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13 Jan 2025 21:34:40
Looks like Nkunku could be on his way out of Chelsea with PSG or Chelsea interested. With the Sancho deal in the summer and potentially good relations between the clubs is it worth looking at a loan to buy option for him?
I think he could work well in our number 10 positions.
1.) 13 Jan 2025 22:51:22
Nice company for Mount and Shaw on the treatment table?
11 Jun 2024 22:22:25
Ten Hag staying as manager next year according to Fabrizio Romano with possible contract extension being discussed.
We now know and can start the plans for next year.
Whatever side of the fence it is at least not Southgate!
1.) 11 Jun 2024 22:47:57
This won’t be news to Ten Hag!
2.) 11 Jun 2024 22:52:23
I am really surprised and very disappointed but they have made their choice and he I support it as they have spoken to several others and decided on eth. Who am I to argue.
Imo they need to back him fully now and give him the security of a new contract.
I now live in hope that he can turn the mess of last season into something better next season.
Personally I'd be happy with top 4 and some decent progression. We can't do much worse in the league onwards and upwards.
@ angel I was wrong.
All we can do is support their decision and hope for the best.
3.) 12 Jun 2024 02:06:05
I think progression would be getting back in the UCL tumble with another cup run
We should be one of the favourites for the europa
And given we will make signings and sales if recruitment is done correct I don’t see why we can’t enter that competition with the aim to win it and at least go to the semi final stage
We do need much better depth it’s clear to see when we missed certain players in certain positions the quality was miles off
Get some young hungry players in and let him coach, he was great at building his Ajax team who were young ( English football is a lot different ) trust the process imo
1 more trophy in England and he’s competed it ??.
Jokes aside I think ten hag does need to be better at his subs but I can’t really moan when the players we have had on the bench have been nowhere near as good in quality
Hopefully rashford can be the player he was the season before and having a proper summer break will do him good
Players like Mount and malacia it’s make or break for them next season, hardly seen Mount so can’t really judge proper, I like Mount and hope he can get some fitness over the summer and start the season well
For me sales wise
Casimiro
Linderpoo
Van de beek
Greenwood
Sancho
Antony (not sure we would find it so easy to sell)
Wan bissaka but not a priority
Pellestri
Erickson
Martial (already gone)
Varane ( already gone)
Then you have to look at players like malacia, mount if they can’t stay fit I can’t see them being there after next season
Even players like shaw, these can’t be trusted if they can’t play games to a consistent amount just get rid
In terms of buys I think we need
2cbs
A left back
2 cms 1 more defensive
A winger
A striker
Obviously no one gets that many players in but with the money saved on wages and possible sales and looking at the squad I think it’s needed.
4.) 12 Jun 2024 03:30:28
Terrible decision. The only consolation is that he’ll probably be gone by Christmas. Let’s just hope they don’t let him waste any more money on dodgy signings between now and then.
5.) 12 Jun 2024 05:33:17
Tumble
You are a good man and respect. let's hope for a good window both outgoing and incoming and players coming back from copa and euros without any major injuries.
6.) 12 Jun 2024 05:45:36
That's the spirit Red.
Ten Hag's future depends on the fitness of Licha, keep him fit and our whole defence suddenly looks a lot better.
Like everyone else, I go into seasons eternally optimistic until proved otherwise.
7.) 12 Jun 2024 06:28:00
Fair one Ken, lot harder to say you were wrong than people think ?.
8.) 12 Jun 2024 07:49:40
Nice1 Ken. Nowt wrong with a bit of humble pie. ????.
9.) 12 Jun 2024 07:56:05
Fair ken, I'm confident he has the ability to do it. And agree, he needs a contract, just for security and to keep the rumour mill at bay for a while.
But if he doesn't show progression, he will be gone, I'm under no illusion. I just couldn't bring myself to properly judge him on last season alone.
He does have 3 cup finals and 2 trophies in 2 years, so he has solid ground under him to build.
10.) 12 Jun 2024 08:45:12
redseven, what team are you going to support now?
11.) 12 Jun 2024 13:54:26
Good to see you can say you were wrong Ken, fair play.
Enjoyed the banter along that journey ?.
12.) 12 Jun 2024 14:34:00
I'm wrong about things everyday jimbob. Everybody is. As long as I get more important stuff right than wrong I'm happy out.
All I can do now is hope. I'm not expecting anything different to the last 2 seasons over the next 2 but all any fan has is hope so I'm hoping for the best.
13.) 12 Jun 2024 17:05:25
To be fair weed, I'd say the review would have been a lot harder on him had he not won the fa cup. I'm glad he's staying but I don't want any whinging about injuries or anything else next season.
19 Jan 2024 13:56:04
In the summer we appeared to be interested in Goncalo Ramos with Bruno making favourable comments in the press. With his gametime limited this season and rumours of PSG possibly looking to move on already could we look at a 6 month loan deal?
Would likely be a more expensive loan deal than we were looking at but could be someone that going forward we may have an interest in if EtH remains.
Might be wishful thinking.
{Ed002's Note - They will want to assurae a sale if they can.}
1.) 19 Jan 2024 14:42:15
As long as it doesn’t hinder any bid for Solanke!
2.) 19 Jan 2024 14:52:06
Would make sense from there perspective but I assume that we would not want to commit with so much uncertainty on structure/ manager going forward.
