I don't think Luton, hudd Cov would rather be skint and forced to pursue a frugal strategy by choice. It's a question of balance. The money is now in the club though, so we should theoretically be able to trade at the same level going forward as now, whoever the faces are. It was always going to take at least 3 windows regardless.
Don't forget though, the clubs that will be after Stewart won't be clubs near the bottom of the table or recently in League One. I feel like top Championship players are a bit beyond us at the moment, hence why we're looking for players further down the leagues and abroad. I still think the way forward is what we did under Pearson, buy U23s from bigger PL clubs that are never going to get into the first team, but are good enough for us. Worked with Brady, Evans, Stewart (I guess), Dudgeon (a bit), Chester and Simpson (maybe).
Not working so well with Vale and Simons at the moment! Arguably not with Baxter either. Maybe Chelsea are just sending us the wrong players.
When Allam/Pearson came in we had plenty of experience but had sold basically anyone who could command a fee. We desperately needed a bit of youth and energy. We have that already. When Acun took over we lacked a bit of technical class and experience. That's what he's tried to bring in, but let's remember we're only effectively 1 window in to his reign and a lot of his summer signings have barely played yet.
Ah see the players I mentioned had already been out on loan before, those two came straight to us. Baxter has been with us two years, he's not hit the heights of last season but I think it's unfair to lump him in with the other two, he's done alright.
Yeah I was being a bit tongue in cheek, I'd also argue if Vale and Simons were playing most weeks for us like Brady and Chester were we'd have (potentially) a different opinion of them. Matt Smith after his first few games with us last season was getting rave reviews then he just dropped out of sight.
Must surely have been an attitude issue or clash of personalities involved there - the way he just didn't get a look in. Or maybe he just thought he was better than he was? He'd had 75 senior appearances elsewhere before we loaned him.
He has but he’s a centre half and looks very much like a centre half filling in at left back. The sooner he’s back in his proper position, the better, for me. He needs to be playing there if he’s going to develop properly.
He was a left winger though, I can’t recall ever thinking of him as anything but. Put another way, can’t see Greaves ever making a top class left back, he just doesn’t have that dynamism and guile you get in a modern day full back. He could make a top class centre half though, just needs to mature into the role. I don’t even think he’d been particularly bad there on the whole, just hadn’t been a commanding presence. Most his mistakes were made defending set pieces and that would be the case whether he’s playing centre half or not. I bet he probably made more goal saving / last ditch tackles and blocks than any other player in the squad this season.
I sort of wouldn't be surprised if Fleming was loaned out. For the last couple of years he and Elder have been each other's biggest problem. Fleming didn't get a chance for about 2 years before he eventually had that run last season, because of Elder's form. Then when he did get a run he grabbed the shirt and kept hold of it. If it wasn't for Fleming doing that I think Elder would've been at the World Cup. Now both of them have found themselves out of the picture with Greaves playing in their place. Not easy being a left back.
Actually, I largely agree, but I think he's the best option at left back at the moment, and ideally would be best suited on the left of a back 3 as far as natural position goes He's good enough to play at LB and as a more central defender but versatility is only going to add to his experience, and value.
You could say that in his first few games but he really doesn't now. If you didn't know he was primarily a CB, you wouldn't think anything of it. He's not a marauding full back but he's good with his feet and puts a decent ball in. It also gives us the solidity where Christie can push very high on the other side. It's not uncommon for a young centre half to play at full back. I like it as you learn a different skillset and you have fast, tricky wingers running at you which is usually a centre halves nightmare.
It's a shame you don't consistently post like this. When you make a proper point you have good insight. Less of the trolling and you'd be one of the best on here.
Any news on when Traore is fit? Thought it was after Christmas/early January, but I’ve not seen any reports of him being back in training as with Tetteh and Allahyar.
Think Rosie/the club is taking the pressure off by not giving expected dates. Think we'll see Ali sooner rather than later, then Benji and Traore in the new year. **** knows when they'll be fully up to speed though. Could be argued Tufan and Sinik still aren't. Even Oscar not having kicked a ball in anger for a couple of months. Traore for example is a similar level signing as Tufan, Seri, Oscar etc... Value of £3m+ and his goal involvement rate in the major leagues he's played in is pretty impressive. Goals and assists in Ligue 1 and assists galore in Super Lig. He's a potentially a major player at this level.
The Adama Traore we signed had 1 goal and 9 asissts in 52 appearances for Hatyaspor. Hardly assists galore. 1 goal and 4 assists in 15 games in Ligue 1 was slightly better I suppose but still nothing groundbreaking.
