Because one of them has got me out of my seat on various occasions and the other has barely come close?
Can only speak for myself mind.
Transfer Rumours The Summer “Have We Signed Anyone Yet?” Thread
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Because one of them has got me out of my seat on various occasions and the other has barely come close?
Can only speak for myself mind.
With his love for Pellegrino and Mo El I can only deduce that ISIRTP likes to stick up for the underdog!...
ihatemyselfandwanttodie
Well-Known Member
Only after you've finished with him first eh, Billy?.......
Nah not me.
I'd run like a girl away from a fight
I find the affection for Boufal strange as the way his lost his head during the relegation battle under Hughes demonstrated to me that he was more interested than himself than being part of the team. There was a clip a few years back of one Saints' player describing Boufal as the most technically gifted player in the squad. However, I really feel he is not someone who would work for the benefit of his team and have always seen him as a bit of a luxury. He is someone I think still has a bit of value and would prefer him cashed in for a reliable central defender. For my money, Boufal is not in the same calibre as Dusan Tadic, , if you want to mention cultured midfielders. I was always shocked how some Saints fans would castigate Tadic but he was still our best player under Puel despite not being so effective as under Koeman.
Elyounoussi is a strange and baffling purchase. No goals and no assists in a season where he never looked like improving upon taking up a play on the bench if he was lucky, I wonder if the scouts who were responsible for recruiting him had seen our reserve players perform and not seen anything better. The likes of Sims and Reed have been moved on because they were not good enough yet Elyounoussi was not as good as these two. I am surprised he has not gone back to Norway but suppose he is another on an unrealistic wage.
Elyounoussi is a strange and baffling purchase. No goals and no assists in a season
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I can remember him taking it past a player once in the whole time he's been here!
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I can remember him taking it past a player once in the whole time he's been here!
I thought he got an assist against Derby in the cup.
Moi looked fairly neat and tidy as a footballer, but too timid for this level
Moi looked fairly neat and tidy as a footballer, but too timid for this level
Well, the degree to which Elyounoussi has been scapegoated is ridiculous. You have people claiming he could not even play for a League One side. The guy had a goal and assist against Man City in Champions League. Clearly there is some talent there. Bielsa apparently rates him. I think he's got a decent eye for talent.
But it's really more about Boufal. It's just so bizarre to me.
Out of all of the players people hate for pouting or trying to leave the club, I don't think any of them would have refused to come on as a second half sub in a critical game. Except Osvaldo, but everyone knows that dude is crazy and Boufal isn't as good as Osvaldo.
Out of all the record signings who have contributed very little and would have to be sold at a tremendous loss, Boufal has probably been given the most chances (though still not a lot) and still not shown himself to be of starting caliber. And he's 25 now and been in the league and around the club for awhile, so the odds of a big turnaround are falling. Especially when you consider that to the extent he's suffered setbacks its for being a complete asshole and showing no respect to his club or teammates.
The funny thing is, I don't hate Boufal and actually used to defend him on here. I think he got a raw deal because he signed for us and would have fit under Koeman but then we hired Puel and he was stuck in a wingerless formation. Then he was injured the first year. Pretty much a lot like what happened to Elyounoussi. People said he didn't defend, but he did. He just wasn't good at it, but he actually tracked back pretty deep and hustled hard. People also said he was selfish, but I didn't think so. I think he dribbles with his head down too much, and he thinks he can beat everyone, but those things are more issues with technique/inexperience and could possibly have been fixed with coaching. I didn't feel like he was fundamentally a ball hog, just didn't know better. Except then he kind of blew it by refusing to play so it's kind of hard now to defend him as either a hard worker or unselfish.
And Redmond got stuck in a similar situation, but he persevered and became a good player for us.
I think it's strange that if we had managed to offload him last summer as we tried to do, the general sentiment would have been "Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out." But now he's being viewed as a key piece, when he wasn't any better at Laganes than Carrillo was.
I would say the good news for him is that he seems to have fixed his attitude (at least temporarily), and had a decent pre-season and did enough for Hasenhuttl to keep him for now. But beyond that, it doesn't seem like Hasenhuttl doesn't really rate him that highly. We signed two new attacking players (really three if you count Ings) and handed Redmond a new contract. And I think that if Hasenhuttl has the luxury in the second half, he will try and figure out ways to squeeze in Obafemi, Sims if he does well on loan, and even shuffle the formation if needed to get Slatterly in the game because it sounds like he really loves him. I suspect that Long might be ahead of him as well.
