Transfer Rumours January 2018 Transfer Window

[Le Tissier's Laces]

I'm probably going to get some stick for this as many (including me) saw Gabbi as the next big thing when he arrived last season. However this season his workrate has been well short of that displayed by Long or Austin and 3 goals in 20 appearances on the pitch does not suggest a striker that can save us in a relegation battle. That's about the same goal to minute ratio as JWP by the way!

Some have suggested that we adapt our style to bring Gabbi into play. Do we really want to embark on yet more tinkering given our current situation? Others have suggested we miss a Pelle or Rickie who with back to the goal can collect and lay the ball off for others. Gabbi can't or doesn't suit that role (incidentally Sam Gallagher does...).

So maybe the parting of the ways would suit both parties. Like others, if he does leave I would of course wish him well for the future (and hope there is a plan to get a good replacement in).

Tinkering with a losing system seems quite sensible to me.

 

[SAINTDON13]

Yeah no idea why it was confirmed now, The Daily Echo ran a story about it all in July 2017 I think!

We have two operational Boards, One is the business side which she stayed on until now according to the Companies web site, the other the football management side. I am confused!

 

[Saint Sosa]

I’m not defending Pellegrino in not playing Boufal and Gabbiadini more, and I agree that the 4 you suggest could work as well, but you can only play against what you’re up against, and we at least dominated Watford for a half. We’ve done worse against worse teams than them this season.

I just disagree with the idea that the system with Long 'works' or is something that's going to get us up the table. We've consistently struggled with him in the team, especially when he's the focal point of attack. Just because he's had his best game in forever recently, it doesn't mean we should continue with him when we have better players in his position.

 

[----HistoryRepeating----]

I'd suggest if he has just had his best game, he'll be dropped next weekend. Sorted.

 

[ChilcoSaint]

I just disagree with the idea that the system with Long 'works' or is something that's going to get us up the table. We've consistently struggled with him in the team, especially when he's the focal point of attack. Just because he's had his best game in forever recently, it doesn't mean we should continue with him when we have better players in his position.

My point is that Long doesn’t work as a lone striker, never has. He is, however, very good as one of a front 2 or 3, which is how we played the last 2 games. I do agree that swapping him for Gabbiadini, or swapping Boufal for Tadic, should also work.

 

[saintrichie123]

16th...anything? No

 

[redandwight]

16th...anything? No

Need to leave it for another fortnight!

 

[Osvaldorama]

Long is essentially a Labrador, who gets paid a fortune for being absolutely ****e. I can see why some fans love him - fair play, he runs around - but the guy is **** and we shouldn’t be relying on him.
He can’t shoot, can’t finish, can’t cross, can’t hold it up and bring others into play. We need a target man/physical striker ASAP

 

[The Frog Chorus]

Gabbiadini is not LeTiss. The latter was capable of grabbing a game by the neck and winning it for you on his own.

You have decided Gabbi is our best player, why?

I didn't say he was our best player. I said you had to play to your best players strengths. I meant that he was one of our best players, which I do believe. He makes so many fantastic runs that are not spotted or just ignored because that is the way we play. I believe you should look at your best players abilities and shape a system around what they do well. Our system limits people like Gabbiadini. The way we supposedly want to play, we clearly don't have the players for but what we do have is an extremely talented group of individuals that if used to their strengths would start looking like professional footballers again. What I'm trying to say is that the cake you make is dictated by the ingredients that you have, if that makes any sense at all.

 

[9043graham]

I'm more than happy to keep Long and play him out wide. His work ethic and pace would make him a very good wide player.........one of the better ones at the club.
Long has had more than a few nightmares this year, but was very good in the more creative team of seasons past.

Our creativity is ****e and that's not all his fault. We need to play people in the right places and get a target man ASAP.

 

[ChilcoSaint]

Long is essentially a Labrador, who gets paid a fortune for being absolutely ****e. I can see why some fans love him - fair play, he runs around - but the guy is **** and we shouldn’t be relying on him.
He can’t shoot, can’t finish, can’t cross, can’t hold it up and bring others into play. We need a target man/physical striker ASAP

Let’s forget about the goal he scored against Palace, and the one disallowed against Fulham, plus the two he made against Watford shall we?

 

[jonny 'hasen' shuttle]

may as well close this thread!
Chilco !!

 

[steve79]

Let’s forget about the goal he scored against Palace, and the one disallowed against Fulham, plus the two he made against Watford shall we?

Also the great finish againts liverpool in the cup and alot of other goals he has scored for us.granted he is not the best player we have,but he is not as bad as some on here say. He puts in 100% effort all game.

 

[Osvaldorama]

Let’s forget about the goal he scored against Palace, and the one disallowed against Fulham, plus the two he made against Watford shall we?

Wow. 1 goal and an assist in, what, 40+ games? He did play well against Watford, I’ll give him that, but it’s a disgrace that we are relying on him, and that we went into this season without buying a striker. He is SUCH a limted player. He is a nice enough guy, but a a huge part of why we are so **** this year

 

[mowgli]

I just disagree with the idea that the system with Long 'works' or is something that's going to get us up the table. We've consistently struggled with him in the team, especially when he's the focal point of attack. Just because he's had his best game in forever recently, it doesn't mean we should continue with him when we have better players in his position.

Such as...

I think we can do better in the window but not convinced we have better at the minute with Charlie injured

 

[Archers Road]

Wow. 1 goal and an assist in, what, 40+ games? He did play well against Watford, I’ll give him that, but it’s a disgrace that we are relying on him, and that we went into this season without buying a striker. He is SUCH a limted player. He is a nice enough guy, but a a huge part of why we are so **** this year

Bit harsh, that.

We're in a battle. Shane's a battler.

 

[Ronnie Hotdog (MLsfc)]

Let’s forget about the goal he scored against Palace, and the one disallowed against Fulham, plus the two he made against Watford shall we?

In fairness he haa about 50 games before all that where he did f*ck all

 

[fatletiss]

I think that was what Branfoot thought about Le Tissier. Every player has strengths and weaknesses and I believe that you have to play to your best players strengths.

I’d do that with Boufal now. Make him the centre of the team.

 

[The Frog Chorus]

I’d do that with Boufal now. Make him the centre of the team.

I would too. Just let him off the lead and tell him to do what he wants.

 

[Archers Road]

I’d do that with Boufal now. Make him the centre of the team.

I would too. Just let him off the lead and tell him to do what he wants.

Beat the same man three times and give the ball away?

Look, the guy has talent, but to suggest building the team around him smacks of desperation.