Been banging the 433 drum for months, might aswell restart my max bird petition too get him in the midfield 3
I think a 433 suits us more as we only really have pritchard that knows how to play that no10 position in a 4231. I like bird as well, not been as impressed with him this season than previous seasons when I've watched him but he fits the type of young experienced player we should be goong for
Fully agree with this. I just don’t have so much confidence in replacing him with someone current. Hope I’m wrong. I also think we need two attacking players to make 4 3 3 work well. We still need goals” and a left back. We do have the midfielders for it though.
I was speaking to a former director of football of a French club yesterday, hes now a scout for one of the big clubs in France. Asked him if he had heard anything about us (since we love French players) but he hasnt, did say this window is particularly quiet due to financial concerns across Europe plus the asia cup n afrian nations being on is impacting deals I asked his thoughts on m'villa, he says he hasn't heard if we are after him but he did say he thinks he would be ideal for us. Says he still thinks he could play at championship level. The concern he said is that m'villa n his agent were asking for huge wages in the summer, his previous club were offered the chance to sign him and he said the wages they wanted were ridiculous. He says thats why no one has signed him. Also asked him about Ba, he said he loved him as a youngster and couldnt believe when we were able to sign him as top clubs in france were looking at him closely. He said Ba will never be a no10, says we are right to play him on the wing as thats his best position. He said that he always thought Ba would turn into a RB n a very good one as well Just thought id share
I can't see Ba at RB, you'd sacrifice what he's good at without gaining much. Could make a cracking LWB potentially.
https://x.com/cr017_/status/1748842845425852840?s=46&t=lGmS7t3fhKmjcaf4pF4tQw Not sure what a new striker would do when we ignore the current forwards we have like this.
Yeah I agree. either pembele on the right with Pritchard drifting in, or Seelt on the right with Ba providing width. Seelt and Pritchard on the right was never likely to work. my concern is that he didn’t feel he could start Ba at home because of the boos, despite his good game against Ipswich. I’m also concerned he didn’t feel he could drop Pritchard (fans) or Bellingham (KS) so shoehorned them both into the side. Home fans not helping things as it stands. At Ipswich, there was not even a striker warming up for the past 10 mins, yet 1 minute after we started signing “we want a striker”, rusyn came on without warming up. Would have been a brave move to take off Pritchard against hull and replace him with Ba. Possible whole stadium booing. Despite Pritchard not having a good game, and we were crying out for some width. Mowbray called Pritchard is a “spiky” character. Always has an opinion and not afraid to voice it. Pritchard has fallen out with people throughout his career. I would guess he’s not a good calming figure behind the scenes. Not the kind of character we’re looking for in an experienced pro in the dressing room. Think it would really rock the boat to let him leave right now tho.
Has started more games and has played more minutes since Mowbray has left than he did when Mowbray was here. Funny how Mowbray banged on about experience but constantly left Pritchard out.
https://x.com/capt_fishpaste/status/1749031364282716531?s=46&t=XIg9Hh834PQk5XsiYvDETw Bid from Brum rejected
Yeah i was surprised he said it but really respect his opinion. Best game i ever saw Ba play was as a rwb for france u19s, was unreal - this was before we signed him
He’s the 10 I’d play if Pritchard went. Pressing would be class, movement good. Still need a 9 with some physicality, movement, pace and a few league goals behind them. Mind Pritchard would serve more purpose if we had that player and Rusyn would look better at 9 if Pritchard was the 10 not wide.
might also be habit. Neil is used to getting the ball in that position and looking for a winger. If that’s his first instinct he might miss the boat on runs like this.
At least we’ve rejected a bid for him. Completely disagree with selling him at the moment but if we do, at least get the fairest price we can considering his situation
