One cool addition to FotMob this year is they have added top speed and distance covered for EPL games. Interesting to go back and see which players covered the most ground and who is the fastest. Unsurprisingly, against Bournemouth it was Szoboszlai and Frimpong for Liverpool.

Ben Doak is officially out the door to Bouremouth. I'd assume that means Chiesa stays for sure now unless things get wild at the deadline.

From David Ornstein; Marc Guehi talks have stalled, as similar to the Isak situation, the ball is in Palace's court and they need to decide if they want to try and keep the band together for one more year or sell Guehi before he leaves on free. Kinda the same situation with Eze. Liverpool would buy if the doors opened but they feel fine with what they have right now between VVD, Konate, Gomez, Leoni and youth caliber guys.

So it sounds like we're comfortable with what we have at defender, and I can't disagree too much just from a "this year" perspective because I think carrying five senior team CBs is really hard and not smart, however, they still 100% need another forward and preferably one who can play No. 9. You can't take Ekitike off the field at 60-75 minutes and then your offense fall off. They need another forward who can really run and get after it.

My hot sports take is that the Isak deal is already done. Terms have been agreed all around (or NUFC have communicated what fee it will accept) and it will be "finalized" after our match next Monday. It's been kept within a small tight lipped group with no leaks (which LFC is really good at). Saudis need to save face and gives them time to close a deal on a striker.

If that's not true, Plan B will be almost immediately pursued and closed. LFC knows we need another attacker. Just not totally sure who that would be. Whatever happens, it's probably going to be a wild close to the transfer window.

I would love if they moved on from Isak and grabbed Malick Fofana. A true LW that can spell Gakpo or allow him to move centrally would make me feel a lot better about the depth and flexibility to weather the season.

I think Isak would be a great addition because I think Ekitike is more than capable to play the LW, but I just don't think it's happening and we're going to be left with our junk in our hand and a forward short at the end of the window.

Agreed. Less than two weeks left and Newcastle still hasn't signed any other strikers. I don't see Guehi or Isak happening this window. Maybe during the winter, more likely next summer.

eiggA2002 said:

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My hot sports take is that the Isak deal is already done. Terms have been agreed all around (or NUFC have communicated what fee it will accept) and it will be "finalized" after our match next Monday. It's been kept within a small tight lipped group with no leaks (which LFC is really good at). Saudis need to save face and gives them time to close a deal on a striker.

If that's not true, Plan B will be almost immediately pursued and closed. LFC knows we need another attacker. Just not totally sure who that would be. Whatever happens, it's probably going to be a wild close to the transfer window.

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I do agree with this sentiment that if the Isak deal is or gets done we won't here a damn thing until after our game.

Isak just went scored Earth politely on social media, essentially saying that the narrative that has been spun that he just decided he wanted to leave this summer is false and that promises were made that they would work with him after this year to facilitate a large move for him, and that they have not done that and that is why the relationship is broken. Apparently he made it known to them maybe even as early as last year that he wanted the big move this summer. Tough look for everyone involved in this now. This also came directly from Isak's personal social media accounts, not through an agent or reporter.

I'm betting Guehi either happens just before the window (watch for CP to sign a new CB) or in January. CP is not in a position to let players like him go for free. Guehi knows the long term opportunities at Liverpool align with his situation, so unless another top-4 club breaks the bank for him, I think he's in a Liverpool shirt before the end of the season.

Isak gets injured too often for my taste, and whether or not Newcastle has been running a smear campaign, it's never a good look to sit out of training the way he has. That simply doesn't happen if the player acts professionally.

Newcastle has really painted themselves into a corner. I guess we will just pay less money in 6 months or a year after an unmotivated Isak runs down another year on his contract. Also, getting into a public squabble with your star player isn't going to make beating big clubs for top talent any easier.

I remember being so upset about losing Coutinho, but what a blessing that ended up being. Just feels like this has turned into a battle of egos and the club are now trying to save face at the sacrifice of long term benefit.

I legitimately cannot think of a single reason or scenario this benefits Newcastle. I was telling a buddy of mine that they should recognize that they aren't a big 6 type of club, or Bayern Munich, PSG, Barcelona, Madrid etc., and it so it doesn't benefit them in any way shape or form, and I don't mean that in a "little brother" type of comment. I mean it in a "this doesn't help you get bigger, take the next step etc." sort of way. If you are Madrid or PSG then sure, you can let that player rot because there's another guys behind him or they can money whip anyone for the big career move. Newcastle can't do that.

They are a step below the top tier, and how do you get there? You are smart, you sell, you make money and you reinvest that money in a myriad of ways. Plus, this KILLS their ability to sign guys not only right now but in the future. Who wants to go to a club that holds them with a gun over the barrel? No one, and that is exactly what they need to be doing right now. Buying next level guys all of the team.

Arsenal getting Eze is big for them. And emphasizes our need for another attacker even more. I'm not questioning FSG (what they have done the past year is phenomenal) with the Isak or bust approach, but may hurt us a bit this year if it doesn't come to fruition. Of course no one saw Newcastle failing this bad to get anyone and then slitting their own throat with their handling and meltdown of Isak.

I question how Eze fits into that team because in my eyes he's a pure, out and out No. 10. With that being said, I think he's so good that it probably won't matter if he plays in the middle of the field or out on the left. Additionally, if I were Arteta, I would dump Rice into the No.6, have Odegaard in a box to box No. 8 and tell Eze to go wild going everywhere in the final third. Just me though.

