lexicon Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 I don't agree - people seem to forget that we're not playing in the prem this season. Our squad underperformed massively last season and if RDM can keep up the positivity we're capable of a good season as is IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 Anyone take Martin Harnik? On a free as left Stuttgart after relegation. Played for Austria at Euro 2016. He dosen't half miss some sitters but quite surprised by how good his record was in Bundesliga...53 goals in 170 games over 6 years and has 14 in 56 for Austria. No one taken him yet so who knows might be tempted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hippo Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 10 hours ago, Ponky said: I don't think RDM is going to burn players with years of premier league experience, simply on the back of one abysmal season, or because supporters hate them. I think there will be a couple of high profile sacrifices to appease the masses and make room for some new signings but I'm thinking the process will focus on areas that address the overall balance of and gaps in the squad. We have an excess of left backs and centre backs for example, so you'd expect we would be trying to shift one of those. However we lack creativity and goals, so 2-3 quality additions at the front will be ideal. However, if we have learned one thing from last season is that you can't change 75% of your starting lineup in one off season and expect to have a single, functioning unit ready to take on all comers. Changes are needed, but they need to be carefully and strategically managed or it will all go tits up again. RDM was the never the man if you wanted a big clearout. Its something hes never done in his own career - and by his own admission his forte is "getting difficult dressing rooms to work together" . I always suspected when he was appointed that he would adopt a diplomatic approach to the current squad. I can't believe people did see this on appointment. To me the issue isn't how many of last squad remain. Its how strongly they are managed and kept in line. Personally I doubt RDM is the man to rule that dressing room with an iron fist - and that will be his downfall. All IMO of course. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Thomas Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 (edited) 15 minutes ago, lexicon said: I don't agree - people seem to forget that we're not playing in the prem this season. Our squad underperformed massively last season and if RDM can keep up the positivity we're capable of a good season as is IMO. I wouldn't mind going into the first game with a quality striker in - then continue in the market getting players out and bringing a few in. Not ideal, but we have players who could be very good in the championship. A lot depends on whether RDM and Clark can get them organized and playing together - there were times last season when we played some decent football (before confidence plummeted), but we always struggled to create and score. Goal scorer imperative for first game, then bring in reinforcements. Edited July 19, 2016 by Gary Thomas 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 (edited) Was Bond an ex defender? You'd think Bond and Steve Clarke on the coaching staff can organise the defensive into a reasonably secure defensive unit. It shouldn't be rocket science, Newcastle were a car crash at the back for most of last season, Rafa came in and they were pretty tough to score against for the last 6-7 games. Leicester last season...Simpson, Huth, Morgan, Fuchs. None of them are anywhere near the best in their respective positions but how hard were they to score against in the last three months of the season. I think we'll start with Hutton- Elphick-Okore/Clark-Amavi. If we can be o.k at the back and get in a proven striker alongside Ayew that's most of the battle won surely. Edited July 19, 2016 by VillaChris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterfingers Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 16 minutes ago, hippo said: RDM was the never the man if you wanted a big clearout. Its something hes never done in his own career - and by his own admission his forte is "getting difficult dressing rooms to work together" . I always suspected when he was appointed that he would adopt a diplomatic approach to the current squad. I can't believe people did see this on appointment. To me the issue isn't how many of last squad remain. Its how strongly they are managed and kept in line. Personally I doubt RDM is the man to rule that dressing room with an iron fist - and that will be his downfall. All IMO of course. Not many managers have overseen big clear outs and even less have done so more than once. It is not a specialist job-Anyone can do it. It does however involve several factors, not least, does the contracted player actually agree to being "cleared out". I always suspected that whoever took charge would want to make his own decision on the players available-I'd have been far more concerned if he hadn't. I think people who have visions of RDM being some kind of soft touch are in for a surprise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KSV Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 So Hamburg bidding 8 million for Ayew. WBA 4.5 for Clark and Sheffield Wednesday in for Bennett. Are the