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Post by stokesupporter on Jul 20, 2020 20:21:36 GMT
Verlinden is full of running and energy like young players usually are. I personally haven't seen much skill or creativity from him though but he's still a young player and could get better. But I'm not convinced that he will get himself a regular starting spot in our team anytime soon. Hope he proves me wrong though.
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Post by thehoof on Jul 20, 2020 20:31:08 GMT
in addition your assessment of a lot the current squad is way off the mark. Cousins, Batth, BMI and Chester are perfectly fine at this level - and Allen is a way better player than you have ever given him credit
I agree that Allen is way better than Bayern gives him credit for, but I think he’s right with regard to Batth BMI, Chester and Cousins- our defense has been utter gash for the majority of the season- hence the number of goals conceded- Batth should stay as a squad player, the rest would just consign us to another season of shambolic defending, Chester has made so many mistakes in his time with us, my nerves couldn’t take any more of him, and BMI hasn’t been anything but average ( and that’s being kind) in either the left back or centre half position for 3 years. It will be like the TomCruise film if we keep them in the side- Live, die , repeat; some changes have to be made and defense is clearly one of them- the evidence has been there for all to see!
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Post by bayernoatcake on Jul 20, 2020 20:45:56 GMT
I didn't the miss point, I just don't think it's a good point. We need a new defensive unit. It's as simple as that. Batth is a good sub. Chester should never play for Stoke again. Yes. The team hasn't worked defensively. It's been awful at the back and needs massive improvements. You don't get promotion with Danny Batth playing regularly. Many teams have tried it, none have succeeded. Wolves got their success when they benched him. Boro spent millions and still failed. It's clear we need an overhaul with the defesive players. I happen to think he'll keep playing Smith and one of the CBs. And replace the keeper, the other CB and LB. So that's a good start. So changing 6 of a starting 11 that have accumulated enough points in the second half of the season tp be in the playoffs in a truncated preseason is a better idea than tweaking what O'Neill has managed to achieve in the last 6 months? If O'Neill does what you want him to do (which he won't by the way) we'll kill the momentum we've built up and put team building back 6 months. That's nuts. in addition your assessment of a lot the current squad is way off the mark. Cousins, Batth, BMI and Chester are perfectly fine at this level - and Allen is a way better player than you have ever given him credit. It seems to me that you want us to build a Premiership quality squad in order to get out of the Championship - which isn't even possible. To succeed in the Premiership we would definitely to be upgrading 5 or 6 of the starting 11 and we'd be in a position to do it. However to get promoted we don't need to do that - we need to get the best out of what we've got and O'Neill has demonstrated he can do that. Yes. And no it wouldn't. I think 3 of the back 5 will change for sure so it's not far off. And I hope to God someone bids for Allen so we can get 4 of the 6 done Cousins is definitely a league one player. Batth is a sub. And has shown in his career he's not a player that gets you promoted if he plays regularly. He's been toss for us two seasons now too. Chester has been awful, if we sign it will show that we have learned absolutely sod all. I liked BMI in the PL, it was more suited to his game, in the Champo though he's been dominated in the air and shown a real weakness there. And I think the club will be actively trying to get rid of him anyway due to his wage. Allen has been the key to so many issues we've faced as a team with headless chicken act. The club needs a overhaul in general, the squad is definitely included in that.
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Post by ParaPsych on Jul 20, 2020 20:55:16 GMT
It's going to be really tough to make anywhere near the number of changes we ideally require. People are going to have to handle the fact we are still going to have some rubbish players in the team next season.
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Post by bayernoatcake on Jul 20, 2020 21:11:41 GMT
It's going to be really tough to make anywhere near the number of changes we ideally require. People are going to have to handle the fact we are still going to have some rubbish players in the team next season. Oh God yeah. Allen and McClean will still treading the boards for sure. Can't wait. My real issue is if we sign shit in like Chester. There's just no need. I'd rather Lindsay played and he like Cousins is a league one player.