Swap with Rashford!
3.) 20 Jan 2024 13:24:17
I can’t imagine by the summer there will be any uncertainty. There will be a new structure in place, and frankly a new manager most likely. Mixed feelings on this. I think we have a very good coach in ten Hag, with some help he could be a success.
08 Jan 2024 17:47:15
Looks like we are spending the first part of the window moving out players not in EtH plans for the short term/ rest of season. Van De Break, Martial, Pelestri, Sancho, Mejbri and maybe some more.
I guess it allows them to get game time for either return in the summer or a window to show there ability and then move them on and also generate a loan fee whilst getting some wages off the books.
None are getting any playing time so we will not miss them
Hopefully we will see a couple of loans in. can't see any permanent ones.
1.) 08 Jan 2024 18:28:19
Especially don't need them since the amount of games will be reduced now.
2.) 09 Jan 2024 09:14:08
Not to concerned about these players going out on loan. Free’s up space for likes of Forson and Kambwala to be in the squads and in and around the first team on match days. Dan Gore as well.
3.) 09 Jan 2024 09:35:33
I think Pellistri will get sold so will Hanibal if we get decent offers. Neither in all honesty are ever going to be good enough unless they are happy to be third choice in their positions if they stay.
Sancho and Martial are not going to be here either next year. A lot of cleaning up this squad.
4.) 09 Jan 2024 11:00:35
Unfortunately Pellistri’s end product looks too erratic, despite admirable efforts, so probably best if he goes on loan to try to be more consistent or be sold in the Summer.
Hannibal would surely have been rewarded with more first team appearances by now if he were good or consistent enough. Again, maybe a loan will help decide whether his future lies at United or elsewhere.
Willy Kwambala looks like good and am hoping Dan Gore starts to get more minutes.
Can’t see any other younger players breaking through in the short term, though some really good prospects in the Under 16s - 18s who will hopefully emerge in the next few years.
Am looking forward to the Summer overhaul though - perhaps too much to do for one window though.
As well as questionable futures of Pellistri and Hannibal, definitely move on:
Varane
Casameiro
Sancho
Greenwood
Maguire
Erickson
Donny VDBeek
Scott McTominay
Martial
Though will never get fees back that United paid for then, will free up wages and space for new players.
Hoping, at very least, we get:
Centre Back
2 x midfielder (6 and 8)
Right wing
Striker.
5.) 09 Jan 2024 12:55:32
Ken will be devastated if Pellestri goes, he loves him.
6.) 09 Jan 2024 21:24:38
After the World Cup I really wanted to believe we had a real talent on our hands. But for me the kid Pellistri is too lightweight and his final third decision making is not what it should be. He was at a similar stage as Garnacho and he just hasn’t cracked on the same.
7.) 11 Jan 2024 21:17:47
Pellistri is a better player than antony is we paid 90 mill for he hasn't cracked on as much as garnacho probably at least in part he's had much fewer opportunities than him sadly we are stuck with Antony otherwise I'd get rid of him and give pellistri more time.
8.) 11 Jan 2024 22:06:20
Maybe I'm mad, especially given the issues with Antony, Greenwood and Sancho, but I wouldn't have right wing as a high priority this summer.
Obviously there is a greater need to improve the spine, especially at CB and CM. With us needing at least one top level CB and two midfielders. Ideally we'd get two CB's but that might have to wait. Maybe we can keep Lindelof and Evans for one more season and give Kambwala a few more minutes.
We also need a striker, some people feel we need a back up option to Højlund. Which I understand, but personally I see it slightly differently. I'm not a fan of signing squad players, or back up players. For me it's a waste of money to buy a player who isn't good enough in their own right to be first choice. Especially as any "B" striker is still likely to cost upwards of 40m. It seems madness to me to spend 40m on a player who isn't good enough to be first choice.
I'd rather sign a striker who is a slightly different profile of striker to Højlund but one who is either already good enough to be first choice in their own right or at least have the potential to be good enough (and probably pretty close to reaching that potential given the age of Højlund) .
We were very successful with Yorke, Cole, Solskjaer and Sheringham. All 4 were good enough to be first choice in their own right. Obviously we tended to play with two up top then so you wouldn't get away with having 4 top strikers when you play a one striker system. But surely we should have two top strikers?
So far then that's four players good enough to be first choice, a CB two in midfield and a ST.
For me I'd there is money left in the budget then a top class RB would come before a RW for me. My reasoning for this is simple. We have seen enough of AWB and Dalot to know neither are really good enough to be first choice. Personally I'd keep Dalot as a great squad option and move AWB on, who if we are honest isn't good enough to play for a side that should look to play positive, progressive and technically superior football.
However, while options are slim at RW, there is at least potential in the squad that could develop into players who are good enough. Amad Diallo deserves the chance to prove himself, he's a talented player with a high ceiling. How are we supposed to tempt the best young players to join our club if we aren't giving the ones we have a shot.
Then we have Garnacho who has looked very good playing on the right in the two games he's played their this season. Maybe he should get a few more games on the right to see if he can tie down that position himself.
Finally we also have Mount and Bruno who can play RW depending on our tactical set up.
So while the loss of options like Greenwood and Sancho, along with Antony's clear inability to be good enough, we do have maybe more options than first thought.
Also maybe cheating but the RB I'd sign is Frimpong who has the 8th most assists of any player in Europes top five leagues over the past 18 months. He is more than capable of playing RW as well as RB.
