It’s a complete mess for Newcastle you know if Sesko had been signed then you have a feeling this would have happened very quickly.
6 Likes
The bridge is burnt to the ground now its unrepairable.
2 Likes
Nar. Every bridge is repairable. Especially for a goal scorer. The only thing that would prevent that is if he comes back has a bad start to the season. That could get toxic even if he is clearly putting in the effort but just not getting the breaks.
2 Likes
I doubt he plays against us anyhow… a win win.
6 Likes
Not for me with the latest info its another scathing dig at Newcastle.
2 Likes
I do think its noteworthy that we have lost 3 significant (in the sense they would have expected to have lots of minutes at the start of 24-25) forwards but this list includes keeping one (Chiesa) who was only a backup and includes another who can only really considered (at best) a six option at this point (Rio). On that reading, if we don’t get Isak we’d be light up front even on your metric - down 3 forwards replaced with max 1.5.
My view is that, unless we are looking to change formation, we need 5 quality options whom we can rely upon playing good minutes. Gapko, Ekitike Salah only make three at this stage. Perhaps Chiesa and Rio together can be considered another but we clearly are short unless we are planning on playing Frimpong, Wirtz or Szoboszlai out wide.
1 Like
I think any deal more than likely happens after that game.
1 Like
Yeah same, he isn’t going play it unless we’ve completely walked away because I don’t expect Slot would play him if they signed him between then and now. For him its a slight bonus that it is unlikely he will play in Newcastle if he comes to us for at least a season.
1 Like
Rio at his age can’t be considered an option any games we get out of him is a bonus.
6 Likes
Starting to feel like the relationship is beyond repair. After losing out on Sesko, I expect Newcastle to go after the likes of Mateta/Watkins/Ramos, etc.
I still feel like we end up with Isak, but it’s going to be ugly all around.
5 Likes
Newcastle need to get a striker in, then they will sell. Isak is becoming persona non-grata there, given what Howe said the other day about needing the desire to train with and be part of the group. That draws a clear line in the sand, as Isak’s desire is to leave, and he has told them that, all along.
The delay is partly because they are coming to terms with losing their star man, partly because they don’t want to make anything smooth for us, and partly because of their lack of leadership in closing deals right now.
We can be patient, to a point, and I think this one closes as soon as they sign someone. Most of the supposed bigger fish are now gone, but there’s still Watkins and Mateta in the Prem, and obviously several strikers around Europe who would love to play in the Prem and CL.
It’s going to happen, but the timing will just delay Isak from being productive for us for the first 2-3 weeks of the season.
4 Likes
Another Newcastle based journalist who is supposed to be reliable for them. Basically, if they weren’t incompetent we’d have bought Isak by now.
2 Likes
This might be Howe-y last season as manager. Immaterial of living on the Tyne, if he cant tempt footballing talent to play under his tutelage, then what use is he to the club itself…
The owners will not want a shred of evidence pointing in their direction for this obvious failure and lack of recruitment, that alone might be enough to scapegoat Howe-y, before next summers signings can even be approached.
I wonder if Jason Tindall, instead of monopolising the main sun-bed, could offer it over as a negotiating tactic… that might work
Either way, in my opinion, Howe-y is fucked. He has reached the level of his man-management prowess, which is failing miserably… time to hand over the reins to Maureen in 2026 
1 Like
Huh? They keep repeating they won’t let him leave without a replacement, where’s the encouragement?
1 Like
4 Likes
They want an influx of a large sum to enable more spending as they don’t currently have the PSR headroom to spend as they want. The sale of Isak gives them that wiggle room. They are actively trying to find the replacements (can see them finishing the window with Watkins and Wissa for slightly inflated fees). They are just really bad at it so we have to wait longer. Them being shit at transfers doesn’t mean they don’t want the money for Isak; it just means they’re too incompetent to actually knock over the first domino in the chain of transfers.
3 Likes
Poor bastard is being kept away from barbeques. Does Eddie Howe have no humanity?
“the striker was ordered to train separately from his teammates and stay away from a lunchtime training‑ground barbecue. Eddie Howe, Newcastle’s manager, had organised the gathering for his players and staff and their partners and children”
4 Likes