thunderball

Very quiet today. ....and link up with Ings.

Leipzig’s Sabitzer? He’s waiting for Bayern, but they may not buy.

I just think Young has something extra to offer offensively. Looked really good in pre-season, has really surprised me since his arrival at just how good he still is. He can play absolutely anywhere on that LHS to a very high standard.

That would be electric, as long as the midfield was solid. I could see at home vs weaker sides: Watkins Ings Bailey Young Sanson Buendia Cash Tuenzebe Mings Konsa Martinez

Hope he gets a decent run but the coaching team have broadened his game. Looked great at the end of last season. Not totally convinced we need a DM though, surely there is a case for a middle three of Sanson/Buendia/McGinn, or Sanson/JWP/McGinn. Surely there is enough industry, energy and pressures in those formations?

Nakamba is neat and tidy, does break up play, but you want him to advance with the ball and take it forward or look for a telling forward pass then run and make himself available rather than just the immediate lay off. This is how you improve on Nakamba, some one who participates in more of the offensive game rather than just sat deep breaking up attacks.

The other thing to remember is that Grealish was absent for a 1/3rd of the season, we can’t afford that without a greater number of very good players. At the moment we are are bare bones and more often than not, they are not all at their best. Today’s friendly showed we are not very strong, we really do need Buendia and Bailey who should be another level of quality. Another two similar level players (or dare I say better) and we really will be improved over last season and should get a better points tally over a season. We can’t afford these good then bad runs, we need to be competitive all season long and a bigger, better squad is central to that.

I think we want a broader squad of quality players. We still have one of the smallest squads in the league. The team near enough picked itself last season, our only variation was AEG or Traore, or Dougie vs Makamba. We need much more quality and keep what we have.

I think they will spend another £50-70m, I just dont think they will miss the chance of adding while they have the cash and there are some distressed sales out there. We do need to keep the momentum going and I think they will TRY and get another very good payer in. It may not come off, but I reckon they will. What the club wont risk is losing Martinez, Bailey, Buendia, Watkins or Konsa next summer. If the project falters we run that risk.

We could do with a left sided midfielder/winger/forward; and we could do with a better DM (and back up keeper and CB), but that’s it really. We would then be meaningfully improved. I reckon they will buy these players before the window closes.

Others will arrive. They are going after bigger fish now, waiting for the window to play out, it’s now about guiding the lily. No urgency.

?

Agree, I also think Sanson will add a lot to this midfield once he gets fit, he has great stats and an eye for goal, his game has a lot of defensive work in it. I think these players we are considering are going to offer alternative formations as we were one dimensional last season, and when at home or away, or easier teams or harder teams: I can see Tuenzebe as a starter in a 3-5-2 with maybe cash and Young as the wing backs here. I can see loads of variations with our new additions, I don’t see them all playing together necessarily.

JWP is a leader, seemingly a consumate pro and hasn't missed a game in two years. He is the best dead ball deliverer in the division and an England player (just). From what I 've recently seen he is quite versatile and does have a habit of goal involvements from open play despite @Laughable Chimp stats suggesting otherwise? JWP is 26 and Dougie is 23. What if we sold Dougie for £25 and bought JWP for £40m, are we getting good value on that £15m? I was underwhelmed by Dougie last season (and McGinn actually), and we do need a greater contribution from that area. Its all about the imporved percentages now, the diminishing returns as you move up the table is story of the sharp end of the game.

There's a distinct lack of the type of signings I was expecting from our new data oriented recruitment team so far, as all the names are obvious or higher priced. However, if true, Joe Willock looks a decent player for 21y.o. Had an outstanding loan to Newcastle, and basically saved them from the relegation scrap. He looks a decent centre-mid and a fine ball carrier with quick feet, great distribution and an eye for goal - I think he's similar to ESR which is likely why they see him as surplus to requirements, especially as they are trying to raise money. NOt sure he is the calibre we are looking for, but his age and forward development may be exactly what we are looking for? If he was £15m you would jump at it, but £25m when we have so much already in the middle and are looking for something more 'box-office' or an immediate upgrade on what we have, it seems a stretch?

Me neither.

He didnt say that. He said we were in for him. Lots of reasons why deals don't don't get beyond talks between parties, so that is never a reason to suggest its BS. Blimey, you will be telling me God doesn't exist next I have no idea if he is legit, just posting. Some on here are interested BS or not. If you want facts just stick with @villareport

Shhhhh! Don’t tell @Kiwivillan:

So many take the ITK detective thing so seriously? There are guys around certain clubs that seem to get info before others, I don’t know if it’s BS, lucky speculation or some inside knowledge from club employee, media or friend, it doesn’t matter, it’s info out there that’s posted here. As for others mentioned, who knows, maybe the spoke with agents and there was a better deal: Anderson may not have fancied being on the bench, he’s signed at Palace, McNeil may have been priced out but was advanced?

21/22 9th But 5-7th at the end of 22/23

Other than Ings before anyone else.

I know, its crazy. He would surely be about £60-70m though?

But he never looked convincing there did he? He had "I'm off" body language in everything I saw. He was always on his own. Its a shame. He would have actually gone with my blessing next summer if we fell short again. Its all about him and the Grealish circus was beginning to grate, and TBH any other player at any other club that move woudnt raise an eyebrow, thats football. The good times were good, and the £100m is also adequate compensation. But he is just another talent lost to another club and thats it, no legacy.

...and Lautaro Martinéz. If they get a few of those they will have some squad next season. (Odegaard is not going)