Saint Matty 76

Not that I don’t think it’s going to be Atalanta, but that’s them out the O’Riley run. I wonder if we could somehow get Evan Ferguson on loan with all the attacking options they have now? Optimistic maybe, and even then there’s plenty of questions about his fitness. I like the look of him for this system however, very good with the ball.

It seems like he wants a full pay-off for the final year of his deal. I don't blame him I guess? But the priority to get that done rather than being here for preseason/the opening games has pushed me from wanting him back as a squad player to not being remotely fussed.

Interesting that we were expecting "one or two" before the opening game but Fraser is nowhere near and currently out of the running for O'Riley. Other options close or just bollocks as per?

Interested by the DM link as I've definitely maintained we need one. Was just hoping we'd have a starting GK, AM and ST sorted beforehand...

Archer would be nice and comfortably filed under the "not overly inspiring but it's something I guess" category we love to shop in. Had a decent preseason apparently.

1. Specific question 2. Two minutes of skirting the specifics asked and patting ourselves on the back about how well we're doing 3. Repeat In case anybody isn't watching.

Don't believe the 30m rumours about that striker but asked my Greek mate who said the following - "The striker? I like him tbh, had a bit of a breakout season last season. He’s definitely a hard worker but not the most technical striker in the world, kinda reminds me of Shane long if my memory doesn’t deceive me"

We're not going to completely suddenly flip our playstyle for a wantaway striker who has looked mediocre with his feet every time we've seen him play, as it would be absolutely mental to do so. If you really want to keep him around as an option to throw on, switch up the tactics and lump balls into the box like we're a Pulis club when we're chasing a game, sure. Ideally we get something close to £10m and never see him again. Terrible signing, let's move on please...

£27.5m inclusive of add-ons for Carvalho.

I absolutely would against Newcastle. Somebody who can drive the ball centrally is completely devoid in this lineup.

Crazy how blatant the need for a creative/productive midfielder is. Obviously we’re trying with O’Riley/Carvalho, but I just struggle to see how we’re going to score from open play a lot of the time.

Good news that KWP is hopefully going to be put in on the opening day. Think I’m already in the Edwards over Stephens category, but there’s not much else to complain about selection wise. Plenty to complain about options wise…

Zaha to Leicester on loan. Twat but a good signing.

Even if you decide to be optimistic and claim we're slightly stronger than the team who came 4th in the Championship last year, it really does look drab. I personally think we're worse off, and when KWP goes it'll be considerably worse off.

After his start I was expecting a lot more than that for ABK when he were to leave. Sadly it now looks like a good result. I just hope we're smart enough to get a good sell-on in there because a couple of years without injury (big if) could see his value fly. Let's pray that Onuachu is close to the door as well for something around £8m? Sulemana seems a long-shot on a permanent deal.

Ronnie Edwards the winner of the night probably. Good on the ball and plenty of driving runs forward. I'd imagine Stephens starts the season but can only hope/assume Edwards gets in the LCB spot before too long.

That too!

That right there is probably why Alcaraz will be off. Has some nice turns/moments but ultimately too poor in possession. If his role is meant to be in midfield here it'll be too costly.

Almost definitely in that. Charles and Edwards probably the two most impressive for me so far.

McCarthy really is frightening. Absolutely zero hope of survival if this is it for the season, which I really hope and expect it isn't.

Guendouzi and Alcaraz scrapping in least surprising news of all time

Playing some nice stuff to be fair - against what I've been told is full strength Lazio.

Proper Ings-like goal that.

I like him!

May actually be Dibling on the opening day then...