Summer transfer, gossip, speculation and the usual butter ollocks thread

[mr underhill]

a life?

[kippaxvilla2]

Percy is saying both Traore and Martinez are done but it’s behind a paywall.  That was 7.40 tonight.

[dave shelley]

I think I prefer it when signings are completed before anyone knows anything about it.  I find all this knowing beforehand provoking excitement and then having it drag out in a will they won't they scenario very frustrating.

[brian green]

What is a pay wall? A restriction on declaring how much they are to be paid?

[Steve67]

Thus far?

                Martinez
Cash    Konsa    Mings    Targett
         McGinn Luiz  XXXXX
  Traore     Watkins     Grealish

If we bring in Rashica, move Jack to the XXXX.  I still think we need that midfielder but we haven't been linked with anyone of note for that position.

[dave.woodhall]

What is a pay wall? A restriction on declaring how much they are to be paid?

It's a media thing - you can't read the article unless you subscribe.

[paul_e]

Thus far?

                Martinez
Cash    Konsa    Mings    Targett
         McGinn Luiz  XXXXX
  Traore     Watkins     Grealish

If we bring in Rashica, move Jack to the XXXX.  I still think we need that midfielder but we haven't been linked with anyone of note for that position.

The full squad is more important:

Goal(3): Martinez, Heaton, Steer
RB(3): Cash, Guilbert, Elmo
LB(2): Targett, Taylor
CB(4): Mings, Konsa, Engles, Hause
DM(2): Luiz, Nakamba, *NEW*
CM(2): McGinn, Hourihane
AM(5): Grealish, *Rashica*, Trez, AEG, Traore
ST(4): Watkins, Wesley, Davis, Samatta

That's 26 so we'd need to move someone out and I think I'd go with Davis on loan for now.

[ozzjim]

Thus far?

                Martinez
Cash    Konsa    Mings    Targett
         McGinn Luiz  XXXXX
  Traore     Watkins     Grealish

If we bring in Rashica, move Jack to the XXXX.  I still think we need that midfielder but we haven't been linked with anyone of note for that position.

The full squad is more important:

Goal(3): Martinez, Heaton, Steer
RB(3): Cash, Guilbert, Elmo
LB(2): Targett, Taylor
CB(4): Mings, Konsa, Engles, Hause
DM(2): Luiz, Nakamba, *NEW*
CM(2): McGinn, Hourihane
AM(5): Grealish, *Rashica*, Trez, AEG, Traore
ST(4): Watkins, Wesley, Davis, Samatta

That's 26 so we'd need to move someone out and I think I'd go with Davis on loan for now.

Realistically you would hope to move Samatta on and replace with a better striker, and AEG on and replace with a better winger, on top of getting in Traore and Rashica. In this window, just getting Rashica would be a big step forward, but you still need that mythical number 8. Ideally someone with a physical presence that can get their foot in in both boxes. A 24 year old Ian Taylor please.

[paul_e]

Thus far?

                Martinez
Cash    Konsa    Mings    Targett
         McGinn Luiz  XXXXX
  Traore     Watkins     Grealish

If we bring in Rashica, move Jack to the XXXX.  I still think we need that midfielder but we haven't been linked with anyone of note for that position.

The full squad is more important:

Goal(3): Martinez, Heaton, Steer
RB(3): Cash, Guilbert, Elmo
LB(2): Targett, Taylor
CB(4): Mings, Konsa, Engles, Hause
DM(2): Luiz, Nakamba, *NEW*
CM(2): McGinn, Hourihane
AM(5): Grealish, *Rashica*, Trez, AEG, Traore
ST(4): Watkins, Wesley, Davis, Samatta

That's 26 so we'd need to move someone out and I think I'd go with Davis on loan for now.

Realistically you would hope to move Samatta on and replace with a better striker, and AEG on and replace with a better winger, on top of getting in Traore and Rashica. In this window, just getting Rashica would be a big step forward, but you still need that mythical number 8. Ideally someone with a physical presence that can get their foot in in both boxes. A 24 year old Ian Taylor please.

I'd give him some more time, I'm not a fan of dumping anyone after half a season unless they've failed completely.