31 Aug 2023 21:49:24
So looks like Reguilon will be coming in as LB cover. Would have preferred Cucurella only based on his Brighton form and not seen much of Reguilon. however we are in a position of balancing the books hopefully for other positions.
But. what should we expect from Reguilon. what sort of a player is he.
1.) 31 Aug 2023 22:00:43
Defensively frail but was good against us in the Europa League when he played for Seville.
2.) 31 Aug 2023 22:01:48
Played for both Madrid sides. Spurs paid £30m for a fullback. So was highly regarded. Just never really took off at Spurs.
3.) 31 Aug 2023 22:38:13
A mediocre one. Would be better off trusting in our youth options. Heck. I’d sooner play Dalot there.
4.) 31 Aug 2023 23:41:04
Another bad signing.
5.) 01 Sep 2023 06:24:29
Let’s hope the poor lad doesn’t read this forum ?
He’s a short term fix to an injury crisis and may only be here for 4 months. No doubt match going supporters will be right behind him.
6.) 01 Sep 2023 09:10:43
Clearly had some pedigree at some point, I'm sure he'll be at least a decent option until our LB injuries subside. Would have preferred Cucurella as he could cover at CB too and was great bombing forward in his Brighton days but looks like it was turning into an expensive option whereas Spurs need to clear a few out.
7.) 01 Sep 2023 09:18:01
Wazza if he read this forum he’d never of signed ??.
8.) 01 Sep 2023 09:48:23
Wazza,
We will mate, think it’s utter madness when people write signings off before they have played a game for the club.
9.) 01 Sep 2023 09:48:24
Seem to remember people upset we didn't get him a few years ago to replace Shaw who the same people wanted out.
10.) 01 Sep 2023 09:50:14
Crazy that Alvaro Fernandez didn't get a shot at left back.
The mind boggles, he looks a quality player.
ETH talks about players not quite being ready and loaned out but until you get that chance nobody will know.
Rashford is a prime example.
IMO Fernandez would do as good a job if not better than Reguilon who is very poor defensively.
11.) 01 Sep 2023 10:26:16
Before he played a game. He played for spurs. He isn't good enough for the spurs team.
12.) 01 Sep 2023 10:49:10
LeahCorky I don’t think he’s what anyone at the club would have chosen, but needs must. Dalot looked very very shaky at LB last weekend and with Shaw out for a considerable amount of time we have little options. We’re not going to sign a LB permanently as Shaw has been an excellent player for us for a long time now and the money needs investing elsewhere in the squad. Cucurrella has been seemingly overpriced by Chelsea and also on high wages, I think I read it would be 15 million all in all to have him for the season, it’s a huge fee considering he’d probably be second choice when Shaw is back. Nothing wrong with signing an out of favour PL LB for a few months until our first choice is back.
13.) 01 Sep 2023 11:20:42
When you consider Spurs are well stocked there too.
Udogie
Perisic
Sessegnon.
14.) 01 Sep 2023 11:30:14
‘For the club’ was the important part of that you missed out Leahy. Some players look poor at one club and look great at another, most wanted AWB out under our previous manager but ETH has turned him into a decent full back, no reason why Reguilon can’t do a job.
Not sure what the plan is for Alvaro Fernandez, he isn’t ready to play for us in big league games, maybe he will get chances in the carabao etc if he doesn’t go on loan, I’d be extremely worried if we had him as our first choice full back for the next few months.
15.) 01 Sep 2023 11:44:55
Long long time reader first time poster. Can't believe how some on here seem to just settle for mediocrity. This is Manchester United . Reguillon is not good enough to get in the Spurs team so I'd much rather give youth a chance. Also JE888 Shaw has been an excellent player for us? Apart from a few performances he has been shocking. Mentally not up to it. Shambolic in the two hammerings against Liverpool. Doesn't like it when the going gets tough. Support them through thick and thin but could be a long season again. Failed to address the major issues in the team but yet we've spent over 150 million.
16.) 01 Sep 2023 11:45:12
My guess with Fernandez GTS is that Ten Haag doesn’t want to put too much pressure on him. I think if the team was firing and playing well it would be easier to introduce him, but to simply throw him into the first team that is misfiring a little at the moment with little other option will put a lot of pressure on the kid. Some players may thrive under that sort of pressure, but some crumble and never recover. Introducing a new player to the team is make or break time, and it needs to be done slowly and smartly. Just throwing him in at this time isn’t a good idea and a short term loan seems sensible. Fernandez may be highly regarded and may get his chance this season, but it will be likely done slowly like Garnacho was to begin with.
17.) 01 Sep 2023 12:07:01
KDWR Shaw was our player of the season a few years ago if memory serves me correct. You can pick out a couple of games of any players career and point at bad performances. I’ve always felt when Shaws been injured we’ve been weak down that side, especially in the final third. He may not be the greatest defending full back, but attacking wise he has a great understanding and link up with Rashford. We will miss him over the next few months.
18.) 01 Sep 2023 12:18:28
Somebody explain to me why Avlaro isn't ready for the big games.
He played a full season in the Championship last season, won Preston's young player of the year.
Didn't Mason Mount do the same thing at Derby County and the next two seasons he ended up being Chelsea's player of the season.
