Summer Transfer Window - The Verdict

[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So I'm actually quite content with Ings' role, he generally played as the more withdrawn striker behind a runner at Southampton, so it makes sense.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.

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.

I think the formation for much of last season, with Barkley at 10, will be tweaked to become something more like a 4-4-2 with split strikers, and the wide midfielders playing more narrow. Ings comes in for Barkley in this system.

[paul_e]

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.

I think the formation for much of last season, with Barkley at 10, will be tweaked to become something more like a 4-4-2 with split strikers, and the wide midfielders playing more narrow. Ings comes in for Barkley in this system.

If we go that way there will be good players on the bench. If we go 433 there will be good players on the bench. I think that's the real difference this year, with our 'best' 11 out last season there weren't many players outside looking in with a strong case to start, this season we have 3-4 of them when everyone is fit. I think it's easy to try to mess with the team to try to fit Bailey, Ings, Watkins, Buendia and Traore in but then you look at the midfield and have Luiz, McGinn and Sanson to fit in and in defence Young probably doesn't start in the 'best XI' for many but has a lot of quality. That's not even considering the youngsters who are improving quickly.

I think we 're going to have to be much more flexible if we want to keep the squad happy and I hope Smith is ready for that.

[Monty]

My view is that we'll have a best 11 with 'first change' options of viable quality (Traoré, Sanson, Ramsey, Young etc). If the overall strategy clicks, then that's all great. If it doesn't, that'll be a bigger problem.

[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.

I think the formation for much of last season, with Barkley at 10, will be tweaked to become something more like a 4-4-2 with split strikers, and the wide midfielders playing more narrow. Ings comes in for Barkley in this system.

Agree Monty, though I do think that if we are going to play that formation with Ings in that role, then we are going to be exposed in central midfield. 

[Matt C]

Overall I’m expecting us to look pretty decent once we have our best players back and they’re given time to gel but we might need to ride out a few growing pains in the meantime.

Aside from the well trodden midfield debate I’m surprised we didn’t get another senior keeper, especially given we’ve been bitten there before but I guess there’s plenty unattached if needs be. Window was always going to be soured by you know who leaving and I must admit, I expected us to go big on one more addition, but overall we’ve done good business. Main thing now is to get our best players back to fitness.

[Smithy]

Overall I’m expecting us to look pretty decent once we have our best players back and they’re given time to gel but we might need to ride out a few growing pains in the meantime.

Aside from the well trodden midfield debate I’m surprised we didn’t get another senior keeper, especially given we’ve been bitten there before but I guess there’s plenty unattached if needs be. Window was always going to be soured by you know who leaving and I must admit, I expected us to go big on one more addition, but overall we’ve done good business. Main thing now is to get our best players back to fitness.

The keeper situation is fine, I think. Steer has plenty of first-team experience (only this week I re-watched the highlights of the play-off semi-final at West Brom and he made a couple of world-class saves, plus the penalty saves, I'd imagine a couple of years working with Heaton and Emi have improved him also), and to get down as far as third-choice goalkeeper we'd have to be pretty unlucky, injury/suspension wise.  In any case Sinisalo has some reasonable experience now up in Scotland - definitely not enough to pushing for first-team appearances, but certainly enough to be 3rd choice.  I'd imagine if we did have to cope with an injury to Emi AND Jed for any period of time, we'd be appealing to the premier league for special dispensation to bring another one in anyway?

[JUAN PABLO]

The Sky 6 are all going to look a bit frightening on paper.

Good job it's not played on paper. They can be matched on effort and the hope that Deano is about to become some sort of master tactician.

I would imagine Leicester have taken Arsenals place.

[Clark W Griswold]

GK - As long as Martinez stays fit fine, if he doesn't we're in the shit. Overall weaker than last season but to be expected with Heaton not likely to stick around on the bench. Still, an experienced pro on loan for 12 months might have been good.

