We've had 6 players leave and 5 new ones (plus Leitner returning) come in plus a new GK, whoever takes over from Gunn. That creates new possibilities about what could happen rather than a prediction of what will happen.
Tristan Abrahams gets his loan, a season at League Two Exeter. Edit: Not the most impressive, considering he broke through at that level in 2017. So we'll have had him for 18 months, only to loan him to the same level he came from. Exeter's other options are Jonathan Forte, a 31 year old who scored 10 in 38 in League 2 last season. Matt Jay, 22 year old with 1 goal in 22 appearances last season, and probably their main striker, Jayden Stockley who scored 23 in 51 games last season. Exeter played 4-4-2 last season, so hopefully he should be able to play regularly.
Good news. Living in Cornwall, I'll keep an eye on his progress. I've liked Exeter ever since we played them in League One. They were close to promotion last year. This should also go on the Youth and loanee watch thread, DH (or have you already done that?).
I liked the look of Hernandez and with a full pre-season under his belt, I'm hoping that he'll play a pivotal role in our attacking play next season. Also, all the other new recruits will have plenty of time to get used to each other.
Not wanting to get into semantics, what I was looking at was where goals might come from rather than predicting that they will, but call it a prediction if that pleases you. Prognosis is far too highfalutin for me though.
Just read that Naismith is on £50k a week. Surely not!! Along with RvW, he has got to be the biggest waste of money ever.
RvW we managed to loan out pretty easily, weren't paying most of his wages, and still got a fee for him when we sold him. Considering both had one decent game, I think Naismith is by far the worse signing.
I like Hernandez too but with the talk of the different systems that we could adopt and with the signings of Passlack and Marshall I’m struggling to see where he will fit in, unless it is as an impact sub to change the system?
Who knows, DF may EVEN have plans B & C this season and for all those who moaned about tactics (or lack of last season!!!), SW said from day 1 that it would take 3 or 4 transfer windows to get the squad that he and DF wanted!?
Whatever the nature of the comment, I'm beginning to think we're ahead of schedule after a very good window so far. Six new signings replacing the six who have left. The Naismith dilemma has been resolved and the loss of parachute payments has been more than balanced by the £30m+ coming in. The remaining issues left are what happens, if anything, with Oliveira and then the GK situation. The potential is there for improvement on last year and possibly a shot at the play-offs if the new players can settle in quickly. Having the whole of the pre-season will help that. It all depends on those players living up to their potential and the right tactics required for consistent performances throughout the season. I agree with HMQC that we should have effective counterattacking, especially away from home. That would suit both Pukki and Hernandez in particular, but it isn't the answer against packed defences at home. That requires accurate crosses (Marshall & Buendia) and penetrating through balls from Leitner and Vrancic to the striker or effective shooting from the edge of the area. Get the tactics right and we could be on to a considerable improvement over last season.
Should we sell Oliveira and Pinto, this should generate enough cash to make a serious bid for Marriott. Maybe throw their ex Martin in as makeweight. Way to go I believe.
