Hopefully, Wilson's extension is only just so we can sell him to a Saudi club, rather than him walking on a free.
I think people are harsh on Wilson.. He's probably happy to stay and be potential 3rd option, and if you're looking for a 3rd option it would be a good one. He's served the club very well and he's a great lad in the dressing room. I also like the fact he's hard as ****, because of his kickboxing background, so we can use him in the tunnel and it's always good to have someone like that in the group.
But his legs looked shot 2 years ago. This season he's been virtually immobile. Even coming on as a 'fresh' sub, he is slower than those who have been running around for 80 minutes. Was a really great finisher, but no longer a PL player. Especially not for us with our style and press. He needs to get himself abroad where less running is required.
He just doesn't suit our style of play any more. He can't deal with the frantic pace of EPL. I really like him. great striker and yes has served us well. But way too injury prone and no pace or movement. I'd rather give Osula a chance.
I said this a while back, but I still believe old Wilson is going to score a crucial goal this season, and then everyone will be happy he's still here.
Kind of agree but as above - if he is second/third choice, happy to cover for Isak and Osula up top then I'd be happy to keep him on board. Like I say if we can roll him out against lower league opposition in the cups and Europe, even as a sub, he's a decent option to have and allows the club to go balls out for the RW and CB's which I'd have as the priority signings this summer.
That's fair enough, as squad back up. But Osula should be getting game time ahead of him. However Wilson keeps getting thown on ahead of Osula.
I am angry about Wilson. I think it’s a pathetic decision, but 1st September will be telling. Sadly it’s all too familiar.
We need Wilson to stay unless you're going to buy two strikers and unfortunately that would mean having less cash if any at all to strengthen other areas. I've been questioning recruitment at times, but seriously when will the lesson be learnt, that the club knows what it's doing.?
If the club go nuts on a RW and CB without losing anyone our 25 man squad looks like this for next season. GK: Pope/Dubravka/Odysseas RB: Tino/Trippier/Krafth RCB: New CB/Schar/Lacselles LCB: Botman/Burn LB: Hall/Target RCM: Bruno/Longstaff CM: Tonali/Miley* LCM: Joelinton/Willock RW: New RW/Murphy LW: Gordon/Barnes CF: Isak/Osula/Wilson That's a decent squad for next season. *26 there as Miley still doesn't need to be registered I believe. My only concern is in Europe with the "Homegrown" quota's not sure we can use a full 25 man squad: https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsl...gue-league-phase-squads-player-registration-/ Who can be on List A? No club can have more than 25 players on List A during the season, of whom at least two must be goalkeepers. As a minimum, eight of those 25 places are reserved exclusively for 'locally trained players' and no club may have more than four 'association-trained players' listed among those eight places. If a club has fewer than eight locally trained players in their squad, then the maximum number of players on List A is reduced accordingly. What's a 'locally trained player'? There are two categories: 1. Club-trained players who were on a club's books for three entire seasons (i.e. the period between the first and last official match of the relevant national championship) or of 36 months between the ages of 15 and 21. 2. Association-trained players who were on another club's books in the same association for three entire seasons (i.e. the period between the first and last official match of the relevant national championship) or of 36 months between the ages of 15 and 21.
We could sign a RW like Mbeumo who can also play CF which gives us extra cover. I think Osula should be number two now though.
Clear to me that we need to add quality central midfielders to the list. EH, finally seeing the light, doesn't rate Lobby any more, not sure he rates Willock and bizarre that he won't play Miley. Do we cash in on both Lobby and Willock? Would Baleba be a good long term successor to Joelinton? Do we need 1, 2 or more central midfielders? Or is the plan to change formation and it's Bruno/Tonali with Joelinton and one other as back up?
Change of formation looks extremely unlikely, though probably necessary. We just lack depth everywhere.