Transfer Rumours Summer Transfer window

Welcome back A I can stop following you on X now

 

Good to hear from you mate

 

Just thought I’d check in because I’m bored watching the cricket

Because I’m here now I’ll update with my PoV on the last week or so:

• Xhaka obviously wow. Love how he just controlled the game yesterday.
• Neil and Roberts look like they’re finished here. It’s a shame on both counts but I’m not massively disappointed
• Guiu I’m really on the fence about. Now sure he’s good enough NOW to get the goals we need now. But he might be.
• We really need a centre back, like yesterday. And a second one after that
• We also definitely need another winger or, again, maybe even two depending on Mundle’s recovery
• Doubt we sign another striker after Guiu, which is a worry for me

 

Good to see you posting mate @Southern A

 

One of the game's good guys.

Some nice little stories/references in here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cg717kk8p8xo

 

If you leave I'm going to name my first born son, born a couple of weeks ago but we haven't registered him yet, Keegan Beardsley Shearer Hitler Smith.

My surname is Smith. That's not a reference to some grotesque human unlike the other names.

 

Where’s this from mate? Would be good to get a years football into all 3

 

Rlb said about abdullahi and aleksic after the match yesterday. Guessing thats why they werent on the bench

 

Ahhhh makes sense wasn’t sure if I’d missed an article, cheers mate

 

Shearer is a bit strong…

 

Good to see you back, mate.

 

Seelt will only go once they’re confident / have CBs

 

What we do know is that we seem to be seeing the old adage of a swan swimming through a fast flowing river.

Serene, graceful and sure on the outside ...

... paddling like hell under the surface.

We have to remember this isn't a computer football game where players can be moved around like chess pieces.

These are human beings with hopes and ambitions, not to mention families who want to which area/school/country they'll be in next month.

Whether we like it or not there has to be a degree of loyalty to the players who helped claw us from the depths of despair at Morecambe, Accrington and Cheltenham.

I've absolutely no idea if Hjelde, Alese and O'Nien can be part of our PL campaign but I'll trust the staff who got us here to make those decisions.

If we simply ditch players, as soon as we think their usefulness has gone, we won't continue to attract players looking for the chance to improve or resurrect their career.

Whichever eleven players take to the pitch, in a fortnight, are our team and will do their best ...

... this is the best build-up to a season I've ever known tbh, it all feels so professional

Counting the days now

 

But we lose possession in midfield with 2 up front , which in the Premier would be like committing suicide….

 

Wasn't really counting Abdullahi as he's off out on loan apparently

 

We defend in a 4-4-2 anyway. Easiest shape to defend in. And reality is how much possession are we going to have in most games? Saying that the midfield 3 we are assembling might just change that but we will see.

 

I’m still a massive 09 fan. Hope he gets fit soon and proves a few wrong. I think he deserves higher praise than Neil and Roberts simply because of how well he did last season consistently on and off the field. I’m no fan of Roberts but his workrate and discipline defensively were a big factor last season. That said, I think he’ll add little offensively.

 

I can see three, even four systems, depending on the opposition and whether it's home or away.

Watching the friendlies doesn't give much away because we're clearly avoiding any set plays, corner routines, etc.

It does seem players have appeared in strange positions, such as Diarra at Hearts, so we could see some tactics purely suited to a particular game.

You'd think we'd have a different set up depending on whether it's Liverpool away or Wolves at home so I think we'll be in for a few surprises.

 

Every manager we've had has played O'Nien, he was 'first' on the team sheet for Wembley and Le Bris has made no mention of him going ...

... I'm not sure every player could surprise us but I wouldn't put it past O'Nien.

I know some people want to erase every remnant of L1, from our consciousness, but that's a little disingenuous imo.

 

The truth, as often is the case, is somewhere in the middle imo. Got to respect and look after the players who have done so well for us. Alongside, we need to strengthen the squad like never before. It’s rarely dull supporting the lads and this off season is taking some keeping up with.