Philosopher

He is nowhere near as fast or mobile as Watkins. And Watkins while quick is not what I call a speed merchant like Gabby was. Putting square pegs in round holes doesn't work.

They can be found. There are plenty around. Another target man , when we have two is not the answer.

Barry works hard and has good pace and finishing. For me he is still a little too lightweight. But a summer in the gym could see him knocking on the door. He is 18 now this the age he should be looking to make a breakthrough.

Does he have energy to burn and pace to run in behind? I haven't seen that. He's a good target man, but with the creativity we now have we need a Runner.

Have to disagree on both points. Edouard is going to Leicester as backup for Vardy. We need runners up top as apart from Watkins we don't have any. Pace and energy is the remit for me. Such players can always be found. Wood is 31 year old Big lump of a striker, he is isn't going to suddenly become more mobile.

On a separate note, I would be fine going into the season with what we have upfront as Louie Barry is also knocking at the door, Wesley has a whole summer and preseason to get fit and develop his game and will be super fresh, if he were to be thrown in, he'd need 4 or 5 games to get properly match fit and sharp, but I think he could make a real impact with Buendia and Jack supplying as he's a good finisher.

I don't think Wood is the right player for the team. I believe we need someone more dynamic. Now if we sold Wesley and Loaned out Davis he would be a great guy to bring on and lump balls forward. But we'll still need that dynamic striker similar to Watkins.

I agree with the agent stuff, even though it's beneficial to wolve as they would still be in the championship. But I don’t think it's good for the game. It is alway a risk selling good first team players and not properly replacing them, there is definitely a long term plan there. I would like Villa to sign similar prospects but without selling first teamers.

For me this link is for real, but the deal is a tough one to make. Definitely a perfect fit for Smith and the club. Leader, set piece specialist, combative, excellent presser, good passer. Southampton will want 40 to 50 million pounds for him even if he puts in a transfer request. Southampton however are a selling club, they have kept afloat by selling their best players for big money so a deal can be made, it's all about whether we are willing to spend the money.

Most of his assists were set pieces also. He's not like McGinn. In open play he is more defensive. A cross between a ball winner, spoiler (good at the dirty spoiling tactics), and distributor. Outside of set pieces you won't notice him much unless you're purposely looking out for him. You play this guy behind McGinn and Luiz in a 3, or alongside one of those two in a 2.

The young players wolves signed last season are all amongst the best wonderkids in Football Manager. They are amongst the best prospects in the world, but they're not ready yet, even in football manager they need 3 or 4 seasons to become quality Premier league players. As with any prospect they don't all make it. They sold good first teamers for world class emerging talents, it's a big risk that won't pay off for another couple of seasons at least. However if it does they will have a couple of genuine world class players.

I think you're right. Personally I'd loan him back if I signed him. Another season in France developing his game and body, while taking English lessons would be the best thing for him.

Depends on what teams you're comparing us to! If you're comparing our shots against stats with possession based teams then it will always be unfavourable, as we primarily played a counter style which means conceding more territory to invite teams onto us, which means more openings for long shots, as more time is spent defending in our defensive third.

You could be right on both points. I personally would like a big option in midfield, as one of 6 good options if we play with a 3, or 4 good options if we play with a 2. Agile, quick, technical and aggressive are the main qualities you want in midfield these days as you need guys that can press and play under pressure and this requires a quick change of direction, quick to slow down and accelerate, and nimble on the turn. This is generally seen from guys under 5'11. Alternatively if you want a strong solid defensive block, and primarily rely of counters and set pieces you're better off having at least one big man in midfield. It's horse for courses. One thing Smith has always done at his clubs is press hard. This is why he tends to prefer a more maneuverable midfielder. However Man City at their best are a team that presses well and are great under pressure, but almost alway line up with a tall sitter at the base of midfield. It's something Pep like to do since bringing through Busquets at Barca.

Most of our 15 clean sheets were without Nakamba. Sometimes you just have games like that. If we are playing with 2 8's and a 6 and those 8's are decent defensively (McGinn and Luiz for example), then JWP as the 6 is fine. If you're playing a 6, 8, and 10 you need a Nakamba type (that's better on the ball ideally).