It's boll*cks this excuse that he isn't ready. ETH needs to grow a set of balls and give the kid a chance and coach his way out of the predicamenthe is in instead of getting second rate defender on loan that will increase the wage bill.
19.) 01 Sep 2023 13:06:21
Fernandez is a good player. But we need two with Malacia and Shaw out for 3 months. Fernandez and Reguilon for LB and AWB and Dalot for RB.
20.) 01 Sep 2023 13:11:19
You’re seriously trying to say that because a player did well in the championship you’re automatically ready to start for a club challenging for champions league spots in the Prem Sim0? If that’s the case why don’t we just go and sign Burnley’s left back, they were gray last season in the championship, but now they’re looking like favourites for relegation. There’s a huge step up between the leagues, and I trust Ten Haags judgment as he sees the kid every day. I’d be willing to guess you didn’t watch a single Preston game last season, but you’re demanding our young kid who played for them starts. I’d also be willing to guess you’d be the first to criticise the club if we did play him and it was a disaster and ruined the young man’s confidence and potentially his career, and asking why we didn’t look to bring some cover in for Shaws injury.
21.) 01 Sep 2023 13:20:42
Ever considered that EtH has been watching him during training, seeing him close up try to do what the manager has asked tactically.
Maybe he hasn't impressed, playing well on loan in the championship is a good start, it doesn't mean he's ready to play regularly at the top end of the EPL.
We have a manager who has given Garnacho a chance, a real chance. While he's supposedly looking to do the same with Mainoo this season. It's not like he's not prepared to give youth a chance when he thinks the are ready. If he's not giving Alvaro Fernandez a chance then it's probably based on something he has seen in him close up.
22.) 01 Sep 2023 13:40:17
Yes sim all players that win young player of the year are ready because one player was a few years ago. I’d rather trust the manager watching him day in day out that he’s not ready than you who’ve seen him play a handful of games in the championship. Why would they need an excuse? He just isn’t ready yet.
23.) 01 Sep 2023 13:57:48
Because the coaching staff and amanager who work with him daily have decided he isnt.
I saw him several times as Deepdale, was fast and a exciting going forward, they uses hin more as a wingback.
Knocks exactly what you would expect from a kid, bit lightweight, gassed as games wore on and needs experience to learn how to read a game bettwr.
PnE fans of whom i have a few in my family really thought highly of him. I thought he would go to another loan this year to be honest.
24.) 01 Sep 2023 16:15:00
Stop being so stupid JE888.
I was saying that the kid deserves a chance considering all the injuries we have in the left back position.
And where does signing Burnley's left back come in to the equation tell me, what a silly thing to say.
If the kid isn't given a chance then how is anyone going to find out if he can cut it.
I keep referring back to Rashford, where would he be now if we didn't have those two injuries against Midtjylland?
Typical United we go out and cough up another few million pounds on a sh*te full back who can't even get a game at Spurs.
25.) 01 Sep 2023 16:42:19
Sorry but I trust the manager over you mate. He works with the player every day. The coaching staff will know if he’s ready. You do keep referring to Rashford, but forward players are different. A mistake at the top end of the pitch is far less likely to lead to a goal. We can’t just throw a young kid in to a top 4 challenging team with no other player who can adequately cover that position and hope for the best. It could destroy his confidence if he doesn’t do well.
Young players need bedding in. Who knows, he may get a chance and take it with both hands during Shaws injury. He may do brilliantly and keep anyone else out of the team. However he may get a chance and not do well. Then we’ve got a player who is faltering and struggling game after game and no real alternative. If that was the case he may never recover his confidence for the club.
He may end up wasting all the talent he has because we forced him to step up too soon. Have some patience. Ten Haag gave Garnacho a chance. I’m sure Fernandez will get a chance as well in time, if he’s good enough. We’ve had high hopes for many players in the past and few have worked out. Rashford so far is pretty much the only academy graduate in over 10 years who’s made the grade. Why put all this pressure on the lad?
26.) 01 Sep 2023 19:31:34
Je888 how old is Fernandez? You say can’t chuck young players in without bedding them in could destroy there confidence, yep correct, but don’t the same then apply to our new striker, who is only 20 and will have more eyes on him then any full back but we are expecting him to go straight and and be our Number 9. Why don’t same rules apply to him then as what you pointed out?
Please I’m curiuos.
27.) 02 Sep 2023 09:57:37
Why do some of you think he won't get a chance?
With Shaw and Malcia out for a few months, it would be uuter stupidity to rely entirely on Fernandez. What if he got injured? Or just couldn't handle the workload or pressure of playing nearly every game?
With Reguillon, we can give Fernandez chances and playing time, but without being totally reliant on him. Dalot isn't great on the left, and we need him for cover on the right too, so only having him and Fernandez for left back for 3 months or more wouldn't be smart.
I think Reguillon might do better than some of you think, too. If AWB plays on the right, he is well suited for staying back to form a back three when Reguillon pushes forward, giving us width when Rashford comes inside.
Reguillon may not be who anyone, fan or management, would have preferred, but I think he'll do a decent job for a few months.
Brad76's banter posts with other poster's replies to Brad76's banter posts
13 Nov 2024 09:49:58
With all the silence and false dawns around Malacia it was great to see that he was on the pitch for the U21's yesterday.
I imagine it will be a while before we see him playing with the first team but it is just great for the lad that he has managed to get 45 minutes of playing time.