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Post by ethers26 on Jul 21, 2020 7:41:30 GMT
This is also unbelievable. Agreed re Campbell. To say Collins is one of the best young CBs in world football is absurd. He's looked average most games he's started bar some good headers. And got absolutely rinsed vs Leeds. Verlinden doesn't offer WAY more than McClean. He has better quality in the final third, yes. But is he quicker over long distance? Not convincingly. Stronger? Nowhere near. Work harder? No. Better defensively? No. McClean played LB a lot this season and his stats are decent. What 18 year old CBs are playing as much as Collins? He's way quicker and definitely so with the ball at his feet. I couldn't give a shit about how strong a winger is. Totally irrelevant. Hard work again, I don't care. McClean is woeful defensively generally and switches off way too easily. Utter myth that he's good defensively. Ah okay, a debate about how important strength and hard work is for good wing-play is a different kettle of fish and a bizarre one at that. McClean was immense defensively in literally the last game we played though. Having a winger who can dig deep in big games is a huge asset.
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Post by wagsastokie on Jul 21, 2020 8:07:13 GMT
What 18 year old CBs are playing as much as Collins? He's way quicker and definitely so with the ball at his feet. I couldn't give a shit about how strong a winger is. Totally irrelevant. Hard work again, I don't care. McClean is woeful defensively generally and switches off way too easily. Utter myth that he's good defensively. Ah okay, a debate about how important strength and hard work is for good wing-play is a different kettle of fish and a bizarre one at that. McClean was immense defensively in literally the last game we played though. Having a winger who can dig deep in big games is a huge asset. McLean isn't the problem it's the other wing where the winger can't beat his man can't cross and struggles to track back So we're left with a young center forward who Allegedly has pace who mysteriously is knackered after 60 mins on the wing
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Post by bayernoatcake on Jul 21, 2020 8:24:02 GMT
What 18 year old CBs are playing as much as Collins? He's way quicker and definitely so with the ball at his feet. I couldn't give a shit about how strong a winger is. Totally irrelevant. Hard work again, I don't care. McClean is woeful defensively generally and switches off way too easily. Utter myth that he's good defensively. Ah okay, a debate about how important strength and hard work is for good wing-play is a different kettle of fish and a bizarre one at that. McClean was immense defensively in literally the last game we played though. Having a winger who can dig deep in big games is a huge asset. He was but that was not the par for him. The par is usually switching off and letting runners go and then reacting to them when it’s too late.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2020 8:44:44 GMT
Going back to the OP and the extensive list that was created it is striking just how much junk/fat we have in our squad and the mammoth task it is going to be to get rid of them alongside FFP, alongside trying to bring in players ourselves. We're not talking a summer of upheaval here even if we could. With what we have amassed, we are looking at a good three calendar years to turn it all around given how tight finances are now and are going to be going forwards.
The best we can hope for is loans out and with COVID-19 affecting finances worldwide i'd say it will be nothing more than a paperwork exercise to just get them off the books and out of the building, with us picking up a fair percentage of their wages.
My big worry with all of this is potentially wasting a huge opportunity with MON, with us wasting a fair percentage of our time with him firefighting players out of the building and riding the FFP wave.
If he can get us fighting in and around the play offs it will be a huge achievement.
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Post by juiceandbits on Jul 21, 2020 9:02:10 GMT
Going back to the OP and the extensive list that was created it is striking just how much junk/fat we have in our squad and the mammoth task it is going to be to get rid of them alongside FFP, alongside trying to bring in players ourselves. We're not talking a summer of upheaval here even if we could. With what we have amassed, we are looking at a good three calendar years to turn it all around given how tight finances are now and are going to be going forwards. The best we can hope for is loans out and with COVID-19 affecting finances worldwide i'd say it will be nothing more than a paperwork exercise to just get them off the books and out of the building, with us picking up a fair percentage of their wages. My big worry with all of this is potentially wasting a huge opportunity with MON, with us wasting a fair percentage of our time with him firefighting players out of the building and riding the FFP wave. If he can get us fighting in and around the play offs it will be a huge achievement. I’m imagining a future where he gets us up with this shambles of a squad and some of the loanees come running back and he tells all of them to fuck off. Would love to see it.
