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

[danno]

When you want him in your team
And you know he's not signing segnore
Scuse a me, he's become a Toffee
That's Doucoure

[paul_e]

Winger surely? Luiz, McGinn, Hourihane, Nakamba are all capable in different ways. El Ghazi and everywhere apart from in front of goal, Trez, are utterly frustrating.

A winger is very important but I'm not worried about us signing someone there, centre mid seems to be ignored on too many 'wish list' posts (on here and on social media) and I don't understand why. I'm happy for Hourihane and Nakamba to be rotation options in the squad but if we don't strengthen in midfield I don't think signings anywhere else will have as much impact as they should. We were too easily bullied in midfield last season and that needs to be addressed. Get that right and I think the more attacking players would all benefit and may turn out to be better than they're given credit for so far (Samatta and Trez in particular I think have more to give).

[AV82EC]

Winger surely? Luiz, McGinn, Hourihane, Nakamba are all capable in different ways. El Ghazi and everywhere apart from in front of goal, Trez, are utterly frustrating.

A winger is very important but I'm not worried about us signing someone there, centre mid seems to be ignored on too many 'wish list' posts (on here and on social media) and I don't understand why. I'm happy for Hourihane and Nakamba to be rotation options in the squad but if we don't strengthen in midfield I don't think signings anywhere else will have as much impact as they should. We were too easily bullied in midfield last season and that needs to be addressed. Get that right and I think the more attacking players would all benefit and may turn out to be better than they're given credit for so far (Samatta and Trez in particular I think have more to give).

For me it’s not either/or it’s both. I think Watkins covers the wide striker/winger remit perfectly but we do seem to lack some physicality in the middle of the pitch and it needs sorting out.

[Mister E]

With Cash coming in and rumours of Hause going on loan, I wonder if they're thinking of going 3 at the back? Bring in a stronger CB to play alongside Konsa and Mings, using Targett and Cash as wingbacks, and having a MF 3 of JG, McGinn and Liuz. Then, Watkins and Wilson / Abraham upfront.

[paul_e]

Winger surely? Luiz, McGinn, Hourihane, Nakamba are all capable in different ways. El Ghazi and everywhere apart from in front of goal, Trez, are utterly frustrating.

A winger is very important but I'm not worried about us signing someone there, centre mid seems to be ignored on too many 'wish list' posts (on here and on social media) and I don't understand why. I'm happy for Hourihane and Nakamba to be rotation options in the squad but if we don't strengthen in midfield I don't think signings anywhere else will have as much impact as they should. We were too easily bullied in midfield last season and that needs to be addressed. Get that right and I think the more attacking players would all benefit and may turn out to be better than they're given credit for so far (Samatta and Trez in particular I think have more to give).

For me it’s not either/or it’s both. I think Watkins covers the wide striker/winger remit perfectly but we do seem to lack some physicality in the middle of the pitch and it needs sorting out.

Absolutely, I was specifically replying to the idea that from here signing Wilson, Watkins and Benrahma would make it a good window, it won't, a midfielder is absolutely necessary.

[LeeB]

Winger surely? Luiz, McGinn, Hourihane, Nakamba are all capable in different ways. El Ghazi and everywhere apart from in front of goal, Trez, are utterly frustrating.

A winger is very important but I'm not worried about us signing someone there, centre mid seems to be ignored on too many 'wish list' posts (on here and on social media) and I don't understand why. I'm happy for Hourihane and Nakamba to be rotation options in the squad but if we don't strengthen in midfield I don't think signings anywhere else will have as much impact as they should. We were too easily bullied in midfield last season and that needs to be addressed. Get that right and I think the more attacking players would all benefit and may turn out to be better than they're given credit for so far (Samatta and Trez in particular I think have more to give).

For me it’s not either/or it’s both. I think Watkins covers the wide striker/winger remit perfectly but we do seem to lack some physicality in the middle of the pitch and it needs sorting out.

Absolutely, I was specifically replying to the idea that from here signing Wilson, Watkins and Benrahma would make it a good window, it won't, a midfielder is absolutely necessary.

I agree. I'd said earlier in the window I'd have liked Doucoure from Watford but he's going to Everton.

[paul_e]

With Cash coming in and rumours of Hause going on loan, I wonder if they're thinking of going 3 at the back? Bring in a stronger CB to play alongside Konsa and Mings, using Targett and Cash as wingbacks, and having a MF 3 of JG, McGinn and Liuz. Then, Watkins and Wilson / Abraham upfront.

I hope not, 3 at the back is very easy for the opposition to turn into 5 at the back and then leaves huge amount of space for their fullbacks to cross from deep. In fact Hause would, in my opinion, be a requirement if we did that because he's the best header of our defenders. Also i don't think any of our centre backs are suited to the role in the middle of a 3. Konsa could probably adapt to it but I think he's better on the right of a 2.

[KevinGage]

With Cash coming in and rumours of Hause going on loan, I wonder if they're thinking of going 3 at the back? Bring in a stronger CB to play alongside Konsa and Mings, using Targett and Cash as wingbacks, and having a MF 3 of JG, McGinn and Liuz. Then, Watkins and Wilson / Abraham upfront.

If we were looking to play three at the back we'd Shirley be more likely to keep Hause. For back up, if nothing else.

[AllanW]

Obligatory discussion of the 25 …

Current squad;

GK; Heaton, Steer, Nyland, Kalinic

CB; Engels, Konsa, Mings, Hause

RB: Elmo, Guilbert

LB; Taylor, Targett

DM; Luiz, Nakamba

CM; Hourihane, McGinn

AM; Grealish, Hourihane, Jota, Lansbury

Wingers; Trez, El Ghazi,

Strikers; Wesley, Samatta, Davis, Vassiliev, Hogan


Defenders; 12

Mid/Wing; 10

Forwards; 5

Total; 27


Additions; Cash RB/RWB now 28 in squad

Sale or loan out options to get to 25;

Hogan, Jota, Lansbury, Elmo, Kalinic, Nyland

[SheffieldVillain]

Don't think Vassilev would need to be named in the squad as he's 19. Isn't the rule that U21s don't count in your total?

Also, I'd forgotten Hogan existed. I think I prefer it that way.

[ADVILLAFAN]

I would argue that Central Midfield is our strongest position, with Douglas, McGinn and Grealish there. Really looking for depth, rather than starters there.

Winger and Centre-Forward look our weakest areas.

[AllanW]

Don't think Vassilev would need to be named in the squad as he's 19. Isn't the rule that U21s don't count in your total?

You may well be right. Thanks.

[KevinGage]

I'd still like to see a CF, winger/wide attacker, experienced PL quality centre half and a left back to challenge the current pair.  Or to free up Taylor to depart.

[Nii Lamptey]

Really don't get the clamour to get Cash in, unless they see him as a winger? RB is well served with Guilbert and Elmo imo, and far from our most desperate position on the pitch.

LB is the more troublesome spot for me - Southampton must have been laughing all the way to the bank when we signed Targett off them. Apart from the odd nice bit of attacking play, he's been a massive disappointment and easily the weakest link in our back line. I actually think we look more secure with Taylor in there.

[KevinGage]

Targett has quality on the ball and an extended run in the side (in a less stressful environment if we get a good start) could bring that more to the fore. 

But yes, I'd like to see a pacy, physical left back come in as well.