Just when we thought there were enough reasons not to bring in Aurier... please log in to view this image
I like the look of this squad. More so if we can add another striker to give Kane some competition. Judging by the past two games, Poch still isn't convinced with Vinny boy.
Having read up on him I am very uncomfortable about him. I know people can change but he comes across as a bit John Terry crossed with Ashley Cole.
I agree that no one we can get for the money will be up there with the current "3" attackers we have, without costing a bomb. But it seems like we do the opposite of that and don't even get close to finding that sort of "potential player". Both Clinton and GKN were inexperienced youngsters from France, in a different league playing different football at a lower level. It's a lot to ask. What about an attacker that comes from a team lower down the premier league, who'd love that opportunity to join us? - A bit like when we got Trippier from Burnley. (obviously he was a defender and not an attacker.) But that sort of signing seems to make more sense. If there's no one available that fits the mould, then make sure the likes of Marcus Edwards et al are regularly in the match day squad to offer something different from the bench. See, I think Rose leaving would ultimately affect the AM's, mate. IMO, we'd end up seeing a pattern of football like Sunday's game where we cant penetrate due to a lack of pace and width. This is likely to then result in the formation resorting to a 4231, where instead of a wing back causing on and off the ball issues (runs, link up play, creating space etc), they would then have another player in front of them offering support for overlaps etc. If this happens, it then means we would be using those players you mention almost all the time, and beyond that, there's a lack of depth. As it stands, we don't have lamela (who we really miss) and have no idea whether he'll even be playing by the next transfer window! Davies always plays well, but i think he's his own player. He's different. And personally i think we see his strengths when he's got the support of someone like Lamela in front of him, due to the athleticism he lacks. This is why I think Sessegnon should be purchased as a must. He's could kill so many birds with 1 stone. He's already played in the English leagues, he could be used in the attacking "3", can be used as a wing back, and can be used as a LB in a 4231. He could, on his own, could solve one of the issues i personally think we have.
Whether this season or next Rose has gone. Sessegnon is the closest thing to him that we're going to be able to get and there's a fair chance that he'll be better in the long run. The fact that he can play further forward and scores goals makes him even more attractive as a potential signing. We have to do everything possible to get him to sign in the next week.
I think you're putting a bit too much emphasis on Sunday's loss mate. Take that loss aside and we'd lost just two league games since Davies has been in the team in Rose's absence, which includes wins over Arsenal & Utd, he bagged a couple goals in that spell too. Both Davies and Tripps are completely different to Rose and Walker but they're top full backs in their own right in my opinion and if they can implement their style on the formation then I think we'll be good. Tripps weren't even 100% on Sunday but still hit a couple of good crosses on Sunday which we should've capitalised on. Let's also not forget, for as frustrating as Sunday was, we only lost through mistakes by Alli (giving FK away) and a combination of Wanyama and Hugo, cut those out and we'd have either won or drawn at the worst. Outside of the regular three AMs we have Lamela, Sissoko and GK. Granted two don't inspire the most confidence right now but GK should be afforded more time, he looked good in pre-season and so it's a shame he got injured before the start of the season. Would be great if he could follow Sonny in having a good second season, we afforded Sonny the chance to have a good one, so I think we should do so for him. If Barkley signs, he also gives an added dimension in both AM and CM which will be useful. I want Sessegnon too, especially as Rose is still being a prick. But we shouldn't expect him to be the saviour once he signs, he's definitely got massive potential but he's not even starting every game for Fulham so we'll certainly need to be patient with him.
Agreed. If Rose had come back and scored that goal against Newcastle, people would be saying "you see, that's why we need Rose in the team rather than Davies".
I think that we've been a little spoiled with our fullbacks recently, to be honest. Having Davies as backup in a position where most teams' first choice player is pretty crap is quite luxurious. Being able to lose Walker, have Trippier get injured and still pick a very competent prospect is also impressive. If we could somehow pick up Aurier and Sessegnon in this window, then we'd be in a pretty ludicrous situation. Probably too much to ask for, to be honest. I still have my reservations about the Ivorian's character, though.
Agree with much of this but not your assessment of GKN. I thought he looked clueless in pre-season. The same blind dribbling into dead ends or looking too uncertain to take his man on that characterised his first season at the club. I have very, very low hopes for him for the simple reason that even players who are young and new to the league will show flashes of brilliance that make you think "there's a player in there". Saw it with Son, saw it with Lamela (albeit mainly in the cups), even saw it from Njie in his cameo against City. When it comes to Janssen, I can picture a few of those moments if I really stretch the imagination. But with GKN...literally nothing. The saddest part is how we ditched Lennon and set off all cocky to look for a budget upgrade, yet nothing we have tried since (Townsend, Njie, Nkoudou) can hold a candle to what Len brought to the table. Even a very small candle. Made of synthetic wax.