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Post by Staffsoatcake on Jul 21, 2020 9:16:41 GMT
We really do need a complete new defensive unit. Every time we concede a corner or free kick near our penalty area, I shite mesen. Plus Ince needs to go & McClean to be back up for a better wide left player.
Vokes & Gregory are not the answer, if we are looking to gain promotion next season.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2020 9:33:36 GMT
Going back to the OP and the extensive list that was created it is striking just how much junk/fat we have in our squad and the mammoth task it is going to be to get rid of them alongside FFP, alongside trying to bring in players ourselves. We're not talking a summer of upheaval here even if we could. With what we have amassed, we are looking at a good three calendar years to turn it all around given how tight finances are now and are going to be going forwards. The best we can hope for is loans out and with COVID-19 affecting finances worldwide i'd say it will be nothing more than a paperwork exercise to just get them off the books and out of the building, with us picking up a fair percentage of their wages. My big worry with all of this is potentially wasting a huge opportunity with MON, with us wasting a fair percentage of our time with him firefighting players out of the building and riding the FFP wave. If he can get us fighting in and around the play offs it will be a huge achievement. ....some of the loanees come running back and he tells all of them to fuck off. Would love to see it.
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Post by Miles Offside on Jul 21, 2020 9:34:43 GMT
MON will need to know how much dead wood he can move, whether he'll have to replace any regular first-teamers (BMI, Butland and Allen) and the money he'll have to spend.
Then the qualities he wants to bring in (pace, physicality, finishing) and system he wants to play, will all determine who he targets.
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Post by CBUFAWKIPWH on Jul 21, 2020 16:48:35 GMT
So changing 6 of a starting 11 that have accumulated enough points in the second half of the season tp be in the playoffs in a truncated preseason is a better idea than tweaking what O'Neill has managed to achieve in the last 6 months? If O'Neill does what you want him to do (which he won't by the way) we'll kill the momentum we've built up and put team building back 6 months. That's nuts. in addition your assessment of a lot the current squad is way off the mark. Cousins, Batth, BMI and Chester are perfectly fine at this level - and Allen is a way better player than you have ever given him credit. It seems to me that you want us to build a Premiership quality squad in order to get out of the Championship - which isn't even possible. To succeed in the Premiership we would definitely to be upgrading 5 or 6 of the starting 11 and we'd be in a position to do it. However to get promoted we don't need to do that - we need to get the best out of what we've got and O'Neill has demonstrated he can do that. Yes. And no it wouldn't. I think 3 of the back 5 will change for sure so it's not far off. And I hope to God someone bids for Allen so we can get 4 of the 6 done Cousins is definitely a league one player. Batth is a sub. And has shown in his career he's not a player that gets you promoted if he plays regularly. He's been toss for us two seasons now too. Chester has been awful, if we sign it will show that we have learned absolutely sod all. I liked BMI in the PL, it was more suited to his game, in the Champo though he's been dominated in the air and shown a real weakness there. And I think the club will be actively trying to get rid of him anyway due to his wage. Allen has been the key to so many issues we've faced as a team with headless chicken act. The club needs a overhaul in general, the squad is definitely included in that. If the club did what you are proposing - and they won't - they'd be chucking away any prospect of promotion next season. O'Neill has been saying since lock down that this is a 55 game season and in effect the last nine games post lock down have been the preseason. He clearly sees the current squad as being core to his plans and he'll be tweaking at the edges rather than making wholesale changes. Teamwork is key to success in this league and that takes time to establish. We have less time to change things around this season and if we did we'd be throwing away the progress made in the last six months. You can succeed in this league with players of the calibre of Cousins, Batth and Chester providing the team is working as a unit. We could replace them with "better" players (and there is absolutely no guarantee we could attract better players given FFP and a truncated transfer window), lose the momentum we've built up and be less successful next season as a result. What you are proposing makes sense on Football Manager and absolutely no sense in the real world.
