Philosopher

This is Zaniolo's best game for us so far. Battled hard. Provided an outlet. Needs to keep it up for the rest of the game.

We've carried Diaby the whole game. Needs to come off.

Not necessarily. After a hamstring surgery like he had that is often true. But a lot it is mental. Also hamstring injuries are common amount sprinters for example, but most get back to running just as quick. The demand on footballers are different as they need flexibility and endurance not just straight speed. As a result it tends to take longer to get fully up to speed.

I always thought goal scored from the rebound after a keeper saves a shot count as an assist for the shooter.

I agree with pretty much except, that Tim hasn't had enough time to make an impact in the two sub appearances he made. You comment on Tim was unfair. Otherwise, absolutely have to keep our best players. I have said the same time and again.

Only problem is he may not be fit before the summer deadline! So who will buy him?

He's nowhere near fully fit so he can't be in contention anyway. However I actually believe Unai can improve him, and he'd be better than Chambers. Will never stay fit enough to see it though.

I can't vote as I just don't know. A lot of it will come down to support from the owners and success on the pitch. If he is as successful as I dare not to hope we could see over a decade with multiple titles. On the flip side if we fail to get champions league over the next 3 seasons he'll be gone within those 3 years. The project he has here is perfect for him, for now and his future ambitions. So I don't really worry about him leaving for a Bayern. Maybe if he gets us into champions league for two or 3 seasons but can't transform us into title challengers and trophy winners he might look at The 'bigger' jobs but for now we are good with him and vice versa.

I can't see Archer having much of a role in our first team squad. He will probably be sold if we have buy him back. Philogene is an interesting one as I would have kept him at Villa as I believed (and still do) that he's ready for the Premier league. But we have bought Rogers and have Buendia coming back. As a result I'm not convinced bringing him back is the best option. We almost certainly have a sell on clause there and premier league teams will be interested. Tim will be kept and be in that squad I'd expect. Sinsalo as the third keeper makes sense, but we may sell or loan him out as I don't see how he is ready for this level. Kellyman might qualify next season, if so I think he'll be in there. Otherwise I don't see any that are ready. Maybe Kadan Young? How has he been getting on this season for the u18's and u23's?

That's only when passing out from the back. When defending we are a flat 4. When attacking in the opposition half we have a lop-sided 4. We don't play a back three. When the ball goes to the left back (when playing out) Pau goes more central. When it goes to the right back the RCB goes more central. However the centre point in our playing out is actually Martinez. In addition previously Kamara would drop into the RCB position allowing the RCB to go central adding a deep passing option. Now Doug is dropping into the Centre of our two CB'S. When defending having the pace in the wide CB positions is better for defending against pacy wide forwards which is probably the weakest part of our defence outside of set pieces currently. Mings also likes to play those long diagonal balls. What you’re highlighting backs up my belief that it's difficult to partner up Pau and Mings. It's horse for courses. Unfortunately in a back four Pau and Mings isn't practical. In a back 3 whether or left or centre they're interchangeable. With Pau central of a 3 it gives him the freedom to move into midfield and create overloads in the middle of the park which is the point of our current formation. Of course he can also do that from the left although it becomes a little more complicated that way as the positions of players have to make bigger adjustments every time he moves forward with the ball. Now if we have an RCB like Pau then what your saying would work a treat. We can have Pau and Said RCB pinging balls and making runs into midfield, with Mings doing the covering.

I'm interested to see what he can do in that Tielemens position.

As a player that relies on pace and workrate going into his mid 30's will be tough. But at 32 - 33 he will still be a very good player. He can certainly maintain he current level for another 4 or 5 seasons so long as he stays injury free. But he will have to start changing his game a little once he hits 32.

You make good points. But if we are playing a back 3 then for me you put Torres in the middle. Where he can influence the game more, also with Moreno left you need good cover for him. As he won't get as much protection from midfield. Thing is a back 3 is something we won't see often. Essentially we have a very traditional back 4 in terms of shape. Our right winger is practically a second striker so we require more defensive grit at right back. And our left winger is playing in the half space between left wing and central midfield and is far less offensive which means the left back receives better defensive cover.

That's a leap, but fullback is a position where younger players can breakthrough easier. They are also huge talents so I wouldn't right it off. Unlikely, but I'd love to see it.

