Realistic Options for Transfers

[Mark B]

If I'm following the rumors correct we are currently looking at signing both Jesus and Hitler and basically everyone in between. Which is basically useless since

If the following is the starting 11, then what gaps actually need to be filled before the season starts, where are the biggest holes and who are the viable options that we could pick up?

GK: Henderson

Back line: Richards, Canvot, Riad

CMs: Wharton, Kamada

Wing-backs: Mitchell, Munoz

Forwards: Sarr, Pino, Mateta

 

[ASCPFC]

Everybody's free to feel good

 

[doombear]

If I'm following the rumors correct we are currently looking at signing both Jesus and Hitler and basically everyone in between. Which is basically useless since

If the following is the starting 11, then what gaps actually need to be filled before the season starts, where are the biggest holes and who are the viable options that we could pick up?

GK: Henderson

Back line: Richards, Canvot, Riad

CMs: Wharton, Kamada

Wing-backs: Mitchell, Munoz

Forwards: Sarr, Pino, Mateta

It's a question of squad strength, probably best seen by looking at what we might call the 2nd XI, i.e., players we would need to call on in case of injury or rotation. So let's look at it:

GK: Benitez = decent option

Back line (CDs): Lerma + 2 Academy players = disastrous

CMs: Doucoure and Hughes = might be OK but questionable

Wing Backs: Mingueza and Sosa = just about OK

forwards (No. 10s): Johnson and Esse/JRS = more than questionable

Striker: Strand Larsen = OK but no more than that.

That leaves us with the unproven Cardines, Ozoh, Devenny as a utility player with limited but ok ability and Nketiah.

Yes, I know Mingueza can play CD if required but quite frankly, how many of the above would you want covering a month or two's injury to one or more of the 1st XI?

We desperately need to bring in some more quality, especially in the back line..

Am I worried?
Not yet. I'll worry if nothing has changed come 1st September.

 

[Lanzo-Ad]

FFS, the question is the formation, dont complicate it, we seem to have become world leader's at making things difficult.

 

[Part Time James]

It's a question of squad strength, probably best seen by looking at what we might call the 2nd XI, i.e., players we would need to call on in case of injury or rotation. So let's look at it:

GK: Benitez = decent option

Back line (CDs): Lerma + 2 Academy players = disastrous

CMs: Doucoure and Hughes = might be OK but questionable

Wing Backs: Mingueza and Sosa = just about OK

forwards (No. 10s): Johnson and Esse/JRS = more than questionable

Striker: Strand Larsen = OK but no more than that.

That leaves us with the unproven Cardines, Ozoh, Devenny as a utility player with limited but ok ability and Nketiah.

Yes, I know Mingueza can play CD if required but quite frankly, how many of the above would you want covering a month or two's injury to one or more of the 1st XI?

We desperately need to bring in some more quality, especially in the back line..

Am I worried?
Not yet. I'll worry if nothing has changed come 1st September.

I think I generally agree with this. The disaster only occurs when several squad players need to be invoked. We could avoid disaster if players stay fit, don't get fixture tired and don't hit poor form.

What caused Glasner's horrible streak? Well, players were injured, fixture tired and some went through a spell of poor form. Sure, he didn't adapt tactics very well in reaction in my humble opinion, but he also didn't have a lot to work with.

It seems highly likely to me that Sage will be in the same situation. He shouldn't be praying for a bit of luck, he probably needs a few more players to avoid a Glasner streak.

 

[doombear]

FFS, the question is the formation, dont complicate it, we seem to have become world leader's at making things difficult.

Unfortunately, the club seems wedded to the idea that we should be a counter-attacking team playing 3 at the back. That's what Sage has to work with as our main system which, no doubt the club will say, has brought us unprecedented success under Glasner and brought Lens, likewise, under Sage.

The only positive with Sage seems to be that he wants his teams to be more aggressive in both attacking and defending

 

[Mark B]

Unfortunately, the club seems wedded to the idea that we should be a counter-attacking team playing 3 at the back. That's what Sage has to work with as our main system which, no doubt the club will say, has brought us unprecedented success under Glasner and brought Lens, likewise, under Sage.

The only positive with Sage seems to be that he wants his teams to be more aggressive in both attacking and defending

The problem with being more aggressive both attacking and defending is that it is more exhausting. If the depth is there then it works and you are fine, if you don't have the depth then you need to pick and choose which matches you want your best to play and when you are willing to accept risk by fielding your subs.

 

[doombear]

The problem with being more aggressive both attacking and defending is that it is more exhausting. If the depth is there then it works and you are fine, if you don't have the depth then you need to pick and choose which matches you want your best to play and when you are willing to accept risk by fielding your subs.

which is why Brighty emphasized again and again in commentaries this pre-season how intense training has been. Sage has really had all the players working their socks off. Just hope half of them don't collapse with injuries.

