The January New Manager Warchest Transfer Thread

[PaulTheVillan]

Writing a player off because he had a bad game. Typical

[Steve67]

He’s a fine player and an upgrade on what we have.

[Smithy]

I've mentioned it elsewhere, but there was one small passage of play on Saturday were JJ took the ball into the box and went right through a 50/50 block tackle from Bissouma.  At the time I was delighted with JJ, obviously, but looking back, if that was OUR DM losing a 50/50 block tackle against an attacking midfielder on the edge of our box, I'd be furious.

It was the sort of thing a top class DM should be clearing up, and placed a little nagging doubt in my mind that maybe Bissouma isn't quite the player we need for that role.

Players lose tackles, obviously - even the very best of them - but he wasn't very convincing in that moment, which could have led to a goal but for a last-ditch sliding tackle from the centre-half.

[Brend'Watkins]

He didn't have a great game and didn't boss the midfield like I thought he might. He wasn't bad but not a £50 million player either.  I'd still have him mind because he has looked good for most of the season.  Maybe he wanted out in Jan and it's affecting him.  Having said that most of the Brighton team could be accused of the same.

[Drummond]

No one player wins on their own. It's who they play with that makes a difference.

[Footy-Vill]

Genuine question. Is Bissouma still the answer to our midfield problems after people watched him on Saturday?

I was there on Saturday and didn't look a £50 million pound player.

I trust your scouting report because that's the current state of how he is
And good fair comment on what you saw.
I see he's been off for a while as he had some decent showings as a midfielder in past.
Either the transfer rumours and off field has distracted him understandably or he's not as great as he made out!

I suspect his off field involvement impacted him as has the to and from African nations

[paul_e]

If it was a one-off it'd be different but almost every time I've seen Brighton over the last few years there's been good and bad about Bissouma and I think that, as opposition fans, we're less likely to notice the errors because we want to attribute it to our attacking players being great.

The good is that he's strong as an ox and bullies people off the ball, that stands out. The bad is that if he doesn't out-muscle players his technique is a bit iffy. His tracking, positioning, passing and heading is all ok without being stand out. He's not a bad player and would be an upgrade on Nakamba but I don't think he's a 'most expensive player in our history' standard of upgrade.

[eamonn]

Brighton must be a funny team to follow these days. Easily enjoying their best times in decades (ever?), yet their fans going to games rarely see a home win.

Is it the case that a top-class striker would convert their possession and chances into goals and wins or is it just that lots of possession in harmless parts of the pitch is great for lots of draws against teams both good and bad but a lack of penetration leaves them stuck in midtable?

I mean we'd love to see the Villa have more control of the midfield in games as that's where we're weak but I'm also glad we're not completely toothless and can go back to front and score quickly too (i.e Watkins' two goals against Brighton this season).

[Brazilian Villain]

Another one for the wishlist? https://twitter.com/pgr_analytics/status/1498629419455373312

Also reported by Fabrizio Romano. Anyone seen him, is he any good?

[frank black]

I've mentioned it elsewhere, but there was one small passage of play on Saturday were JJ took the ball into the box and went right through a 50/50 block tackle from Bissouma.  At the time I was delighted with JJ, obviously, but looking back, if that was OUR DM losing a 50/50 block tackle against an attacking midfielder on the edge of our box, I'd be furious.

It was the sort of thing a top class DM should be clearing up, and placed a little nagging doubt in my mind that maybe Bissouma isn't quite the player we need for that role.

Players lose tackles, obviously - even the very best of them - but he wasn't very convincing in that moment, which could have led to a goal but for a last-ditch sliding tackle from the centre-half.

TBF it was in the box at the time and he’s probably not going to be as wholehearted. Also JJ is actually quite a tough cookie strength wise..

[eamonn]

Son of a boxer, course he is!

[frank black]

Son of a boxer, course he is!

Quality player isn’t he, love how managers have seen it before most of us and played him until he’s bloomed. I wonder who will follow?

[Dante Lavelli]

Another one for the wishlist? https://twitter.com/pgr_analytics/status/1498629419455373312

Also reported by Fabrizio Romano. Anyone seen him, is he any good?

A lot of big clubs have been linked with him, so unlikely.  Any genuine bid would be a strong statement of our ambition.
No idea if he is a proper DM or more of a generalist.

[Beard82]

Another one for the wishlist? https://twitter.com/pgr_analytics/status/1498629419455373312

Also reported by Fabrizio Romano. Anyone seen him, is he any good?

A lot of big clubs have been linked with him, so unlikely.  Any genuine bid would be a strong statement of our ambition.
No idea if he is a proper DM or more of a generalist.

is it one to file under PR stunt?  Clearly they make some bids public if they think it reflects well on the club.

[nigel]

Another one for the wishlist? https://twitter.com/pgr_analytics/status/1498629419455373312

Also reported by Fabrizio Romano. Anyone seen him, is he any good?

A lot of big clubs have been linked with him, so unlikely.  Any genuine bid would be a strong statement of our ambition.
No idea if he is a proper DM or more of a generalist.

I suppose that level of player we have to compete with the big boys

It says he ‘predominantly plays in a 4-2-3-1 formation’
So I suppose you could look at..
                Kessie.     Iruegbunam
       Buendia.     Ramsey.     Coutinho (if still with us)
                         Watkins