You say that but Man City have lots of time to drill and a fully gelled squad, you do get that in international football. The other thing they have is great movement. You just can't coach that kind of thing in two weeks. In international football the roles have to be more defined and you are more reliant on defensive discipline and individual brilliance.

Sorry but all teams need to do to totally nullify that attack is play a high line, as there are zero quick runners in behind. What we have here is World Cup 66 dilemma. Play your best striker (Greaves then, Kane now) who doesn't really fit into how the remaining ten players play or play a lesser striker that with still score goals and fits in with the players around him (Hurst then, DCL now). You need a Runner in behind in one of those attacking positions. This is why I'd go with a 4-2-3-1 and play Jack no 10, Kane CF, then Sterling and Rashford wide, and hope the widemen can play themselves into form as they're both fine players. I'd play Rice and Mount as the 2 deep midfielders. But I'd switch it up for the Czech Republic match and bring in Henderson, Phillps, Foden, Sancho, and DCL. But I have a feeling the 3-4-3 is coming out for Croatia and Trippier will be right wing back, with Walker RCB. And Southgate will squander the array of attacking talent we have.

OK so the England thing is Southgate I believe favours this 4-2-3-1. He recognises the talent we have in the attacking midfield / winger positions, and he also recognises the fact Harry Kane is now more of a false nine than a proper number 9. These factors combined plus the fact the defense is somewhat vulnerable mean a back 3 or lining up with 2 defensive midfielders is probably necessary. Throw in Mount, Jack, and Foden are all natural in the number 10 role. Is what leads me to this belief. The only problem is that he has only had two game to implement it, plus Croatia are first up! However he is certainly looking at at very closely. The squad numbers also suggest the 4-2-3-1. The problem he has is that hasn't had a chance to play his first choice team. The other is he has to play Rashford and Sterling wide of Kane as they are the only ones that offer real pace in behind, and Sterling is out of form. I feel he has to go for it and play the 4-2-3-1 with a front 4 of Rashford, Grealish and Sterling. However Foden is the wild card. I belive he will look to rotate somewhat, given the injuries, form and intense schedule of the past season and 10 games. He basically has to play Mings and Stone as a CB pairing if he plays 4 at the back and that is a bit of a liability. So a back 3 can't be ruled out and he does love playing 2 right backs. It's a tough problem he has to deal with and I don't envy him. But the clearest thing in all this is that Jack is the form man and has to start.

Not sure I believe that. I thought it would be Mings.

Actually they play with 2 6's Romeu as the sitting 6, and JWP as a dynamic 6. They setup with a box midfielders, 2 sitters and 2 attacking mids.

I'd say we would benefit from having a a tall specialist DCM in the squad. For some opponents having extra height would be useful. I think we would benefit from adding a Koopmenieers type player for example. However I believe JWP would be perfect for us. His energy, tenacity, and passing would fit nicely between Luiz and McGinn, and his set pieces would address a clear weakness. So I'm all for this.

Can easily be a replacement for Barkley if we play 8's and a 6 instead of two 6's and a 10. Smiths has stated his preference for two 8's and a 6. Buendia also plays off the right hand side.

It was expected. Kane will have Rashford and Sterling with of him. Both speed merchants that look to get in behind. That will work well, especially with Jack as number 10.

Any left back links? Get Buendia and JWP then all we need is a speedy left back competition for Targett and the first team will be primed for a shot at the top four!

I said it in the Jan transfer thread, this guy would be a perfect fit for us. Set piece specialist, which we desperately need. Bags of energy. Tenacious, aggressive, and a bit dirty. Best as a DLP, also good as an 8. With Mcginn and Luiz in front (with even Luiz swapping positions with him) between the three of them there is enough balls won. He improves the passing quality also. With him and Buendia we basically would be address most of our weaknesses while improving the strengths. Even more workrate, we'll be up there with Leeds and Southampton with the most presses and distance covered.