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Post by thehoof on Jul 21, 2020 19:14:24 GMT
Yes. And no it wouldn't. I think 3 of the back 5 will change for sure so it's not far off. And I hope to God someone bids for Allen so we can get 4 of the 6 done Cousins is definitely a league one player. Batth is a sub. And has shown in his career he's not a player that gets you promoted if he plays regularly. He's been toss for us two seasons now too. Chester has been awful, if we sign it will show that we have learned absolutely sod all. I liked BMI in the PL, it was more suited to his game, in the Champo though he's been dominated in the air and shown a real weakness there. And I think the club will be actively trying to get rid of him anyway due to his wage. Allen has been the key to so many issues we've faced as a team with headless chicken act. The club needs a overhaul in general, the squad is definitely included in that. If the club did what you are proposing - and they won't - they'd be chucking away any prospect of promotion next season. O'Neill has been saying since lock down that this is a 55 game season and in effect the last nine games post lock down have been the preseason. He clearly sees the current squad as being core to his plans and he'll be tweaking at the edges rather than making wholesale changes. Teamwork is key to success in this league and that takes time to establish. We have less time to change things around this season and if we did we'd be throwing away the progress made in the last six months. You can succeed in this league with players of the calibre of Cousins, Batth and Chester providing the team is working as a unit. We could replace them with "better" players (and there is absolutely no guarantee we could attract better players given FFP and a truncated transfer window), lose the momentum we've built up and be less successful next season as a result. What you are proposing makes sense on Football Manager and absolutely no sense in the real world. I struggle to see how you ascertain that Batth and Chester are good enough when you look at the number of goals conceded and the total lack of leadership offered by either during the majority of games in which they played. Cousins could be a useful squad player but if he started 30 games I think that we would yet again be hogging the lower reaches. Your point that it is very hard to carry out major surgery in the few weeks available is valid, but to think that the 3 players you specifically mentioned are adequate is to ignore their performances in total and to only rely on the limited number of decent games that they have had.
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Post by CBUFAWKIPWH on Jul 22, 2020 9:58:02 GMT
If the club did what you are proposing - and they won't - they'd be chucking away any prospect of promotion next season. O'Neill has been saying since lock down that this is a 55 game season and in effect the last nine games post lock down have been the preseason. He clearly sees the current squad as being core to his plans and he'll be tweaking at the edges rather than making wholesale changes. Teamwork is key to success in this league and that takes time to establish. We have less time to change things around this season and if we did we'd be throwing away the progress made in the last six months. You can succeed in this league with players of the calibre of Cousins, Batth and Chester providing the team is working as a unit. We could replace them with "better" players (and there is absolutely no guarantee we could attract better players given FFP and a truncated transfer window), lose the momentum we've built up and be less successful next season as a result. What you are proposing makes sense on Football Manager and absolutely no sense in the real world. I struggle to see how you ascertain that Batth and Chester are good enough when you look at the number of goals conceded and the total lack of leadership offered by either during the majority of games in which they played. Cousins could be a useful squad player but if he started 30 games I think that we would yet again be hogging the lower reaches. Your point that it is very hard to carry out major surgery in the few weeks available is valid, but to think that the 3 players you specifically mentioned are adequate is to ignore their performances in total and to only rely on the limited number of decent games that they have had. Those players have played a part in accumulating 35 points in the last 22 games - keep that going over a whole season and we're in the playoffs. The issue isn't about individual players - despite the over the top criticism of some of the players we actually have one of the better squads in the league. The problem has been players under performing and a lack of team work - which O'Neil has addressed. We can argue all day about whether we can improve on individual players and on paper of course we can - but that is completely missing the point. We won't be able to make wholesale changes because of a truncated preseason and FFP and if we did we would set ourselves back 6 months in terms of teamwork - we would be back where we were at Xmas. Bayern is insisting that the way forward is to make wholesale changes - presumably because he thinks individual ability is more important than getting a team to gel. I think he is wrong - we could improve the individual players, kill off the momentum we have built over the last 6 months and end up with a lower points total next season. O'Neill is pretty much saying the same thing - he's made it clear that he considers the games post lockdown as part of the preseason - he's looking to build on the teamwork he's established to catapult us up the league with pretty much the current core set of players. The trick to getting promoted is to be the best team - not having the best set of Panini cards,
