Condimentalist

Agreed, Konsa has been a good servant and I'm very happy to have him as a squad player but it's definitely an area we can improve the first XI.

Hopefully Carlos can come back strong and be the answer.

1 hour ago, CVByrne said:

Ramsey did burst onto the scene under Gerrard though. Smith gave him his opportunity. Just because you hate Gerrard doesn't mean facts aren't facts.

I also don't understand why someone who gave his all but wasn't up to it, wasn't good enough in Gerrard should be hated. As a cross section of society, football fans are pretty **** awful people.

He'd been 'on the scene' for a while - though he first hit real goalscoring form under Gerrard it's true. 

But if Gerrard wasn't Murphy's mate he wouldn't have said it.

As to hating Gerrard, hate is perhaps strong but I can totally see why he is disliked. 

He played terrible football, misused our best players, talked down the club, signed ageing players on high wages which we are now stuck with, was on the way to getting us relegated, and to top it all off he picked a fight with one of our best players and club ambassadors Tyrone Mings, all the while coming across as aloof and arrogant despite having zero coaching ability. 

To put it another way, what more could he have done to make the fans dislike him? 

Delighted - love the guy

7 hours ago, Risso said:

I'm also a bit dubious. Firstly of the owners' commitment to  make us anything other than a comfortable mid table side, and secondly that Emery is the man to deliver anything better. I know he's only been here for five minutes, but other than the new manager bounce, I'd say he's not really doing anything much better than Gerrard or Smith. Sticking with underperforming players and formations that aren't working. And the way he seems to have meekly accepted the weakening of the squad in January annoyed me too, when we were in touching distance of the top 6.

The guy is a serial winner and one of Europe's elite managers. What else do you want? You think he's come here for midtable?

This is a long term project, it may take 2/3 years to get to where we want, but I think we'll get a good indication of the owners ambitions in the summer - we should have the financial headroom and the squad space to attack the window. 

22 minutes ago, maqroll said:

They need someone who can jump in and scrape out results. I think I'd want Smith over Marsch to achieve it. 

Totally. Smith has kept a poor side up in this league before, and then kicked them on the next season. 

Marsch has not. 

Ambled around a bit which I didn't love for a young player with something to prove. 

But he did some very good things on the ball - looking forward to seeing more of him. 

I would definitely be giving him a contract extension. Like many he didn't have his best game at the weekend but has been arguably our best player this season and is clearly a good person to have around the squad. 

I'd have no issue if he's starting next season either - though suspect we may make one more signing there so he'll have to fight for the shirt. 

20 hours ago, Tomaszk said:

Retirement contract secured. Where's the motivation?

Idiots signing him. Gerrard, Lange, Purslow. Idiots.

But they have a, er,  'winning mentality'... which only develops at 29. 

Buendia been excellent 

9 hours ago, flashingqwerty said:

Gks: Martinez, Olsen

Olsen is not good enough.  Maybe Sinisalo or Marschal will get a chance?

Lbs: Moreno, Digne

I don't think Digne fits in here, and will likely get moved on but generally happy.

Rbs: Cash, Young, KKH

Cash looks out of favor and I never really rated him, Young, player of season for me so far but age is against him, KKH hopefully can get some game time.  Happy

Cbs: Ming's, Konsa, Carlos, Chambers, Hause

I don't think any of these, except Carlos, is technically good enough for our system.  Konsa isn't good in the air and lacks strength, Ming's has an awful habit of making big mistakes and his passing often let's him down.  Chambers and Hause just aren't good enough.  Not seen enough of Carlos to judge, and after a bad injury will he be the same player?  Lots of work needed here.

Dm: Kamara, Dendoncker

Others could slot in, but I think we can do better than Donc.  Hopefully Tim can step up next season.

Cm: Luiz, Ramsey, McGinn

Again, I think we can improve here.  I'm not convinced by JJ, and I think McGinn is a fading force.  Luiz the only one I'd keep, and probably as a squad player rather than starter

Am/Wm: Bailey, Traore, Buendia, Coutinho

I think we can work with Bailey and Traore for now, but Emi and Court just have not worked.  Need better.

St: Watkins, Duran

I don't think Watkins is good enough, and not seen anything on Duran.  Need better.

Overall, lots to do still

This is a ridiculously harsh assessment on a squad that has just taken 16 points from 21 available since having a real manager.

Does he play centre forward for Burkina Faso? 

I can only hope Duran has impressed in training and lessened the pressure to sign in that position.

I am sure that would have been the plan otherwise Archer would have stayed around. 

For whatever reason it hasn't happened and that puts us in a risky place.

I am pleased to have Bertie and KKH back from loan and hopefully they can contribute. 

Overall I am fine with us not padding the squad with short term signings on big wages, and I can see both Archer and Ireogbunam coming back to be involved with the first team next season, hopefully off the back of a great few months in the Championship. 

We have managed to clear the decks a bit for what will surely be a big summer ahead. I think we may see at least 6-7 in and largely for the first XI.

8 minutes ago, DCJonah said:

The funny thing about the what if Watkins scenario is he's not even our most important player. 

If Martinez gets injured we'd be much worse off. But where's the panic to replace Olsen?

This is a fair point - although keepers get injured less.

We didn't deliberately weaken our goalkeeping department this window though. 

I forgot about him. 

Not a bad shout for cover / bench role. 

We are in a spot of bother if we don't get another forward in IMO. 

Took a gamble selling Ings - presumably with a view to replacing him with someone younger / cheaper.

If it's not looking good later I'd actually recall Keinan Davis. 

I like Guendouzi but we don't really need him at the moment. 

Maybe one to revisit in the summer. 

10 minutes ago, VillaParkAvenue said:

I liked the look of Brentford's new forward, Schade. Hope he's not that good after all.

Me too, would give me a real sense of Schade freude

40 minutes ago, IrishVilla10 said:

 

Unless he is 'very interested' in playing in the Championship I doubt he'll be signing that one anytime soon.

I predict two more in.

Dembele seems like he could fit the squad at low cost and still leave scope to go big up front in the summer. 

Guendouzi would be good but I'd happily wait until summer if we need to there as Ramsey / Buendia / McGinn are decent options in the advanced midfielder roles. You could even play Bailey there if Dembele came in (although I personally wouldn't). If we can get him now though happy days. 

Seems like another young talent is possible too. 

Expecting a busy next few days. 

5 hours ago, OutByEaster? said:

---------------------------Martinez--------------------------

Young----------Konsa--------Mings--------Moreno

---------------------Luiz---------Kamara-------------------

------------Buendia-------------------Ramsey-----------

------------Bailey--------Watkins-------------------------

subs; Olsen, Digne, Cash, Chambers, Dendoncker, Nakamba, Coutinho, Duran, K Young

Not sure what's happening with Carlos and McGinn at the moment, but I've assumed both aren't available.

 

Suspect this will be the line up, but Unai said McGinn should be back for this.

Doubt we'll see Carlos before March at the earliest. 

West Ham down easy. Would love it. 

Sadly I am pretty sure they will be fine. 

Just now, WHY said:

On paper he’s an unbelievable appointment. We should be absolutely ecstatic to get this guy but fans still find something to moan about.

I haven't seen many moaning tbf