Jas10

I’m sure he can be coached into becoming more disciplined and putting his skill and talent to more effective use. Again, he hasn’t even completed a first season with us. Let’s judge him next season. Also, you wouldn’t want to limit his game too much and some of the things he does are befitting of a world class player (not saying he is one but he has potential and room for improvement), He’s clearly a far superior player to El Ghazi & Trez.

He’ll get better, hasn’t even completed a full season with us. But I’d be delighted if he ended up as an option off the bench because our first team, with additions, is so strong! He’s certainly entertaining to watch, when he’s on it. I wonder if he could do a job centrally for us...

Wait what? You seriously wanna part ways with this?

Smith won’t detract from his usual system/formation and barely any team plays with 2 up front nowadays. Tbf, after Watkins it’s a huge drop off in terms of centre forwards or goalscorers in our squad. So I’m not against us signing another striker but personally not that interested - it’s low on the list of priorities imo. I wouldn’t like us to spend big on Tammy for instance when we need to spend the bulk of our budget elsewhere. But, we have limited funds (FFP) and capacity in the squad. Dean also stated, during the last window, that we can’t afford to stockpile players either. We’d need to shift someone out, either Davies (happy for him to leave) or Wesley. We can’t spend big on all/most positions and we do have some genuinely good players that will keep improving (Targett has done magnificently this season, Konsa just keeps getting better). Rather than a CF, a wide forward or winger that can cover would be the better option. We need to enhance our attacking capability - particularly our creativity. Ollie is often left feeding off scraps and working relentlessly to chase defenders and even the opposition GK when Jack isn’t playing. It’s so frustrating. We must improve and provide him with better support - he will score bucketloads for us. I think we have an exceptional CF (I don’t think it would be fair to shift him wide when he has done so well in that position), we need some exceptional providers alongside Jack to help him flourish.

Thoughts on Chukwueze?

Personally, I’m not interested in strikers. We must prioritise getting more and better service to Ollie and lessening the reliance on Jack. Hopefully, Wesley will be fine and can be an asset to the team. Barry is an exciting prospect. Don’t mind if we sell or loan Davies.

The thing is, if we want to do even better next season, we need players that are likely to hit the ground running. Which is another reason why signing someone like Buendia is appealing. It makes sense for us to focus on the strongest European leagues too, you’re more likely to get better performing players and there’s more assurance - doesn’t always work out though. Signing players from more obscure leagues is always a risk but can also be a masterstroke if you get the right one in. Plus, we’ve also seen how “lesser players” perform better in a confident and successful team. On the other hand, we’re not the most patient fanbase either. The scouting has to be spot on really.

I did think “I’m sure I’ve seen that profile pic somewhere else!”

I’d love for us to target the South American market, we have Emi, Wes & Doug to attract and help such players. But it’s also a risk as you never know how these players will adapt or settle. In Buendia’s case, he has adapted and settled, knows the top 2 leagues and has continued to improve. It’s less of a risk but of course he would cost a lot more (I think he would be worth it and can see him shining in a much better team). He’s proven to be effective and has high potential.

I’d prefer Koopmeiners. This guy doesn’t look that tall or imposing/physical.

Most likely another fake account, had the Guedes link up too. Never heard of this player:

We’re not signing Sterling or anyone like him. Wouldn’t happen and wouldn’t make sense. Someone also suggested Ake on Twitter... also makes no sense. These kinds of players were bought for and are valued at huge fees and on massive wages. They would see us as a big step down too but that’s besides the point. It would be reckless to target players that would cost us so much and potentially destabilise our team, wage structure and finances. Our strategy is sound & sustainable. We want to have long term success and build something, it’s the right way. You don’t need to spend mega bucks to have a young, exciting team that will continue to improve and achieve success together. As is the way, as players progress, their contracts have to be improved with wage rises & bonuses etc. so to sign someone who’s already on 150-200k a week or something is also madness. We may be rich but it’s best to be sensible with the wealth and there’s also FFP to consider and adhere to. We won’t be damaging the club as we have done in the past.

Genuinely feel we have a great opportunity to surpass the likes of Spurs & Arsenal in the near future. We are continuing to progress as a club on all fronts, we just need to get the recruitment right. Arsenal are a mess & I can only see Spurs continuing to decline unless they somehow get a genius of a manager in. No interest in “statement signings” as regarding renowned players at “top clubs” on massive wages & for massive fees. They wouldn’t want to leave their clubs anyway and should we manage to entice such a player, it’s not worth the cost just for a short term fix and a huge hit to our finances. We want and need players on the way up that are going to become stars and benefit us in the long term, we just need to identify them and beat other clubs to signing them. We have invested in and upgraded our scouting & transfer department so should be scouting the globe for the best up & coming talent. But I’m sure we will be looking closer to home too. Again, I just feel Buendia completely fits the bill. Young (24), has been performing well and continues to improve (great stats & ability), settles and adapted to the country & league(s), exactly what we need in terms of creativity & output and would lessen the reliance on Jack - absolutely a player on the way up. He’s the kind of player I hope we don’t miss out on because whoever gets him will be getting a future star.

The best thing they ever did was sell Drinkwater to Chelsea for £35m. Masterstroke!

Na he’s 5’9”. But we haven’t really got any imposing or tough players in the side, other than Mings. Maybe Wesley could help in that sense if he could use his stature more rather than be as soft as he has been in the past. No one in MF anyway. I think we should shift Nakamba (too limited) n get the kind of player we are on about in his place.

Oh right, yeah there are a few out of contract. Be great to bring the squad age down even further - exciting to have a young(est?), bright squad and we can add better quality players with more longevity in their place.

Heaton linked to Man Poo. Swap for Tuanzebe?