Will the money be there? 25 million is a big spend considering we were told 10 was available. Have the club more up tricks up their sleeve? They're 1 or 2 good players and luck with injuries away from pushing for top 10 imo
I think we will definitely sign at least one or two loans. They are reporting we've interest in this brazilian defensive midfielder Ederson from Corinthians. I think we will still be in the market but will be slaves to other clubs. Being greedy I'd still like to see a holding midfielder, a right back, a left back, and striker. Being realistic we need to hope Lewis can improve, Ritchie and Murphy can maintain last second half seasons form, Dummett can get back to his best, and Krafth gets lost on the way to training, being swallowed up by a mysterious monster. I think we are weak in the full back/wing back areas and up top, but the priority is two central midfielders. If we sign Willock and one more central midfielder I'd be happy. The less we see Shelvey the better. Longstaff improved marginally in the 2nd half of the season (like most), and will provide decent back up.
I was going to mention Murphy actually he's really starting to come through isn't he? I like ritchie in the side ahead of Lewis though. Shelvey despite many flaws is way better than Longstaff, but I'm actually still hoping the rafa silva link wasn't just a back up plan... It was though more than likely...
The problem we have though with all our current full backs is that they are not full backs but wing backs. I'd much prefer to play a back 4 to allow a more attacking presence but Murphy will never be a right back and unless we have someone who will support Lewis he'll never be a good left back. Pouchy is right in that we need two full backs. Ones that can play naturally in a back 4 so that some games we play a back 4 and some we play a back 5
I think if we can get a holding midfielder of the required quality, we may see that change. I can understand the reluctance a little because we go to pieces across the middle. We need someone with a calming influence with a good head on their shoulders. Just someone to let the flair players play and keep some semblance of shape.
My guess is after willock that'll be us done, but I didn't think we'd cough up 25 million on him, so really it's not out the question. I've been saying for a while now that Ashley has been much better since our last relegation.. This is now 125 million in the last 2 years and we've not been selling our best players at the 1st opportunity. I understand he's been a **** and enough to make me boycott, but I'm fine with things and I'm going back on Sunday.
Murphy did well last year. Personally not convinced at all, and I feel the same about Ritchie maintaining his form, Dummett getting back on form (he's never ever fit anyway), and Lewis actually becoming a player. I think we've dropped another clanger scouting wise there. Murphy is looked at generously for me, he still actually had a lot of poor games. Its just his form was so horrific previous. I'd have Longstaff ahead of Shelvey all day long. One runs and tries for the team. One doesn't - there is only enough room for ASM in this regard. Longstaff needs to get back to keeping it simple, he's believed the hype a little. He has never looked the same since that injury, but he actually did ok at times last season. Long way to go, but far better bet than Shelvey who will only get worse from here on in. Still should have took the Man U money of course, but I do find it amusing when our fans get up in arms about that, forgetting that most of them were saying "don't sell him, we need to keep him, he will be worth more in a year" etc etc. Fans just constantly bask in the ability to live in hindsight. Managers/clubs don't have such a luxury. I'd still like a cheeky bid for Willems unless he's been snapped up? Injury prone of course but would offer quality over both Ritchie and Lewis.
I think he does as much as you can expect from a man who has openly stated he doesn't want to be there.
Lewis in the first few games of the season looked good, showed good pace down the line and eager to get the ball in the box. However, not the best defensively. But, we only ever really saw him as part of a back 4. Now we are playing a back 5 with wing backs, I think he is a lot more suited to that role and it would be interesting to see him given a shot there.
Funnily enough I quite like the lad Norwich have on the right as far as wing backs go. Aarons looks exciting at times going forward.
No he isn't. He is young and needs support. That's what Liverpool we going to do with him. Hence why it's only now is Murphy beginning to look ok
