Most teams would dream to have that forward line-up but to be effective they need the right service at the right time and that’s what is being overlooked. Last season we didn’t have the midfield players to unlock defences and find the attackers. Look at what a pest Wilson made of himself for a brand new team simply because his movement and ability to find space is so clever. We don;t have anyone who can do that except Wirtz. First half yesterday we looked a little promising, second half it was back to slotball.
It was the best of halves, it was the worst of halves.
Probably but we aspire to be even higher than most teams.
But I do tend to agree with the other part that there are problems behind. Even Wirtz is often struggling to get on the ball in good areas. For me it´s a midfield personnel issue that he isn´t being picked out and the midfield is also not creating, but I know it´s not a popular view here.
Well, I agree with you on that but although I’m a big fan of Wharton I do have some reservations around lack of speed and mobility. With Trey doing so well as a progressive player in pre-season maybe he will be the answer. I’m also inclined to look for an all-action destroyer who can make us more physical and be a leader too.
Well doesn’t have to be Wharton but somebody with that skill. I think nyoni looks very promising but not sure he has quite that ability on the ball to constantly cut through teams.
Id probably ask him to sit and have a ball player next to him. Nyoni seems to have really good instincts and reading if the game
Out of interest who would be the bluprint for a player like you would like?
We absolutely can’t sell Gakpo unless we get Barcola AND anther player…a Minteh or similar right-sided specialist. Even then we’d be very thin at striker until Ekitike comes back and is fully firing. We need players…the squad is very thin. A CB and RB are both necessary as well. Midfield will have to wait. We have more than enough bodies and sufficient quality. No need to spend time and resources there when there are much bigger priorities. I am relaxed about bringing players in at the moment. Ideally, we would have everyone in already, but the signings will come.
If that is true it has veered into looking like more of a perversion than a honest football/business assessment. Somewhere someone is getting off on the risk of ignoring glaring holes at the back [sid james gif]
Strange indeed. I’m just hoping it’s being done quietly like the Munoz deal. Boom, suddenly it’s there.
But the club have so much previous when it comes to going into a season short on bodies, so it won’t surprise me if they just leave it as it is and think all will be well in a few weeks. Which I think would be a pretty big mistake.
Surely we will sign a defender. We can all see the situation. We have some great youth prospects that recently joined, one of whom is going on loan due to permit issues. Brexit - the gift that keeps on giving!
Then slightly older than those two we have Jacquet and Leoni. It is quite possible that they will both be key players for us for years to come, but as things stand they are coming off long injuries and they need to get their Prem legs under them.
We have VVD who is still an excellent player, but the man needs some help!
Then there is Joe Gomez, who will see out the last year on his contract as nobody will buy him due to injuries, I’m sure. And at that point, anything we get from him should be seen as a bonus. Such a shame, as he is a smashing player, but the injuries have wrecked what should have been an elite career, and now he is a bit part option.
So all that is to say we can all see it very clearly. We need a defender. Ideally two - a centre back and a right back, or one who is versatile and can cover both positions.
If we end up sticking with what we’ve got, and using Ndiaye or Endo in a break glass in case of emergency sort of option, it would seem reckless and could easily undermine our chances.
I guess as a blueprint it would be someone like DeBruyne’s power mixed with (and this is sacrelige, I know) Bruno Fernandes artistry. Or maybe Hendo mixed with Firmino (Ooooh, I like that). If you are talking about an actual player now then it’s tricky isn’t it? Who is very smart with movement and passing, but tough as old boots too? Alex Scott showed promise last season but a player with the finished product I can’t name tbh.