If he can stay fit and develop he does feel like the sort of player that Amorim may like in the wing back positions.
1.) 13 Nov 2024 10:10:48
Great news and probably a few weeks away and few more games with U21 and 60 minute sort of preps. Shaw also seems almost back. The more the merrier. RA will need all the bodies who can help and some might surprise. Martinez coming back as he seems to have injured his hip and hope nothing serious.
I think it might be a first ever that we may have almost no injuries after the break and full squad available assuming they come back from internationals okay. Last 18 months half have been missing at one point or another.
Really cool pics of RA meeting some of the players floating around.
{Ed077's Note - Is it just me or is Martinez getting injured a bit too frequently? }
2.) 13 Nov 2024 10:47:03
Ed077
Hopefully nothing serious. Injuries across europe by the looks of it and lots of acl tears. Lots of CB's picking up injuries in the league. The volume of games and intensity takes its toll.
RM are a walking hospital and looks like lost 2/ 3 more players. some long term too.
{Ed077's Note - Hopefully nothing serious. But he has picked up a fair few injuries in the last 18 months and its not ideal to have your main CB miss games again and again.
3.) 13 Nov 2024 11:11:40
Ed he is barong above his weight physically every week.
He also theirs himself into challenges unnecessarily. However that's his style and you lose something from his game if you curtail those habits.
He will always have his share of knocks simply bevvies he is a little man with a huge heart and sometimes the 2 don't always workout.
{Ed077's Note - wakey wakey TW. Or is it Fot Fingers ? ;-P
4.) 13 Nov 2024 11:32:01
Ed077 - you do have a point with Martinez and it could be that he just can't shake previous injuries and they keep flairing up.
My 11 year old asked whether he is actually injured or whether he did not want to risk it on international duty and wanted to focus on being available for our fist game back. Was proud he is as cynical as the rest of us!
{Ed077's Note - no DNA tests necessary :-D
5.) 13 Nov 2024 12:39:16
Martinez just needs Rhythm, he took a couple of dirty challenges at the weeked and probably down to one of those.
Also you are more likely to get injuries when you've just returned from one. The body needs to get used to impacts for conditioning.
23 Oct 2024 16:29:57
Looking at the travelling squad for the Europa game, with a number of players out, there are a number of things I hope we see.
1. Harry Amass at left back, let see what he can do and whether he can be a rotational piece as the season progresses. Keep Mazraoui rested for the premier league so play Dalot at RB
2. With Fernandes out let's see what Zirkzee can do in the AM/ 2nd striker role alongside Hojlund. Erikson needs to have minutes monitored so think this is a good game to try the 2 of them.
1.) 23 Oct 2024 17:21:21
Good suggestions Brad, although I fear far too sensible for ETH.
2.) 23 Oct 2024 17:56:04
Brad I'd agree with you every other year bar this as I think the el is our best route back into cl. Financially there will be far reaching benefits for that. We are not secure yet for next phase so personally I'd prioritise thur above Sunday on this occasion.
3.) 23 Oct 2024 20:26:01
Giving a young lad a debut in turkey away might not be the best idea.
4.) 24 Oct 2024 13:22:18
I've never seen a more written in the stars defeat than tonight! I'd keep the young lads away from it personally . How I look forward to mourinho fist pumping his way down the touchline after Fred's overhead kick ?.
5.) 24 Oct 2024 15:15:01
We can win this one. These are not great. Fingers crossed.
6.) 24 Oct 2024 18:57:51
Or it could be the making of him, Backpass.
06 Oct 2024 16:34:34
At the beginning of the season I thought I was seeing small signs of progression even if the results were not always showing it. Over the past 4-5 games it has been the exact opposite.
We seem to have no energy in games, the in game set up seems to fall apart as soon as the opposition exert any sort of hold on the game. No connection between the attack/ midfield/ defence leaving gaps everywhere.
Substitutions being made by the manager that at best appear odd, at worst appear to not address the problems on the pitch as make us worse. When we needed a spark in attack bringing on Antony rather than Amad is crazy, Lindelof on for Mazraoui rather than MArtinez at left back and switching Dalot across. or even better actually having one of the youth left backs on the bench to bring in!
I have always wanted it to work with EtH, but at this point I think he is done. It will be interesting to see what the leadership group think having watched it today and at their meeting on Tuesday. it may not even get to then!
1.) 06 Oct 2024 16:47:13
Could it be any flatter? Such an uninspiring team to watch. We didn’t look like scoring in a month of Sundays.
2.) 06 Oct 2024 17:53:02
Bringing on Antony instead of Amad was likely because Antony can defend better. This was a game that ETH didn’t want to lose and that was the mental approach, rather than how he might win it.
3.) 06 Oct 2024 18:23:43
Thought a draw would save his job so set us up to survive…joke manager!
12 Jul 2024 10:34:34
Looks like our first 2 or even 3 signings could be dutch. Zirkzee looks like only medical to do, De Ligt also looks close now that Euros are over for him. Rumours today that RvN and EtH have asked for Xavi Simmons loan option to be explored with PSG so assume this is happening as part of the Ugate discussions.
All would add a lot of skill and different to what we currently have. Would be a good start to the window.
1.) 12 Jul 2024 11:20:21
I do hope ETH isn't too involved in transfers under the new set up as his record here is poor, let him have his say by all means but we are supposed to have some top people involved in recruitment now - there's no other way to say it.
