Dr Gloom

We can do this. Depends on which Newcastle turn up. 3-1 to us. Goals from Campbell, Debuchy and Hayden

aye

A horse walks into a bar Barman: Hey Horse: Sure

Step forward Emile Krafth. A significant step down in quality from Trippier but dependable and happy to be a reserve. Trippier’s exit was always likely once Tino was promoted. He’s too good to sit on the bench and will make a big difference to another club if he does move on

Trippier is loads better technically and positionally than Tino but his legs have gone. They’re totally different players. Tino is a great athlete and his pace and energy on the recovery runs get him out of bother - a lot like Kyle Walker in that sense. He’s never going to be the most technical player - definitely lacks a bit of quality in the final third but he’s still young and will improve. I think Trippier will be looked back upon as one of our best right backs of the premier league era, if not the best. He was absolutely class in his first couple of seasons. Shame we got him at the back end of his career but he was such an important signing for so many reasons.

I want to win a trophy. Hoping spurs can somehow find a way to see it out because I fancy us against them at Wembley

my West Ham mate isn’t optimistic. Says he’ll be chuffed with a point.

no

We can get something against this Man City team man. They’ve lost their aura and look so vulnerable to the counter attack

Romano says Galatasaray back in for Trips but Howe doesn’t want to lose him

link?

Howe reportedly "furious" to lose Kelly, according to TBR Football https://tbrfootball.com/eddie-howe-furious-with-newcastle-as-paul-mitchell-could-sanction-more-departures-after-lloyd-kelly/ And no, I don't know who the fuck TBR Football are either

they are bodies though, whether they're starting games or not. we have done the RW debate to death but were you happy with our attacking options off the bench yesterday? i wasn't when the game started to get away from us howe could only call on Osula, who he doesn't trust to play for more than 10 minutes in the league, and Willock, whose confidence is shot. whatever you think of Miggy, we are an Isak/Gordon injury away from the end of our season - there is literally no one to cover the front line other than square pegs in round holes or kids at this stage. it is a squad game and our numbers are dwindling. we are gambling on picking up our form while avoiding injuries so while i congratulate mitchell for getting £20m for him (if true - where is that story from?), i don't think howe is going to love going into the second half the season two with two or three fewer players to choose from

i mean, sure. £20m for a lad we got on a free in summer is good business. sort of feels like we're writing off the season though. it's gone from a season of genuine expectation to a free hit for eddie if we move on three and bring in none

our targets may not be available but who cares? SELL SELL SELL

i could see him going to liverpool or real madrid - maybe even chelsea if they finish top four given how they seem to have an limitless pool of cash to throw around. i read something the other day suggesting real might sell vini jnr and move mbappe back to the left and buy a proper CF. i wouldn't blame him if he fancied moving there in the slightest. arsenal is the club being linked the most, i have no idea what state their finances are in, but they've dropped £100m on a player before. and if isak starts to agitate for a move, it's hard to hang on to him. i'd be annoyed if he went to arsenal because their manager and fans are among the worst.

i'm curious, @strawb - if we drop off and finish 7th or 8th, and isak finishes on 25+ goals again (which looks a certainty), what makes you think he'd stay? do you just think there aren't enough clubs who could afford him?

nah - you're alright. who do you think i am - deano? i would love it if you're proved to be right btw. i just don't see him hanging around to miss another year of champions league when he's clearly one of the hottest strikers in world football. it's a short career. i'd be amazed if he stays in that scenario - and absolutely chuffed if he gave us two seasons when he's hitting his peak without CL. i just don't see it happening and wouldn't blame him if he did end up going.

(I don’t speak for the mods)

This is the thread that matters

who is saying we should deviate from targets? It’s Mitchell’s job to identify them and recruit them. That’s how he’ll be judged

He’s been massively hyped up in the media, and rightly so. The champions league is his stage. It’ll be disappointing to miss out on top five this season because I think it will confirm his exit. He’ll be 26 this year - he’ll want to play at the top level during his peak years and if we can’t offer that he’ll rightly look elsewhere. I’d be surprised if his head hasn’t already been turned but if we finish top 5, why would he leave? The good news if we miss out CL is we’d be well placed to demand an astronomical fee - probably a PL record - but it would be a shame.

every transfer is a punt tbh. as is not making any transfers for three consecutive windows. As Howe said himself, there’s a risk the squad goes stale