 

[Plaistow Eagle]

All I can see is that this Parish as usual - we have 2 weeks before the Prem kicks off and have spent £0 on transfers.

Meantime we’ve sold the mainstay of our central defence - leaving us with 3 centre backs.

Parish said ahead of the window - we’ve learnt from last years window - well it’s shaping up exactly the same..!! So he’s learned nothing..!!

Sage must be thinking WTF have I done..!!

We need 2 centre backs, a central midfielder and a left footed forward.

Sage then needs time ahead of the season to work with them.

I for one am getting concerned at our lack of activity and signings - come on Parish let’s get doing the do..!!

COYP..!!

 

[pssguy]

All I can see is that this Parish as usual - we have 2 weeks before the Prem kicks off and have spent £0 on transfers.

Meantime we’ve sold the mainstay of our central defence - leaving us with 3 centre backs.

Parish said ahead of the window - we’ve learnt from last years window - well it’s shaping up exactly the same..!! So he’s learned nothing..!!

Sage must be thinking WTF have I done..!!

We need 2 centre backs, a central midfielder and a left footed forward.

Sage then needs time ahead of the season to work with them.

I for one am getting concerned at our lack of activity and signings - come on Parish let’s get doing the do..!!

COYP..!!

He is thinking " 15th place and a European trophy. Well, it worked once"

 

[doombear]

All I can see is that this Parish as usual - we have 2 weeks before the Prem kicks off and have spent £0 on transfers.

Meantime we’ve sold the mainstay of our central defence - leaving us with 3 centre backs.

Parish said ahead of the window - we’ve learnt from last years window - well it’s shaping up exactly the same..!! So he’s learned nothing..!!

Sage must be thinking WTF have I done..!!

We need 2 centre backs, a central midfielder and a left footed forward.

Sage then needs time ahead of the season to work with them.

I for one am getting concerned at our lack of activity and signings - come on Parish let’s get doing the do..!!

COYP..!!

1. It's actually 3 weeks until the season starts
2. Mingueza started as a centre back at Barcelona no less so although he's been a wing back in recent times he can play in a back 3
3. Tomiyasu plays as a centre back for Japan so if we sign him he's another option
4. I doubt Sage is thinking anything of the sort. He knew from the start that he was unlikely to have a full squad available until early/mid August by reason of our players being at the World Cup and playing for countries that were likely to get out of the group stage, as, indeed, happened.
5. Sage may well be assessing both Doucoure and Ozoh before deciding whether another Midfielder is needed.
6. Our preferred options as a replacement for Lacroix have fallen through. These things happen.
7. We don't know the background to Lacroix's departure. We can only guess. Mine is that we needed to sell one of our stars to raise funds to improve the squad depth and Lacroix is the easiest to replace when a team plays with a back 3.
8. We currently have a squad capable of starting the season so if new arrivals come late in the window it's not essential that they fit in immediately. They can be eased in as they adjust to PL football
9. Yes, there could still be more outgoings, but as yet there aren't any strong rumours on that front.
10. I prefer to wait and see where we are come the end of the window before deciding whether or not to panic.

 

[TomH_CPFC]

1. It's actually 3 weeks until the season starts
2. Mingueza started as a centre back at Barcelona no less so although he's been a wing back in recent times he can play in a back 3
3. Tomiyasu plays as a centre back for Japan so if we sign him he's another option
4. I doubt Sage is thinking anything of the sort. He knew from the start that he was unlikely to have a full squad available until early/mid August by reason of our players being at the World Cup and playing for countries that were likely to get out of the group stage, as, indeed, happened.
5. Sage may well be assessing both Doucoure and Ozoh before deciding whether another Midfielder is needed.
6. Our preferred options as a replacement for Lacroix have fallen through. These things happen.
7. We don't know the background to Lacroix's departure. We can only guess. Mine is that we needed to sell one of our stars to raise funds to improve the squad depth and Lacroix is the easiest to replace when a team plays with a back 3.
8. We currently have a squad capable of starting the season so if new arrivals come late in the window it's not essential that they fit in immediately. They can be eased in as they adjust to PL football
9. Yes, there could still be more outgoings, but as yet there aren't any strong rumours on that front.
10. I prefer to wait and see where we are come the end of the window before deciding whether or not to panic.

Good post, agree with all of these points.

I think everything feels a bit lacklustre because we've had a disjointed preseason so far due to the world cup. Let's give it some time and see how things slot into place.

Lacroix is replaceable. We've signed Mingueza who has formidable pedgree. Kamada has signed for another year. Doucoure is getting game time. Things aren't so bad.

