Fabrice29

That is a ridiculously high expectation.

Yes, it’s an option for if he does ridiculously well. We’ve been paid handsomely for the year, he gets his crack at a World Cup and Newcastle get a solid enough option for when Pope isn’t fit. That’s what loans are, convenient. If we don’t get promoted then yes obviously we’ll need to raise money anyway, not sure what your point is there? If we do get promoted then the fee agreed is a guide for anyone who wants him or we get a keeper back everyone rates. Honestly think you’re finding a reason to be annoyed by it for the sake of it.

Obviously first choice you think? Let’s revisit this because I think if Pope stays fit he’ll be the one playing the big games by the end of the season if there is any.

They don’t want him. They have stumbled upon him after being knocked back on their main target. I fully expect them to be finding someone else over the next year unless Ramsdale puts in ridiculous performances, which I’m not convinced he will.

So because it’s our last friendly we’ll pick the bench warmers?

Not sure why you would suspect that. They have a season to prepare for themselves and we’re their only fixture this week.

Was Lens number 1 eventually last season so not that random

25 million option sorted for next summer supposedly. Although I think Ramsdale will have to improve for Newcastle not to be looking elsewhere in the meantime personally. But in theory that’s a guide for anyone else that fancies him next summer if he’s still up for sale.

I'm not entirely sure where the idea that we'll be playing with out and out wingers has come from anyway in fairness.

They have spent over 100m euros this summer already. They did it early enough people forget.

Pretty sure Dubravka has been pretty desperate to get to Saudi for a couple of years now and keeps being told no at the last minute by Newcastle because they couldn't get anyone else in. The man wants a payday not a Championship slog.

No idea. No idea.

Yeah decent shout. Think Norwich are the biggest threat outside the teams that went down personally but Mannings team don’t seem to produce enough goals from their strikers to threaten any top scorer lists. Last season Bristol Citys top effort was 12.

Think I'd be avoiding quite a few of those top runners for various reasons. Stansfield only 9 goals from outfield last season isn't great underlying stats. Kyogo is a interesting one but again Birmingham not the most attacking side. Downs over Wright for the price (23's?) is a better bet but Still not known for his attacking football or high scoring strikers apart from Balogun who was a class above most in the league at the time. Norwich under Manning have the same issue so I'd avoid top scorers from them/him. Hirst could be good but rather go for Szmodics at 15's. Really like Divin Mubama at 34/1 at Stoke though if I had to have a punt fwiw.

BBD? Scored just as many goals from the left as he has when as a striker in his career from the quick search I did. Was part of a very fluid front three including Armstrong at Blackburn from memory.

We actually got promoted in spite of our goalkeeper, captain, strikers and manager that season don't you know.

Sounds more like a little public reminder for other clubs to get a move on to me. Okay, I'm just wondering why you think Ramsdale is better mate

Ramsdale better than Pope? I'm not sure how to measure goalkeepers but not convinced by that.

Yeah you've not read what I actually "debated" here but thats fine. I've no issue with us signing a new first choice keeper now. I'd welcome it. I just dont think the club should embark on a "we'll sign you now and by the way we are going to look at replacing you next summer as well" strategy when it comes to signing that keeper.

Exactly what I'm suggesting. The signings of Quashie and Downes appear to be long term which a view being able to contribute this season. No reason we should go away from that when it comes to permanent signings. If you want someone who can just contribute in the Championship then I'd argue thats what loans are for. Yeah, this is all common sense stuff but you can also save yourself resources and upheaval if you recruit well enough this season and sign players who you hope/think might be able to step up next year too. If you're deliberately signing players you aren't convinced by, thats more work and cost next summer.

That isn't what I said though, thanks for reading.

Fwiw, it wasn't just the convincing the player angle that made me laugh. I think it's a pretty funny strategy all round. But okay, throw some money at the player and the club and you get him in. Wonderful. Now in a years time, you've got a keeper on "much higher wages" and "a good promotion bonus (hopefully) that you now are looking to upgrade on. Is that really a strategy you endorse? We have a squad full of Championship proven players here that we don't think can step up and I'm not sure adding another player to that list is a "no brainer". Surely it makes more sense to sign players who we think might be able to go on that journey and have the potential to step up. I've no idea about this specific keeper fwiw, I've seen him twice for Rotherham and see he's not riding high on the save percentages for Championship keepers last season but I'm sure there's much better ways to judge him and I'm sure you've seen him more than I have but not convinced "we might have to replace you next summer" is the glowing endorsement you think it is and wouldn't convince me to spend quite a few million on if I was the owner for example. We signed Gunn in 2018 didn't we? Hardly right next to "them".

"Come sign for us and completely ignore our plans to bench you next summer"

Issue with MGW seems to not be "tapping up" necessarily but more the reveal of the release clause that I suspect has annoyed Forest more. If the Donley rumours are true, I imagine that would have put that move on a further delay too. Will need to wait until their tour is over as I imagine he's now going on that.

I see all the people who insist they don't like Martin or his football are checking in on how he's doing Perfectly normal behaviour. Not the only ex Saint out there though so maybe they are all checking in on the Panathinaikos lad.