Poveda going to La Liga club, not sure which one yet. Going to be yet another loan with an option to buy just like the deals for Roberts, Shackelton and Costa
Doc, I lost track of how many 'levers they have activated' mortgaging their future. I think 3 and pondering a 4th. Still not registered their players and trying to buy more. Remember Riqui Puig? Gone from barca signed for LA Galaxy, glad we never signed him.
Think I was the first on here bigging up Joffy? Well done mate, that is truly shamazing. Is that seriously important to anyone? You were also the first on here spreading the 1,000’s of transfer rumours that never happened, goes with the territory I suppose? Still, Mike thinks you are ITK so enjoy that I guess
It's no surprise that Mateo Joseph ripped it up last night. The lad has looked super sharp at that level every time I've seen him (which isn't often I admit). He hardly played last season. He's not anywhere near ready for the first team yet so is not the striker we are looking for. I've never seen Perkins play. I'm holding judgement on him. James will excel at that level. We know for certain that he struggles with the PL level of play.
Like Emu says Joseph was quiet, but then again it took him a while to settle into Yorkshire life. He was really the only decent signing we made in January. He has scored plenty of goals from when he got his first start though and ended the season scoring on average a goal every game. New season and now a better version
To follow on from the hay/radz piece… here’s a TSB podcast with Kinnear. Largely the same topics covered… not surprisingly, but in more depth My summary for those who can’t be arsed to watch: Lots of chat/justification on actions taken last season bielsa sacking injury record.etc. Made a point a couple of times that bielsa himself has said that his methods have an end-date with the same group of players, talked about the challenges of a high level of digest tissue injuries and small squad but tied by squad size requirements of bielsa. Essentially, discussing the yin and Yang of ceding control of footballing matters to bielsa. All done respectfully. No signings imminent, playing down the likelihood of them happening but still looking. And funds there if the right deal comes up. Aim is mid-table 10-14 this year. Thinks we got good deals for raph and KP because of how they were structured (cash upfront/reduced fees) Stadium redevelopment likely to start in 2,years, complete in 5, capacity 55k Staying at Thorpe arch for the foreseeable, lease is secure Lots of discussion/defence of clubs position on season tickets and membership. I probably missed lots of relevant points but those are my takeaways. In general, Said what you’d expect of course, but He came across well in my view and was pretty candid on some topics.
Cheers Milky, sounds to me like they are playing down a striker signing, which to me is a massive gamble if Bamford breaks again. The stadium work seems to have moved backwards too
Yeh doc. They’ve done this before and it may be a smokescreen. To be fair it makes sense to get the message out to sellers that you’re not desperate. But if it’s true I agree it’s a concern. We’re thin on striking options even with no injuries… and relying on paddy staying fit, Rodrigo suddenly becoming consistent and joffy having a ‘breakthrough year’ is management by hope. Also left back. For me struijk is not adequate as a left back cover. He’s a big lump of a centre half ( who I like by the way - though his confidence was shot last year) with the turning circle of a supertanker. I feel like we’ve had a decent window but it will be job half done without the last pieces of the jigsaw. I’m also a bit wary of our midfield cover with klich leaving. Do they think gyabi, gray, Koch can do the job at this level? Not saying they can’t, but it looks like two teenagers and cb to cover Adams and roca.
I wish Klich was staying as he is also one that doesn’t go down injured every other game. Forshaw and Dallas to return is probably how they’re viewing it, Koch in midfield, Ayling as cover at CB or RB I think we’ll actually see Ayling at CB more than RB if he plays Sadly it’s not looking like a new attacker/forward is going to be joining. Roberts wasn’t good enough but allowing him to leave along with Raphinha means we’re still light up front
yeh guess longer term that’s true… I tend to forget about forshaw as he’s never fit, who knows if Dallas will ever be the same
On paper we are a stronger outfit, and have a much bigger squad…. On paper. However we have 9 kids as part of the first team squad and yes they might all have improved but……. If you take Klich out plus the 6 injured players and within that lot we may never see Dallas again because at his age and the time and work he will need to put in to get back is tough. We added 6 so far and lost 2 and I will feel happier once Sinisterra is back fully fit
We were light when Roberts was playing. As for Koch in midfield we need to remember Bielsa has gone and James is not a striker.
I disagree I think a bit stronger in depth but a weaker first choice starting 11 going into this season than last. The new lads might hit the ground running and all will be fine. We’re starting the season as virtually everyone’s (neutral fans and ex pros) favourite for a bottom three, that was laughable this time last season
How many games did Jesse play Koch in midfield and James as a striker? Who is going to be starting at LB today as it certainly isn’t going to be a proper LB
As many times he had to because of Bielsas refusal to have a bigger squad. An idiot could see we needed two mids and a striker pre season last year.
