Thumbheed

its not an excuse its a reason to be open minded. Like i say we have a terrible habit of judging players playing in poorly performing team despite the lessons we learnt of our own players. We don't know the budget and don't know the actually finances with revenue taking a significant boost this year on top of the likelihood of a couple players sales and with a number of players on good contracts leaving too. It's not unfeasible to have a more significant budget than everyone realises that's not based on a narrative that is imperative to the club not getting ripped off/subetly challenging PSR. We're continuously linked with midfielders, so it's fair to say it's a postion we want to strengthen and I 100% agree on it. As for the last point, it's the exact reason why another midfielder is imperative because they will still be our options off the bench and whilst there's certainly some ability in a couple of those player to be excited about they're not ready to be key players in a high performance team. Yet.

Tbf, I'm not doubting that at all, I'm just giving him the benefit of doubt. I'm probably more excited by his pressing because I honestly think it makes a massive difference to us, moreso than a midfielder who can chip in with a goal or assist now and again - sum of all part and whatnot

I'm surprised they've been so resrained with updating it. It's a house of cards and everyone knows it.

I saw a compilation of Merino recently and I honestly cannot think of a more perfect signing for us. Completely forgot just how good he was/is.

Can see Forest going for the nuclear option.

Based in his time at Palace where admittedly he was a 10, he's definitely got it in his lockers. I'm not basing too much on what we're seeing at Chelsea, he's been in a few roles and in a side which just isn't performing at all. We should know better than anyone how you can't judge a player when the team as a whole I'd poor. Put him in the situations Longstaff finds himself in and I'd back him to score over Longstaff.

We had similar views about Gordon and were completely wrong about him. He's quick, strong, technically very good, has an eye for a goal but on top of that, his pressing is second to none and his ability to win duels further up the pitch is one of those indirect variables that have a significant impact on our overall gameplay. We conceded so many this season, not because our defence was in dissaray or poorly organised but because we weren't able to press as effectively in the middle.

I don't actually buy into the fact we're looking for a player that can play across the front 3 because the striker role is such a specialised position, plus is it actually practical to have that sort of player as they'll inevitably settle into the position that they perform best in?

Gallagher would be a great signing for us

I thought we looked quite good vs City with the same tactics. Hope we stick with it tbh.

I hope we're still interested

Adam Wharton looks a top prospect at 20. He'd be absolutely perfect for us.

It also highlights how far away we are from the squad quality of the teams we're hoping to be competing with long term. We are still in the very early stages of our development. Incredible really.

Liverpool and Everton will haunt me the most.

Still can't quite process how we're in 6th having never been able to pick our strongest 11 at any single point in the season. I'll say it quitely but should we finish here it probably usurps what he achieved last year imo. Short of the Peps and Klopps, I think we have a genuinely elite manager.