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

[SoccerHQ]

How many games did we bottle

Liverpool
Spurs x 2
Arsenal (away)
Man Utd

we had the outstanding result against Arsenal at home (probably the only defining result against the odds ) to put the whole thing in our own hands
we were in control going into the last game against a team on the beach just turn up and win and we are virtually 100% staying up

we couldn’t even do that and had to rely on others to bail us out

count all the no shows when we really needed results against Bournemouth Watford Brighton etc
and when it comes to bottlers we are there or thereabouts near the top of the table

Different scenario really. The Watford score was being told to the team so at 3-0 down we were content to play out the draw. Then they got it back to 3-2 so we had to show more urgency just in case (Bournemouth were also winning). In the end we got what we needed.

Brentford on that Friday night watched West brom blow it at Huddersfield. They'd just won 8 on the bounce and went to Stoke who'd recently lost 5-0 at Leeds. They lost. Then as they're playing Barnsley they get news West Brom again aren't winning, they then contrive to concede 90th minute goal to lose. Think they'd won 8-9 straight games at Griffin Park before that.

There were also occasions earlier on in the season when they were close to top 2 and suddenly stopped winning.

Likes of Benrahma and Watkins aren't bad players and would do o.k at premier league level but think it's optimistic to think they are of the quality to propel us into the top 8 within 2-3 years. Benrahma reminds me a little of Adel Taarabt who was ripping it up in championship a decade ago in similar manner then went on to do nothing at the top level or anywhere since.

It would be nice to sign a player or two this summer who could really improve us and get us top half in the near future. I've said it before but there are plenty of good players around we could sign who don't play for Brentford or in Belgium.

[dave17]

Haha.  The Athletic is generally good apart from that. 

But it's odd they went after a copy and paste merchant like Evans when it looks like they tapped up all the best writers from other regional and national papers.

im regally disappointed by their content. The guardian and the ft wipe the floor with them. He seems like a nice guy with some contacts at the club but it’s hardly game changing

[ozzjim]

Re bottling it, I think in some games we had some truly awful decisions go against us at times. Arsenal away, Palace away, both Bournemouth games where in the first Billing commits 2 orange card offences and then another yellow in 3 minutes and doesn't get sent and away their keeper literally pinches Engels in the head and there is not a pen given. I know teams have their hard luck stories and we got the 1 lucky moment with hawk eye, but the reality is we got the rough end all season. We did though, have an awful habit of conceding soft late goals, in part due to Smith not managing the game very well. He improved at that immeasurably after lockdown, which is a decent trait for a manager to have.

What players we need to help us not be in that situation I don't know. Better quality subs I'd guess and getting a couple of goals up so we are not a nervous wreck.

[aj2k77]

I'd be very disappointed if our summers work was Championship players and plundering the relegated sides. For me we'd have another season of struggle.

[AsTallAsLions]

I'd be very disappointed if our summers work was Championship players and plundering the relegated sides. For me we'd have another season of struggle.

It depends which players and how we use them.

The likes of Wilson, Watkins, Sarr and Doucoure would obviously be better than what we have in those positions.

If it were Grabban, Welbeck, Lolley and Joe Allen then I'd absolutely agree with you.

[villasjf]

Re bottling it, I think in some games we had some truly awful decisions go against us at times. Arsenal away, Palace away, both Bournemouth games where in the first Billing commits 2 orange card offences and then another yellow in 3 minutes and doesn't get sent and away their keeper literally pinches Engels in the head and there is not a pen given. I know teams have their hard luck stories and we got the 1 lucky moment with hawk eye, but the reality is we got the rough end all season. We did though, have an awful habit of conceding soft late goals, in part due to Smith not managing the game very well. He improved at that immeasurably after lockdown, which is a decent trait for a manager to have.

What players we need to help us not be in that situation I don't know. Better quality subs I'd guess and getting a couple of goals up so we are not a nervous wreck.

I want a team that can play for 90 minutes, we seem to blow up at 60 and Smith and co and the opposition know it. They make a sub and the damage seems to be done. Its years since I saw a Vvilla team play well for 90 mins.

[Big Ming]

I'd be very disappointed if our summers work was Championship players and plundering the relegated sides. For me we'd have another season of struggle.

It depends which players and how we use them.

The likes of Wilson, Watkins, Sarr and Doucoure would obviously be better than what we have in those positions.

If it were Grabban, Welbeck, Lolley and Joe Allen then I'd absolutely agree with you.

I was actually impressed with Welbeck after the lock-down.

Looked really sharp.

[ChicagoLion]

I'd be very disappointed if our summers work was Championship players and plundering the relegated sides. For me we'd have another season of struggle.

It depends which players and how we use them.

The likes of Wilson, Watkins, Sarr and Doucoure would obviously be better than what we have in those positions.

If it were Grabban, Welbeck, Lolley and Joe Allen then I'd absolutely agree with you.

I was actually impressed with Welbeck after the lock-down.

Looked really sharp.

Well he would be, he has spent the last couple of years having a nice rest in the sick room. Fucking hell no.

[Risso]

And he tried a daft back heel on the final day when it was easier just to tap it in.  If he'd scored that it would have made for an interesting last few minutes.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

Listening to a podcast and they’re saying that Lille have had one bid for Morelos at Rangers rejected. Didn’t mention a fee but I wonder if he’d adapt to the Premiership as he stepped up in the Europa league this last season.

[cdbearsfan]

I'd take him as second choice or, occasionally, to play alongside another striker. Wouldn’t want to rely on him as the main man.

[Clampy]

He hasn't got a very good disciplinary record either has he?

[Brazilian Villain]

A year ago I'd have said definitely. Has had a poor 2020, put on a bit of weight and seems a bit moody. Worth a punt though, gets goals but not a team player so best suited to 1 up front. Moving him out the Glasgow fish bowl might help get him motivated and fitter.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

I’ve not really seen enough of him tbh. The disciplinary record stands out but is it dirty play or more verbal? It’s often said that we’re too nice and Maupay was lauded as being a bit of a shit and horrible to play against, obviously it’s a fine line as you don’t want to be down to 10 men every other week.
Edit. I don’t mind a bit of shithousery if it’s us doing it!

[LeeB]

I quite fancy signing a nutter, so on that basis alone it's a yes from me.