He’s a lot like Seri and Woods in that receives the ball deep as a playmaker. He’s not a ball-winner though. Not very physical. If we sign him, I would hope he’s Seri’s backup once Woods goes.
Maybe but Bird’s role at Derby is very similar to Seri’s with us. Bird’s not really a defensive midfielder in the sense that he makes tackles, interceptions and generally breaks up the opposition’s play (which we’ve lacked). He receives the ball in his own half then picks a pass forward. He’s a decent player but he’s not a defensive midfielder like Ashbee, Rodri, Keane, Casemiro etc.
I know that now, after ringing up and making a tit of myself. They're sending me new ones. I threw them away not knowing they are to be used this year. Not sure what I was thinking.
This thread reminds me a bit about reading Tintin in kindergarten. Or well, I couldn't read, so I browsed through and only looked at the images, as the text mostly felt like gibberish Anyone else? Here's an image in that case
Had a glance at his who scored defensive stats and they’re better reading than all our current midfielders, not that stats paint the full picture of course. At least he has a bit of physical presence at 6ft 2, something lacking massively at the minute.
After relegation, had played in the Championship with them previously. I know **** all about him, but maybe he stuck around a year hoping to be promoted. But agree...socks on!
I really like the look of him, seems to be technically sound and quick to try and move the ball in to the right areas. Coincidentally, this video was suggested to me on Youtube about Cruyff bringing in Pep and then Pep bringing in Busquets to play the pivot/CDM role despite lacking the typical defensive and athletic qualities, I guess Bird kind of fits the mould albeit a far lower level.
Funny old world. I was only thinking, earlier today, about us getting a player like Robert Koren...then remembered we also had the likes of Huddlestone, Meyler, Livermore, Robertson, Maguire et al. Koren for me was the best of the bunch.
Listening to Tan yesterday, he mentioned targeting players with promotion experience and I assumed the middle of midfield would be one we'd be looking for players in. Bird seems to have been going on for a while and it seems likely but I'd still expect another to come in too (basically straight replacements for Woods & Doc) Anyone know what Bird is likely to cost?
I’m only going by what I’ve seen of him at Derby and what Derby fans have said. He’s not a physical midfielder by any means imo. His height is quite deceiving as he’s a long streak of piss for want of a better phrase. His tackles and interceptions per 90 are marginally better than Seri, Woods and Slater according to WhoScored but if anything that just shows how little physicality we have in our current midfield. Bird averaged 1.6 tackles per 90 and 1 interception/s per 90 in the 22/23 season and his career average is 1.5 tackles and 1 interception/s. Stats aren’t the be all and end all but since you mentioned it, his defensive stats aren’t particularly great which indicates he’s more of a creative player who plays deeper. Ideally, we need someone similar to Yokuşlu at West Brom or Travis from Blackburn. Travis is actually getting a lot of interest from Millwall this summer.
One year left on his contract and playing for a league one club who realistically need to sell a couple. Can't see him costing a fortune, £1.5m? £2m if they take Ryan Woods
I’d agree with you, can only imagine Rosenior doesn’t think we need a defensive midfielder as such. Two playmakers for his possession football maybe
I thought around that mark too. It would make me a little more chilled out for life after Seri He made him vice-captain at Derby when he was 21 so he must have something about him and Rosey will know him inside and out. It's a little hard to start judging LR's transfer plan at this stage in the window.
The way I read it is that for Roma wanting to sell players or develop them, loaning them to the Championship where they can catch the eye of PL clubs is beneficial to them, while we get good quality players on the cheap.
