Ex Lion Tamer

Realistically, Tino doesn't need to be replaced because we have KWP (for now at least), Lavia's replacement is Charles and JWP's replacement is Smallbone. It's other areas we desperately need to bolster. Separately, wasn't the quote that we have other players waiting to join? Slightly hard to believe but does suggest deals are advanced for when we decide to pull the trigger

I know there haven't been many links in the media but I don't know why people think KWP will stay. He's way too good for this league and will surely be snapped up by someone

I think Che would score 20+ goals in this league but won't because he'll be leaving. I think Armstrong would struggle to replicate his one great season because teams will sit back against us, which won't suit his game. I do think he would get 15+ if he played the whole season up front but I don't think he'll get that chance

Everyone is so keen to point out that possession doesn't win games but I don't think even Russell Martin is saying that. He just believes it's a way of enhancing your chances. Everyone knows you still have to create chances and put the ball in the net

I do agree about Romeu in the sense that it left us badly short when Lavia got injured. My point really was despite have some excellent players in the squad, we were badly short in key positions. Any average manager would struggle to keep that team up, we needed someone who could get them playing well above their ability to have any hope, as Ralph had in the past (at times).

We went down because we didn't sign a quality goalkeeper and striker. The rest is window dressing

Is there ever a situation where an option to buy is helpful to the selling club? I can't see it

It's different when you're dealing with a human being in person who you like and appreciate

That'll teach West Ham to low ball us

I think JWP will go. The club want to reward his service and good attitude and will accept an increased bid later in the window

I have reservations about AA as our main centre forward but there's no point selling him for £8m. We need some squad depth

Umpire's call was my thought as well. There's no point worrying about someone being an inch offside, just get the howlers

Re Tella, there's such a difference between being open to a move and actively wanting one. He might leave but I could easily see him staying

Adam Armstrong? I worry about Che leading the line for a whole season, even at this lower level. He's best when he has something to prove and isn't seen as the main man Selling him now and picking up someone like Piroe would make a lot of sense

I think the main problem is that teams are going to sit back against us in a way they didn't again Blackburn in his breakout season. He's not the kind of player to break down a massed defence

JWP has won us that game

Yes Che

Should have come on earlier in that case

Oh well here he comes

Che would be doing a better job here but obviously his head isn't in the right place

KWP is quality

It's baked into our system that all that ball chasing tires the opposition in the second half. Hopefully the second goal will come

Edozie can go past players with such ease at this level. Just needs end product

Really nice zip in our passing, not the ponderous stuff we feared

I'm taking this article with a heavy pinch of salt. Newcastle have been briefing all through this process that the deal is close even when it wasn't, and there's a fair chance that Tino actually is injured