rumours at the moment. Hopefully all bs. We have 7-8 others to get rid of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddiemunster Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 4 minutes ago, KSV said: So Hamburg bidding 8 million for Ayew. WBA 4.5 for Clark and Sheffield Wednesday in for Bennett. Are the rumours at the moment. Hopefully all bs. We have 7-8 others to get rid of. Might be bs, as we've had supposed bids for Guzan, Westwood, Sinclair, Sanchez,Gana and a loan bid for Vertout, but no expansive news on any of them. Need to get real bids (or get rid) for Lescott,Bacuna,Richards,,Agbonlahor and Guzan. Then at least, we would have got rid of the disruptive element from the dressing room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntrimBlack Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 26 minutes ago, Gary Thomas said: I wouldn't mind going into the first game with a quality striker in - then continue in the market getting players out and bringing a few in. Not ideal, but we have players who could be very good in the championship. A lot depends on whether RDM and Clark can get them organized and playing together - there were times last season when we played some decent football (before confidence plummeted), but we always struggled to create and score. Goal scorer imperative for first game, then bring in reinforcements. I agree with this. Our games in August, while the window remains open, will be important in any decision making. There is nothing like actual proper competitive games to sort out the good from the bad. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villan_of_oz Posted July 19, 2016 VT Supporter Share Posted July 19, 2016 (edited) 2 hours ago, eddiemunster said: Might be bs, as we've had supposed bids for Guzan, Westwood, Sinclair, Sanchez,Gana and a loan bid for Vertout, but no expansive news on any of them. Need to get real bids (or get rid) for Lescott,Bacuna,Richards,,Agbonlahor and Guzan. Then at least, we would have got rid of the disruptive element from the dressing room. can't say I have ever thought of Guzan as 'disruptive' Edited July 19, 2016 by Villan_of_oz 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sexbelowsound Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 Didn't Big T say Ayew was staying? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMelvillan Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 19 minutes ago, Villan_of_oz said: can't say I have ever thought of Guzan as 'dusruptive' no one has... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilchard Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 14 minutes ago, Villan_of_oz said: can't say I have ever thought of Guzan as 'dusruptive' The attitude shown during 'Chewing Gum gate' wasn't particularly great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villan_of_oz Posted July 19, 2016 VT Supporter Share Posted July 19, 2016 34 minutes ago, TheMelvillan said: no one has... Um yes in the post I quoted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMelvillan Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 12 minutes ago, Villan_of_oz said: Um yes in the post I quoted i was just being a spelling nob and gently ribbing you over your spelling of "dusruptive" 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest av1 Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 1 hour ago, lexicon said: I don't agree - people seem to forget that we're not playing in the prem this season. Our squad underperformed massively last season and if RDM can keep up the positivity we're capable of a good season as is IMO. I don't think they underperformed, i genuinely believe they were the worst squad of players in the league. Added to the fact that the attitude of half of them is terrible, and i think finishing bottom was no more than we deserved. And so far there hasn't really been massive improvement to the playing staff. Aside from Elphick who looks a good signing, we have signed a young lad from Reading with half a dozen appearances under his belt and young keeper from Italy who few would have even heard of. And given that there may well be bids come in for the likes of Ayew, Adama and Gueye, there is every chance our squad could even weaker than the sh#t show we had last season. I really do admire the optimism of anyone that thinks this squad is will have a strong season. With 3 weeks to go till kickoff there is still a massive amount of work to be done imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexicon Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 Well your avatar says it all really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest av1 Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 In my defence, that was last season. I've still not found one that reads 'things looking better, but much to early for champagne' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BOF Posted July 19, 2016 Moderator Popular Post Share Posted July 19, 2016 4 minutes ago, av1 said: In my defence, that was last season. I've still not found one that reads 'things looking better, but much to early for champagne' 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest av1 Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 Woo hoo..i shall change it immediately Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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