January 2018 transfer window thread.

[Brisan123]

Not sure.

I would be happy if we are, won't be devastated if not.

He'd definitely improve us though and as I've said - if we ship three midfielders out - we will look to bring one in.

He could easily be on the list of targets, if indeed we have a list this time (which from previous experience, is up for debate!)

The time for buying average players is over
We need to buy top quality.

 

[BlueToff]

The time for buying average players is over
We need to buy top quality.

true, but we simply aren't in a position to do so

 

[Azza]

@neil999

Deulofeu & Rom were such a good combination! And then it had to be ruined because we can't have nice things!

 

[Lord Buckethead]

That's true. He's aggressive, he'll attack the ball. Just don't see the ability on the offensive end or the pace. He's not a great passer, he doesn't want to move to forward even.

I think you are confusing 'doesn't want to move to forward' with 'has defensive discipline'
He does get forward when he's allowed, just that Martinez generally always had him covering the defence.
He also passes forward when it's part of our system, under Martinez his role was to keep the ball ticking over by doing the jarg Horrendouson thing so passing forward was done by others.

 

[Lord Buckethead]

Deulofeu & Rom were such a good combination! And then it had to be ruined because we can't have nice things!

Ruined mainly by Deulofeu not being consistent enough to get into the team. People seem to forget the number of games he was a passenger, or the number of times he was pushed of the ball with great ease

 

[toffeeblue9]

That's true, but it's why a left-back who is

a) willing to get forward
b) willing to use his left foot
c) not Martina

is so crucial, mate.

That gives Sigurdsson the freedom to cut inside then. Defensively Gyfli does a great job of tracking, but if - when we're going forward - he doesn't always have to be out wide, because there's a player overlapping, then he suddenly gets the entire final third to operate in.

See his goal vs Swansea.

Davies drives forward a bit, gives it Rooney, who feeds Gylfi.

For once Martina had made a good run forward and that took a defender with him. That allows Gylfi that 5-10 yards to drive into before getting his shot off.

Yep, all true to be fair

My slight concern is that playing from the left makes him slightly less likely to end up in positions like he did on Friday night where he thrives

He's a good finisher and makes intelligent runs around the box but playing from the left makes that slightly more difficult

Still, it's the only way to get him and Rooney in the same side to be honest, so probably looks the best way of us setting up for now - it probably means Lookman doesn't play though, which is what a lot of people are crying out for

 

[Brisan123]

true, but we simply aren't in a position to do so

If we pay the fees and the wages we can

Pickford

Coleman Keane or Holgate NEW CB. NEW LB

Gana New CM
Bolassie. Siggy. New RW
NEW CF

5 players over the next 3/4 windows
All top quality and you have a team capable of top 4/6

 

[TheFinnFan]

Ruined mainly by Deulofeu not being consistent enough to get into the team. People seem to forget the number of games he was a passenger, or the number of times he was pushed of the ball with great ease

This. He was brilliant at times but all in all not suitable for English togger. Weak and poor intensity levels. Lost the ball stopped running and lifted his arms in the air. Saw this numerous times

 

[Blueeyedboy]

What is Gana if he isn't a holding midfielder, though?

He is poor as a box-to-box player, and playing that role negates the main part of his game which is screening the defence. He is superb at that role, hence, he's a holding midfielder.

Hes not a holding midfielder beacuse he rarely holds that position- he goes off chasing the ball and is then out of position. He also is really poor at tracking midfield runners and often ends up the wrong side of his man. The few games he’s played there (arsenal, Leicester this year & the away derby last year) he’s often been really poor. I think that’s the reason the 3 managers we’ve had recently have all preferred an out of sorts Morgan to him, in that position.

 

[Charlie Sweet]

Fill yer boots kids

 

[Eggs]

The time for buying average players is over
We need to buy top quality.

..I think the aim is always to buy good players, it’s just that the ability of the Koeman regime to do this was sadly lacking.

 

[Sir Alan]

The time for buying average players is over
We need to buy top quality.

Either top quality now or not at all imo.

I’ll let Shaw slide though as he’s got the potential to be our LB for the next 5/8 years and something we won’t have to worry about again unless he’s sold.

 

[Brisan123]

..I think the aim is always to buy good players, it’s just that the ability of the Koeman regime to do this was sadly lacking.

With all due respect eggs we don’t need more good players , we have enough good players , we need top quality players.
I’d rather we spend all our budget every window on one top quality player than 2/3 good players

 

[Eggs]

Hes not a holding midfielder beacuse he rarely holds that position- he goes off chasing the ball and is then out of position. He also is really poor at tracking midfield runners and often ends up the wrong side of his man. The few games he’s played there (arsenal, Leicester this year & the away derby last year) he’s often been really poor. I think that’s the reason the 3 managers we’ve had recently have all preferred an out of sorts Morgan to him, in that position.

..it’s a fair point. Gareth Barry and Lee Carsley were brilliant sitting in that area ‘between the lines’ that the best players exploit. As you say, it takes discipline to stay in there. I remember Fellaini saying he found it difficult because he tended to get drawn out. It’s why old fella’s can still play that position.

In the away Derby last year, Barry was amazingly on the bench which played into Mane and Coutinho’s hands. It was a massive tactical gaff as Davies and Gueye were caught the wrong side for the first two goals.

That DM shield is a specialist position.

 

[Stephenlloyd]

That's true, but it's why a left-back who is

a) willing to get forward
b) willing to use his left foot
c) not Martina

is so crucial, mate.

That gives Sigurdsson the freedom to cut inside then. Defensively Gyfli does a great job of tracking, but if - when we're going forward - he doesn't always have to be out wide, because there's a player overlapping, then he suddenly gets the entire final third to operate in.

See his goal vs Swansea.

Davies drives forward a bit, gives it Rooney, who feeds Gylfi.

For once Martina had made a good run forward and that took a defender with him. That allows Gylfi that 5-10 yards to drive into before getting his shot off.

You pay 45mil for someone and play him out of position, sig has to play the 10 role for the remainder of the season, I don’t really care what happens to Rooney. Another issue is our midfield, it’s shockingly bad, probably the worst I’ve known for years. I’d replace them all, apart from the kids who have time to improve.

But until we have 2 top class centre mids, who can compete with the best and dominate the weaker teams, we will never challenge the top 6.