We all know that Tadic, James, Bertrand etc can deliver the ball and can score goals....on their day. MP2 has to increase the number of those days...give them confidence to try and the formation that suits what we have....not what we'd like to have. Over to you, Mauricio...easy.
Agreed, but having a settled, solid, incredible back 6 like we will have when VVD reintegrates will take the pressure off the forwards quite a lot anyway
For the first game that reintroduces Virgil, Les should show him the sniper rifle that he is taking into the directors' box. 'Remember Virgil, one foot wrong and...... Nothing to me....we have you insured.'
Depends on your perspective fats (and I accept yours is different btw). The problem is that we are so obviously short of goals, where in comparison Hoedt, Yoshi, & Stephens could cover 38 games between them reasonably well with two DM's in front. If you were scoring our transfer window exam style I'd grade it roughly as follows: A* - If we'd got the same business as now plus two attacking/creative players with ability. A - If we'd got the same business as now plus one attacking/creative player with ability. B - If we'd done the same business but also sold Van Dijk to fund one/two attacking options with ability. C - If we did exactly what we did. Retain Van Dijk and ignore the most obvious problem in the room. F - Any solution that involved selling Van Dijk and also not got attacking reinforcements. Basically, it's a 'C' from me. It's a pass. I'm happy we kept van Dijk, but the complete lack of goals from open play will likely bite us in the ass again somewhat this season.
I rate the transfer as above average; we addressed the defence which for me is the foundation of a team; strengthened the spine of the midfield and offloaded players we could not take forward with us. As for the AM slot; its an issue not going to be solved by bringing one player: the problem is more fundimental than that. MP2 needs to get the front me playing as a unit; it looks so disjointed at the moment.
I think we have to give this current team time.......... Don't you think it would be nice to actually start a season with a current manager and with none of the players wanting away? So that the board can really show their metal to strengthen the team?
I'm happy with what we have. As footy fans, we always want as many top players as possible but we're a business not a computer game. The windows now shut and there's not a team that finished below us last year who's current squad i'd take in exchange. The morale and tempo already looks miles better than last year. i honestly fancy Long to up his game this year......no joke.
We now have 6 cbs on the books and in the first team presumably. Reckon we may try playing the en vogue 3421? Bert and Cedric as the wing backs?
My issue with our attacking boils down to that old adage of "form is temporary but class is permanent". We have a demonstrably classy centre forward now yet not one of our attacking midfielders seems to have cottoned on to the fact that he's making runs that could shred a defence practically every time we go forward. We simply hardly look for him (or should that be look up?) That's a real concern as Tadic, JWP, Redmond, Davis and Boufal are all guilty and were so for the latter half of last season. I'd say that we've made a point in this window on a variety of levels but one or two of the aforementioned need to seriously up their game to counter the "failure" to sign a classy number 10.
I think it's harsh to grade this window as a C for us. I think I'd go for a B. We have kept all first team players and all players we wanted to keep, and added a promising CB and a decent looking DM, both of which we were crying out for. Yes, we could have used another attacking mid/winger with goals in them, but I think the club will see we have enough talent there with Redmond, Boufal, Tadic, JWP etc. It's now time for MP to get the them playing in a flowing attacking style, while getting the midfielders to start converting the chances we make. If MP is a good enough coach and the players are talented enough (which they should be), I think the style of play etc won't require a new signing for the goals to come, just a bit of time for MP to make his mark. I think we look really strong defensively (providing VVD re-integrates, but even if he doesn't we look solid). I'd go as far as saying we look as strong as we did with Clyne Fonte Alderweireld and Bertrand if VVD slots back in. I'd still like to see Gabbi no.10 and Austin/Long up top trialled.
Yeah, add me to the group who'd like to see Austin and Gabbiadini play together. Gabbiadini can play off a striker and I think they'd work well together. Plus, having 2 players in the side who can finish can only be a good thing.
Gabbiadini, Austin, long, Redmond, boufal, tadic, JWP. Sims when back from injury. MP2 should be able to get goals out of these players. What are we hoping for? Sanchez?! Mane was a 1 off and we're very unlikely to get a player of his class unless there is a drastic change in approach from new owners.
I hope we'll be able to reintegrate Van Dijk to the squad soon. He's such a cass player that he'll improve everyone's performance. And if Hoedt is the player we hope he is, then this season we should have the best defensive united that we've had in a long time. Might even help our attacking players to express themselves more.
In my opinion, a C is way too harsh. A pass? Wow, tough audience you make LS I think you set sights too high and I think you must have a lot of disappointment supporting Saints. To say this will bite us in the arse, suggests a disaster looms. I believe it was one creative signing from being an excellent window
Of course one could point out that I was 1-2% doubtful. That was just in case North Korea sent a missile in the wrong direction.
For the people that keep on going on about 6 cbs at the club. Have you seen Gardos play? I think it will be more like this: First team cbs: Van Dijk Hoedt Yoshida Stephens U23s Bednarek Jones Gardos to basically be around to his contract ends. So 4 first team cbs with Bednarek getting cup games here and there.
Yeah, I'd imagine the primary reason Gardos remained is that no one wanted him, even on loan. Don't think he'll even be registered unless we have no one else worthy of such.
