Can't agree with this at all, 28 year old Mulumbu on a free transfer would be an absolutely fantastic bit of business if you ask me - great start to the transfer window if there is any mileage in the story (and it sounds like there is).
So, if I'm not mistaken, our current squad situation is Leeds 2 - 2 West Brom (when / if the Mulumbu deal is finalised)
Fair point here: Daniel Brigham @dan_brigham Mulumbu: good signing and should ensure we never again see Johnson deployed as a holding midfielder.
I would imagine it is likely that we would play with two DM's sometimes next season, so Tetty alongside Mulumbu would be awesome.
This would be a really strong defensive position with both capable of pushing on. When we were last in the PL our midfield looked best with Tettey and Fer playing behind Howson but all three interchanging. Unfortunately Tettey got injured and we never regained that.
I also hope that the Mulumbu rumour is true. It'd be a very good signing and replace Johnson as a holding midfielder, so that he can concentrate on his new role on the left where he is strong going forward and when tracking back to help Olsson, which will be even more important in the PL. Am I right in thinking that Mulumbu can also play on the left in the BJ type role as well?
On another tack, I came across an interesting quote from Kyle Lafferty: "I'll report back to pre-season in early July and I'm hoping to be in the manager's (Alex Neil) plans. Another good performance against Romania and hopefully another goal or two will put my name in his head. I've never played in the Premier League before and I'd love the opportunity to see what it's like and how I do against some of the best players in the world." http://www.teamtalk.com/northern-ireland/9881205/-?
Good find Rick. I have no idea how Kyle would perform in the Prem. I think he was possibly slightly unlucky to not score a few more goals in the Championship last season. Performs well enough for his country, but can't help thinking his opportunities in terms of being selected in the starting line-up are going to be limited.
I always thought Lafferty looked class and offered something unique to the squad that I really liked as a tactical option. Completely agree with you JK that he was arguably unlucky last season, but also that he's unlikely to be one of the first names on the team sheet whatever happens. Lafferty may well be the sort of player where so long as he's centre of attention and he's getting the rub of the green, he can look brilliant (i.e. for NI) but his head goes down (or gets completely lost) far too easily. Very immature still I think.
Mulumbu would be great signing for us imo - we need cover for Tettey and Mulumbu has always looked good when I've seen hm play. Does this mean that The Baggies now become the new Feeds ?
I'm glad to see the reception to Mulumbu is largely positive. Would be a great addition and can't argue with a free transfer. I really hope it comes off because Tettey has had a lot of injury and fitness problems and there is also the possibility of playing both together. For those who aren't convinced by Mulumbu, fear not as I'm sure we will be linked to more 'exciting' players as we get into the transfer window.
Has everyone seen the McNally piece today, saying he's expecting 5-7 additions, with perhaps 4 or 5 of them being at the very least UK based, if not British? The emphasis seems to be on building a squad that can very much compete, without taking major risks. Then perhaps a couple of overseas gambles to perhaps really boost us, but not leave us short should they flop. He apparently expects some business in June, but most of it to come later. To my mind, Mulumbu fits the bill perfectly for that. A couple of seasons ago I was incredibly jealous of him in the West Brom midfield, and there was definitely talk of him moving to greater things. I'd be really pleased to see him sign, it seems like a steal on a free. Must surely signal the end of O'Neill, he'd be 4th choice defensive midfielder at best. As others have said, Tettey and Mulumbu shielding our back 4, would look very strong, and I think Mulumbu has enough about him that we'd be less hamstrung trying to play forwards compared to Hughton playing Johnson alongside Tettey. If we manage to sign Dorrans, Mulumbu and Brady for less than a combined £10m in transfer fees, I'd be very happy. It would still leave us a sizeable kitty to chase a defender and striker, and whatever else Neil feels we need.
I was going to post about McNally's comments too DH, but you beat me to it! Completely agree with this approach - we are in an unusual promoted club position in that we already have a "Premier League" squad in terms of experience. 10 average PL players won't improve our team, five players for the price of ten might.
I don't quite understand McNally's '6 or 7 new players'. Like others, I suspect that if Mulumbu does come in, O'Neil is likely to go out. That still leaves a squad of 24 players. With question marks around Miquel, Lafferty, RvW and possibly Hooper, E.Bennett, and Andreu is that the thinking, or could the cuts go deeper?
I don't think it's unrealistic for McNally to be considering the sale of players who haven't contributed to our promotion significantly, or who weren't involved in the Prem before. Miquel and both Bennett's have had limited involvement, Hooper doesn't fit a single striker system comfortably, Lafferty was unwanted in the championship, Turner is probably a goner. Granted the squad was in a completely different shape, but there were plenty of fringe players not given a chance last time we went up.
Only thing I would query about your assessment is the fact that with Turner, Bennett and Miquel going and Garrido already gone we would need to buy 4 or 5 new defenders. If Mulumbu arrives that doesn't a lot left in the estimate of 5/7 incomings.
Agree it does seem to be the defenders who have their heads on the block, and if Brady was considered replacement for Miquel, that would still leave us needing to sign two centre backs and a right back to have a standard defensive unit. I suspect some of the names mentioned will go, but equally wouldnt be surprised by the departure of someone deemed important who is perhaps more easily replaced.