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2020 10:53:25 GMT
I struggle to see how you ascertain that Batth and Chester are good enough when you look at the number of goals conceded and the total lack of leadership offered by either during the majority of games in which they played. Cousins could be a useful squad player but if he started 30 games I think that we would yet again be hogging the lower reaches. Your point that it is very hard to carry out major surgery in the few weeks available is valid, but to think that the 3 players you specifically mentioned are adequate is to ignore their performances in total and to only rely on the limited number of decent games that they have had. Those players have played a part in accumulating 35 points in the last 22 games - keep that going over a whole season and we're in the playoffs. The issue isn't about individual players - despite the over the top criticism of some of the players we actually have one of the better squads in the league. The problem has been players under performing and a lack of team work - which O'Neil has addressed. We can argue all day about whether we can improve on individual players and on paper of course we can - but that is completely missing the point. We won't be able to make wholesale changes because of a truncated preseason and FFP and if we did we would set ourselves back 6 months in terms of teamwork - we would be back where we were at Xmas. Bayern is insisting that the way forward is to make wholesale changes - presumably because he thinks individual ability is more important than getting a team to gel. I think he is wrong - we could improve the individual players, kill off the momentum we have built over the last 6 months and end up with a lower points total next season. O'Neill is pretty much saying the same thing - he's made it clear that he considers the games post lockdown as part of the preseason - he's looking to build on the teamwork he's established to catapult us up the league with pretty much the current core set of players. The trick to getting promoted is to be the best team - not having the best set of Panini cards, I agree. The biggest challenge O'Neill has I would say is to reverse our stinking away form, and for that we need pace and power in the team. Yes the back four has looked shoddy away from home at times but you defend as a team, and if you know you have players that can not only attack with pace but get back into their shape quickly also, that makes things so much easier for the defence as they're not getting caught facing their own net, or in one on one situations. In theory just 2/3 changes could totally transform the team if they possess those attributes......
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Post by CBUFAWKIPWH on Jul 22, 2020 11:18:46 GMT
Those players have played a part in accumulating 35 points in the last 22 games - keep that going over a whole season and we're in the playoffs. The issue isn't about individual players - despite the over the top criticism of some of the players we actually have one of the better squads in the league. The problem has been players under performing and a lack of team work - which O'Neil has addressed. We can argue all day about whether we can improve on individual players and on paper of course we can - but that is completely missing the point. We won't be able to make wholesale changes because of a truncated preseason and FFP and if we did we would set ourselves back 6 months in terms of teamwork - we would be back where we were at Xmas. Bayern is insisting that the way forward is to make wholesale changes - presumably because he thinks individual ability is more important than getting a team to gel. I think he is wrong - we could improve the individual players, kill off the momentum we have built over the last 6 months and end up with a lower points total next season. O'Neill is pretty much saying the same thing - he's made it clear that he considers the games post lockdown as part of the preseason - he's looking to build on the teamwork he's established to catapult us up the league with pretty much the current core set of players. The trick to getting promoted is to be the best team - not having the best set of Panini cards, I agree. The biggest challenge O'Neill has I would say is to reverse our stinking away form, and for that we need pace and power in the team. Yes the back four has looked shoddy away from home at times but you defend as a team, and if you know you have players that can not only attack with pace but get back into their shape quickly also, that makes things so much easier for the defence as they're not getting caught facing their own net, or in one on one situations. In theory just 2/3 changes could totally transform the team if they possess those attributes...... The biggest problem we have at the back is LB and RB and we definitely need 2 first teamers in those positions. If BMI were to stay I'd say we're ok at centre back with Batth, Collins, BMI, Shawcross and Chester. We are pretty well covered in midfield and a front three of McClean, Campbell and Afobe doesn't lack pace but if we push the boat out for 3 new first teamers the obvious investment is an out and out goal scorer. The other thing about the defence is confidence in the goal keeper and we've looked so much more solid at the back with Davies in goal. I sincerely hope Butland gets his career back on track but I can't help thinking our best transfer of the summer would be Butland leaving and if O'Neill picks Davies today I think that will be a statement of intent regarding the pecking order next season. You are right about our away form and O'Neill pointed this out in his last press conference. However I think the way forward now is to build on the solid foundations of the last 6 months rather than kill off momentum by making wholesale changes. The time for major surgery would be if we get promoted - hopefully there will be more time, we'll have more cash to invest and we will be a far more attractive proposition for the better players.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2020 11:28:38 GMT
