Villaphan04

for me its more of hurting those who don't make the CL financially

They've just signed an 8 year TV deal with ESPN over here. Apparently the most lucrative TV deal for an overseas league in the States.

NBC didn't even mention the game at all during the break apart from "will we see the skipper Jack G in the 2nd half"

Probably see Wes and either Grealish or Ramsey in the 2nd half

Can't wait for the split screen during the game that they are talking about the United Liverpool prematch

Absolutely agree with that. We've looked extremely potent when Barkley was performing very well in that position

we could say that Luiz is our current DM, but it's definitely a position we could look to strengthen. When I say old fashioned I mean big, strong, physical presence in midfield.

agreed with most of this. I like Nakamba but it's telling that he rarely gets a game for us. I really like Luiz as well and want to give him more game time, yet also think there is room for an out and our DM better than Nakamba. I guess my big concern would be where does this new DM signing play. Like you say, Luiz would then compete with McGinn (whom Smith loves like you said) and Sanson (like you say again wasn't signed to be a backup). I just don't see where another midfield signing would go in because Deano isn't going to be dropping his 2 wingers playstyle (or at least hasn't shown any inclination to do so. This leaves me at the point where are we expecting to sell Luiz to get this new old fashioned DM

yeah I just don't understand where a new signing at CDM fits into our squad with us having Luiz McGinn and then bringing in Sanson in January. Don't see any space for one in our starting 11 unless Dean drops us playing that advanced attacking midfield (of the 3). Throw in Ramsay as well getting game time and I dunno

As much as I would like to see us sign a very powerful/strong/energetic defensive midfielder, I just don't see where one fits into the starting 11 unless he is replacing McGinn or Luiz, based on the tactics we've seen from Dean this year.

He's just posted another Instagram DM message he received that pretty much shows what he (and other players) are having to deal with currently. Absolutely despicable messages being sent

Anyone know much about Keane Lewis-Potter? I think he might've been mentioned last summer and probably isn't the level we are looking at but who knows

believe it's the same club that Gignac is at so he probably had a word

Yeah I’d like any of the 3 and not Bournemouth to come straight back up with the other 2 relegated squads

All we as fans want is officiating consistency -- and granted we can't have 100% consistency. when Ollie gets a booking for "simulation", I'd really like to see that standard being upheld and simulation getting punished by bookings

The other thing for me is that the inconsistency with ref's punishing diving. If refs generally booked players for diving, I wouldn't necessarily have that big of a problem with Watkins getting booked for that, but refs have let so many without giving cards that it's a bigger issue imo

could say the exact same about Wesley at the beginning of last season.

exactly that. No doubt if we play a "big 6" team those decisions would go against if we are looking for a pen or if we are conceding a pen

that decision from Luiz cost us the game. Both of those pen shouts turned down at our end get given at the other end. Simple.

Carney & JPB both on the bench tonight. Maybe we’ll see a debut?

I think you are kind of missing the point that a few of us are trying to make here. I don't think any of us disagree we need an upgrade on Ghazi, but if we sell him we would likely be in the market for another winger as well. Why not just keep Ghazi and sign another winger? Smith loves to rotate his winger options and going into the season with Traore, Jack, and New signing as our only winger options is not ideal. Also, I'd love to sign Olise, but I think it's unfair to consider him an upgrade on Ghazi because he hasn't played at the top level (only with Reading in the championship).

Probably doing for clicks

this is spot on. I think we can all agree that if the owners are serious, we will need better quality than Ghazi. But he is definitely good enough to be our bench option for the next year or two. In comparison, Everton spent up to 34 mil on Iwobi (4x as much as Ghazi) and he has 1 goal this season

Really hoping for one of the other 3 (not Bournemouth) to win the playoffs. -- Not really a slight against them, but it would be boring to see the same relegated 3 get promoted the following season. Shockingly Sheffield Wednesday are still alive to stay up