Wakey Bate will need another season, this is only his first with us and so will probably be the main midfielder next season for the 23s, but reckon he will get a go at some stage next term. Nohan Kenneh could well take over from Cresswell as skipper and he can play CB or anywhere in defence or midfield. He prefers DM and is a unit, a unit with pace and stops attacks. He says he models himself on Phillips and Phillips is mentoring him. These 2 will break through at some stage next season maybe post Xmas?
Marsch told the media that he let Liam Cooper speak to the team in the dressing room after the match. He said he has never had a finer captain…. So seems to be another who will be here next season?
“I had him speak to the team afterwards, I haven’t had a better captain in the entire time I’ve been a coach. “He was great, he almost came to tears, he loves playing with the guys so much. I really like this group, they give everything they have. “It fits with who I am and with what we’re trying to establish together.”
Bielsa would rather persist with the square pegs and would have brought roberts on in a wheelchair. Big hoo haa stating Bielsa gave kids a chance but i never saw it. Wee jimmy and sam were brought on at the right time. That to me is good management and you could see they enjoyed being part of the win.
Agreed but going to be very interesting this summer to see the first team squad based upon the 18+4 policy. We need a RB cover and the same LB. We need a top midfielder and a striker so thats 4 new players, which means 4 players going? Shackelton and Roberts could be 2, but if you get rid of say Klich you need to bring in another midfielder? I suspect we will see some surprises and if Raphinha goes theres the striker paid for…
I think Raphinha goes, I really do. I have a feeling that Summerville might be the replacement in the squad with James and Harrison fighting out for the 'wide' positions with the arrival of Aaronson maybe giving further options. That allows the Raphinha money to be spent on a striker to play up top with Bamford. Marsch obviously likes Gelhardt and Greewood and they will be a year older and stronger next year. That gives us 4 strikers, 4 inside wingers (Summerville, James, Harrison, Aaronson) with options at 10 (Rodrigo, Aaronson, Gelhardt, Greewood). Koch, Struijk or Llorente need to go. We are well covered at centre back with Cresswell and Hjelde coming through and Ayling as support. Dallas can cover fullbacks, midfield and even winger positions. Dramah at RB? Firpo, Shackleton and Roberts need to leave for their own careers. Bring Taylor in from Burnley at left back if they go down, it's an easy transfer and the lad is solid. A keeper to help Meslier. Again if Burnley go down Pope is still in and around the England squad and would bring strong competition for places in that area. Lastly, a defensive midfielder to bolster the Phillips, Forshaw area. Obviously alot of changes but they are not that difficult to sort out imo and we will be a much stronger squad for it next season.
Regardless who’s coming or going in the summer, I hope ortas out the door and has no say in it and make sure he makes a big donation towards the big Kev fee out of his bonuses before he leaves
Ffs pass the Kleenex I'm on the verge of blubbering to ......that again shows the comradeship between the group allowing coops to speak up, good management by two gun Jesse. Coops seems a bit better now at barking his thoughts to his co defenders since his return, he was magnificent again yesterday I think this group togetherness will count for a lot in the run in.......all for one, ALAW
The injury to Roberts has really opend the door for Greenwood and fair play to him he's started to look like he can play at PL level. Still early days and clearly lacking in a little bit of pace to be absolute top class but if he can continue to develop, keeps showing composure and the ability to make the right game time decisions then we'll need to tie him down to a new contract in the summer. However if he drags his heels and is reluctant to extend then that makes investing that game time in him more difficult. It has to work both ways with these young talents and they have to show loyalty to the club in order to receive that priceless commodity which is first team selection at a PL club. Jesse so far has been brilliant with all the younger players and you can tell he communicates well with them. There's this sense that he's given them the belief that he trusts in their ability and they'll get as much game time as is possible to fast track their careers. The change next season to 5 subs wil be seen as a massive positive by all young players (at every age group) and is definitely a good thing as far as player development is concerned.
On Sam Greenwood I always remember what Bielsa said re kids. “ the first team players let me know when a kid is good enough, by their reaction and interaction on the training ground”. Following on from that Greenwood took responsibility for taking a free kick the last time he got minutes, so the players have obviously watched his free kick specials in 23 games and in training… almost as good as Ward-Prowse?
Any reason why Nohah Kenneh hasn't signed a new deal yet Doc ? Pretty sure he would have been offered one so it's a bit of a concern don't you think ?
Hes not been offered one yet mate but dont think theres anything suspicious in that. Nohan has been a couple of years ahead of his age group all the time hes been playing. He played for the 23s as a 16/17yo season before last, then played a dozen or so last season in various positions, this season he has played about 2 dozen as a key member of the team. Sat on the first team bench countless times. The 23 manager was raving about Monday night as its Ramadan and he has been fasting, the club organised him some specialist energy drinks and nibbles which are for Muslims on Ramadan. He manager said he stopped every attack, he ran miles, he created attacks, his distribution was brilliant, hes turning into something special….. I suspect a new deal will be doneas soon as the club get round to it
What's going to happen now as we face a run of less favourable fixtures ? Palace (a) City (h) Chelsea scum (h) The Arse (a) There's no denying that in terms of opponents Jesse Marsch has had a soft beginning but can we continue to pick up points as we can't afford to have 4 consecutive defeats at this stage of the season.
By the time we next play Burnley and Everton will have played more games than us. In other words we will have a game in hand and still probably have both teams behind us in the league. So we could play with less pressure than we did at times yestwrday?
Ok I'll take your word for it but it seems strange to have not sorted his contract out by now. Greenwood walked away from his last club remember.
Greenwood walked away for logical reasons. He knew he was way behind Nkettiah and another 2 young players, so no chance of breaking through. Fast Eddie is still a sub 2 seasons on, so understandable that he moved to try and get a chance. Gelhardt was offered a 4 year deal and Greenwood got a 3 year deal and not sure if he turned a longer deal down or not offered one?
No panic. Three more points will see us over the line. There’s no way Everton and Burnley will both reach 36 in my opinion. In fact I don’t think either will. I also think we’re now organised enough to take something from either Chelsea or arsenal
I don't see the positive in having 5 subs. That rule will only help the top six who will bring on 5 internationals
