Such a tricky one. He’s been superb, best player this season. He’s improved on the ball with confidence and I don’t mind the idea of him and Luke CM, Evans will be first choice but already looking like he will kiss a few games. Huggins pace looks a weapon and it looks to me like him and Cirkin have been deliberately signed to mirror each side and peg teams back, Embo is a nailed on starter right now. Neil looks like he will be the best of them all. We aren’t overloaded but we suddenly have fantastic options. What’s great about them CM choices is they are all different and can all change the Balance and setup. It’s a 46 game season and we clearly aren’t gonna toss the cups in, there’s enough games to keep everyone happy, but now enough options to not see us burn out again.
In my opinion we're in the happy situation of having versatile players who'll be comfortable with various positions. We can now also rotate the squad so we don't end up exhausted as we did last season. Each 'spot' will be whoever is in it at that time imo.
The first thing that struck me watching Huggins is that he's naturally right footed. He didn't seem to use his left foot all that much. I'd ****ing love to get an insight from start to finish how we are making these deals and what we are saying to these players. It seems like the lads are absolutley buzzing to come and play in the third division when the truth is most, if not all, could realistically expected moves to the Championship. We've got some astute professionals running the show, now.
Totally agree. Us and Wednesday looks streets ahead, not that that ever tends to be how it works out. Our advantage over them will come if and when we go up as we’ve signed players of a better age and chance to improve, but they’re the ones we will be fighting. Proper clubs that as well, how the **** are us and Wednesday in this league man? How!
Aye I was saying this last night mate. The players we are getting are players major clubs wanted to keep., or at least we’re happy to keep. They are signing long deals in some cases and looking genuinely happy to drop 2 leagues. I would love to hear the sales pitch from Speakman and co as it must be some vision.
Very good points made mate. Neil is outstanding with the passes he sees and makes. He will get a decent amount if assists this season.
I think Neil is either the future of the club, or he’s the next like the 2 Jordan’s. I know we at a low level but his natural ability and vision is ridiculous. He’s knocking passes out that we haven’t seen at the club for years. He’s going to be a special player, and unlike last season where he sometimes looked overrawed when he got minutes, looks like he thinks he belongs now. Love having him and Embo shining in there, don’t we all!
Never wanted to come in the first place so resented being here and that really showed. He had a huge opportunity to play for the biggest club he ever would and he didn't have the balls for the task.
**** him. We won’t even remember the ****er. We weren’t arsed about Wyke and he scored 40plus goals for the club.
Well that was a bloody good transfer window, topped of by Grigg going. Well done the recruitment team! Let's hope we can keep this early season form up, the young lads improve each week as they get into the groove of regular first team football and we show real intent at every game. The one thing that strikes me is the options we have in most positions, it should keep the starting 11 on their toes as they will know we have options to replace them. This season is going to be a roller-coaster but I honestly believe it will be one with a happy ending
Nothing better than a local lad coming through the academy. Especially when they love the club, due to family etc. I remember seeing Maja and the young Swede (forget his name) in a interview with Defoe. I think he took a bit of time to develop them and I remember thinking they won't stick around long. I think Embo and Neil would need a lot to have their heads turned. I know awe heard Embo was grumbling a bit in the summer but seems like it was more wanting a chance than wanting to go. Both on 2 assists and Embo has a goal aswell some start fro their first season starting with us.
Aye, there’s always going to be a level though. It’s like with Henderson and Pickford, they were only staying if we were competing for Europe or trophies, and for all the progress we are making that’s a long way from even being a conversation. I think with Neil in particular it just looks nailed in he will play PL football, hopefully we can get there in 2-4 years and he doesn’t need to move. We are now in the wonderful position that we have owners and teams running the club that know what they are doing, so contracts and fees will be correctly protecting the club, and these players will only ever go on clubs terms. We are, and it’s clear, setting up a model that will see us sell players to sustain the club, and that’s fine. Southampton are a fine example of making that work, but I think we can do a better job than them potentially and keep a few more. Saints get a lot of young lads who aren’t Saints fans by being the biggest club in the catchment area by a distance. A lot of our young lads are massive SAFC fans so we have greater chance of keeping as they develop if the clubs at a level to fill their ambition. It’s all really exciting times.
I was a little bit surprised at Maja going. I was sat near his family at an away game and they were loving it, loads of people talking to them and having a laugh with them. They seemed to be genuinely pleased to be involved with the club and with the fans. He wasn't a local lad though, so he probably didn't feel the same connection to the club as some of the current crop of youngsters. I've been impressed with the way Johnson and his team have handled the youngsters. They didn't allow themselves to be pressured into playing the prospects before they were ready. It seems clear to me that players like Neil needed just that little bit longer, last season, before he was ready for the first team. At that age, progression can be sudden and rapid.
There was always a school of thought that Maja thought he was staying and expected to sign. The STID came out and was all over his face he knew he was going. Like you say, no local ties with him, we need to stem losing them below that age as well but looks like that’s already been addressed. Frustrating seeing some on United’s biggest prospects being ones we let get away.
That's all it boils down too. His arse fell out. Even Mcgeady spoon fed him a goal to get him off the mark. Everyone has bent over backwards for him while he's been here.
Obviously a lot of that was down to Donald and his mate not running things properly. I have every faith that KLD will rectify those problems. I don't really blame Maja for going, given where the club was at at that time. You can't rely on player loyalty, especially with lads that have no other connection to the club.
