So Isak has been left out of Newcastle's pre-season tour. We couldn't, could we?

[Peter]

It's unfortunate, of course, but we might actually have to do just that if we are to win the Premier and Champions' leagues.

Unpleasant, but there it is

The champions league isn't about scoring lots of goals. It's about scoring the right goals, at the right time.

Winning the Premier league does require a lot of goals, admittedly. But not if it means conceding as well. It is about balance.

And for balance you need small, technical midfielders who don't speak any English. We only have two. I'd like one more....

[Rich]

For whatever reason we are poor compared to most. So not going to happen.

[redgunamo]

The champions league isn't about scoring lots of goals. It's about scoring the right goals, at the right time.

Winning the Premier league does require a lot of goals, admittedly. But not if it means conceding as well. It is about balance.

And for balance you need small, technical midfielders who don't speak any English. We only have two. I'd like one more....

Very much putting cart before horse there. We tried that last season and we had so much control and balance that we ended up with a dozen draws, a hundred-odd points dropped from winning positions. "Game Management" meant forgetting to threaten, to win, so this time we ought to keep it simple and just sign the two Swedish lads and let them get on with the business of actually winning matches. Conceding goals is unavoidable, in the Premier League anyway; the attacking talent on show is frightening so it's no good being sentimental about it.

Indeed, the best thing about VG14, or whatever, is his mentality, his mindset; strong, aggressive forward running at all times both with and without the ball. All out attack. We simply do not have anybody who is desperate to score goals, regardless of the game.

We can fix him with coaching, I suppose, but please allow me to enjoy it at least until Christmas

[Rich]

the best thing about VG14, or whatever, is his mentality, his mindset; strong, aggressive forward running at all times both with and without the ball. All out attack.

It's not very elegant, is it? All a bit nouveau riche if you ask me.

[7sisters]

Bit odd saying it now, after Arsenal, Liverpool and chelsea all bought someone else.

City can't be after him. That leaves PSG, Barcelona and Real Madrid..

Strong possibility he may end up embarrassing himself over this one and staying put. Ferguson would have gone sleeves up over getting him but they were the days before United took on the look of a laughing stock.

[Peter]

Very much putting cart before horse there. We tried that last season and we had so much control and balance that we ended up with a dozen draws, a hundred-odd points dropped from winning positions. "Game Management" meant forgetting to threaten, to win, so this time we ought to keep it simple and just sign the two Swedish lads and let them get on with the business of actually winning matches. Conceding goals is unavoidable, in the Premier League anyway; the attacking talent on show is frightening so it's no good being sentimental about it.

Indeed, the best thing about VG14, or whatever, is his mentality, his mindset; strong, aggressive forward running at all times both with and without the ball. All out attack. We simply do not have anybody who is desperate to score goals, regardless of the game.

We can fix him with coaching, I suppose, but please allow me to enjoy it at least until Christmas

No, what we did last season was sit deep and spoil. That is NOT how you control a game when you are a good side. You do it by having loads of Spanish lads keeping and moving the ball. And yes, where appropriate, allowing some shots at goal. But you have to remember- every time you score you lose possession.....

Two seasons ago we tried scoring lots of goals and playing open football. It didn't work. The following season we tried half a season of game management and another half of scoring loads of goals. That almost worked. Last season we tried loads of injuries, red cards, and playing **** football. That didn't work.

We need the balance of that middle season, but evenly spread. The odd goal, the odd bit of game management, as and when appropriate. That will work.

[Peter]

Strong possibility he may end up embarrassing himself over this one and staying put. Ferguson would have gone sleeves up over getting him but they were the days before United took on the look of a laughing stock.

You have to wonder where he wants to go. I have no trouble understanding why he wants to leave Newcastle. But I am guessing he wants to leave England. If he wanted to stay here, he seems to have left it too late.

PSG could certainly use him...

[PSRB]

You have to wonder where he wants to go. I have no trouble understanding why he wants to leave Newcastle. But I am guessing he wants to leave England. If he wanted to stay here, he seems to have left it too late.

PSG could certainly use him...

I was thinking that, no way he wants to end up at spurs.

[Peter]

I was thinking that, no way he wants to end up at spurs.

I didn't even consider that. It is too ridiculous

[WES]

You have to wonder where he wants to go. I have no trouble understanding why he wants to leave Newcastle. But I am guessing he wants to leave England. If he wanted to stay here, he seems to have left it too late.

PSG could certainly use him...

PSG could use him Pedro?

He doesn't get into that front 3 ahead of Doue Dembele and K-man. 150mil for a second choice striker doesn't make much sense from either side, even if they are really QatarSG

[Peter]

PSG could use him Pedro?

He doesn't get into that front 3 ahead of Doue Dembele and K-man. 150mil for a second choice striker doesn't make much sense from either side, even if they are really QatarSG

He gets in for Dembele as a better centre forward. Dembele can play along that front line.

A great finisher would improve them.

[WES]

He gets in for Dembele as a better centre forward. Dembele can play along that front line.

A great finisher would improve them.

Like with Budweiser, we shall have to agree to disagree

Dembele was a revelation (PSG's word not mine) up front and will only get better in that role. And you don't mess with that front 3.

It would also go against their recent embracing of buying younger players and developing them.

[Peter]

Like with Budweiser, we shall have to agree to disagree

Dembele was a revelation (PSG's word not mine) up front and will only get better in that role. And you don't mess with that front 3.

It would also go against their recent embracing of buying younger players and developing them.

That last bit is true. But when you get as good as they are, you have to do some pretty special things to improve.

I'm not saying they'll do it. Just saying, there is a very short list of clubs who can afford him and they are one of them.

[redgunamo]

It's not very elegant, is it? All a bit nouveau riche if you ask me.

Form follows function, R. Form follows function.

He is immediately the most "elegant" player we have.

[redgunamo]

You have to wonder where he wants to go. I have no trouble understanding why he wants to leave Newcastle. But I am guessing he wants to leave England. If he wanted to stay here, he seems to have left it too late.

PSG could certainly use him...

Agreed. Very odd. Maybe he has a gentlemen's agreement with someone? you know, the usual thing scrawled on the back of a pack of B & H as everyone was rolling out of a nightclub in the small hours.