Nope. Although the Turkish transfer window is still open until tomorrow. Onuachu, Sulemana & ABK were clearly players we wanted to get rid of. Not only is that somewhere between £15m-£30m transfer revenue we didn't receive, but probably £100k+ a week in wages.
Well, sounds like he is ringing the changes. Said in today's press conf that he had a gut feeling after the Brentford game on what the team should be moving forward and he's sticking to it. He says changes are 'inevitable' and he wanted to be loyal to last year's group but he has some brilliant new options now... How many changes, do we think? Fernandes in from the start for sure, I reckon
Assuming he keeps the same shape I think it's a safe bet the 3 CB's and the WB's stay the same. I think both Aribo and Smallbone drop out, with Fernandes and one of Dibling or Lallana coming in. Hopefully Archer starts as well.
I think Smallbone drops out for Fernandes, Arma drops out for Dibling and I reckon Taylor drops out and we play a back 4 and Archer comes in.
Wouldn't surprise me if Yuki makes way for Charlie Taylor to play LB and balance up the back line a bit too
Yeah, this wouldn't surprise me although extremely harsh. I think I'm kinda in two minds because of this with the shape.
I hope not - he's been one of our best players. He's outperforming KWP at the moment so if anything drop him for Taylor.
In fairness KWP is playing out of position so I wouldn't say it is something to base the decision on. But Suguwara has been brilliant, so definitely a tough decision to be made there.
Yeah I'd keep it the same TBH. KWP has done a decent enough job on the left and I can't justify dropping Suguwara.
I'm keen to see a return to 4 across the back but with Downes & Lesley in a double pivot to ensure we are still solid at the back, at least against stronger sides.
Yeah, I agree too. Just wonder if the Japan travel and late return to training might impact things, given Martin has had two weeks with KWP and Taylor on the training ground
Ramsdale Sugawara Stephens THB Bednarek KWP Downes Fernandes Aribo Armstrong BBD I think will be the team. 2-0 United
5 at the back is killing us, it leaves us a player light in the middle allowing the other team to press without fear. Not to mention, it relies on a CB to push on into midfield who isnt capable of playing on the half turn. I do think it might be needed against the top teams in a modified form but we can't be playing it against the rest. People say formations dont matter but they absolutely do, i mean if we played 10 0 0 the entire match would be played in our penalty area - not unlike what actually happens at times with a back 5
Just went and watched the press conference from earlier today. Not sure how so many people on Twitter specifically seem to be getting in a tizz about RM's comments on loyalty and team selection, I'm struggling to see how he could be clearer without naming the lineup Not exactly verbatim but pretty close: It is a difficult position for me to be in because I do feel fiercely loyal to the guys who got us to the Premier League. But I've been in this position as a player and I know that now you have to balance loyalty with what some people in the team are doing and where they are at right now with their performances. Also, with the level of talent that has come into the building, we've got some brilliant new players here now. With new players you want to take time to bring them into the team and work their way in, understand what's going on before they are starting games. Last season we had to wait a bit of time before introducing new players because it was very different for them. But maybe this season I haven't got that right before now. Out of loyalty we kept going with the guys before the break because we felt like we were close - but then the Brentford game happens. Now it's inevitable that changes will be made and other people will get the opportunities and they have to take them.
Well living near Derby i can tell you that many of their fans will finally have the millstone around their neck removed and put around ours