Fair comment, but I don't quite agree FML. JM really only got his chance to shine due to Pritchard's injury who made it abundantly clear that he wanted the move to a PL team and it WASN'T the case that SW/DF were forced to sell. As has been said, Pritchard is much more 'the finished article' (though I believe that JM will become a better player!!) and that he will be with us until the end of the season. I predict that he will move to a 'top 6 side', as opposed to one that may have a relegation fight on it' hands!!! Unfortunately, I don't believe that too many on here will agree with me, but I've no problem with that and I can see that the team will be more balanced even though it will be depleted of one of its most exciting players - my main concern is who will replace Pritchard in the team!!! .
Just playing devils advocate (I'm as sorry as anyone to see Pritchard go) - how about the point of view of doing the business early in the window, so Farke has the money to go shopping for any players that he has identified as targets?
Someone (Canario, I think) mentioned this yesterday when I said why did we let AP go so early in the window, cheaply and to the first bidder, rather than wait to see if competition among vultures = more ££ for us. He said DF may have specific targets in mind and wants to get them in sooner rather than later. It's a thought, but as he won't be spending big on anyone, why the panic to offload Alex?
So, we start the game against Bristol City without Pritchard and Widschut. Many would argue that the latter will not be missed but the absence of Pritchard will be a significant blow. Can’t see anything but a defeat. How many of you out there believe we will replace Pritchard?
I don't think Pritchard will be replaced by another AM because we don't need one. More likely he'll be replaced by 2 or 3 players who fit the new structure. My guess would be a winger (Jones?), RB (?) and possibly a third striker (Mata?) if Fonkeu and Abrahams aren't ready to step up. We'll also need a CB if Klose leaves, but his fee should pay for that. I agree that Maddison has more potential than Pritchard, but it's still early days for him. Pritchard may yet push on, but as you say he's seen by top PL teams as having not made it at Spurs. He's shown himself to be a good Championship player but no more than that yet. On loan to West Bromwich he only played 2 games over 2015-16. Huddersfield are taking a chance that he can hack it at PL level. I hope he does for his sake.
Yes Rick that makes complete sense and as others have said, having both on the pitch led to some imbalance in the team. I wonder if we might see Abrahams on the bench on Wednesday?? I agree that Pritchard is in his 'last chance saloon' as far as becoming a PL player.
This is interesting, tweet from his agent... You need the right people with you, Not the best people. So happy for @pritch_93 who has signed for @htafcinstagram. It’s your time to shine in the Premier League. #RecordFee #SASM please log in to view this image Record fee? for who?
I think it's Huddersfield's record fee paid ........... this from Hucks: https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/n...brutally-honest-message-on-state-of-the-club/ P.S. welcome to the forum Norwich Pity
The following comment from Football Insider seems about right: "Maddison is a decent young attacking midfielder, but he is nowhere good enough to be getting into the first-team at either Tottenham or Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp already has a very top-heavy squad and does not really need many more attacking players while Spurs have a great deal of young talent coming through that could be more worthwhile to develop than Maddison. The ex-Coventry ace has done wonders this season and is destined to play in the Premier League soon. However he does not appear to be good enough to get into a top six side just yet, and may be best off playing for a mid-table team, like Southampton." With Pritchard gone, Madders should have a lot of game time for the rest of the season and into next year. If he moves to the PL soon he would probably be on the bench or worse. Time is on his side and he's developing rapidly here so why move on? The time will come, but he'd do well to look long-term.