DF - Same back four as last season was always going to be fine but we needed more back up. Offloaded 3 defenders and sent another on loan who was also out last season. Those defenders weren't great but only bought 2 back in, one won't last forever and the other is an injury nightmare waiting to happen (and on loan). Both good players but when Tuenzebe inevitably gets injured we're going to look very light on numbers again. If by some miracle he doesn't i'd say slight improvement for defensive options.

MID - Same old 3 of McGinn, Luiz and Nakamba from the 1st season plus the injury plagued and unconvincing Sanson as the departing on loan Hourahane's replacement. Add 2 kids as back up and options, one of which is only 17 and not a lot has changed there and this was the area desperate for improvement.

FOR - Wesley, Grealish and the on-loan Barkley plus the long term injured Trez replaced by Ings, Bailey, Philogene-Baidace and Buendia. If they all perform then i think this will be an improvement for sure. Time will tell. Just not being reliant one one player will be refreshing though.

Overall, i think time will tell but at the moment i'd predict the best we'll do is finish the same as last season and that is only if we keep the key players fit.

6/10

[brontebilly]

I can't recall Steer letting us down in the past. I know he has had injury problems but if he can show the same kind of form that he did during the playoff charge then he is more than a capable deputy. To be honest I can't understand why a decent championship side hasn't picked him up already. Heaton was a very expensive reserve.

[Drummond]

Overall I’m expecting us to look pretty decent once we have our best players back and they’re given time to gel but we might need to ride out a few growing pains in the meantime.

Aside from the well trodden midfield debate I’m surprised we didn’t get another senior keeper, especially given we’ve been bitten there before but I guess there’s plenty unattached if needs be. Window was always going to be soured by you know who leaving and I must admit, I expected us to go big on one more addition, but overall we’ve done good business. Main thing now is to get our best players back to fitness.

The keeper situation is fine, I think. Steer has plenty of first-team experience (only this week I re-watched the highlights of the play-off semi-final at West Brom and he made a couple of world-class saves, plus the penalty saves, I'd imagine a couple of years working with Heaton and Emi have improved him also), and to get down as far as third-choice goalkeeper we'd have to be pretty unlucky, injury/suspension wise.  In any case Sinisalo has some reasonable experience now up in Scotland - definitely not enough to pushing for first-team appearances, but certainly enough to be 3rd choice.  I'd imagine if we did have to cope with an injury to Emi AND Jed for any period of time, we'd be appealing to the premier league for special dispensation to bring another one in anyway?

I think you're right. The club haven't listed Sinisalo on the squad pages, presumably as they view him as being an Academy player. I expect we'll see him on the bench for cup games and if Martinez gets injured.

[Hookeysmith]

All i read is we need a midfield destroyer

So assuming we have money as no object who is the one magical player that would be the key to what everyone is clamouring for

Phillips from Leeds
Kante from Chelsea
Matic from Red filth


I would be interested in who others feel should be "the "player as there cannot be many that fit the bill who we could get and who would be an instant 1st team hit

[chrisw1]

Hypothetically of course - assuming we're talking long term it woud be Philips for me, without a doubt.

He has the rare ability to play as a lone DM with outstanding distribution, but he is also easily good enough to play in a 2 or 3 as a more box to box player.  An outstanding talent and I really wish we'd broken the bank for him in 2019.  It was close by all accounts.

I'd also take Rice as an ideal player for the role we need.

[ChicagoLion]

Bissouma?

[Mister E]

All i read is we need a midfield destroyer
So assuming we have money as no object who is the one magical player that would be the key to what everyone is clamouring for

Phillips from Leeds
Kante from Chelsea
Matic from Red filth

I would be interested in who others feel should be "the "player as there cannot be many that fit the bill who we could get and who would be an instant 1st team hit

Rice - first choice; Phillips - second choice. Neither are gettable.

[Goldie.7]

I dont think we are getting europe with this squad to be honest.

This squad won't even make the top 10.