Summer Transfer Window - The Verdict

[chrisw1]

In all seriousness, we did some very good business earlier in the window so we didn't have to panic on deadline day.  Surely we all prefer that?  I do, like everyone else, think we are short at DMF but it has to be the right one and not just 'beast' from anywhere.

Yes, Bailey, Buendia and Ings are very exciting signings.  Young & Tuanzebe very practical signings.  I'm happy with all that business.

I just think we could have been more ambitious and don't accept there isn't a DM or 10 out there that we couldn't have secured with the c £30-£40m budget we seemed to have available.

Hopefully Luiz, Ramsey and Sanson will all step up and make it a non point, but my sense is we've blown an opportunity to kick on.

[Monty]

We're going to have to see how everyone does when they're back. I'm just a bit worried that the style we've been increasingly going towards will reach somewhat self-parodic levels, with absolutely zero interest in keeping the ball, and that this might hold us back and mean draws and defeats in games we should win.

On the other hand, after an extremely aimless start to the season it could be just what we need, to pick a style and really go for it. I hope so at least.

[ROBBO]

I just believe that Grealish leaving threw all the plans for this season out the window. We all expected had he stayed we would be challenging top six. We are now back in consolidation again, now Dean doesn't have wonder boy anymore it will be interesting.

[Monty]

I like Gregg Evans but he can't half be a bit of an idiot sometimes:

'There’s the prospect of Ings, a £25 million arrival, and Ollie Watkins up front. The thought of both Bailey, signed for £30 million, and Traore coming off the wings is exciting. Buendia, the £33 million record signing, is also ready to step up a few more gears after his goal at the weekend.'

Well, ok, but what formation is that?

[tomd2103]

We're going to have to see how everyone does when they're back. I'm just a bit worried that the style we've been increasingly going towards will reach somewhat self-parodic levels, with absolutely zero interest in keeping the ball, and that this might hold us back and mean draws and defeats in games we should win.

On the other hand, after an extremely aimless start to the season it could be just what we need, to pick a style and really go for it. I hope so at least.

To be totally honest, if we had got a quality DM in during the window, I think we would be in decent enough shape if / when everyone is fit. 

I agree with your concerns about style of play, as Danny Ings may not be suited to play in a team built to play with Ollie Watkins as the focal point, given that they are very different players. 

[john2710]

The overall squad has improved with the signings coming in & the development of some of the U23's. We've lost the diamond in the team but we were too reliant on him anyway. Let's make judgement after 10-12 matches.

But watching the progress our U18's & U23's are showing gives me more confidence in our future than any signings. We have a whole bunch of players coming through.

[richtheholtender]

Not concerned about fitting people in, we need a solid bench if we wish to compete, so that fine. We need to rest & rotate and play different formations for different opposition. But I do think we would have benefited from a CDM as others have mentioned and I think this alone could be the difference for up to 5 positions in the league.

[brontebilly]

I like Gregg Evans but he can't half be a bit of an idiot sometimes:

'There’s the prospect of Ings, a £25 million arrival, and Ollie Watkins up front. The thought of both Bailey, signed for £30 million, and Traore coming off the wings is exciting. Buendia, the £33 million record signing, is also ready to step up a few more gears after his goal at the weekend.'

Well, ok, but what formation is that?

Kevin Keegan style Xmas tree....Man United seem in the same boat, very light on midfielders hence Fred is somehow their first choice number 6

[Monty]

We're going to have to see how everyone does when they're back. I'm just a bit worried that the style we've been increasingly going towards will reach somewhat self-parodic levels, with absolutely zero interest in keeping the ball, and that this might hold us back and mean draws and defeats in games we should win.

On the other hand, after an extremely aimless start to the season it could be just what we need, to pick a style and really go for it. I hope so at least.

To be totally honest, if we had got a quality DM in during the window, I think we would be in decent enough shape if / when everyone is fit. 

I agree with your concerns about style of play, as Danny Ings may not be suited to play in a team built to play with Ollie Watkins as the focal point, given that they are very different players. 