Zirkzee was sent out on loan 3 times by Bayern (Harry Kane was sent out a few times as well years back by Spurs ) he's got something like 15 goals in 49 games in the Italian league and came on for minutes in the euros -behind Weghorst - don't know much about him but even his clips on youtube are nothing special.
Im hoping its one of those situations where the pieces of the puzzle fit, on their own they look out of place but connected to others it makes sense. i'm giving the lad a chance but can't help wondering if yesterdays reports of Ivan Toney being available for 45 mill plus add ons are true that he might have been the better bet.
2.) 12 Jul 2024 11:47:04
I don’t know about the better bet, but Toney is definitely the better better.
3.) 12 Jul 2024 11:51:37
I'm with Burrenwayboy. Zirkzee's stats are not great, another player with potential who may or may not work out.
MDL I am more excited about, there is an awesome player in there.
4.) 12 Jul 2024 12:02:02
I think its the profile tony, his ability to play a different role to Hojlund which will allow our wingers to play in behind more often.
I'm excited by it. ETH is adding more strings to the bow. I think we may surprise a few next season, should we be able to sign what's required.
5.) 12 Jul 2024 12:10:42
Zirkzee or Martial, tough one.
6.) 12 Jul 2024 12:23:56
I hope so angel, I guess it's how many we buy and where they fit in. I just hope there is some proper science involved as we have bought some very average players in recent years.
7.) 12 Jul 2024 12:29:27
I’m with you angel.
We lacked depth last season. We’ve historically paid over the top prices for average players.
Now we’re bringing in more depth and at a reasonable price, and people are still moaning before the lad has even signed on the dotted line.
I think Zirkzee will offer something different. He favours the left side of the pitch which mirrors Højlund, and we’ll have another solution if we need to change things tactically.
Either way let’s give the lad a chance before throwing him to the wolves.
8.) 12 Jul 2024 13:12:27
I hope he turns out to be a success.
It's about getting tj first or second code targets.
We will know this time next year if our recruitment has been good.
Personally I like some of the targets and not others but that's totally irrelevant.
I've not seen zirkzee play a full match ever a few you tube highlights.
Same for yoro I've seen ugarte play a couple of games.
De ligt I've seen plenty of
I really hope we get JB who is the 1st choice.
Midfield will be interesting. Amrabat is worse than ericksen and casimero imo so I how we don't sign him .
It will be interesting to see if Bruno or rashford jump ship. I think both will stay but I'm hoping one or the other leaves and we get some decent money in to reinvest.
Mainoo will be our played of the season next year I think.
9.) 12 Jul 2024 13:31:56
Wasn't Toney a similar age when he was flopping at Newcastle?
10.) 12 Jul 2024 14:39:03
If we are looking at Xavi Simons, you would assume that Bruno is off to Saudi. My personal opinion, is that if we get a massive fee for Bruno, Simons makes sense as you are getting a player almost 10 years younger with a statistically similar output. A loan with a fixed obligation to buy would be fantastic as it would shift the capital outlay to another financial period.
11.) 12 Jul 2024 14:44:16
Really hope that we don't reach middle ground with Everton over Branthwaite as they want double his value. English + Utd has equated to having our pants pulled down too much over a very long period, hope we move on from such deals.
But he's young and raw, so that makes it ok! :D.
12.) 12 Jul 2024 15:37:29
So spenno you want the club to sign your preferred players and not theirs. Interesting perspective.
13.) 12 Jul 2024 17:59:20
Different summer, different owners, same split fan opinion on the signings. Some things never change.
Personally I really like the Zirkzee signing, I know a lot of people will look at his goal output as a striker and make assumptions. Yet he isn't a classic striker, he's more of a false 9/ 9 and a half type player. He drops deep off the line, pulling a CB out of position with him, collects the ball and plays it through into the space he's created for a wide forward to have a shot.
Hojlund has one of the best conversion rates of any striker in the league last season but still didn't score many. That was because we have wide players who look to cut in and shoot rather than pass. A player like Zirkzee will not only play the ball through for that kind of wide player, but his movement will make more space for them. Meaning they will get both more chances and chances of a higher quality. I think he could be really good.
While not at that level yet (maybe he never will get there), but he's very similar to Firmino in style of play. Like Firmino he won't score huge numbers, but he'll hopefully create the space and opportunity for players like Rashford, Garnacho, Amad and even Antony to score far more goals. I also wouldn't be stunned to see Hojlund maybe play some games on the right with Zirkzee in the middle.
He's the kind of player who can help a team click in attack by doing the off the ball work needed to open up space for others.
MdL is clearly a good player, potentially great. From what I've seen of him though I'm not convinced he's the right player for us to play alongside Martinez. Both players are aggressive front foot defenders who would ideally be paired with a quick, mobile sweeper style CB.
Leny Yoro worries me, he's clearly a fantastically talented young player. But he looks very lightweight in Ligue 1, and I think he could easily get bullied in the EPL. Very few CB's play regularly in the EPL at 18 years old. It's not a league that is forgiving to young defenders who are learning their craft. I actually think in the EPL he'd be better off playing at RB for a few season's while he learns, develops and fills out a bit.
