Express, well known for its accurate and unbiased reporting.... In a parallel universe on a flat planet with two moons.
We still have to trim the squad also, I'm really comfortable with whst we have currently, also whilst blending the youth.
Failing to strengthen the squad this January says to me that we will be happy with survival again. No ambition to reach Euro spots. Counterpoint - we have plenty of forward options with Adams, Obafemi, Djenepo, Boof, Redmond, Long. There is a combination there for Ralph to work with. We are however one injury away from trouble at the back as there are no first team options to step in at LB or RB and the CBs we have don't seem to be up to the job. CM we are the same, there is no replacement at the moment for PEH or JWP as Romeu is a different style.
It’s amazing how a winning streak changes the perception of our squad. 2 months ago we needed to bin half of them! Defence is still a big concern, we do need another CB and probably fullback. And we only have 1 consistent goal scorer. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a defender come in, the rest we can cope with until summer.
Well, 2 months ago Hojbjerg couldn't tackle or pass, Cedric couldnt tackle, jump or cross, Bertrand was running at 50%, Redmond could only run into tackles and dead ends, Stephens was assisting oppo attacks and Romeu was passionately resisting every pass that wasn't sideways or backwards. There's a bit more changed than just the date
True, and I myself felt we needed major reinforcements. But they are still the same players. I’m not saying we’re wrong to change our opinion, just noting that it’s interesting. Im very happy that we don’t need to panic buy.
Leicester after Bertrand if Chilwell goes to Chelsea. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/f...n-Rodgers-lines-replacement-Ben-Chilwell.html
This would make sense. Bertrand has been very inconsistent over the last 2-3 seasons with rumours always around, about him leaving. This could also be part of the reason of not strengthening this month as I think Ralph still wants a big overhaul of the squad, and the way of getting decent offers, are for these players to be playing in a team playing well (currently). For this Bertrand is a fine example, where at present he is playing more like his old self, so is generating interest from other teams, hence increasing possible transfer fee. Just a theory, though I would prefer to strengthen this January, especially at LB
I'm not surprised that we aren't looking to do much/any business. I wonder how much we would have done if we hadn't had this recent purple patch of form and results. We're still in the fight, we could just as easily slip back into it in the next 6 weeks as we 'got out of it' in the past 6 weeks. Whilst we have a fully fit squad, a striker that is on fire and a team that are all playing at their very best we need to continue to get the points on the board because it's a very fine line. Despite our recent form, I don't think we've suddenly got a great team or squad. 6 weeks doesn't change 4 years of poor football and 3 years of relegation fights. To me this is just a purple patch. Much like that half a season when Shane Long couldn't stop scoring. We still have a lot of work to do on the team IMO and if we leave it as we are, we might be absolutely fine, we might finish top 10, but we could just as easily slip back down into the mix. It's gamble and I guess that's a lot of what football is. Fingers crossed Ralph can continue keeping this team in the purple.
With you RSS, but I think (hope) it will be more difficult for slip back in the next 6 weeks. For that two things need to happen not one, we need to be **** and a few teams need their own purple patch. If all teams are **** then we will remain where we are Our 'rise' upwards coincided with Bompey, Villa and even West Ham and Brighton to an extent not doing the business. Looking forward we are 4 wins IMO from safety with 16 left to play. In my positive mind, happy days To stray back on subject, I don't think we need to panic buy, if the right person is there go for it, if not we 'should' have enough to still be in the Prem next year.
Given recent results, we don't need to strengthen. But that's only if we continue this form, which isn't guaranteed. 2-4 wins and a few draws should see us safe, and that's easily achievable. However, do we show ambition and try to push on, or do we settle for 4 wins and 12 losses from the remaining games just to survive? I'd still like a CB and a fullback, not to come into the team, but as depth. There could be a big overhaul in the summer and it would be nice to have one or two new players already settled rather than hoping for another Koeman window where all signings work straight away. Is Ralph's contract up this summer, or next summer? Will he be looking to build a squad or to move on?
IF true i would let him go. We'd get a fair fee ( i would hope) for a player that has served us well. There's been rumblings for some time that he would be keen to move on and i wish him well whenever that may be. We've clearly been scouting Full backs, so a loan until the summer would be ok.
The timing makes sense, but it would concern me to be looking for both first team full back replacements. We have struggled to find a working combination, and then we are all ready to shake it all up again. Could see Jacks form hit a wall pretty quickly, which would be so unfair on him.
Yep , ideally sell Ryan for a good fee in the summer but if he went now, it would be because we have a replacement lined up. As in say, we have been scouting the position so it shouldnt be a panic buy. And yes Jack has been outstanding over the festive period and beyond, really pleased for him
I don’t feel we can let anyone go at the moment. Delicate balance having a squad playing well. Bringing in a new player straight to the first team - we have no backup at LB - would be a real gamble, especially as we would buying potential rather than world class. Let him go in the summer if he wants out.
Why are we all happy to offload Bertie? He’s playing well. I don’t want to see him go, with Cedrics contract up we are likely to need a new RB, why do we want to replace L+R? As for CB we will buy to compete for a place not as ‘back up’.