That's the point Skipp was so good he played pretty much every minute of the season Sorensen is a total unknown in that position which was Robbies point
Not disagreeing, was just trying to look forward. I'm really hoping Sorensen is going to get some game time in his favoured position as I think he has a lot of potential.
It was a big ask playing him at LB, but he coped. We'll never know what he can do until we give him a go.
Re. the new signings so far. Most of us got very excited about RvW and Naismith. Few of us got excited about Pukki or Buendia. The proof of the pudding ...
Yes he "coped" at LB, and credit to him, but we can't afford anything less than a high level of proficiency in the Skipp role, especially if we aren't going to further upgrade the back line. Given the way things have gone, one could understand it if Sørensen were feeling a bit frustrated. The conditions attaching to Skipp's loan, and Skipp's level of performance, severely limited Sørensen's opportunities last season, more so than he might reasonably have expected. In terms of proving himself in the DM role, that, and promotion, have surely been a big set back for him.
Yesterday, before he signed, I was tactful about what I said about him and of course all aspects of the game, including ability of individual players, are a matter of personal opinion so here goes. At the end of last season all the coaching staff at Nice and the money men got together to plan for the season ahead. Funds had to be raised for new signings and it was agreed that 8 of the current squad would not be sold unless silly money was offered but all other players would be sold if a sensible offer was received. The list of 8 was never disclosed but obviously Pierre was not on it. I have seen the various comments, opinions and stats but my observation is based on watching every game last season, albeit on a small screen. Yes he can pick out a very good pass - if the opposition give him time on the ball. Same criteria applies to his shooting ability. He is not good in the air. Because of his height he can get to the ball first but where it ends up is in the lap of the gods. He will run all day, he will chase the ball and he will close down any opponent in his proximity who has the ball which can be of benefit to his team but it is not disciplined and that seems to be why it is not possible to define his position. The reaction locally to the sale varies between ' it will be difficult to replace his energy ' to ' yippee ' Obviously SW and DF see something to work on and as they have forgotten more than I know about players potential I bow to greater judgement but we are all entitled to our opinions. You can hive this post away for reproduction at a later date if he proves to be a great success but in my view you are going to be disappointed if you are expecting great things from this signing.
Thanks, 1950 - good to have it from the horse's mouth, so to speak. This guy sounds like he's more about effort than innate ability. Personally, like Carrowcanario, I'd like to see Sorensen given a chance in midfield.
I went back to the Summer 2018 thread for a laugh... Apparently I was convinced Farke would change formation over the summer, that sounds familiar... Dunc was worried about goals... This looks remarkably prescient on Buendia (June 8th 2018) Thread here if you want to peruse: https://ftp.not606.com/threads/transfers-rumours-goss-summer-2018.361115/page-21
I don’t disagree, but I think we have to be realistic: Skipp has been deemed good enough (as far as we know) to play for a top six club on a regular basis. It’s the equivalent to Buendia - we simply have to accept that we are not going to replace them with someone of the same quality. That doesn’t mean we assume that anyone who comes in isn’t going to improve us though. That includes Sorensen - he’s had a gentle, low pressure introduction to English football, he’s got a full pre-season, and he’s at an age where he is still able to improve, including strength wise. Think how much Cantwell suddenly improved over a Summer. So for me the bottom line is we have to expect that our best players move on and it will appear the team is reduced in quality, but actually the younger players we bring through if they improve then overall we do. That’s how it works.
Not this summer and this coming season it isn't; the stated aim being EPL survival, we are trying to bring in what we need, and that, according to Webber, includes (or at least included, past tense) holding a loan place open in the hope of Skipp returning. It's conceivable that Sørensen will turn out to be the next rabbit pulled out of the Farke hat, and we'll all be left wondering why we fretted about whether we'd see Skipp back or not; but, so far at least, Jacob's name has been conspicuously absent from any discussion of how we are likely to line up in midfield against Liverpool in August.
I pretty much agree with this with although I don't think the team will reduced in quality, although I agree it may appear this way. We are told the theme from the club this window is less quantity and more quality. Our activity in the window supports this i.e. the signings we've made and players we've let go i.e Vrancic & Tettey or sent out on loan. I think what is happening is we are trying to spread the quality more across the team rather than relying on a few quality players, so for example Buendia moves on we invest the money raised in raising the quality by up grading a number of positions rather than going big on 1 or 2 players. I suspect we would be more than happy for Aarons to go at the right price and use the money to upgrade 2 or 3 positions. We have also moved on or loaned out players that could have potentially played a useful but minor role for us in the PL and used the savings to buy what we consider to be better quality players. So Steipermann goes Lees-Melou comes in. Potentially a improvement in quality for relatively little outlay. As a single swap perhaps won't make a significant improve in the quality of the team, but do that in 3 or 4 areas and the impact could be significant. When Webber and co talk about more quality I suspect they are talking about the quality of the sum of the parts rather than a massive upgrading of a single part. This also fits in with the team and work ethic that DF instils in his players.
