12 Aug 2017 10:47:34
Not posted on here for a while, so wanted to re-engage with you all on my thoughts of dealings and tactics so far.

Transfers:

I'm very satisfied with what we have achieved so far. Matic is an excellent player, decent shot, excellent reader of the game and not as sluggish as people thought. He will be a huge loss to Chelsea, Conte knows it. He will release Pogba who now needs to become more consistently effective. Hopefully the Neymar deal make sure him think less about how much he cost! Lindelöf just needs time, it's staggering people are writing him off after preseason. Lukaku will score hatfulls if the team is set up correctly.

I think if Perisic comes in to complete our business we will be in good shape. I see us starting a 3-4-3 more often with Smalling, Bailly and Lindelöf at the back, Valencia right wing back, Perisic left wing, Herrera and Matic central with Pogba LAM, Mkhitaryan RAM and Lukaku up top stretching the oppositions back four. Mata and Rashford could quite easily fit into this position also (as could Fellaini) . I don't see us playing a central strike pair.

In addition to Perisic I hope we get Aurier over the line. We would be well stocked in wide areas if Shaw can get fit and compete with Perisic for that left wing back / winger role.

Thoughts guys?

1.) 12 Aug 2017
12 Aug 2017 11:20:40
Fresh,

That could have been written by me, saved me a job to be honest, agree with everything you've said there.

2.) 12 Aug 2017
12 Aug 2017 12:04:46
I don't think Perisic will be bought to play wing back.

3.) 12 Aug 2017
12 Aug 2017 12:16:07
Perisic has a very good work rate in him. He really worked hard on both sides of the pitch for an Inter side with a poor defence. He will slot in the wing back position nicely.

4.) 12 Aug 2017
12 Aug 2017 12:27:17
You sign Aurier and Perisic then you've players that can play wing back or in their traditional positions, I think against the bigger teams Jose will play 343 and more of his usual 4231/ 433 in home games or against 'lesser' teams.

5.) 12 Aug 2017
12 Aug 2017 12:46:22
Posted exactly the same 2 weeks ago. Forget 90m for bale use the money to get peresic and aurier instead thus addressing 2 areas that need attention.

6.) 12 Aug 2017
12 Aug 2017 13:06:49
Great post and agree with all of it. I like periodic because he is player who is not scared of the ball and very good in possession and left foot to go with it. I watched an inter Juve game last year and he was giving that daunted back 3 of juve all they can handle.

I just heard ed002 sharkpod and seems like we have botched his transfer and think its unlikely that we get him now.

Watching Liverpool vs Watford and sometimes we seem to take granted how difficult the PL is and the lower teams all show up to play. Arsenal vs Leicester was another reminder.

It will be a long season with lots of turns and twists and hope people don't prejudge stuff like lindelof after a few games or any other players or the manager.

7.) 12 Aug 2017
12 Aug 2017 13:13:37
Good post Fresh. I would really like the perisic deal to happen now. Puts in a shift, is genuinely two-footed and mostly stays out wide. The last point is the most important and what sets him apart from our current attacking options.

I believe we are very close, just a slight shift in system can really get things going. Lukaku is a great signing but he absolutely will need service and support.

Good to have a home game to open, let's hope for a positive performance and win to get the ball rolling.

8.) 12 Aug 2017
12 Aug 2017 21:13:32
A simple thing most of us don't get here! Bale or Ronaldo or Neymar or Messi. these r the kind of players that can distract 2/ 3 opposition players which allows other players the space and opportunity to score or create chances.

We need someone exceptional and I would always prefer Bale over Perisic+aurier anyday. Bale etc can damage you for the slightest mistake and will be a terror for the defences!

Obviously, if we can't get Bale, then Perisic+aurier would be good additions but nothing spectacular.

I do think Martial will be leaving otherwise Jose would have played him against Real at least in place of Lingard!