There was a spectrum, those who felt strongly that we had to sell him to improve and 50 mill upfront was his worth, while those that gave assent likely spurred by seductive prospect of new signings in the summer…from my memory it was the prevailing view. That’s in the context of a pragmatic general acceptance we all know of why we need to satisfy our profit and sustainability obligations. I don’t remember many beyond a few being livid.
With Anthony, if the reports are true Newcastle see something we can’t nurture or unlock, that they can, which is immensely sad, he follows a long list of young talents we have failed to nurture or develop and pulled the parachute on, despite claiming this is our preferred philosophy. What makes it sadder is a small joy of one of our own coming through with potential has turned rancid. I don’t blame the lad if he wants to go, i think he’s been run out of the club by his own fans, not least when you saw the video of him leaving last week. The reaction, this environment, the expectation and our absolute lack of support of him as a player and by us as fans has promted this, if I was him I’d want out as well.
It’s an immensely sad situation. It’s a lad we should look at like say Garner - one to support and develop incrementally toward the future who should be challegeung Richarlison for a place or someone else on the opposite flank and learning the game. Instead of having the huge responisbility thrust in him, with no centre forward to play off for the majority of his senior games. He will get the former elsewhere and develop - Like I say that is immensely sad. We should have taken joy in him instead of spitting venom.
Elsewise now we are asking the club to replace Richarlison, Gordon and likely Dominic Calvert-Lewin in a week in a poor market - do you trust our recruitment team to do that……