Looking at our activity so far putting wages aside for the money we got form selling Buendia we've effectively got Rashica, Gunn, Gilmour, Lee-Melou, Gibson & Giannoulis. For the impact Buendia can have on a game most fans would agree on a one for 1 bases that he is the best player, but the question for me is would we be more likely to stay in the PL with Buendia and not the other 6 or with the other 6 and not Buendia. Of course its not as simple as that as the hidden cost of having the other 6 is that at least 5 players need to be let go (i.e. Tettey) or loaned out (Martin). Even factoring this in I still think the overall quality of the team has improved and the associated risks significantly decreased. i.e. what would happen if we'd kept Buendia and he'd broke his leg on the first day of the season. Of course some of you will see things differently, but I don't think anyone can seriously suggests that the club doesn't have a clearly strategy and that we will start this PL season in a significantly stronger position than last time, well maybe one person. Since Webber arrived the club both on and off the pitch has seen sustained and continuous improvement and I believe this is what Webber means when he talks about the Finite v Infinity game.
You’ve missed the point Robbie. The point is, realistically, we cannot expect to replace Buendia and Skipp with something equal, let alone better - because of how good they were. It’s not a season by season thing (I agree with you on your, different, point). I am simply making the (probably obvious) point that players who are leaving to a higher level are not going to be replaced with those of similar reputation. So, by definition, we have to hope that their replacements exceed their own rep or improve the team some other way.
Thank you for this, I’m quite enjoying having a read through of our opinions of those signings. We were all very excited about Passlack coming in as our nailed on RB and thought Aarons would get a loan move. Ben Marshall was hailed as a great signing. What do we know eh?
Your point about Cantwell is very apt Rob. He had relatively few games in the Championship and then suddenly bloomed in the PL. Godfrey had one year in the Championship after converting to CB and then the PL was a sudden baptism of fire and it was similar for Aarons and Lewis. It was a subject of pride to say we had the youngest back line in the PL but we paid a price for that. Skipp did a great job in the Championship but he has yet to prove himself in the PL and Spurs will be aware of that. I also have some reservations about his contribution when we had the ball - mostly short accurate passes but few penetrating passes to attacking players - a Yaya Toure or Kante he ain't yet. That may come as he develops and it will be interesting to see and I'd still be very pleased if another year in that development takes place with us. We have yet to see what Sørensen can offer at DM but he is experienced and must have passed the rigourous SW recruitment tests to be chosen. I think we will recruit another option if Skipp isn't available but I would prefer to see a 3 man midfield for the PL whoever is playing at DM and that can be done by simply not trying to replace Buendia and playing to the pace of Rashica, Pukki, Hernandez and Placheta on the break. We aren't going to work the ball through PL defences with intricate play. Our midfielders have the passing abilities to make that work as well as providing an effective screen for the defence with whoever plays at DM at the heart of that.
Looking back at 2018 I am amused at my comment: "As I said above, I think we'll struggle for goals if both Madders and Murphy leave. Every player has his price though and the test will be what we do with the money. Leitner on a permanent perhaps and Jones on the wing? The key though is who we sign up front. Looks like Wildschut will be staying now, so unless SW comes up with some gems it looks like another disappointing season ahead (and I'm an optimist!)." Little did we know that Teemu and Emi were about to join the cause and the rest, as they say, is history!
Looking back, my comments in relation to the Murphy's, stood the test of time, not sure all my others did or will. "10m for Murphy would be a right result." "I try and look at it this way. If he wasn't a city player would I be happy if we spent 10m to buy him ? The sale of the Murphy twins will have paid for our academy and more. In my mind the academy and the sale of players developed through the academy is essential to our financial survival." Also happy with my reading of the Godfrey situation I don't see Godfrey going anywhere this season. With the sale of Murphy and the potential sales of Maddison & Oliveria, financially we don't need to sell him this season. Godfrey is on a long contract, so assuming of of course we think he's good enough the play championship football, it makes much more sense to play him this season (hopefully increase his value) and if necessary sell him to balance the books in a year's time. This time next year we should be in a much better position wages wise. I think assuming Maddison & Oliveria go then we should have 8 to 10m to spend this year.
