If it is Rushworth, then surely Racioppi was from the development budget?
But if not, then I'm inclined to agree.
What?
If it is Rushworth, then surely Racioppi was from the development budget?
But if not, then I'm inclined to agree.
This is why I think our transfer policy is a bit like a little kid in a sweet shop. Just because we can do a deal for a player doesn’t mean we should. There are other factors to consider.
I think they’ve been sensible this summer tbf. You can see a real long term plan with what they’re trying to do and a move towards being more sustainable. Rushworth is probably the first transfer I’ve really questioned this window. I still have questions over midfield balance etc and obviously the South American gambles could backfire massively. But overall I think its been a strong window
If it is Rushworth, then surely Racioppi was from the development budget?
But if not, then I'm inclined to agree.
Burns, Rushworth, Mehlem now (if Meffert comes off), Giles, there's a few signings this window people are questioning. Let's see how it pans out and if we're here in 12 months trying to sell a bunch of them or trying to fill gaps because loanees have done well but not come permanently.
Rushworth and Burns are the only 2 loanees without options, so can’t see that being a problem. Haven’t seen many question Mehlem or Meffert both seem astute signings for a relatively low fee. Giles is fair, but I think that’s more to do with overpaying than his quality. Burns a bit of a utility man brought in for cover imo, but will be cheap.
Rushworth is probably better than either Pandur or Racioppi but only marginally and him signing is at the detriment to the two keepers we already have. We signed Pandur in January because he was a highly-rated keeper in Eredivisie despite playing for one of the weaker teams. The owner kicked up a fuss because the previous manager didn’t play him. He had an iffy pre-season but he looks a lot better and more assured now. His biggest strengths are his shot-stopping and commanding his box. His distribution isn’t bad either, in my opinion, and he’s improving every game. Racioppi I’ve seen a bit in the Swiss league and Champions League. He’s also a decent shot-stopper with decent distribution. He’s partial to a brain fart and is a bit rash coming off his line but he’s solid.
Pandur and Racioppi competing for the starting spot is healthy competition and ideal. A third keeper coming in on loan as first-choice ruins that dynamic completely. We’re already out of the League Cup so we just let two first-team keepers we’ve signed in the last eight months for significant fees rot on the bench or in the stands? This is why I think our transfer policy is a bit like a little kid in a sweet shop. Just because we can do a deal for a player doesn’t mean we should. There are other factors to consider.
I'm questioning Mehlem because by the end of the week he won't be best XI. Maybe that was always the plan, but just feels weird signing someone of his age to not overly improve the XI. Maybe just a symptom of basically buying an entire squad in one window.
I think Mehlem will be in Walter’s XI
I'm questioning Mehlem because by the end of the week he won't be best XI. Maybe that was always the plan, but just feels weird signing someone of his age to not overly improve the XI. Maybe just a symptom of basically buying an entire squad in one window.
Burns, Rushworth, Mehlem now (if Meffert comes off), Giles, there's a few signings this window people are questioning. Let's see how it pans out and if we're here in 12 months trying to sell a bunch of them or trying to fill gaps because loanees have done well but not come permanently.
So then Omur to the bench?
Mehlem still makes sense to me as a replacement for Tufan. On paper, Walter plays a 4-3-3 but the left-sided midfielder usually plays as a #10. Was the same at Hamburg with Bénes doing that role. The other advanced midfielder is more box-to-box which is what Slater’s currently doing.
I have my own questions about how we’re going to fit in all our midfielders. If we sign Meffert then we’ve got Simons, Zambrano and Meffert competing for the #6 spot and Burns can play there as well. Slater and Puerta I’m guessing can play as the #8 and Mehlem and Ömür for the #10, or Ömür and Mehlem start together ahead of one of the #6s. We’re signing a couple natural right-wingers too so Ömür would have to play more centrally for him to get minutes.
This summer was a massive rebuild but there’s a fine balance between needing depth and having a bloated squad of unhappy players who all think they should be starting. That’s evident at Chelsea.
I'm questioning Mehlem because by the end of the week he won't be best XI. Maybe that was always the plan, but just feels weird signing someone of his age to not overly improve the XI. Maybe just a symptom of basically buying an entire squad in one window.
We need squad depth though. One of our weaknesses in the last couple of years has been that when we needed to change a game, we've had to turn to League One standard players from the bench. If we have 11 very good players and another 9 Championship quality players on the bench, that stands us in good stead and provides depth if we pick up injuries, which in this intensive system we more than likely will.
Yeah my last sentence kind of acknowledges this, so it's almost a necessary evil, but I just wonder how the players would be feeling. Maybe they're coming in with their eyes open? It just feels like we've gone from desperately scrounging around for signings (Burns, Mehlem) to picking and choosing strong signings (these three strikers we're talking to), and the guys we signed initially might end up hardly being used.
Id need to map it out but I think toast is about right with the numbers. We probably have a squad of about 22 which can compete and then some peripheral players if you don’t include the odd keeper situation. As long as the players have been told they’ll come in to compete for spots I don’t see a large issue. In a 46 game season they’ll get appearances especially come November/December
Yeah as I said, if that's the case then not a huge issue. I am a bit concerned Man City might get pissed off at us about Burns but guess we'll see.