Another week of gloom as the expected flood of incomings hasn’t happened, and our friendlies produce a lack of goals until last night. One of Farkes biggest jobs is to score between 70-100 goals. In his own words this is the requirement for promotion. Where will these goals come from? So it’s slow going apparently because everyone putting a big price uplift as soon as Leeds come knocking on the door. Saudis offering crazy money for players and thanks to the world energy price we are all helping put Saudi football on the world map. The Saudi Sovereign Wealth fund is overflowing due to oil and gas prices rocketing, so rather than just sit excess cash in the fund they are using it to buy up football, just like they did with golf, but even they shy away from Bamford. So we bought 3 International CBs and allowed them to go out on loan, which puts us way behind where we were when we won the Championship as Cooper and Ayling are a lot less agile and fit. We are even worse off at LB because we don’t have Leif Davies, and Firpo and Dallas are not available. At RB we have a struggling Ayling, and Drameh now has Byram to think abot too as we allowed Kristensen to go out on loan too. So our defence needs bolstering as its full of kids right now. The middle is just really a 17yo and a 19yo. Ampadu looks good though. The flanks are ok but nothing to speak of up top. And we are a week away from the fun of Cardiff City. Just read an interview with Gelhardt which mentioned playing as a 10 his preferred position and how he was left hanging at Sunderland due to Stewart being injured. Then I followed that up by reading what Tony Mowbray had to say and he said he felt sorry for Joffy as he brought him in to be a 10 and play him off Stewart but ended up having to use him as a 9 on his own. Keep your eyes open on that one because it’s now about what FARKE thinks about Gelhardt. No more talking him up as a striker he’s a 9 & half. He may end up sold if he doesn’t fit Farkeball. After last nights Forest game the standout performer was Poveda. So far he is earning a place in Farkes squad, unlike Bamford who scored but otherwise was dire yet again. Sinisterra excellent at times but drifted in and out. Gyabi not on it enough but Gray was, Rutter yet again shows class and has something that surprises defenders, Gelhardt not on it again, Ayling OK but Cooper scares me. Hjelde not a great LB, Dan James could have a good season but needs to provide end product. Ampadu is a Rolls Royce so far…… however is Poveda the answer? Is Sam Byram also worth a punt? Gnonto wasn’t that good. Still no mention anywhere of a good LB. We have no clues as to the starting 11 against Cardiff as the players who got the last 30 minutes against Forest will probably get the first hour against Hearts on Sunday and where is Rutter going to play and fit Farkeball. Adams maybe on his way back but reckon he will leave. Struijk wanted by clubs in Belgium and Holland and we have way too many wingers: Costa, Poveda, Gnonto, Summerville, Sinisterra, Harrison, James……. Can any of them be that No10 we need because the club need to move some out. No mention anywhere this week the word imminent because as with everything this club does nothing happens quick
My view based on what I saw in the second half vs florist: Shackleton gave the ball away or conceded a freekick all too often; Gyabi only seems to be able to pass backwards. Every time almost without fail when the ball was passed to him he played it straight back to the player making the pass; Poveda looked lively and took his goal well; Bamford took his goal well but didn't see anything else as didn't catch the first half; I like the look of Archie Gray; Rutter played Poveda in nicely for his goal. Just wish he was a goal scorer: Great to see Gnonto come on but he did nothing apart from lose the ball - disappointed; A clean sheet was a big bonus.
Well if the 49ers carry on as they are and kamara joins for 5 million it will be a seriously cheap rebuild.
I don’t think it’s all doom and gloom. Yes it looks bad that six or seven first teamers have left but these were players who either threw in the towel or weren’t good enough (with the possible exception of Wöber) The squad as it stands hasn’t been weakened by these departures. They added nothing to the cause so no loss. Plus Ampadu is a quality addition. Specialist left back is the priority though. So imo the squad is at least equal to last season. Equal isn’t good enough? Well no it isn’t but they won’t be facing world class players every week like they were last season. The squad as it stands will do some damage in the Championship on the proviso we get the left back situation sorted. And the manager is proven at this level. Possibly one of the best in the Championship. Loads to be positive about
Poveda over the last couple of seasons has played half a dozen top class games. He did it a few times for Blackburn but badly injured had to return to Leeds for months. At Blackpool the following season he again had a few top games but was on the bench for much of the season in a team that got relegated. In my view a massive gamble to make him part of the squad. It would mean a new contract as his present one runs out next summer. FARKE to decide on Poveda, Shackelton, Costa, Bate, Gelhardt, Greenwood, Drameh, Hjelde, Cresswell and remember 8 of these are our former U23 team. There are those who think we wasted our money as none will make it?
I would and would have followed up with a proper somersault instead of that pathetic ear wagging effort
None of those would have made it in the pl. only natural the further down the divisions we drop the better they look. Maybe that’s the Baldrick plan. Drop to league one and they’ll be superstar level
Bamford manages to put himself out injured for months by sliding on his knees celebrating a goal so **** knows what damage he’d do if he celebrated with a somersault
Yeah he'd be better just giving the old sniffer arm raised celebration.... shouldn't strain himself that much unless he raises it past shoulder height
Last season was a shambles on and off the pitch with 4 managers, a useless Bamford, a useless defence. A useless board who managed to kill everything that Bielsa built. This season so far is yet another shambles with an ownership who have done everything wrong so far. A dozen players out with more to go and only one player in, maybe two if Darlow announced today. We have 8 wingers, no adult strikers and only a couple of CBs and one of them remembers Churchills dad. We dint have a LB and not had one for a few years. We have a squad of kids and aging patients from a care home. Not to worry though as things should get better before we play Cardiff
It doesn’t help when you’ve successive owners with zero knowledge of football especially english game which is unique
