Summer Transfer Thread and Gustavo Cisneros Type Rumours.

[paul_e]

I still think Berge is the best choice for DM with Locatelli my alternative. Most of the other players I've sene suggested are, for me, more box-to-box than the real defensive wall that I think we'd really benefit from.

Yesterday showed exactly why I think replacing Barkley with a deep player and letting McGinn and Luiz get further forward would work, McGinn was superb and Luiz was much more incisive when he came on and did a good job to keep us on top of them in midfield.

[LeeB]

Fluid front line bruv, innit?

Tammy has said himself he enjoys playing from wide, Watkins has done it too. Swap positions, keep the defenders guessing, work out a system where you attack the six yard box depending on which flank we attack.

[Monty]

I just don't rate either of them particularly as dribblers, passers or crossers. At their best they're centre-forwards, line-leading no. 9s, and playing either of them out of position just because they literally can isn't a good way of getting the best out of the team IMO.

[LeeB]

Yeah, but you like three centre halves, so, you know.

[Monty]

Lol, I'll just never understand this bias. Like, how many trophies need to be won with it before people stop blaming it for John Gregory being boring?

[LeeB]

Lol, I'll just never understand this bias. Like, how many trophies need to be won with it before people stop blaming it for John Gregory being boring?

If I pinned the opposition team sheet on the wall and they had three centre halves playing, my first words would be:

"Lads, these are shitting it"

[Monty]

And then you'd be against Bielsa, or Conte, or a million others, and you'd be wrong.

[LeeB]

And then you'd be against Bielsa, or Conte, or a million others, and you'd be wrong.

You wouldn't say that if my name was LeeB-ovani.

[Monty]

No, but then that would be because every question I asked you would be 'what's with the name, that's a weird name'

Anyway, alternatives to Tammy. Odegaard? Seems good but who knows. I'm also unconvinced by Pereira as I'm not sure where he'd fit in our starting line-up, and I really think the only way to improve the squad is improve the first XI and keep current starters as squad players.

[chrisw1]

I'd buy Tammy right away. He'd be fire for us, I'm absolutely convinced of it, he's got the work ethic, will benefit from the instant "jack makes you a better player" effect and he knows there is nothing but love for him here. Him and Watkins could play together and cover each other. Buy a tip top wide player as well and get Jack back in the middle, we'd be streamrollering teams.

I agree with Lee.

Tammy and Watkins - that's the sort of depth you need to move to the next level.  They can play together as a 2, in a 3, rotate, whatever.  Big clubs have selection headaches and this is the type of headache we need.  And playing Watkins wide doesn't necessarily mean out and out winger - more in a Salah type role, which I think he'd be well suited to.

With all that said he'll go to West Ham, so meh.

[LeeB]

No, but then that would be because every question I asked you would be 'what's with the name, that's a weird name'

Anyway, alternatives to Tammy. Odegaard? Seems good but who knows. I'm also unconvinced by Pereira as I'm not sure where he'd fit in our starting line-up, and I really think the only way to improve the squad is improve the first XI and keep current starters as squad players.

It's really difficult as the criteria you mention narrows it down to a very small number of players. Odegaard yes, Pereira I'm not convinced, but I like what I've seen of McNeill at Burnley, who I think is written off by some because of who he plays for, but he's technically excellent and an intelligent player, and still very young.

[Monty]

Well my view is that we need Traoré, but less unbearably frustrating. McNeill I like a lot, he's also very aggressive and direct which would fit very well with that kind of angry football we've played at our best this season.

To be clear, if we bought Odegaard AND Tammy (and a Berge/Locatelli type) then I'd be fucking delighted. I'm just not sold on Tammy as a priority over that kind of player.

[LeeB]

Well my view is that we need Traoré, but less unbearably frustrating. McNeill I like a lot, he's also very aggressive and direct which would fit very well with that kind of angry football we've played at our best this season.

To be clear, if we bought Odegaard AND Tammy (and a Berge/Locatelli type) then I'd be fucking delighted. I'm just not sold on Tammy as a priority over that kind of player.

You'll need to buy another bloody centre half as well for your 'system'






Sorry.

[Monty]

I'm just living my truth Lee. You won't make me ashamed.

(I don't actually like 3 at the back that much.)

[peckvillajunior]

I'd be looking at Trossard as an attacking option. No idea how much Brighton would want but he's impressed me every time I've seen him play