Boufal has earned himself a tiny opportunity, and considering the hole he dug himself, I think that's to his credit (and Hasenhuttl's). I hope he makes it. But honestly, the odds seem rather slim. I'm not hoping he fails, I just don't get why suddenly everyone is so high on him. He's a very random player to suddenly pin your hopes on. There was one time I felt really good about him and that was the quote this summer where Bednarek was like "He's going to cause a lot of problems for defenders." That made me feel good for a second when I read that because I like Bednarek. But then Bednarek started talking about how good Hoedt was so then I was like oh he's just being nice.
But it's really more about Boufal. It's just so bizarre to me.
Out of all of the players people hate for pouting or trying to leave the club, I don't think any of them would have refused to come on as a second half sub in a critical game. Except Osvaldo, but everyone knows that dude is crazy and Boufal isn't as good as Osvaldo.
Out of all the record signings who have contributed very little and would have to be sold at a tremendous loss, Boufal has probably been given the most chances (though still not a lot) and still not shown himself to be of starting caliber. And he's 25 now and been in the league and around the club for awhile, so the odds of a big turnaround are falling. Especially when you consider that to the extent he's suffered setbacks its for being a complete asshole and showing no respect to his club or teammates.
The funny thing is, I don't hate Boufal and actually used to defend him on here. I think he got a raw deal because he signed for us and would have fit under Koeman but then we hired Puel and he was stuck in a wingerless formation. Then he was injured the first year. Pretty much a lot like what happened to Elyounoussi. People said he didn't defend, but he did. He just wasn't good at it, but he actually tracked back pretty deep and hustled hard. People also said he was selfish, but I didn't think so. I think he dribbles with his head down too much, and he thinks he can beat everyone, but those things are more issues with technique/inexperience and could possibly have been fixed with coaching. I didn't feel like he was fundamentally a ball hog, just didn't know better. Except then he kind of blew it by refusing to play so it's kind of hard now to defend him as either a hard worker or unselfish.
And Redmond got stuck in a similar situation, but he persevered and became a good player for us.
I think it's strange that if we had managed to offload him last summer as we tried to do, the general sentiment would have been "Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out." But now he's being viewed as a key piece, when he wasn't any better at Laganes than Carrillo was.
I would say the good news for him is that he seems to have fixed his attitude (at least temporarily), and had a decent pre-season and did enough for Hasenhuttl to keep him for now. But beyond that, it doesn't seem like Hasenhuttl doesn't really rate him that highly. We signed two new attacking players (really three if you count Ings) and handed Redmond a new contract. And I think that if Hasenhuttl has the luxury in the second half, he will try and figure out ways to squeeze in Obafemi, Sims if he does well on loan, and even shuffle the formation if needed to get Slatterly in the game because it sounds like he really loves him. I suspect that Long might be ahead of him as well.
Boufal has earned himself a tiny opportunity, and considering the hole he dug himself, I think that's to his credit (and Hasenhuttl's). I hope he makes it. But honestly, the odds seem rather slim. I'm not hoping he fails, I just don't get why suddenly everyone is so high on him. He's a very random player to suddenly pin your hopes on. There was one time I felt really good about him and that was the quote this summer where Bednarek was like "He's going to cause a lot of problems for defenders." That made me feel good for a second when I read that because I like Bednarek. But then Bednarek started talking about how good Hoedt was so then I was like oh he's just being nice.
We were all a bit spoiled. I used to be frustrated by how Tadic was inconsistent. And how Davis was a hard-worker and overall solid player but could not finish and just wasn't quite creative enough as a passer. I was okay with Pelle, but everyone would moan about how he gave the ball away too much. Then you go back and watch those Sunderland highlights. How much would we all have given to have had 2016-17 era Pelle, Tadic, and Davis on the team the last two years?
But yeah, the free pass that Boufal gets for refusing to enter a game is baffling. It wasn't just garbage time in a nothing game, either. It was a critical point not just in that match but in the whole season. Who refuses to play against Chelsea? And had he scored he would have become an instant legend.
That is generally my assessment as well. He played it too safe, and didn't try and put his stamp on the game. But it was hardly like he was tripping over his own feet. It wasn't that he did anything wrong, he just didn't do a whole lot right. The level of vitriol is strange.
Personally, I think that's something that is coachable or can be fixed just by integrating better with the team over time. But Hasenhuttl doesn't think so, so that's fine. Loan could work out for him as he will at least get to play and maybe get a last chance to change minds or at least get some suitors and give himself and the team a few more options when we move him.
