I was very excited at the prospect of signing maddison because he's exactly what we needed. A midfielder that can unlock defences in the final 3rd and score double digits for goals. We were desperately suffering last season, despite doing well, with the ability to unlock tight defences which is why we got more draws than anyone else. I know our overall goal tally for last season and this season may make us believe we're doing fine in that department, but IMO it's sometimes about when and where you score those goals, not the overall tally. You could score 8 in one game, and 0 in 3 games, and your overall tally will appear ok, but it's still an issue. We really do need an attacking midfield player or a winger, probably a right winger, that can unlock defences and score goals. Almiron is a hard worker and a good squad player, but he doesn't create and you're basically just waiting for him to have another purple patch. Teams have gotten wise to his runs in behind found by bruno through balls, so the jig is up. Murphy is ok but still not good enough. I'd really like us to take a punt at signing someone like Jarrod Bowen. He's exactly what we need. Can unlock defences and score plenty of goals. Too often the more experienced sides just sit back and cancel us out in games we're in complete control of Liverpool Dortmund Milan All of 3 of these teams we were better than on the night, but we just cannot kill some these teams off. Even Man United, despite out **** they are against big teams, almost got a result against us because we just failed to kill them off. Each of these teams just sat back and waited for their opportunity to counter and it worked. Nothing special, just sit back and counter because they know we struggle to kill teams off sometimes and they can just wait for their opportunity. We couldn't finish off a 10 man liverpool, we couldn't score a single goal against Dortmund, and we had some chances but just couldn't take them. Milan just sat back, defended and could have won 1-4. Simple counter attack tactics. Against Everton we had chances, but didn't take them and they just sat back and countered. Simple as. We can cry about tiredness all we want.
Was just saying on another thread Almiron kills all momentum dead on that right side when he has to stop to turn back cause he cannot and will not cross the ball, unless he is past the player he is turning back to pass to trippier 100 percent of the time.
Lascelles 1st but need two yes.. I'm fed up of the players that got us relegated still ruining my Christmas's. One cb in 2 years considering how **** the ones we have are is strange.. they tend to be cheaper than Tonali and Barnes. Almiron at rw is nowhere near the areas of significant concern or weakness in this squad.
We've still got the likes of lascelles that are simply nowhere near the level required. I mean they're OK for bottim end clubs maybe but the club wants to win things. The cb area is by far the weakest.. such a crucial position aswel. People just like attackers more so they want to ignore it I feel...
"the likes of Laecelles" The only players in the squad that got relegated that are still there are Dummett and Laecelles. And Laecelles only played towards the end of that season and was out best player, hence he was made captain. McClaren constantly played Coloccini and Taylor no matter how bad they were, and Laecelles only got a chance when Rafa came in. As for Dummett, he's played a total of 4 league games in the last 3 years, he's so anonymous he might as well not be there.
Well there you go then there's two players that need replacing before a 20 million full international with 11 goals last season and I think 4 so far this. There really is a more pressing matter at cb and left back too imo.. Burn and Longstaff significantly weakened us late night...they're not good enough for the next level either btw and almiron and Wilson next I feel.
I don't think Almirion needs replacing, does anybody? Last season we thought Schar would be the next to be upgraded as we wanted a better partner for Botman...but they didn't and we are. We thought Longstaff would be upgraded too, which happened with Tonali tbf but then backfired. At least one CD in Jan is a priority, and maybe another in the summer. Dummett and Krafth to be moved on and hopefully Laecelles too, although I have a feeling they may give Laecelles another 1 year contract. They made the mistake of thinking Botman was indestructible after last year.
Just check out the thread title would you please mate. All the rest that's all fair comment... they'll kick on IF they have a good window in the summer.
Defence is far more of a priority than attack tbh, especially with Barnes coming back soon. Yes we'll probably get another striker in January, but we needed another CB already in the summer.
What’s happening with Manquillo? He seems to have vanished. Always listed as injured but often never even mentioned
Why is a cross dresser a priority? Will Chippy with his mustard fetish not see us okay until next season? Alternatively, if we get Hamish to wear his native dress (skirt) will that do? Mick O could possibly help as well.
This is what Dan Ashworth just figured out I bet Shame he's in communication with a Greenlandic wonder kid, 12 yrs old, plays in Gordon's position and will only cost 25m.
