It still ends up being a challenge to find the right one, though. Spend £4m on a more natural 6 and that comes with expectation to play legit first choice minutes. That doesn't really work for us right now. Or we bring in a young talent to acclimatise and then we run the risk of having parked that money somewhere where it won't impact us in 24/25. Meanwhile we know that Ekwah is capable of dominating at this level (I disagree that he has no role in the current team btw - he can develop as either 6 or 8 IMO) and he's young enough to have plenty of room to grow. Guess it all depends on if he is willing to bide his time. Don't love the idea of kicking the can down the road just 'because', though. And I maintain that the negativity around Ekwah is divorced from the reality of what he's produced in red and white - even accounting for a drop-off last season.
Every time I've seen Harrison Jones play I've been impressed. If Ekwah and Aouchiche were to both leave we clearly do need another midfield option. But if just one leaves, I wouldn't mind seeing Jones appearing on the bench every now and then.
Question is.....do we still want Mendy? With the Clarke cash we can afford Cannon/Simic and Mendy so I can see us waiting until Friday to see who blinks first
Agreed. Different position, but I also like Caden Kelly - the lad looks great on the ball and has quick feet.
Think he's a promising player for sure. But whenever he drops into the 6 spot he tends to exhibit all the issues that Ekwah does, but x100 - and at a lower level. If Aouchiche moves on I'd be happy with him stepping in (since Aouchiche is very much an attacking midfielder/10 in a shape that doesn't use one in possession). If Ekwah goes, we'll need more IMO.
My gut tells me we get no movement on any striker until Thursday, then it will all kick off and we'll get 2 out of the 3 both announced Friday. Simic for me remains the priority. So I don't think we should be doing anything that counts us out of signing him whilst he's still an option.
If Ekwah is a £6m+ player does that not come with him wanting guaranteed minutes as well though? The 6 that comes in doesn't have to cost that much either, it could be an older head or a full on developmental signing. Just someone who can replace Neil without losing what he brings. I don't see the fit in the current system personally when you look at the profiles of the current starting midfielders and what they are being asked to do but I do like him as a player. Think I said on here a few months ago that if all of our players reach their full ceiling he'd probably be the best player.
First comment on that Caen signing is some moron saying ‘so he used us to get a new contract’ ****ing hell man
Just one other point on the midfielder issue. Considering we defend in a 4-4-2 shape there's now less need, IMO, in a strong destoryer type defensive midfielder. We don't play with that role. We defend with two in the middle rather than one. Arguably the player we don't have a back up for is Neil. So we need somebody with a similar profile to him.
Similar to my view on the midfield situation, I think the mix is important. My guess is that Cannon would arrive with expectation of 'first choice' minutes. Guessing at his age, Mendy would too. Not too sure about Simic since he's nearly a year younger than Cannon and coming from abroad. We're only gonna have around 5000 league minutes available for strikers and a first choice takes at least 3000 of them. Do the remainder end up being adequate for another 'first choice' plus Mayenda's development and chances through the middle for Isidor? For me the aim should be Simic and Mendy/Cannon - albeit I'd make my peace with any two from three I guess
It's great to be having this discussion rather than the "who the **** can we play up front?" one from the last 18 months. We will feel the Clarke departure at times this season (I wait to see how this board and twatter reacts when we lose a couple) but it feels like it's been a move for the greater good.
Think that's the crux of it IMO. Does he back himself to wait around and force his way in? For me it's a bird in the hand thing. I'd rather give Ekwah another year to figure it out - particularly with the spectre of losing Neil, Jobe and Rigg on the horizon. Won't be the end of the world if we don't, but would be a bit of a shame in my view.
Yep I’ve been saying that when people keep crying for a DCM. We don’t really use one except in quick turnovers
