Hayden not joining Luton. Did I see we've rejected bids for Lascelles and Targett? Not sure on our transfer policy. Tonali set the scene perfectly - relegate a decent, if unspectacular, player (Longstaff) to the bench to play an Italy International. The others? I just don't quite get it. Livramento is a decent idea, but was miles from being a priority (a sub for Trippier). Hall is a bit like Livramento, except he'd play second fiddle to a bang average left back, whoever we pick. Again, hard to see it as a priority. Barnes swapping for ASM, again I understand at some point, but when you still have Miggy and Murphy as your RW option, and still have no dedicated DM, and are still one injury from Lascelles or Burn at CB, it just doesn't quite add up. The priority list this Summer was, in order: 1. LB 2. RW 3. RCB 4. CM 5. DM 6. React to the market and improve the squad. We've done '4' with Tonali, and '6' with the other 3 (Minteh doesn't really count). 2 days to go and we don't have a top 6 LB, RW, RCB or DM. DM I can understand we didn't buy, it's not how Howe plays, but the other 3? Me no comprende.
FFP or not this has been really disappointing. Relatively speaking of course, but backed by PIF and CL qualification, your summer business is a midfielder, reserve right back, reserve/youth left back and a backup left winger (who replaced your other backup left winger)? I’m more than a bit surprised. As I said earlier, I don’t quite understand what the transfer policy is. Be better, but in 3-4 years time?
I think Burn and Lascelles are good at normal PL level, but once you put them up against CL/top 4 teams with pacey/skilful forwards, they're really out of their depth.
