen him in some of the videos for the US tour in club training gear.

Fulham are supposedly close to signing a left back from Ajax for 18m. So you'd imagine Robinson will be on his way as I can't see Fulham signing 18m of cover for a left back. Whether we're at the head of the queue for him remains to be seen. The only wrinkle in it is that Robinson signed a new contract recently, but perhaps that was Fulham trying to secure a top price if he gets sold.

It's very likely West Ham are going to largely waste that Rice money. Every other club knows they have it burning a hole in their pocket. 35m for Gallagher would be fair in my mind. He might go on to be consistent enough to warrant a higher fee, but there's enough uncertainty to keep the price lower.

Just seen Ginola saying the same thing happened to him and wishing Hislop well on twitter/X. So unless he's mistaken perhaps it was more serious than heat stroke given Ginola had a heart attack.

Apparently a number of Championship clubs are interested in taking Kuol on loan. If we can get him some regular game time in the Championship that would obviously be a massive step up, from whatever was going on at Hearts.

Yeah, seems like it was just heat stroke.

I see big Shaka collapsed. Hopefully it was just the heat and it's nothing serious. Edit. Just thinking that this video is intrusive, so post a Jaysus if you think I should delete it.

If you just think about Villa, they've gone from Dean Smith then Gerrard and nearly getting relegated, to one of the elite managers in Europe in Emery, and signing players like Diaby, Pau Torres, and Tielemans. They've also added Monchi as director of football who worked with Emery at Villareal, and he's supposedly elite when it comes to player recruitment and identifying players. Great time to be a Villa fan. Great first half from Anderson, again apart from that one fluffed effort. I know it's only preseason, but he's giving Howe plenty to think about.

Good finish from Anderson there. He made up for falling over for the earlier effort.

https://www.nufc.co.uk/nufc-tv/latest-videos/harvey-barnes-the-first-interview/