Next summer would be the time, for me, to replace the likes of Taylor, AEG, Trez, Samatta, etc.

[brontebilly]

Thus far?

                Martinez
Cash    Konsa    Mings    Targett
         McGinn Luiz  XXXXX
  Traore     Watkins     Grealish

If we bring in Rashica, move Jack to the XXXX.  I still think we need that midfielder but we haven't been linked with anyone of note for that position.

There is no way Smith should be contemplating moving Grealish. I've a horrible feeling after all this England nonsense that it's being considered. That midfield three Luiz, McGinn, Grealish were destroyed in the early part of last season. I don't think McGinn has the positional discipline (or fitness) to play in that role either.

[Footy-Vill]

Theres some flexibility in squad too for cover if we did get rid of some of those listed players.

Konsa can play right back and defensive midfield
Engels can play defensive Midfielder
Cash can play midfield
Hause can play left back
Elmo can play midfield winger
Grealish can play midfield
Traroe can play Central forward

[paul_e]

Thus far?

                Martinez
Cash    Konsa    Mings    Targett
         McGinn Luiz  XXXXX
  Traore     Watkins     Grealish

If we bring in Rashica, move Jack to the XXXX.  I still think we need that midfielder but we haven't been linked with anyone of note for that position.

There is no way Smith should be contemplating moving Grealish. I've a horrible feeling after all this England nonsense that it's being considered. That midfield three Luiz, McGinn, Grealish were destroyed in the early part of last season. I don't think McGinn has the positional discipline (or fitness) to play in that role either.

Maybe not but with 2 more defensive players in there (Luiz and a new signing) Grealish, Rashica and McGinn all become options to play at 10. Could even play all 3 as a fairly fluid 3 behind Watkins, Wesley or Traore. That's why another Midfielder is so important, I wouldn't dare play that way with McGinn, Hourihane or Nakamba as 1 of the 2.

[Sexual Ealing]

Thus far?

                Martinez
Cash    Konsa    Mings    Targett
         McGinn Luiz  XXXXX
  Traore     Watkins     Grealish

If we bring in Rashica, move Jack to the XXXX.  I still think we need that midfielder but we haven't been linked with anyone of note for that position.

There is no way Smith should be contemplating moving Grealish. I've a horrible feeling after all this England nonsense that it's being considered. That midfield three Luiz, McGinn, Grealish were destroyed in the early part of last season. I don't think McGinn has the positional discipline (or fitness) to play in that role either.

I think I agree with this. I have no doubt that Jack could play that role, but it'd need to be with two solid midfielders behind him. I love both Luiz and McGinn, but I'm not sure I'd describe either as solid. I also wouldn't want to lose either from our first 11.

[paul_e]

Thus far?

                Martinez
Cash    Konsa    Mings    Targett
         McGinn Luiz  XXXXX
  Traore     Watkins     Grealish

If we bring in Rashica, move Jack to the XXXX.  I still think we need that midfielder but we haven't been linked with anyone of note for that position.

There is no way Smith should be contemplating moving Grealish. I've a horrible feeling after all this England nonsense that it's being considered. That midfield three Luiz, McGinn, Grealish were destroyed in the early part of last season. I don't think McGinn has the positional discipline (or fitness) to play in that role either.

I think I agree with this. I have no doubt that Jack could play that role, but it'd need to be with two solid midfielders behind him. I love both Luiz and McGinn, but I'm not sure I'd describe either as solid. I also wouldn't want to lose either from our first 11.

This season more than most I don't think 'first 11' is a particularly useful concept. We're going to have to rotate players, particularly the midfield and wide options, so having options to set up in a different shape (even if the formation itself isn't changed) will help with that. I'll still be happy if the likes of McGinn and Luiz start 30+ games but I don't see 38 games for more than 1-2 players as being realistic and I don't think it will be fair to say players have been 'dropped' when the inevitable changes come along. With cup games and rescheduled matches there's going to be 3-4 times where we play weekend and midweek games for a few weeks in a row and there's where the squad depth will really make a difference.

[Sexual Ealing]

Yeah, fair enough. I guess it's going to take a while to get used to what looks suspiciously like sensible planning.