Dman

This is exactly what I'm advocating. We're chasing our tail here. In reality, the situation is one of these options; - He isn't all that keen to join us and/or is holding out for a better option (I suspect this is the case - we need to agree a timeframe to make a decison or we move on) - We're miles out don't want to pay what they want for him (fernandes West ham vibes - clearly we'd need to move on) - Everyone is aligned and its small bits of the deal (naturally this is the best case and most unlikley - It is or should be the easiest to resolve. Given our situation, we don't hold many cards, which means we might need to lose ground in negotiations). The longer this drags on, the less likley we are to get it across the line and the more likley it is we'll spunk 5-10m on 3rd/4th/5th choice on deadline day.

If (a big if) we have internally agreed that we only sell Fernandes once we find a replacement, then I'd agree. We don't have the biggest dick in the room but we are also desperate (especially if / when we lose Fernandes), we can't afford to let this run into deadline day just to miss out and be left with our dick between our legs scratching around for a deal at the last minute - which'll inveitably end up being some unknown loan or youngster from the continent. Biggest dick or not, we need and want players that want to be here. I'm not convinced that is the case here. I was pretty clear in what I want them to do. Give themselves a deadline to get this one over the line or move on to plan B,C etc before it becomes a panic buy late in the window. If the stumbling block is as simple as agreeing a fee with the selling team, and he is our absolute number 1 target, pay what it takes to get the deal done - in the grand scheme of things, we'd be talking about peanuts.

To be fair, they're right. They're nothing to shout about though. 1-1 another masterclass at SMS by Johansson

Then we move on. Its a simple as that.

You'd like to think, we will start to think about giving the club / player a deadline before we move on. We can all see how this one is going. By all accounts he's way to good for the championship anyway. Another SR masterclass in coming.

If we can find a system that plays to his strengths, I reckon he'd be the best striker in the leauge. The problem is, we need to find a system to suit him, rather than he suiting us. That being said, Still managed to get a tune out of Balogun, who has a similar profile. Personally, I think its the creativity behind him that is lacking - Archer is never going to be a player to play with his back to goal. We need someone who can get inbetween the lines and dictate the play. This russian fella could be the missing link.

People like JWP, Bednerak, Adams etc. becoming key personal in our squad kind of summarise how far we've fallen. All of these are squad players, at best, for any half decent premier leauge side.

I know we have a heavy squad as it stands, but if we were to lose Aribo, Smallbone, Fernandes and Dibbling that leaves us incredly light in the center of the park. I could easily see a world where we get both (should we move all those above on).

Maybe I'm bitter, but I have never wanted someone to fail as much as I do this wanker. Its fantastic (and blindingly obvious) to see that his style and stubborness isn't translating well up there.

a relegation battle would make much more entertaining TV than a lower mid-table finish.

In this context, I'm not sure that's something to brag about

Maybe - We've been poor in pre-season however. Lets hope it clicks and quickly.

Aye..? They all signed for us in the championship, other than BBD...

Absolultely no chance. We'd do increadibly well to get 60m - on par with Lavia for me. He's going to the top though, I've no doubt about that.

As would every single other club in the country.. or is this another "Newcastle love a number 9" nonsense statement.

It sure looks bad when you crop out the part that I say I have no confidence that we'll win...

For me it has to be a back 3/5. We have a ton of CB's and something like Edwards, Stephens, Quarshie strikes a nice balance of experience, class and power. We have some pretty decent wing-backs in Sugawara and Manning, but both are suspect defensivley. If downes isn't fit, I think we struggle for stability defensively in the middle We have no genuine wingers (Robinson aside) If we want to get the best out of Archer (who'll be the top goal scorer in the champ if we do), we need to play a front 2. Bazunu Suga, Edwards, Stephens, Quarshie, Manning Charles, Downes?? Sesey Fernandes?? Dibbling?? Smallbone or Fraser Downs Archer

Based on pre-season, I have no confidence that'll we'll win this one. However, Wrexham aren't anything to fear. They're a side of exeperienced journymen.

Girona, who are owned by the city group?

Football lost its morality a long, long time ago. If he's a good player and will help us achieve our goals, I couldn't really care where he comes from.

Hes shite. He makes an occasional sensational save, but is unstable and costs us more than he gains.

It would be offset against the cost of the future purchase. Say we value him at £20m, there is a world inwhich we could get half now, half at purchase. Somoene like Ramsdale doesn't come cheap. Especially when Newcastle are desperate for a new keeper.

I'd rather see him on the wing, than I would BBD or Armstrong. He's been playing behind the striker in pre-season, which he's been pretty poor at. Good enough to be back-up to a new first choice left winger, but wouldn't be upset if he moved on.

TBF, we've got Edwards back who is like a new player for us this season.

Obviously it'll never happen and tbh, I don't want it to either - he's burnt too many bridges with his attitude imo. However, can you imagine he decided to knuckle down and become a first team player again, whi didn't quit whenevr the going gets tough.. He and Quashie would be absolute monsters at this level - would suit Still's system to a tee.