Agree this is a shocking state of our recent transfer activity which I think was heavily influenced by Maggie Byrne negotiations but onwards now . imooc - Recent club activity shows ES is getting his head around the football side of things - BSA and our new Chief Exec are bringing him up to speed. We'll be the suprise team next season - imooc
we didn't miss him once he'd gone though. Fletcher was **** and we certainly wouldn't have been relegated if he hadn't been there. Might have been if he had From @Bri OBE list is anyone else hoping that Maksymilian turns into a first teamer! What a name
He's rated by the club mate so who knows, he will be out on loan again for at least a year worth keeping an eye on, he signed a new deal about 6 month back. I'd love Sam & Lens to get sorted cos the lad has unreal ability, he just be on a monster salary as well considering we brought him from Ukraine, he will have been on a fortune over there.
Agree mate. Lens is a class player without application. One of the best we've got without a doubt. If Sam can get him and his head sorted he's the level of player that Mvila and Kirchhoff are!
I'd rather this happened than we spent 15 million quid on Ayew. If Allardyce is as wonderful as some people make out he should know how to handle Lens.
I'd suggest Ayew in addition to, being opposite footed. I've said a few times I think Ayew is close to an ideal signing for balance, him or Townsend. We probably need at least 2 left sided players, to have Lens and Borini both available fighting for the other flank would be superb.
Get what you're saying but then what happens with Watmore and Khazri? Is 5 players for two wide positions not a waste of a squad place? Because, as much as I'd like to see it happen, I can't see him moving Khazri into a number 10 role
See I can see that happening, Khazri absolutely has the ability to play there, lovely touch, he can see a pass and he can shoot. It would cost us mega money to sign a CAM with more ability than Khazri so I think it's more likely he will adapt him, Borini was outstanding in that role against Chelsea's as well of course. I don't see it as 5 into 2, as Khazri, Lens can both play both sides or centre, Borini can play wide, central or up top, Ayew can play up front or wide. It's the kind of options we need and never have had, I think Watmore is till a season away from being a starter and will continue his development as an impact sub, again, he's shown he can play both sides and was a striker at Altrincham I believe, could be wrong on that. I think we could manage all 5 in the squad, not as if we'd be carrying deadwood we'd have real options.
That's what I mean though- Khazri can and should be playing centrally but Allardyce has had opportunities to try it already and hasn't. You're right about those players being able to play in a variety of positions too, but the players that we're apparently looking for suggest to me that he sees certain players in certain roles and isn't going to deviate from that.
To be honest though, I think its an irrelevant point anyway because I think its more likely that he doesn't fancy Lens and we'll see the back of him
Aye that's the most likely, Lens will be moved on and hopefully we see a few quid back. We do need a CM and Khazri could do it, if not we need someone to play ahead of Jan and I hope Yann who can see a pass, we ain't had that for years. Sam usually finds a ball player, despite certain other clubs fans suggesting he bypasses midfield!
Both Ayew and Khazri can both play a central AM role, and watmore and borini can play both flanks and up front. It would be a very adaptable frontline with options. What a team needs in this league. Think Ayew or someone similar will be the wide/AM we're looking for and will be the 'Marquee' Signing of the summer. New first choice RB, a back up LB, new CB, striker and a box to box. I count 6 signings we need. All.
Agree. I think Ayew would be a very savvy buy, not sure why a few seem against, he's shown he's capable in the league. No doubt we are looking at the Euros, there was nowt in the Romania side, I'll be watching the games today with interest. I think we've a few irons in for CB and RB, it's that elusive CM with a bit of class we need. We could be watching the Copa as well but we don't do great with South Americans, bar Julio.
I think the Copa is the reason Sam didn't travel to the Euros. Makes sense to take in two tournaments from home rather go to just the one and probably not have the time to take in the copa games. Looking forward to seeing the Slovakia team tbh, their improvement has been fantastic.
Yeah definite dark horses, them and Poland a few will be watching, Poland have a lot of pace and skill going forward. There will be a surprise team I think and it could be one of those 2 or Switzerland who have a handful of genuinely quality players.
imo this is typical of BSA's stat-driven mindset - a totally focussed football man - utilises situations to a max which mirrors ES mindset in the business world. I really feel our set-up will be firing on all cylinders next season with the team suprising many - A strange position for us supporters though - onwards
