the_sun_never_sets

7/9 in the last 3 is fine. Repeat that in the next three (against arguably easier games) and 4th will be ours. Need to focus on beating Brighton now, I think we will. 

Chelsea at home will be a real test for Spurs playing like that. A draw yesterday keeps them in with a sniff of Europe so encourages them to have something to play for too. 

2 hours ago, MSvillain said:

A nice to have for me is someone to really own that second striker role, would be expensive but someone like Pedro Goncalves from Sporting (who we are regularly linked with). 

atm feels a bit like we are shoehorning wingers in there and a different option could add some value. 

I reckon we can develop Rogers into that role FWIW

2 hours ago, LxYoungAVFC said:

I absolutely see what you're saying, but have doubts about the ability to convert to CL.

Bouba is our only midfielder with some CL/EL experience, the others do not and have played mainly in England. Imagine this:

Santiago Bernabeu, Wednesday night, 80'000 fans, atmosphere is hostile. 5th minute Bellingham through ball to Vinicius who ghosts past Cash and get's a shot on target saved by Emi.

Do you see any of our midfielders stepping up and taking control of the situation? Personally, I think they'd go missing. Deer in headlights scenario. I trust them in the prem, but we've seen what it's like vs Lille and Legia. Olympiakos away will be more of the same imo.

I think we need an CL-experienced CM/DM for these scenarios.

Henderson?

13 hours ago, sheepyvillian said:

I think the young Eastern European right - back who we have signed might just be our regular full - back next season. This coaching team seem to have the right judgement when it comes to new signings. 

I reckon he might be back up if we sell Cash and then we'll sign someone at their peak but we'll see!

Who would we sell / let go to free up space in the squad? 

In priority order probably...

Chambers, Olsen, Donk, Cash (replace), Lenglet (replace), Kesler maybe (though ive always liked him)

I'd keep Tim for another season. 

I'd honestly be happy if we signed a top starting right back and noone else. With injuries returning and youngsters coming through we have some squad developing!

dark horse for the euro squad?

41 minutes ago, Pez1974 said:

Agree that RB is a priority, probably alongside another CDM.

Don't agree that Cash becomes back up - at this point he is as sellable as he will ever be, so it's time to move him on. He's coming up to 27, and hopefully will get games at the world cup. 
Transfermarkt.com have Cash valued at around £25m. For FFP,  given his contract extension, he is probably worth about £5m in our books now - £20m profit would be very nice. 

IF (big IF) we get a new RB, we still have Kosta to come in (£7m!) plus Konsa can clearly do a good job there. 

Thats fair. I was thinking he's a known quantity on the bench but equally - if selling is required to balance the books - that makes sense. Could add Digne to that equation give age/salary (despite being excellent this year)

No disrspect to them but we need to work on the basis that Lille would be one of the weaker standard of teams if we qualified for the CL....and we were pretty evenly matched last week. Need to plan for that. 

I think RB is our clear priority. Cash becomes backup. Squad would be v healthy then.

After that just avoiding as many injuries would strengthen us. Plus replacing anyone we sell.

Could start with a 5 3 2 here for solidity and control to quieten down the atmosphere....and then pivot into a 433 after 60 mins. But tbh ill trust whatever Emery goes with. 

Cash konsa Carlos torres moreno

Mcginn Luiz tielemans

Bailey Watkins 

On the plus side, in the battle for 5th Chelsea and United dropped points too.

Interestingly United, Newcastle and Chelsea all have to play each other so actually the points total to secure 5th is probably not that far off... 64 points maybe. 

4 points out of the next 3 games and I think we're fine to only look up and not down. 

Some of the strongest teams in the tournament lost their first legs (at home in some cases). So a draw away to Ajax is creditable with a rotated team. Beat spurs and win the second leg and it will be viewed as brilliant management. 

Hard to know how to approach this one with the Tootenham game looming. Ideally we'd go there and get a big win to enable us to rotate for the second leg... but I'd be inclined to prioritise the Tottenham game..

Maybe a good game for Kesler and Tim to start? 

Something like:

                   Martinez

Kesler  Konsa   Lenglet  Digne

                       Tim

             Mcginn    Tielemans

Diaby         Watkins        Zaniolo/Rogers 

On 18/02/2024 at 15:12, paul514 said:

need 7 from the next 3 IMO

Agree! 

Buy Frimpong

Sell Cash and Digne if necessary....

And I think that leaves us with a very solid, balanced squad overall.

After that we can just buy youngsters and replacements for players we do sell

We lost 3 games in a row last Feb right? Then Emery tweaked a few things and we finished the season strongly. 

Out if interest how many points did we get in the last 14 games of last season? If we replicate that form I'm sure we'd get close to a total for 4th?

I think we'll sell Digne and Cash to bring Frimpong in...and I'd be OK with that

I like this deal. Feels Brighton-esque 

From 1998 when me memory starts : Laursen, Benteke (for single handedly keeping us up for a while / some fantastic goals), Angel (for global exposure), Martinez (ditto but more so), Barry, Grealish (for keeping us up and the £100M), Milner, Yorke, Ashley Young, McGinn 

One of our most important players when playing teams who set up to defend.  Pins the opposition back by making overlapping/progressive runs on the right...and creates space by hugging the touchline. Without him we spend a lot of time just playing in front of a low block

Buendia really has been atrocious today 

I'd 100% take Kyle Walker if we could get him for a reasonable price. Him and Cash as options as defensive RB is solid. Sign a youngster in that position too as the long term project. 

There's some good business to be had this summer from free agents and the Chelsea zoo. Could be some bargains. I'd take Pulisic for example...

If we were to sell Martinez for huge amounts (doubt we will) I'd go for Meslier from Leeds. Quality and only 23 

don't think we need a revolution in the summer...

In: Pau Torres and Guendouzi + 2 inside forwards with pace

I reckon some of our loanees will come into the fold too... principally Iroegbunam
 

Since 96/97 :

Laursen (when fit)

Benteke (that one season where he was creating goals out of nothing)

Jack

Ashley (as opposed to Luke) Young 

Martinez

Honorable mention : Mellberg

And I thought Bouma was a bit of a unsung hero, if only he wasn't injured all the time

A realistic positive outcome for the window:

Sell Sanson, Ings and Nakamba for c£25M. Guilbert on a free

Buy Thuram and Delofeu for about the same amount

I see Alex Scott is being mooted as available for £10M from Bristol City - good bargain that.

Gives us a platform for the summer to go big. Sell Konsa/Chambers, McGinn and Coutinho and bring in Pau Torres and Yerry Pino