For those who love unsubstantiated, private-jet based rumours, there's been an arrival this evening from Dusseldorf. please log in to view this image Borussia Monchengladbach probably the nearest appropriately-sized club for a transfer rumour...
How serious is Normann's injury? I've read somewhere a dislocated shoulder is likely to entail 12 weeks out - is that right? If so, we need someone ready to slot in at the end of the international break, not someone who's ready when Santa's loading his sleigh. As Rick says, Rostov may come to regret playing silly buggers. On a related note, I was really glad to see that PAOK advanced in Europe. They seem to have behaved in an exemplary fashion throughout our negotiations with them.
Agree with all of that Gozo and am also pleased that PAOK have advanced. I know we are in a long development process but survival this season would make a massive difference to that process. If we go down again we lose players and have to rebuild again with less money. Two years ago we paid the price for not bringing in another CB because we thought we could manage with 3. The money spent on attacking players could be wasted if we don't strengthen at DM and CB this window. I fear we're about to hear 'we tried hard but it just wasn't possible...
Agreed, but sometimes you try and it isn't possible. You could be careful to put all your eggs in three baskets and all the baskets break. I trust Webber will take every precaution that he can to prevent that; he's clearly a very smart and capable man. But sometimes life just wants to kick you in the teeth. I also agree, though, that this season is crucial. As you say, if we go down again, we will have to sell players (almost certainly Aarons, Cantwell and Tzolis) and go through the whole process again. Somehow I find it hard to imagine everyone - especially Farke and Webber - being so keen for a third climb up the mountain. For me, not getting a DM and CB this window would be very worrying, but not disastrous since we could still try to get a European loan to see us through to the next window. My worst nightmare is we get desperate and end up with either another sicknote or another Naismith.
We nearly had an injury crisis last season when Krul and Barden were both injured and we had to rely on Mcgovern. Luckily he surprised us all and played magnificently , with Gunny brought in we look much more solid . Lose both Handley and Gibson to suspenjury and we'll need to bring in Tompkinson. On the plus side Zimmermann and Omobamidele kept a clean sheet on Tuesday. I'm also less worried if Pukki misses games after that Sargent cameo. That carabu cup game certainly lifted a lot of gloom and uncertainty for me and hopefully the squad.
No place for sentiment, but I'm sad to see him go. He was good to have around. Feel pretty sure it's the right thing for him, though. I imagine he'll be very effective in a team set up like Boro.
He's still got 2 years on the contract he signed after our last promotion, so hopefully this can turn into a permanent move for him next summer.
I think his Covid issues are going to stop him getting a loan, he might not get fully fit for another month or so. We probably also need him in the squad with Onel out. Suspect we'll reassess in January.
A penny for Matthias Normann's thoughts? Probably better to keep the penny and put it towards getting an alternative DM in
If Normann is going to be out for 12 weeks we can't afford to wait that long. Let Rostov deal with his injury, we need a DM now. The lack of one was the most noticeable difference between the two sides today. Our attempts to work the ball forward were continually disrupted while Leicester worked through our midfield far too easily. Lees-Melou and McLean worked hard but I'm getting worried about having Gilmour supposedly screening the defence. He's a decent midfielder, but he's no DM. I think we could have had a point and possibly 3 if we'd played Sørensen instead. He provided stability and balance against Bournemouth. It wasn't obvious, but it was there. Without him today it wasn't and that concerns me.
Or, he can return and help us if we get relegated? I have my doubts about Lees-Melou so far. Id prefer us to have a proper DM and play Gilmour further up, with Mclean. Praying for a deal to be done in the next couple of days! A good performance today, but still feel we are light in midfield. Farke doesn't seem to trust Sørensen enough to start him.
