aimaad22

I'll be shocked if we get him this window, but the club did pull Isak seemingly out of nowhere in the summer. Not sure what our FFP position looks like right now but it's not entirely inconceivable the club decides to spring another surprise or two given our league position.

Brilliant news. An outstanding leader and at the center of Howe's revolution, a world class right back. One of the top 5 players statistically in the league, but watch him play and you don't even need to be told statistics, immediately obvious he's different class. In 15 years time when Howe wins his 10th title and the club decide he can now fulfil his dream of conquering Europe with Barca, Trips will step in Arteta/Xavi style.

Given his age 40M really isn't an exorbitant amount considering what wide forwards have gone for in the last couple of windows. I don't get the fuss over the fee either. If Howe is able to work his magin on Gordon it'll feel like a bargain, like the Botman and Bruno transfers do now.

Aye something of that sort would have to be it. Or a more obscure deal from Europe for a wantaway player. Everybody knows we mean serious business now, while clubs like Chelsea will see us as rivals now and may not want to do any favours, players will be a lot more inclined to push for moves.

So they're making up numbers as well despite what is being widely reported in the media. I realize that may be the least of the disturbing things to note in that lot

A haricut should be the first order of business for the little prick. Oh, our little prick I mean.

Not convinced about Gordon either but he has potential so more than happy to trust Howe. 60M would have been a rip off. 40M sounds about right in the current market. The point some people have made about him fititng in this team is a fair one. With his pace, intensity and shithousery What we did on Tuesday, the ability to bring on 2 players who can run you ragged, he will add to that capability for now even if he isn't a starter anytime soon. I really hope we can squeeze in a clever loan deal for a midfielder and CB before the window closes. A couple of injuries in those positions and there goes our CL challenge. It's going to be really hard now to convince anyone to let someone of real quality go at this stage of the window though.

Aye we'd be choosing our posion. Lascelles, Manquillo, Lewis Let's just hope they stay fit eh.

Great, we've broken The Fish.

I'm more concerned about Schar or Botman getting injured. Lascelles starting the final would be an absolute nightmare.

Well its going to be a cracking final then. Can't see them sitting back and letting us dominate possession which will create some space. Will also be proper devastated if we lose to these again.

Longstaff I can understand, but Big Joe has the attributes surely? Alongside someone of Rice's quality perhaps.

Aye I can't stand listening to him for a second, instant switch as soon as I see his stupid face on a screen.

Scandalous, surely you can put in some additional effort for our first semi final leg II in 18 years!!

Didn't the Athletic recently run a piece on new ways to describe modern formations, or something like that. I don't watch enough of other leagues or clubs to properly understand some of the modern lingo but it can be interesting to see how tactics have evolved and are interpreted these days. I know tactics were a farcry during Brucey's days but we're a proper footballing side now and I can see why the Fish is indulging a bit. Now the question is can Longstaff and Joe form an effective double pivot allowing Bruno to push on or is a triple pivot the way to go?

What are the odds Forrest give ManU a decent game. We'll give anybody a game in the final (if we get there wink wink) but Ten Hag has gotten them playing decent football lately. They look dangerous again.

What will they do when we actually win something The city ought to have the mental wards on standby (do they have any?)

Absolutely. We're a different side with that setup. Bruno needs to be unlocking defences.

90 minutes away from a cup final and we're well in the driving seat - who would have thought a year or so ago. Brilliant stuff

Well we're all delighted with the result in the end but this was a iffy performance. We did enough to score a few and much the better side overall. The finishing remains a huge concern, and we had a dodgy 15 minutes where we have Pope to thank for not conceding. Maxi and Isak are scary options to bring off the bench, game changers today.