I agree. The biggest challenge O'Neill has I would say is to reverse our stinking away form, and for that we need pace and power in the team. Yes the back four has looked shoddy away from home at times but you defend as a team, and if you know you have players that can not only attack with pace but get back into their shape quickly also, that makes things so much easier for the defence as they're not getting caught facing their own net, or in one on one situations. In theory just 2/3 changes could totally transform the team if they possess those attributes...... The biggest problem we have at the back is LB and RB and we definitely need 2 first teamers in those positions. If BMI were to stay I'd say we're ok at centre back with Batth, Collins, BMI, Shawcross and Chester. We are pretty well covered in midfield and a front three of McClean, Campbell and Afobe doesn't lack pace but if we push the boat out for 3 new first teamers the obvious investment is an out and out goal scorer. The other thing about the defence is confidence in the goal keeper and we've looked so much more solid at the back with Davies in goal. I sincerely hope Butland gets his career back on track but I can't help thinking our best transfer of the summer would be Butland leaving and if O'Neill picks Davies today I think that will be a statement of intent regarding the pecking order next season. You are right about our away form and O'Neill pointed this out in his last press conference. However I think the way forward now is to build on the solid foundations of the last 6 months rather than kill off momentum by making wholesale changes. The time for major surgery would be if we get promoted - hopefully there will be more time, we'll have more cash to invest and we will be a far more attractive proposition for the better players. A left back in the Robinson, daSilva, Henry mould, a beast of a midfield spoiler/enforcer, and a pacey right sided replacement for Ince would transform the team dramatically. I agree we need to build on the progress O'Neill rather than rip it up and start again, that's not going to happen on a practical level whether we want it to or not anyway due to FFP and the contracts some of our squad are sitting on.....
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Post by chiswickpotter on Jul 22, 2020 11:43:31 GMT
We don’t have the time or financial flexibility to rip it up. But as several People have pointed out we have had near play off form despite obvious flaws. We should fix the obvious gaps, Centre back (especially if Ryan is doubtful), Left back and a right footed forward as MON likes reverse side attackers (could be Afobe). A new CDM would be nice but with Cousins and Thompson we are top heavy in midfield. A mix of continuity and progress would be
Davies/new goalie to compete Smith Shawcross/Batth/Collins New LCB New LB
CDM/ Cousins Clucas Powell
Campbell Vokes/new CF Afobe
Plus Verlinden, McClean, Allen when fit and a utility full back
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Post by robwahlmann on Jul 22, 2020 13:29:08 GMT
The biggest problem we have at the back is LB and RB and we definitely need 2 first teamers in those positions. If BMI were to stay I'd say we're ok at centre back with Batth, Collins, BMI, Shawcross and Chester. We are pretty well covered in midfield and a front three of McClean, Campbell and Afobe doesn't lack pace but if we push the boat out for 3 new first teamers the obvious investment is an out and out goal scorer. The other thing about the defence is confidence in the goal keeper and we've looked so much more solid at the back with Davies in goal. I sincerely hope Butland gets his career back on track but I can't help thinking our best transfer of the summer would be Butland leaving and if O'Neill picks Davies today I think that will be a statement of intent regarding the pecking order next season. You are right about our away form and O'Neill pointed this out in his last press conference. However I think the way forward now is to build on the solid foundations of the last 6 months rather than kill off momentum by making wholesale changes. The time for major surgery would be if we get promoted - hopefully there will be more time, we'll have more cash to invest and we will be a far more attractive proposition for the better players. A left back in the Robinson, daSilva, Henry mould, a beast of a midfield spoiler/enforcer, and a pacey right sided replacement for Ince would transform the team dramatically. I agree we need to build on the progress O'Neill rather than rip it up and start again, that's not going to happen on a practical level whether we want it to or not anyway due to FFP and the contracts some of our squad are sitting on..... Exactly the 3 positions we should prioritise! 1. Left back, 2. Right midfielder and 3. Defensive midfielder.
