I've always found him a bit hit and miss but I think the fee and wages they paid for him were just daft. On a reasonable wage, yes, he'd probably be quite a good asset
With the compressed games and higher number of subs, the concept that he won't get a huge chunk of playing time is quite a silly one.
?? That's not even close to what I was responding to you about. The discussion was about owners selling players with one year to go v letting them leave for free.
I think it’s even sillier the idea Tufan or Traoré can walk into our side. They have to prove they can do all what George has done for City and more to steal his place in the team from him. I’m all for giving Tufan a chance in particular, but after a season with Watford in which he stood out as poor in a poor side, he has a lot to prove with us.
Tufan and Traore aren't being signed to sit on the bench, I think that's pretty clear. I wasn't sure letting Smallwood go was the right call, I was swinging both ways but it appears we're going to replace him with Seri so that's shut me right up. We'll clearly replace George so it's important to see who will be coming in before judging I feel. The Allam days are gone where the replacement was at a fraction of the price of the player we'd just sold. To be honest, George was the key creative force in a side that created **** all and that is sometimes ignored. It's a solid move for him, but he's not going to a top 6 contender and there isn't a queue of clubs after him either
You made a general comment about owners selling players with one year left which is why I brought up Salah as an example (and there are plenty of others).
No player should be a guaranteed first XI player. I'm sure Forss wasn't brought in to sit on the bench either. I think Milwall are a top 6 contender, I don't think they'll be that much worse than this season just past despite losing Wallace.
Judging by the squad we’ll need a few more than 10, especially if the ones Baz has mentioned would be allowed to go if an offer comes do go.
I think Forss was just brought in as a body late on to cover us for the rest of the season after we failed to get other targets and he wasn't an experienced international player either But we're getting the 3 midfielders, we wanted Twine too along with intending to keep KLP. Allahyar will probably play from the right and we're bringing in 2 centre forwards too Assuming we're still in the market for a similar player to Twine, that doesn't leave much room for Honeyman at all. From last year, as of right now, Millwall have lost Ballard, Afobe, Wallace and Kieftenbeld. They've got a lot of replacing to do
It's been said a few times but there's still plenty of room for Honeyman to start upwards of 20 games and come off the bench in plenty more. And that's before taking into account any injuries, suspensions, etc.
This, in L1 he was a creative force for sure and popped up with some vital goals. Last season he wasn't anywhere near as effective, but then the level of opposition had jumped up a notch. I think a lot of the memories of the title win and his prowess in League One will gloss over some people's view of his actual talent. Now that we can actually spend money again, he's not irreplaceable, none of the squad is (bar maybe KLP, and even then I'm being generous).
Depends on the player and whether you have a replacement. Loose Salah and you probably wave goodbye to title and champions league contention which is probably more in the long run than losing him on a free. There's also the probability that the impasse will be resolved eventually - brinksmanship is common in negotiations. George is a number 10. Do we even know if the rebuilt side they envisage even plays with a central advanced midfielder? Given he was pushed right towards the end of last season probably not. On paper at least, the incomings are a step up quality. Yes I'd like to keep the energy which George provides but the new boys are coming in to play and George wants to be a key player in the prime of his career. In that regard what you or I think is irrelevant.
If we sign the 3 midfielders and a no.10, I can't see Honeyman starting 20 games. He proved towards the back end of last season that he can't play the deeper role particularly well so that limits him.
Don't forget there's also Doc and Slater to consider, neither of which we've had any bids for or are currently looking like leaving, plus Moncur. That's before any other incomings are announced that we don't know about. I know we're after another AM anyway, even before today. It's highly likely we'll be playing some form of 4-3-3 or 3-4-3, so we'll need help in that position.