So I'm actually quite content with Ings' role, he generally played as the more withdrawn striker behind a runner at Southampton, so it makes sense. I'm more worried that this focus on verticality, directness etc will make us one-dimensional.

[paul_e]

The overall squad has improved with the signings coming in & the development of some of the U23's. We've lost the diamond in the team but we were too reliant on him anyway. Let's make judgement after 10-12 matches.

But watching the progress our U18's & U23's are showing gives me more confidence in our future than any signings. We have a whole bunch of players coming through.

I think watching the style of play at lower levels gives a hint of what we want to do at premier league level. It's harder to nail it in the seniors because the quality and fitness of the opposition is so high but I think there are clear hints of how we want to be focusing on transitioning from defence to attack and moving the ball quickly into space where we can hurt teams. It's exactly what we did to Liverpool last year so we know it can work, we just need to get everyone fit and settled.

[ChicagoLion]

The overall squad has improved with the signings coming in & the development of some of the U23's. We've lost the diamond in the team but we were too reliant on him anyway. Let's make judgement after 10-12 matches.

But watching the progress our U18's & U23's are showing gives me more confidence in our future than any signings. We have a whole bunch of players coming through.

I think watching the style of play at lower levels gives a hint of what we want to do at premier league level. It's harder to nail it in the seniors because the quality and fitness of the opposition is so high but I think there are clear hints of how we want to be focusing on transitioning from defence to attack and moving the ball quickly into space where we can hurt teams. It's exactly what we did to Liverpool last year so we know it can work, we just need to get everyone fit and settled.

do you think our defenders are up to moving the ball quickly enough for that to work? The only one that seems able to pick a pass quickly is Target.

[Mister E]

Kevin Keegan style Xmas tree....Man United seem in the same boat, very light on midfielders hence Fred is somehow their first choice number 6

Are you saying we're light on midfielders? - Luiz, McGinn, Sanson, Ramsey Major, Buendia. And: Carney C, Nakamba, Young.
I don't think we lack for midfielders: we just have a DMF missing.

[tomd2103]

We're going to have to see how everyone does when they're back. I'm just a bit worried that the style we've been increasingly going towards will reach somewhat self-parodic levels, with absolutely zero interest in keeping the ball, and that this might hold us back and mean draws and defeats in games we should win.

On the other hand, after an extremely aimless start to the season it could be just what we need, to pick a style and really go for it. I hope so at least.

To be totally honest, if we had got a quality DM in during the window, I think we would be in decent enough shape if / when everyone is fit. 

I agree with your concerns about style of play, as Danny Ings may not be suited to play in a team built to play with Ollie Watkins as the focal point, given that they are very different players. 

So I'm actually quite content with Ings' role, he generally played as the more withdrawn striker behind a runner at Southampton, so it makes sense. I'm more worried that this focus on verticality, directness etc will make us one-dimensional.

Will be interesting to see how they are paired together when both are fit.  My concern would be expecting Ings to fit into the formation we played last season, which relied on Watkins doing a lot of hold up play and chasing balls in the channels at times.  Not sure he would be suited to that.

[chrisw1]

Kevin Keegan style Xmas tree....Man United seem in the same boat, very light on midfielders hence Fred is somehow their first choice number 6

Are you saying we're light on midfielders? - Luiz, McGinn, Sanson, Ramsey Major, Buendia. And: Carney C, Nakamba, Young.
I don't think we lack for midfielders: we just have a DMF missing.

That's essentially the point he's making isn't it?  Utd have loads of midfielders, just no good DMs.

[brontebilly]

Kevin Keegan style Xmas tree....Man United seem in the same boat, very light on midfielders hence Fred is somehow their first choice number 6

Are you saying we're light on midfielders? - Luiz, McGinn, Sanson, Ramsey Major, Buendia. And: Carney C, Nakamba, Young.
I don't think we lack for midfielders: we just have a DMF missing.

None of those with the possible exception of Luiz are true CMs capable of playing in a two at a decent level. We needed that one proper midfielder to knit it all together.