Wes Brown was another super talented young CB who needed to play regular football at a higher level than the under 23's, but didn't have the physicality to play CB in the EPL at that point. So was forced to play games at RB to get minutes. He was physically more developed than Yoro looks right now. Unfortunately for Brown he suffered with injuries and never fulfilled his potential. Maybe that was bad luck, or maybe that was due to playing too many games at the intensity of the EPL at such a young age while his body was still developing.
I really like Branthwaite and think he makes more sense than most of the CB's we've been linked with. Great defensive awareness for a player of his age/ experience, a physical monster, tall, strong, quick, comfortable on the ball, press resistant, able to play LCB or RCB, English and counts towards our homegrown quota, and has EPL experience so is less likely to flop. No other CB we've been linked with ticks all of those boxes.
Ugarte looks like the right sort of midfielder we need along side Mainoo. I also like Joao Gomes from Wolves, who is a similar profile.
No doubt some people will agree with me, and some won't. You might agree with some of what I've said and disagree with other parts.
Ultimately I'm the same as everyone else on here, its just another opinion and I guess we'll find out over the course of the season whether this summer's transfer business has been good or not.
14.) 13 Jul 2024 06:19:45
shappy
You have clearly never watched yoro if you think he is a light weight. I can assure you he will not get tossed to the side like a box of kleneex like br did when he was covering halaand.
Your have an overly biased opinion of BR. Ask yourself something are all the scouts for Real, United, PSG, Liverpool wrong to be all in for yoro and why is no one else bidding or even trying for BR. He may be a good player but not at the crazy valuation they have on him. Bremer and Arujo are similar sort of number and they are worlds apart imo.
You keep going on about home grown, we don't need to have our pants pulled down to buy a British defender who will not start ahead of Martinez or Deligt if he comes and definitely not yoro. if we get Yoro imo its the biggest signing we have made in 10 years and buying someone who is potentially the best cb for many years in football. 42 mill euro given what players cost will look like chicken feed in a couple of seasons.
I would take Guehi if we are going english. The Serbian guy from RB who looks like going to AC milan or NC is great buy at 23 imo.
As you said new season and split opinion from the fan base.
15.) 13 Jul 2024 10:05:03
Yoro or MDL alongside Martinez Ahmad?
16.) 13 Jul 2024 10:51:31
Yoro, MdL, Branthwaite, Martinez would be a good balance of CBs. Evans as the 5th.
Maguire, Lindelof and Varane out.
I prefer Zirkzee over Toney as he offers a different profile. Shappy is correct on the Firmino comparison. Seems we’re linked with Tony still. Hojlund, Zirkzee and Tony would be great but only if we plan to play 2 up top.
Xavi Simons makes no sense unless Bruno is going.
I’d give Sancho another chance if we can move on Antony. Sancho, Amad, Rashford, Garnacho, Zirkzee and Hojlund is a quality six to pick from.
Replacing Casemiro with Ugarte is a good move. I think Tom Collyer is going to replace Amrabat, we need an Eriksen replacement.
I’m very encouraged by our strategy this summer, acting like a top club for a change.
17.) 13 Jul 2024 11:42:06
Ahmad, I've seen Yoro play in 3 or 4 full matches, so I admit that isn't as many as I've seen Branthwaite.
I've also seen Yoro brushed off the ball by far smaller players than Haaland. Who is probably the best striker in the world and a physical freak in terms of size, strength and pace.
If the bench mark is only signing players who Haaland hasn't got the better of then there probably isn't any defenders we can sign. He's made VvD and Saliba (probably the two best CB's in the league) look poor/ average.
I'm not saying Yoro isn't a talented player, to play the number of games he has at his age suggests that he is a special player.
However, there is a world of difference between playing as an 18 year old CB in a less physical league like Ligue 1 or La Liga and playing in the EPL. Which is not only far more physical, but also has the most top class forwards in it compared to other leagues.
Players of Toney's quality for example would be playing for a regular UCL team in any other top European league. Yet in the EPL he plays for a mid-table side.
That's the strength of the EPL, pretty much every team has a forward or two who could be playing European football for a club outside of the EPL. Which means for defenders your mistakes are punished far more regularly.
The last 18 year old CB who played regularly for an EPL team was Phil Jones for Blackburn.
Why do you think so few 18 year old CB's get to play regularly in the EPL?
I think in time Yoro could turn out to be a good signing, but I think the first season or two he will have a rude awakening in the EPL and will make regular mistakes and will need to learn very quickly. If he does (and I think he would) then he'll become a top player.
The question is do you think our team is strong enough to carry him for two years while he learns?
At a club like Real Madrid or PSG the league is easier (kinder to defenders), and he'd be at a club with real quality around him to carry him while he develops.
That's a very different atmosphere and situation to be in for a young player.
Personally I think Yoro and Branthwaite have a similar level of potential. Different sort of CB's with their own strengths and weaknesses, but both have the potential to be one of the top 5 CB's in the world in a few years time. For me the difference is that I know one of them is ready and capable of performing in the EPL right now, while the other would need to do something few others have ever done to prove he is capable of doing so right now.
Both would be signing players with potential for the future, but we do need them to still contribute significantly right now. Which is why given the budget restrictions and the weakness of our current squad I'd favour the player who is more of a guarantee to perform immediately as well as become a top player in the future.
04 Jul 2024 09:03:02
If you have not seen it yet King Eric has done a podcast with the Rest is Football.
