Longman needs to stay wide for me. KLP replacing Wilks, with Williams on the wing. Elder looked sloppy when he came on today....
Never easy getting up to speed when coming on after an hour has already been played, even more so when dropping into a defensive role, for me as long as he is fit Elder goes into the left wing back role all day long.
Minor point, its the EFL who its with not the FA, no idea if that changes timeframes but their criteria aren't exactly the same from various situations in the past.
Baz Cooper on Twitter has updated.... Not sure there's any secret, or someone "in the know".... Usual due diligence, contractual stuff.... A £30m deal isn't a quick piece of business to conclude.
That back 3 absolutely set in stone atm, all 3 of them so so comfortable on the ball, whether playing it round at the back or bringing it our of defence, smallwood is just a completely different player in front of a back 3,no longer needs to drop in to pick the ball up so he can focus on his game. Out wide longman and klp get the ball in space and able to run at players rather than getting it to feet with a full back up their arse. Just glorious all round and a pleasure to watch
Elder was brought on to combat their no2who was very fast and clever and caused us a lot of problems - he was given far too much space on our left side - good player
They've signed it off. As far as the Allams are concerned it's done. Only EFL can stop it at this stage - potentially. It's stage management now.
I assume that the contract has been signed and exchanged with a condition precedent that it comes into full force and effect, ie completion, after the EFL has signed it off regarding whether Acun meets their fit and proper persons test - presumably that entails making sure that his financial situation is sound and that there is no evidence of money laundering, bankruptcies, other directorships / interests in other companies / shareholdings, conflicts of interest, etc etc etc - this may involve them securing relevant financial information from Turkey which may or may not take time - these conditions usually have a drop dead date say a month by which time either approval must be given or the 'contract' falls and does not come into effect and any monies paid are returned - I would expect payment has already been made and is being kept in Escrow - without a drop dead date and with no approval forthcoming both parties could be kept in limbo which would be totally unacceptable - which is why I would expect 'completion' to be within a couple of weeks at the latest
Firstly, I have to say I was wrong about Richie Smallwood, and he can play at this level. It's clear that in the 433 formation he was overrun a lot of the time, but since going to this 352, he looks a different player. He, Docherty, and Honeyman were outstanding in the middle of the park, not only in this game but against Birmingham and Cardiff. In addition, McLoughlin hasn't put a foot wrong. Bernard was a good as ever and Greaves has now stepped up to another level and is really looking the complete player. KPL also looks a different player and Magennis had a good game, the only player who isn't up to it at present is Wilk's, he looks uninterested, so why he is starting God only knows. Longman looks a far better bet on the right, I would hope the next game Same back 3, Elder/Smallwood/Docherty/Honeyman/Longman across the middle, with KLP/Magennis up top. Finally, even though this has to some degree been forced on him, credit to McCann for changing things and getting 4 wins on the trot.