This is concerning for Liverpool though because it now gives them what they lack, and that is a guy who can unlock a low block. I still have questions about their ceiling in the goal scoring department, but this is huge huge huge for them and brings them level with Arsenal and Liverpool imo.

I find it hard to believe that Liverpool has all of their eggs in the Isak basket having sanctioned the shear quantity of sales that they have, because it's objectively clear that we are lacking for sure one starting caliber forward, preferably a No. 9. I've said it before but I'm fine with what we have on defense for this year in a vacuum because I think carrying five CBs is really hard and not smart, but I would welcome Guehi with open arms (and Eze's sale might actually speed that up). But they have to have a backup plan in the forward group or it's going to be damn near impossible to compete in the EPL and Champions league.

We just lost Frimpong to a hammie injury until the end of September. Better get Geuhi in tomorrow, and I don't care if you have to overpay by 10M to do it. Bradley it's time to step up an be that guy now.

I bet they put Robbo on that side a bit too to make sure we have enough cover.

Tough loss, needed that time to gel too. Bradley just back to training himself. Love him and Gomez, but both are both made of glass

Edit: Gomez hasn't been able to train for 3 days either so he probably won't be available either

Where did you see the report that Gomez wasn't training this week? I read that he barely practiced before last week but haven't read anything about this week or next game.

I think I saw that Frimpong would be back after the intl break. It's bad timing to not have a true RB for these next two matchups, but all three should be fully fit after that.

I would guess we see one of Jones or Szobo at RB the next two games.

Tksymm7 said:

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Where did you see the report that Gomez wasn't training this week? I read that he barely practiced before last week but haven't read anything about this week or next game.

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Slot said it in his press conference. He also said he didn't have a setback, he is just limited still. Interpret that how you will I guess.

JUST saw this. Woof does that blow. Bradley was back at full training this week, so he should be available but there's not a chance in hell he's playing a minute more than 60, maybe even less than that. I think you're just going to have to tell guys to dig deep here, especially Bradley and Gomez. Obviously we don't want to injure them more etc., but from a pure fitness standpoint they have to be told to suck some wind until they can get into match fitness.

We have some non-traditional options that we can play at RB. Szobo can certain do a good job and it might be a nice way to get all top 4 CMs in the game at the same time.

We can play Endo (didn't go so well last game) or Cujo (played well there in the past) in that spot as well.

The LB role is much harder to fill for most CMs, but luckily we have like 85 of those...

I'd rather have Kerkez play RB and Robbo play LB then see Endo try his hand at RB again. Curtis Jones holds on to the ball too long to play RB for my liking. Hopefully with Gravenberch back in the side, we aren't exposed so easily to the counter and in wide areas as we were against Palace and Bournemouth.

I think Bradley will start at RB but he'll be taken off shortly after half. It didn't sound like Gomez re-injured anything, more so that they were trying to manage him and his activity. Which I can't say I disagree with at this stage in his career. He doesn't need to go 60-90 minutes anymore. We need him to be able to play 30-45, and if limiting his practice minutes gets him on the field then I'm okay with it.

Curtis has played RB for us and England and usually performs pretty well. He is a smart player and adjusts his style if playing defensively. On the flip side, I don't think either Andy or Milos has ever played on the right. Left footers are more rare, so they always end up on the left flank by default.

I think it'll be Bradley to start, but he is off by 60. Slot might play musical chairs back there again for the last half hour.

Also, lots of general criticism over Curtis' play by the fans/supporters lately, which I honestly don't think is fair. He isn't an elite player, but he is highly versatile and a useful talent. The universal criticism is that he holds the ball too long but I actually don't think it's that bad of a trait. To be honest, Wirtz does the same thing, and has gotten his pocket picked several times in the last few games. It's a by product of trying to create for your teammates.

CuJo is the only scouser we got left in the squad and he deserves a bit more love. Without a true scouser in the mix, it simply doesn't feel like the LFC I originally embraced. Curtis isn't an elite midfielder, but he is still a good player with much to give LFC.

I'm not knocking Curtis Jones as a player. I think he has a very useful role in our team. I would still rather lose him than Elliott but I understand the business side of football and I get your sentiment of the Scouser in the Team. There is just a difference in losing the ball in the middle of the park when you have Gravenberch, Konate, and VvD behind you and losing it in a dangerous pocket of space on the right hand side of our defensive third.

I do agree Bradley will get the start and make way at the 60-ish minute mark for Joe Gomez.

West Ham might be getting related. Good lord.

Set piece FC are back for week 2.

It's not the most entertaining brand, but it's effective. They will be difficult to open up next week. Not sure what to make of their new signings, but healthy Saka is still very dangerous.

I think Arsenal kinda plays into our strengths at the moment, or at least i don't know if they can fully take advantage of our weaknesses right now. They don't counter much if at all, and they don't have a ton or juice outside of Saka and maybe Madeueke if he plays. They'll be tough as they always are.

Lost saka and odegaard today. Saka hamstring, not sure on odegaard

Tough day for Leeds. I really thought they'd have more. I respect their club a ton even though they have an iffy history.

My only EPL takeaway after two weeks is that I will never understand what a foul is and isn't. EPL is the most inconsistently refereed league I follow.

hoosierAG said:

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Lost saka and odegaard today. Saka hamstring, not sure on odegaard

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Both injuries came back on the lighter side for both. Odegaards is probably more of a pain tolerance thing more than anything, but Saka's is a bit more up in the air. With his history of muscle related injuries I'm not sure what they'll do with him.

Trent started on the bench today and only played 4 minutes against a relegation side. Not sure if it was a fitness issue or what. Bad start to his Ballon D'Or campaign.

I need this transfer window to be over.