The main problem has been injuries which have effected the whole season. Players out of position under Bielsa all season and having no striker has been the main problem. The spine of the team missing all season, not playing Gelhardt enough and wasting game time on the likes of Tyler Roberts and his 2 goals in 2 seasons, his crap distribution and his hesitancy. Dan James has been a waste of time as a striker. Gelhardt should start next week. Players coming back from injury will bring back the old spirit and feeling of the last 3 seasons. The spine and heart of the team (except Paddy) is back and everyone playing in their own positions again and about time too. Everton were crap earlier, Newcastle beaten by Spuds 5-1. Only Brentfords result went against form this weekend. Its been a good weekend for us
Think there’s a difference between being overly negative at players/club etc and being nervous of relegation… which is what this debate has been largely about
Raphinha has done OK in patches. He takes free kicks and penalties which swell his goals scored figure. He stopped trying at the end of Bielsas tenure which is unacceptable to me. He sounds like he wants to leave and he would help get some funds to strengthen other areas. I actually like Harrison and he has missed Bamford massively. Well.... any central figure to be fair. He can actually put in some crosses in to very dangerous areas but there is never anybody attacking the ball. I see Harrison as an all out winger and Marsch plays too narrow to accommodate him. James tries his heart out but lacks quality. He can't pass, can't shoot, can't control and again looks an all out winger. Where is he gonna play? Rodrigo has had a few decent performances recently but overall has been a crap signing. If we can recoup some cash for him it makes sense to leave. Bamford hasn't played all season. If his stock is still high enough from last seasons performances and Kane ****s off to City I can see us getting decent money from Spurs if they want him. I'd be open to him leaving for the right fee. Greenwood looks like he doesn't belong at this level. Klichs legs have gone for the last 18 months now. He can't play at 10. He can't play further back. The system won't suit him. Roberts..... That leaves Gelhardt and Summerville. Summerville wanted to leave in January so he can go if the right money comes in. Gelhardt has shown some promise but needs to play more. Therefore I'd say only Gelhardt should DEFINITELY be here next season. The rest all have a price and can go if its right. Happy to hear any thoughts on the above.
Come on milky it's the match day thread. Some of the comments yesterday, both during and after the match bore no relation to the performance the players actually put in. Some posters are just never happy unless we're 3/4 goals up.
You have far too many players leaving imo. Just get rid of Coco, Firpo, Roberts and Klich. Bring in a quality striker and a left back. Job done.
quite agree - but doc was reacting to the ‘average points per game’ debate we were having … which lets be honest he was losing quite badly
Sorry, I don't mean that every single one should leave. Just that as far as I am concerned they are open to offers. I wouldn't be devastated if any of them left. I'd like Raphinha to stay but it looks like his head is elsewhere since he was picked for Brazil. Left back, striker AND a couple of midfielders. If we stay up and Burnley go down then Charlie Taylor is made for us.
Ah I see. Charlie Taylor good player but wouldn’t want him back as he seemed to instigate his departure to the detriment of the team.
If I could sign one left back from the PL that suited our style it would be Taylor. He is perfect for us. I know what he did and it doesn't sit well but if he is the best option! He would be cheap, lives locally, knows the club already. It's an easy move. I'd also like to bring in Brennan Johnson from Forest, Joe Aribo from Rangers and John Swift on a free from Reading. That would give us depth behind the strikers.
Personally I'm happy with all our forward players. Bamford Gelhardt Rodrigo Raphinha Harrison James If we could keep all of those and then upgrade in behind those attackers we'd be a very different proposition. Since Klich stopped getting in the box and scoring goals we've struggled. Not blaming Klich as he's been great for us but remember that goal against Liverpool (first game back in the PL) and that's exactly the type of player we're missing. One name missing of my list however and it's difficult to make a case for him. As he's currently injured let's wish him well in his recovery and see what Jesse decides when he's formulating the squad for next season. To be honest there's quite a few of the lesser lights that need to be upgraded so he's not the only one.
Wrong milky this whole thread since the result yesterday has been slag the team off. The average points per game debate you think I lost I beg to differ. You saw a Newcastle team who spent over £100m get battered by Spurs conceding 5, do you think Spurs could do that to yesterdays Leeds team or the starting 11 we put out next weekend? Not a chance. Everton battered and maybe season over if Watford can achieve their average. Burnley are gone and so too are Norwich but obviously not on paper. All this bollox about what if we had to play xyz and Burnley had to play abc…. My opinion differs from hours thats all and no way can there be a winner or loser until the facts roll out next month. Ends
if Raphinha goes surely Dan James takes bis slot and we only have plenty of cash to spend elsewhere? We have Harrison and James we also have Summerville and Poveda. Does Marsch actually want wingers or half wingers as he calls Rodrigo and Aaronson?
James best position is on the left so he’d be competing with Harrison. I reckon if Raphinha does leave then Aaronson will be his direct replacement.
Was thinking the same about Dan James, he's been much maligned but the reality is he's doing a job for the team. Rodrigo had been a revelation the last few games as he's been able to find space and get us moving forward. That's all down to his defensive' man to man ' marking duties being removed. Credit to Jesse for doing that but now Rodders needs to start adding a shedload of goals and assists (he did score at Wolves remember). Hopefully Raphinha gives us one more season as he's another one who's been freed up by Marsch's system.
If we're going to sign a LB, Taylor should definitely be on the list. Time has mellowed my attitude towards him, so I wouldn't object to him being signed. Ideally it would be Robertson or Tierney, as they're world class (& Scottish!), & unlikely to move anywhere, far less to us. If we look at a RB, I've got a name that few will be familiar with. Nathan Patterson 'played' for Rangers last year. In fact, he had only played 24 minutes in the season when he featured for Scotland! He scored & laid on an assist! He's got a cracking engine too. Couldn't get into the Rangers team due to the RB berth understandably belonging to James Tavernier. So he moved to Everton in the summer. For £16m. He's played 90 mins for them due to him being unable to dislodge Coleman. This lad is just 20, & I could see him being our RB for the rest of his career. Astonishingly impressive.