Boufal gets a pass from me, as it was under Hughes. And i see Hughes as a complete and utter idiot with a history for winding up players.
Boufal and alien Lucy are leagues apart in terms of raw talent. Boufal can get you off your seat in an instant, whereas alien Lucy just doesn't look like he has a clue. Could he improve? Maybe. But as someone said, he is miles worse than some academy players, which has rubbed some fans up the wrong way.
Boufal and alien Lucy are leagues apart in terms of raw talent. Boufal can get you off your seat in an instant, whereas alien Lucy just doesn't look like he has a clue. Could he improve? Maybe. But as someone said, he is miles worse than some academy players, which has rubbed some fans up the wrong way.
And I am calling those fans idiots. He's not "miles worse than some academy players" that's ridiculous.
If one of our youngsters had delivered a similar shift as to what Ely does on his few outings, I'd think that they might not be ready for first team selection yet. I don't know what 'miles worse' means as a judgment stick.
Chelsea at home I think. The one we were 2 up and lost 3-2
I don't think Elyounoussi is completely useless, I don't think he has had enough time for anyone to really pass judgement on him. He obviously hasn't come in and instantly settled, but not many do.
It is obvious that Boufal has unbelievable feet and talent and the "it" factor which gets fans excited, ie he can beat people whenever he wants. Is he just a show pony with not much end product? Potentially, but players like that tend to be fan favourites anyway as they are great to watch.
I've said it before but if Redmond can look good in Hassenhuttl's system then a motivated Boufal has the potential to be exceptional, question is whether or not he is motivated
It is obvious that Boufal has unbelievable feet and talent and the "it" factor which gets fans excited, ie he can beat people whenever he wants. Is he just a show pony with not much end product? Potentially, but players like that tend to be fan favourites anyway as they are great to watch.
I've said it before but if Redmond can look good in Hassenhuttl's system then a motivated Boufal has the potential to be exceptional, question is whether or not he is motivated
I said "if". Every transfer is 50/50 unless you spend a crazy amount. I mentioned nothing about it being 'reckless' at all.
And I'm pretty sure we monitor all of our purchases for a year or so before going in (yes, even Elyounoussi)
Yep. Recruitment is 50:50 anywhere.
He is the player equivalent to Pellegrino for me, cautious in the extreme and frightened to let go and express himself. I'm sure that there is a talented player in there somewhere but a supposed creative player who is afraid to create is no good to any team. Boufal is completely the opposite and frustrates fans because 98% of the time it fails to come off, but that 2% could mean getting a goal or setting one up out of nothing.
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It’s simple for me Ian. I’ll always give a technically, excellent, skilful game changer a second chance. Always.
He acted a dick. New coach. New season. I’m hoping new attitude from Boufal.
Game changers win you games, but often it is down to the coach to use them correctly and get the best from them.
I loved Tadic. Incredible talent. He always got the benefit of the doubt with me for the same reason Boufal does.
There is some extent to which I think Boufal’s alleged game-changing ways are more because he does things we can process, as opposed to equally important things we cannot. The guy can dribble. There’s no doubt about it. And especially if you come on largely as a second half sub, that’s all you can show people. They don’t catch more subtle stuff that adds up slowly over a match.
And of course we’re aided in our vision by the fact that he did actually once score an amazing, game-changing goal. But most of the time, he has little impact. And his one awesome display is counter-balanced by his equally awful negative display.
Still, I tend to agree with you. He’s a player that has at least one truly exceptional rare talent, which is a reason to hang on to him. And a player who can pull a goal out of his ass, and we need that right now.
I can understand the viewpoint that we should hang on to him on the chance he becomes great. I’m confused by people’s seemingly expectation that he will. To me, he’s a lottery ticket worth hanging on to for now, but time is running out on him quickly.
TBF, Redmond started looking good before Hasenhuttl got here. He started looking good second half of 17-18 and was our lone bright spot in the awful Hughes portion of 18-19. Of course he played better under Hasenhuttl, but most players did,
It does him a bit of disservice to imply that he is only some kind of system player. He had to transition to a bit more central striker role under Puel, but he worked on his finishing and positioning and eventually it paid off, even though now he gets to play more of an inside forward role again.
You use a lot of words.
“I agree” would have sufficed
Edit: oh and don’t assume people don’t see the more subtle stuff delivered by players. I give you Steven Davis.