judge us at the end of the transfer window – not now

[Nymzee]

Have to agree on that. Gray turns possession over a lot taking shots he shouldn't be taking. He thinks he's a footballing Steph Curry or Kobe Bryant. Steph is like Lampard was - full license to jack them from wherever, whenever he feels like it. Enough go in to justify the hubris. Kobe didn't make as many, but if there's no other offense to speak of then he should, indeed, just jack them all night.

Gray either forgets that there are attacking alternatives or thinks he's Lampard too often. I'm not sure which, really.

To me he should never start. He’s an explosive bench player last 20 but isn’t reliable to start. Problem is then that we must start McNeil otherwise who seems a bit confidence shy right now.

This is why we desperately needed a Gakpo/Chuckwueze/whoever to start on that right side.

 

[kenada_blue]

A fully fit Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Maupay, also changes us. To be fair to us this season we’ve created - particularly young flash. We’ve had a lot of shots on targets and chances created we just haven’t been clinical around it, you have to think the addition of two strikers changes that.

Do think Maupay will add to converting those chances. Not talking 20 goals a season, but definitely turning draws into wins.

 

[marmor]

As much as i

Gray offers things Richarlison couldn't. I reckon Gray will get close to Richarlisons total goals too.

Richarlisons work rate has gone but we've strengthened elsewhere to make it not matter as much.

I agree with this.

As much as I think he lacks quality on the ball, McNeill work rate seems to match that of Richarlison. For this reason I can see McNeil starting against the teams chasing at the top.

If the faith in Gordon to match Richarlison goal tally come true, plus the enhanced centre midfield options, then maybe we don’t need a direct Richarlison replacement

 

[Neiler]

The all round team dynamic is better imo.

Dare say it, more balanced? Which it hasn’t been since before Walsh and Koeman thought they’d sign every midfielder in the world at once.

Dare away my friend, feels weird doesn’t it, my limited head space is blown with the different combos. lol

 

[twoblue]

Onana, gana, and garner

Every time I say it, I want to follow up with deep purple / kula shaker song…

“Hush, hush thought I heard you calling my name”


If we are judging moshiri on having the best tongue twisting midfield in the country, you have got to say he has done a wonderful job.

 

[Glasshalffull]

You're stance is that we should've bought in a replacement for Dom who's still here though. Was never going to happen.

We've gone from a midfield of:
Davies, Gomes, Allan, Doucoure to:
Onana, Doucoure, Garner, Gana, Allan, Davies (moved Iwobi).

Defence was:
Holgate, Keane, Godfrey, Mina, Coleman, Patterson, Myko
To now:
Tarko, Coady, Mina, Holgate, Keane, Godfrey, Patterson, Coleman, Myko

Forward line:
Dom, Richy, Rondon, Gray, Townsend, Gordon
To:
Dom, Maupey, Grey, McNeil, Townsend, Gordon, Rondon

We've strengthened massively in areas you need to build from. We're lacking that lunch up top (we need Dom back) but in comparison to other teams in the league, we're not adrift striker wise.

Saying that, could be better. But I wasn't expecting things to be solved in one window.

Well, if we needed more lunch up top, we could probably have got Ronald McDonald on a free.

 

[EFC78]

Have to agree on that. Gray turns possession over a lot taking shots he shouldn't be taking. He thinks he's a footballing Steph Curry or Kobe Bryant. Steph is like Lampard was - full license to jack them from wherever, whenever he feels like it. Enough go in to justify the hubris. Kobe didn't make as many, but if there's no other offense to speak of then he should, indeed, just jack them all night.

Gray either forgets that there are attacking alternatives or thinks he's Lampard too often. I'm not sure which, really.

I disagree with this based on the player being discussed. Certain players within teams should be given freedom to do things that others are restricted to do. It's a way of producing something from nothing and not every player has that ability.

If we tell the likes of Gray to hold that part of his game back, we wouldn't have beaten Arsenal in the last minute last season. Only Gray and 1 or 2 others in our team have the ability to score a winner like that in them circumstances.

Look at McNeil, good example of someone lacking the confidence to do something he has the ability to do. His goal Vs Us during lockdown and the Kiev pre season goal shows he has a similar talent to Gray of scoring unexpected goals from outside the box.

Yet all this season he's shirked every opportunity that has opened up to him and wasted it with a pass.

The likes of Gray, McNeil and Gordon need to be free to take risks in some circumstances and be bold. Obviously most in our team are horrendous at shooting so we'd rather they passed the vast majority of the time than take a shot outside the box.

 

[ToffeeScot]

It was almost a very good window. I think we needed to bring in another striker/forward option but as we have the loan option still available I think in January we will see that taken up and a few more outgoings and incomings. I reckon we sign two more in Jan.

 

[twoblue]

The all round team dynamic is better imo.

Dare say it, more balanced? Which it hasn’t been since before Walsh and Koeman thought they’d sign every midfielder in the world at once.

We are full on back in David moyes mode. Difficult to beat, sprinkle of quality and Crying out for a striker

 

[sbbefc]

Think we'll be OK if Maupay and DCL can stay fit for the majority of the season. Big if.

 

[sbbefc]

Always have Jan too if needed.

 

[kenada_blue]

Well, if we needed more lunch up top, we could probably have got Ronald McDonald on a free.

Rondon is your man

 

[Groucho]

We are full on back in David moyes mode. Difficult to beat, sprinkle of quality and Crying out for a striker

Striker issues aside, despite having three on our books without counting U23s, this is our incomings 12 months ago;

 

[Lord Byron]

Only 13 league games before the January window opens lads!

 

[Mathieubleucoyb]

To me he should never start. He’s an explosive bench player last 20 but isn’t reliable to start. Problem is then that we must start McNeil otherwise who seems a bit confidence shy right now.

This is why we desperately needed a Gakpo/Chuckwueze/whoever to start on that right side.

We’re extremely weak on the right side.
It’s a shame Kevin could not seal a deal l.
If Gray gets injured we are screwed.