Carlos is a highly paid player that so far hasn't contributed what one would expect from a player of his standing and value. Hence saleable. Of course we only sell him if we can replace with better. Of the players I mentioned the ones currently on loan are Dendonker and Sanson. And we are probably contributing to Sanson's wages, and Dendonkers loan is only for 5 months. Also the wage saving don't take into account appearance fees and so on. As well as going by the lowest figures quoted for wages. Obviously I'm not privy to the intricacies of the clubs accounts so they're inherently speculative. The point wasn't to provide an in depth analysis but to show that lots of money can be saved and brought in without selling important players. I really find the talk of selling the likes of Luiz, Watkins and JJ extremely unpalatable. Plus I don't believe for one minute we'd sell any of those players unless the players themselves insisted on it. As for the right backs, if you have a player in Nedeljovic whom is considered the best right back prospect in Europe there needs to be opportunities for him. In regards to Cash, Carlos and even Digne I don't think we should definitely sell, rather that they are more on the fringes of our squad, who we could improve, who could also bring in funds from their sale. In regards to transfer policy we should be planning for the future, while looking to bring in one big signing in a key position. I would go for RCB or RB. With DM in the back of the mind. For me aggression, pace, and strength are qualities we need to add to the squad in those positions.

RB Salzburg made 44 million from the group stages! But Newcastle only 34m

Does that include gate receipts? They only won one game if I remember rightly.

He is now the ideal Emery right winger. Unplayable at his best. So exciting. I knew he come good.

His goals and assists so far this season are already world class numbers. He is worth at least 100m. Irreplaceable.

I have but a a 30 year left footer at rcb that's always played lcb is questionable. I also feel that we need two such centres halves. But if Mings can step up to the rcb role with Konsa right of him that would be amazing.

Even without extensively watching Serbian and u23s football, the scouting reports on those 2 are extensive. With Sousa I have said we need to see how he gets on at Plymouth. Sousa in in the championship currently. We can have a good look at him. Go watch Nedeljovic's performance v Man Cith in the Champions league.

In regards to summer business it will depend heavily on two key points. The first is whether we qualify for the champions league. That is basically 40 million extra revenue just from being in the group stages. Then an extra 2 million for every game we win, and 1 million for a draw. The second is the shifting of surplus players. So if we can move on Chambers, Dendonker, Sanson, Hause. That will knock over 200k per week or nearly 15 million per year off the wage bill. Do those two things and we are looking at being at least 50 million better off, without incoming transfer fees. Then there are players like Digne, and potentially Cash and Carlos who may be worth cashing in on while they still have value. As that's another 250k per week in wages, plus some decent transfer fees. In Dignes case two 30 year old left backs one on 60k who is just as good as the other on 120k means Digne is sellable. Plus Sousa is waiting in the wings and Someone like Acuna is available for a low fee and moderate wages. In Cash's case Konsa is just as good as him at right back, the best right back prospect in Europe is incoming, and Kessler-Hayden is a good young attacking fullback. So we can get by there. Carlos is a player I like but he is on 100k or there abouts, and needs to improve a bit. I also believe we need a really dominant right cb (who can play out) as in the air we are vulnerable. Once the season ends Lenglet and Zaniolo's loans will be over and that's 250k in wages off the books, with no need to replace (as Mings will be back, and we brought in Rogers). So potentially that's 50 million a year in wages gone all in all. Plus if we get champions league another 40 million. The transfers fees in of 40 to 60 million. Without selling any of our best players. Obviously though Carlos would need to be replaced. My only desire for incomings next season for now is a Saliba-esque right centre half. Defence can be improved. And Pau would thrive with a huge, quick centre half alongside him that can pass well. If we then have Konsa as primary right back with Nedeljovic as the rotation option. We can also revert to the very reliable partnership of Mings and Konsa. The defence would be rock solid. I'm waiting on a DM addition as I want to see how Iroegbunam gets on. I rate the lad.

I would say Sousa is at the stage in his development where he is too good to simply be a development player. He is an extremely athletic, tall, technically adept player who is in need of senior football. If he develops well at Plymouth between now and the end of the season he would be looking at that back left back slot. He and Nedejovic (can't remember how his name is spelt) are both quick athletic six footers, good both defensively and offensively, and are potentially future first choice fullback options. If we move.on Digne (which I believe is likely), we may sign an experienced player like Acuna on lower wages and has Sousa as the 3 in line. But if Sousa can impress in preseason don't be surprised if he does become Moreno's back up. The potential is huge with him. Both him and Nedeljovic have ideal profiles for what a top team would want in a fullback (although lacking in experience).

They're still not upto speed yet. Moreno is still half a yard short of pace compared to before his injury. Both are still adjusting to adaptation of our style. The right ide seems to be firing now. If we can get the left side back to what it was last season, then we are going to be giving out a lot of hidings.

Exactly right. When you are at your peak physically, it's very easy to push yourself a step to far and end up overworking or training. If that happens injuries are more far more likely. When you're as explosive as Bailey is that gets magnified even more.