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Post by realstokebloke on Jul 22, 2020 13:45:56 GMT
A left back in the Robinson, daSilva, Henry mould, a beast of a midfield spoiler/enforcer, and a pacey right sided replacement for Ince would transform the team dramatically. I agree we need to build on the progress O'Neill rather than rip it up and start again, that's not going to happen on a practical level whether we want it to or not anyway due to FFP and the contracts some of our squad are sitting on..... Exactly the 3 positions we should prioritise! 1. Left back, 2. Right midfielder and 3. Defensive midfielder. Can we squeeze in a fourth please?
A RB.
Edwards has fallen off a cliff and Smith is just soo average, especially compared to what we're missing out on in that position.
Get the right ones ('FBs' / Wing Backs) and we could actually think about a half decent 3 at the back if needed.
Other than that, it's all about keeping only the required CB's / MF-ers and FWDs from the cast of thousands we have already, getting a grip on promoting the kiddies and absolutely busting a gut to jettison the rest.
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Jul 22, 2020 13:55:42 GMT
Exactly the 3 positions we should prioritise! 1. Left back, 2. Right midfielder and 3. Defensive midfielder. Can we squeeze in a fourth please?
A RB.
Edwards has fallen off a cliff and Smith is just soo average, especially compared to what we're missing out on in that position.
Get the right ones ('FBs' / Wing Backs) and we could actually think about a half decent 3 at the back if needed.
Other than that, it's all about keeping only the required CB's / MF-ers and FWDs from the cast of thousands we have already, getting a grip on promoting the kiddies and absolutely busting a gut to jettison the rest.
Cuco Martina is available🤣 Christ he is worse, much worse than Smith!!!
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Post by robwahlmann on Jul 22, 2020 14:48:20 GMT
Bauer is coming back too! How will he fare under the new manager?
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Post by rickyfullerbeer on Jul 22, 2020 14:56:36 GMT
Bauer is coming back too! How will he fare under the new manager? It'll be his bus fare under the new manager.
