bluedave

Right, it's obviously better to be patient if there's a chance to get the asking price later on, rather than dropping it now to "get it done" (although I'd be very happy just to see this thread closed). In Jackson's case, a lot hangs on the situation with Isak, I think. If Isak does join Liverpool, which seems most likely, then Newcastle will need to sign somebody to "replace" him. Obviously Jackson is not remotely close to the same caliber as Isak, but there are so few realistic options that would be available for Newcastle this summer, and I think Jackson could actually be a decent signing for them. They'll also easily be able to afford our inflated asking price, so it makes sense to hold firm and see how that plays out. I saw reports that there is "another Premier League club that no one has talked about who are quite keen on Jackson" (via Ben Jacobs), but that could well be bo**ocks intended to make potential suitors believe there is competition to sign him. With Nkunku, there's said to be solid interest from Bayern and Leipzig (with Simons possibly coming the other way), so I don't think we'll have any trouble shifting him, but since he has clearly wanted to leave the club since January, the closer it gets to the end of the transfer window, the more circumstance will favour the buying club. Same with Garnacho and Utd...

I'm not surprised it's gone quiet re. Jackson and Nkunku. Everybody knows we're looking to offload them both, so the closer it gets to the end of the transfer window, the more other clubs will be able to "low ball" us on the transfer fees. We're reportedly holding out for some something silly (like 80 million? can't remember now) for Jackson and making out that we're not actively trying to sell him, but him not even being in the squad for the last two games indicates otherwise. It seems like there is a gulf between our asking price and the amount other clubs would be willing to pay, and if there's still no takers in two weeks from now, our asking price may have to drop.

I respect that and can't blame him not wanting to up sticks and f**k off to Saudi Arabia or wherever. We're mugs for giving him that salary and contract and I'm afraid we just have to swallow it. A loan to West Ham or Fulham would be around his current level.

I agree with this. I think he's a very, very good footballer, but we have at least two players now that are a better fit to partner Caicedo in central midfield, and we are stacked for AMs which is not really his position anyway. I'd like to keep him as an option, we'll have a busy campaign and I could imagine him being valuable in the CL, but if we did sell him to Madrid, I'd feel like "oh well, that's a shame, but it makes sense for both parties"

Absolutely class assist and finish there. 4-1 against Milan is a good result. It wasn't a perfect performance, especially in goal and defense, but that wasn't unexpected.

Good to see RLC cheered and applauded off.

Great to see Delap get off the mark. Ok, it's a penalty, but it was very well taken.

Nevin made a good point (noticing a trend here) about Modric being a very rare example of a former spuds player getting an applause at the Bridge, such is his calibre as a player.

Oh come on... you're such a pessimist. KTBFFH!

I literally just noticed Fernandez for the first time. Admittedly, I haven't been watching that closely, but he's having a very quiet game.

They had at least three players offside. Still, I'm surprised at how we've allowed Milan back into the game.

Nevin made a good point about the red. The ref can't not give a red there, otherwise it'll hurt his own performance metrics.

Yeah, it's disappointing as it effectively kills the match. For sure it's a red in a real match, but it was not dangerous or violent play, so I'd have let it go.

This feels strange. I'm watching us play football these days and... I'm enjoying it?

I was initially skeptical over the hype, having not properly seen him play, but he definitely seems like he really could be the kind of special player that makes you want to watch football. Like, Zola, Hazard, Palmer, and now possibly Estevao. Him and Palmer in the same team could be special, they already seem to have a good understanding.

That confused the hell out of me. I was thinking "what f**king page an I on??"

Visit Malta Weekender Champions! You'll never sing that...

It's been years since I've gone into a new season with the confidence that I feel now. Hope and optimism, sure, but not confidence. This young team has also gained a taste for trophies.

I was just about to say one goal would be a disappointing tally after such a promising performance. Pedro has really hit the ground running.

We really look to have strengthened well in this window. It would be a shame to spoil it by buying an awful c**t like Garnacho.

Gittens looks like he could be the player we hoped Mudryhk would be. Impressed so far.

Can we have Nevin as pundit for all our matches?

That was a perfect tackle you f**king fool.

This ref seems like a bit of a twat though.

This combination of Palmer and Estevao is mouth watering.