Just hearing him talk, reminisce, talk about his life and what makes him tick. Amazing player and person, we are lucky to have him as one of us.
13 Jan 2025 21:05:53
Of that list only Garnacho should stay. Unfortunately he is the one most likely to make the biggest impact on PSR.
I think that he will end up staying and we move Rashford (loan fee and salary) and Casemiro (sale fee and wages) giving us a small hit.
I think that Amorim will see develpment potential in Garnacho and will want at least the rest of the season with him.
It will be loans in if anything, LWB and Striker. We will have to make do for the rest of the season.
26 Nov 2024 10:28:25
There will be lots of links to wing backs and will be interesting to see which side (left/ right) Amorim wants to put a full back and which more winger.
Ait Norie/ Alvaro and the Sporting ones.
Will be interesting to see which way we go.
28 Oct 2024 19:10:56
This is definitely a forward thinking move if they pull it off. Plays the sort of football the new ownership want, used to a European set up like we are developing and given time will be a success.
Also if rumours are true will get one over City as looked like an option if Pep leaves.
27 Sep 2024 09:54:15
The next few games could be key for EtH to show that there is significant improvement and to get us up the table a bit. Unfortunately they are not easy games with Spurs and Villa with Porto inbetween in the Europa.
There will be many more metrics other than wins that they will be looking at but it will not have been lost on them that the fans at the FC Twente game seemed to be turning a bit. That can be overcome with a few good results but if the board are not 100% convinced then they may start looking at options again.
Lets remember that there are some managers available that if you believe the noise in the summer the board were keen on (Tuchel, Southgate - please no! )
After the break there is a run where we will be favourites so if he can ride out this period he could get a breather assuming we pick up points.
13 Aug 2024 15:25:14
I think AWB and West Ham are a good match, they have brought well and with Lopetegui they have an astute manager. Always gave his all and a decent human, just not the atributes for a team looking to control the ball.
Whilst I would love to solve all of our problems this window the reality is we need to prioritise our resources. If we can solve the defensive issues we had last year as well as HM I will take that. I think we have enough in other positions to get by with young players improving, injured players coming back and youth players seeing time with the first team.
09 Jan 2025 10:46:24
Please ignore my ignorance on the whole PSR situation. Is it possible that we can buy in January without the need to sell, so long as we then balance the books by the end of June.
Probably not the way the club would want to do it as is risky and leaves you open to low bids knowing we need to sell.
08 Jan 2025 09:31:48
The club are just doing what we keep asking them to do in contract situations, don't just bend over and give players far more than they should do. It is the usual gamesmanship, getting back control from the players. Casimero, Rashford, Sancho, Antony, Erikson, Lindelof will leave January/ Summer with the likes of Shaw/ Mount surely under review due to injuries.
We are looking to clear out the top earners (north of £200/ 250k) and in keeping with the other cost cutting this makes sense. With that in mind there is no way that Mainoo currently is worth £200k a week. Realistically he should be around the £120k bracket with good incentives to increase this up with a view to a regular review if he develops which would have him in line with the likes of Yoro/ Ugarte.
Garnacho, I can see this being more realistic if a good price comes in. Similar to Rashford there are big questions over his fit. However, given time and training with Amorim he could develop as players did at Sporting.
03 Jan 2025 20:23:59
Feels like a good fit for a back up in the back 3 when you consider how many other holes we have. I expect he is good around the club with the other players and the right work ethic. Allows for Lindelof to leave abs we know Evans is. We will need another 2 regardless unless they decide that Mazraoui is one of them.
Then 2026 they can move on.
01 Jan 2025 19:42:07
The club has been a joke for a while and are the cause of a lot of our problems. however Rashford has been a very good player at times for us and then a liability at others, unfortunately the latter has been the large portion especially in the past few years.
He is a drain on the club from his wages, has been a drain on the club with some of his antics and has not shown that he will adapt to the new style and was not shining in the old.
As he pointed out on the interview, the parting of the ways does not need to be acrimonious and could be best for all concerned. Let his agent and club try and find a buyer now or Sumner and if need be loan to buy.
Let's turn use the funds and PSR benefit to bring better suited players in.
Same for Casimero, Antony, Lindelof and I would even consider Garnacho but given time may adaot.
31 Dec 2024 09:12:29
I think this year will be a tough one but hopefully the ownership group have the courage of their convictions and stick by Amorim and work out what is needed as I like him as a coach and think he will be successful given time.
They knew that he would bring a new system with him that would not suit a lot of the players, if they thought we would not have struggles then they really are deluded considering their roles at the club. They would have seen the players in training with EtH and known what was coming. did they think it would be quite as bad results wise probably not. let's also remember Amorim would have prefered to have waited and come in at the end of the season as he knew it would be hard to impliment his style during the season.
They know that they need to clear out a large number of players who either don't perform or are on wages that are not justified any more. again have the courage of your convictions and clear these players out (either in January or Summer if value is better then) . Clearing out some players will clear high wages and could get in a decent amount (lets not kid ourselves that we have any player who will bring in £60/ 70m unless Saudi's come calling - but we have a few who would bring in £30/ 40m and are not cutting it) . Then it is up to the scouting to trust they can get the right players in, whether unearthing someone from the lesser leagues or the right player in a position of need that we may have to pay for.
When it comes to my club I am an eternal optimist (becoming harder with time) .