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Post by thehoof on Jul 22, 2020 14:58:08 GMT
I struggle to see how you ascertain that Batth and Chester are good enough when you look at the number of goals conceded and the total lack of leadership offered by either during the majority of games in which they played. Cousins could be a useful squad player but if he started 30 games I think that we would yet again be hogging the lower reaches. Your point that it is very hard to carry out major surgery in the few weeks available is valid, but to think that the 3 players you specifically mentioned are adequate is to ignore their performances in total and to only rely on the limited number of decent games that they have had. Those players have played a part in accumulating 35 points in the last 22 games - keep that going over a whole season and we're in the playoffs. The issue isn't about individual players - despite the over the top criticism of some of the players we actually have one of the better squads in the league. The problem has been players under performing and a lack of team work - which O'Neil has addressed. We can argue all day about whether we can improve on individual players and on paper of course we can - but that is completely missing the point. We won't be able to make wholesale changes because of a truncated preseason and FFP and if we did we would set ourselves back 6 months in terms of teamwork - we would be back where we were at Xmas. Bayern is insisting that the way forward is to make wholesale changes - presumably because he thinks individual ability is more important than getting a team to gel. I think he is wrong - we could improve the individual players, kill off the momentum we have built over the last 6 months and end up with a lower points total next season. O'Neill is pretty much saying the same thing - he's made it clear that he considers the games post lockdown as part of the preseason - he's looking to build on the teamwork he's established to catapult us up the league with pretty much the current core set of players. The trick to getting promoted is to be the best team - not having the best set of Panini cards, I tend to agree with your point about wholesale changes not being the way to go; I genuinely don’t have your faith in the defense; if I thought Shawcross could overcome his injury problems then I’d be a little better, but I do see Batth and Chester as an absolute recipe for disaster. O’Neill as you say appreciates that his room for manoeuvre is limited and I have to believe that he knows what his priorities are; I don’t expect us to be anything other than comfortable mid-table next year, because this is a two or three year rebuilding job. What I would really struggle with is another season of looking over our shoulders at another relegation scrap.
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Post by robwahlmann on Jul 22, 2020 14:59:23 GMT
Bauer is coming back too! How will he fare under the new manager? It'll be his bus fare under the new manager. It might will, but I still think Bauer has something to offer.
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Post by jimmygscfc1234 on Jul 22, 2020 15:05:56 GMT
Smith will stay as number 1 for the foreseeable. Chester isn't our player and doesn't need to be when we could spend the wages better on a good loanee to play alongside Batth. I don't rate Danny either, in fact, although he's been better these last two games, we're letting his goals blind us to the fact that he really isn't very good. However, we won't be signing another centre back other than one to replace Chester. If this person has pace then this might offset Danny's limitations while Collins stakes his claim. I assume Bruno is off and we still have Lindsay so either he stays as a squad player or we sell him back to Barnsley!
As mentioned above though, the three key signings have to be left back, DM and right wing. Any more would disrupt the squad and we can look again in the New Year. We'd all like another striker but to get one, we have to offload Afobe again. The conundrum will be how we set up as I've alluded to elsewhere as our potential midfield quartet of new DM, Clucas, Allen and Powell would be amongst the best in the division.
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Post by bayernoatcake on Jul 22, 2020 18:49:23 GMT
The defence showing why they need replacing 👍
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Post by bayernoatcake on Jul 22, 2020 18:56:48 GMT
Yes. And no it wouldn't. I think 3 of the back 5 will change for sure so it's not far off. And I hope to God someone bids for Allen so we can get 4 of the 6 done Cousins is definitely a league one player. Batth is a sub. And has shown in his career he's not a player that gets you promoted if he plays regularly. He's been toss for us two seasons now too. Chester has been awful, if we sign it will show that we have learned absolutely sod all. I liked BMI in the PL, it was more suited to his game, in the Champo though he's been dominated in the air and shown a real weakness there. And I think the club will be actively trying to get rid of him anyway due to his wage. Allen has been the key to so many issues we've faced as a team with headless chicken act. The club needs a overhaul in general, the squad is definitely included in that. If the club did what you are proposing - and they won't - they'd be chucking away any prospect of promotion next season. O'Neill has been saying since lock down that this is a 55 game season and in effect the last nine games post lock down have been the preseason. He clearly sees the current squad as being core to his plans and he'll be tweaking at the edges rather than making wholesale changes. Teamwork is key to success in this league and that takes time to establish. We have less time to change things around this season and if we did we'd be throwing away the progress made in the last six months. You can succeed in this league with players of the calibre of Cousins, Batth and Chester providing the team is working as a unit. We could replace them with "better" players (and there is absolutely no guarantee we could attract better players given FFP and a truncated transfer window), lose the momentum we've built up and be less successful next season as a result. What you are proposing makes sense on Football Manager and absolutely no sense in the real world. This defence is awful. They’re all over the shop again tonight. My suggestion makes sense if we want to move up the table.
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