Transfer Rumours Transfer Rumours - Summer 2018

I agree with the first bit, but we weren’t so bad first half and also could have scored two. I still think we will let in loads though.

We also rotated but you don’t seem to acknowledge that; only that Celta did and almost suggest that is why we got back into it. I thought we scored a couple prior to most of the changes on both sides happened.

 

Just a *tiny joke...

*obviously

 

Of course there's quality, it's tough to become a PL player without some quality. My point is that we don't have the calibre of players that better clubs want, which previously we had. Hojbjerg, Lemina, Gabbi and Elynouassi are the only ones that have a shot, but they need to prove themselves at the top level first.

 

Celta could & should have scored more than 2 in the first half, and they should have scored a few in the 2nd half too.

Celta took Aspas & Sisto off at half time, along with a couple of others.We only looked better in the second half because we had our stronger team out against their weaker side, and we were fitter than Celta due to being further along in our pre season.

 

We're doomed.

 

Two points, they weren't far superior in the first half they just scored a great goal and capitalised on poor defending, the general play was pretty even and Saints could've scored as couple themselves. Secondly our first half team won't be the one that lines up against Burnley.

 

Yes, we have to remember that losing a preseason game means we’re rubbish, but winning a preseason game means, well, that we’re rubbish.

 

Oh, and the third point and very relevant one, it was a pre-season friendly, you can't say what we will be like until we play competitively properly.

 

You are also forgetting Soares and Bertrand, both good fullbacks, and Targett who played so well for Fulham during their promotion run and were interested in signing.. Add in McCarthy and Gunn, and the new Danish defender. Admittedly there are weaknesses, and perhaps some of the players in the squad are not PL standard. For now, the jury is out until we get underway. We can begin to see how the season unfolds by the end of October, after the disruptions due to the eternal international breaks.

 

I don't rate Cedric as highly as some on here do, but he's obviously a huge improvement on McQueen. Tbf I did quite like Targett at RWB, his delivery on his weak foot is better than Cedric on his stronger foot. It also gives an air of unpredictability attacking down that side as Targett is capable of cutting inside or outside, it's no coincidence that two of our goals came through him on the right. I did like the look of Vestergaard, but he's going to be flanked by two weak defenders and there's a limit as to how much he can negate their weakness. As you said, the jury is still out, but considering we only have one friendly left before kick off and seemingly no new faces, I don't feel that we are much stronger than we were last season, and under Hughes I feel that our weak defence is going to be even more exposed than it was under Pellegrino.

 

Plus we still have Yoshida to come back, our most experienced CB and potentially the glue in our defence.

 

I sort of agree and don't with you here

They will be more exposed, but I also think we will be creating (or at least trying to create more), so rather than 0-0 or losing 1-0, we'll have a few 3-2 or 4-3 (hopefully winning) games.

The fact you acknowledge that we are marginally stronger under Hughes can only be good, as what ever failings he has, he is an experienced Premier League manager and not a clueless imposter like we had before.

 

I suspect you're right with regards to seeing higher scorelines this year, it can't be any more dull than last season at least.

I do think we'll have more impetus going forward under Hughes, and I really liked Hojbjergs movement off the ball when he came on last night. He was pushing up with Gabbi/Austin at times which caused Celta problems. He's also capable of sitting deeper, winning the ball back and distributing. He's got a footballing brain beyond anyone else in our squad, it's easy to see why Pep rated him so highly at Bayern. I do worry that we lack the quality to break PL teams down though, a lot will rest on Elynouassi and Gabbi, who hopefully will get an extended run playing off Austin, I thought they looked good together last night.

 

Strewth............Some of you moan when we lose and also moan when we win...............Just bear in mind guys we have just about had the two most boring and negative managers ever, over the last couple of years. Getting the players to change the system not to mention blending in the new players is going to take time. The one thing pleasing me at the moment is that we are actually scoring goals. A trait we kinda missed for while last year!! No doubt sparky has got a few faults to iron out........He'll get there no doubt but needs a bit of time............lets just have a bit of patience..............

 

Don’t agree with much of this but I do agree about Cedric. I think that our right hand side has been a huge problem since Clyne left. I can’t quote stats but my gut tells me that very little of our threat comes down the right. I don’t think we convert many chances from that side. Makes us very predictable and easy to defend against.

 

Is this directed at me? I haven't been on here after a defeat, and I'm offering my opinion of the game last night. Is that not what a football forum is for? Just because it's not all positive (I have made positive & negative comments on last nights game) that doesn't equate to moaning.

 

Fair enough, it would be boring if we all agreed on everything though.

 

Think Beddy was generalising...he said 'guys'.

 

Fair point. Just feels like people are far too quick to shoot down anyone on here who offers an opinion that isn't 100% positive about things. It's not surprising that this forum has dropped in popularity and activity.

 

You expect Gallagher to score 6-10 goals in the PL?