 

[Plaistow Eagle]

1. It's actually 3 weeks until the season starts
2. Mingueza started as a centre back at Barcelona no less so although he's been a wing back in recent times he can play in a back 3
3. Tomiyasu plays as a centre back for Japan so if we sign him he's another option
4. I doubt Sage is thinking anything of the sort. He knew from the start that he was unlikely to have a full squad available until early/mid August by reason of our players being at the World Cup and playing for countries that were likely to get out of the group stage, as, indeed, happened.
5. Sage may well be assessing both Doucoure and Ozoh before deciding whether another Midfielder is needed.
6. Our preferred options as a replacement for Lacroix have fallen through. These things happen.
7. We don't know the background to Lacroix's departure. We can only guess. Mine is that we needed to sell one of our stars to raise funds to improve the squad depth and Lacroix is the easiest to replace when a team plays with a back 3.
8. We currently have a squad capable of starting the season so if new arrivals come late in the window it's not essential that they fit in immediately. They can be eased in as they adjust to PL football
9. Yes, there could still be more outgoings, but as yet there aren't any strong rumours on that front.
10. I prefer to wait and see where we are come the end of the window before deciding whether or not to panic.

Thanks for your detailed considered reply.

Football is about opinions and I don’t agree with much you have said.

IMO we don’t currently have a strong enough squad to start the season and we need to recruit quickly in/for the positions I mentioned.

 

[Tlsestu]

1. It's actually 3 weeks until the season starts
2. Mingueza started as a centre back at Barcelona no less so although he's been a wing back in recent times he can play in a back 3
3. Tomiyasu plays as a centre back for Japan so if we sign him he's another option
4. I doubt Sage is thinking anything of the sort. He knew from the start that he was unlikely to have a full squad available until early/mid August by reason of our players being at the World Cup and playing for countries that were likely to get out of the group stage, as, indeed, happened.
5. Sage may well be assessing both Doucoure and Ozoh before deciding whether another Midfielder is needed.
6. Our preferred options as a replacement for Lacroix have fallen through. These things happen.
7. We don't know the background to Lacroix's departure. We can only guess. Mine is that we needed to sell one of our stars to raise funds to improve the squad depth and Lacroix is the easiest to replace when a team plays with a back 3.
8. We currently have a squad capable of starting the season so if new arrivals come late in the window it's not essential that they fit in immediately. They can be eased in as they adjust to PL football
9. Yes, there could still be more outgoings, but as yet there aren't any strong rumours on that front.
10. I prefer to wait and see where we are come the end of the window before deciding whether or not to panic.

I think we need to get the first 11 + first choice subs playing together asap in order to see where we are really at. Time for these multi-millionaire primadonnas to start earning their crust. World Cup is well gone and most of our players didn't even play. Time to stop the faffing around.

 

[doombear]

I think we need to get the first 11 + first choice subs playing together asap in order to see where we are really at. Time for these multi-millionaire primadonnas to start earning their crust. World Cup is well gone and most of our players didn't even play. Time to stop the faffing around.

It isn't a question of whether they played or not in the World Cup or faffing around. The players at the World Cup need a break from work like any other worker and the recommendation is a minimum of 3 weeks which means most of them should be back by Monday and the final 3 should be back the following Monday. It will be interesting to see how many are available for the Fulham game.

 

[Tlsestu]

It isn't a question of whether they played or not in the World Cup or faffing around. The players at the World Cup need a break from work like any other worker and the recommendation is a minimum of 3 weeks which means most of them should be back by Monday and the final 3 should be back the following Monday. It will be interesting to see how many are available for the Fulham game.

This is not directed at you Doombear as for me you are one of the most reasoned contributers on this forum.
Realisticaly we have 2 weeks (last week is light training) to get the first team ready for the start of the season, we have yet to see our first eleven play. We have sold our defence over the last two seasons which for me has been the major factor in our recent success. It's unacceptable for a multimillion pound business to not have found suitable replacements and be ready in time, instead thinking (hoping) that 5 games in all will start to click, it's amaturish at best. Lets ne honest we struggled in the second half of the season once Marc left and I thought we had sold one too many and had fatally weakened our defence and now we don't even have Maxence or a recognised replacement. At the moment there are way too many unknowns regarding players and management, the players should all be ready to play as this is a critical moment for the club. I am usually pretty cool about this but there's been way too many changes and yes we are faffing about as usual as even if we get players in, there's no time to build a cohesive team.

 

[Runningman]

This is not directed at you Doombear as for me you are one of the most reasoned contributers on this forum.
Realisticaly we have 2 weeks (last week is light training) to get the first team ready for the start of the season, we have yet to see our first eleven play. We have sold our defence over the last two seasons which for me has been the major factor in our recent success. It's unacceptable for a multimillion pound business to not have found suitable replacements and be ready in time, instead thinking (hoping) that 5 games in all will start to click, it's amaturish at best. Lets ne honest we struggled in the second half of the season once Marc left and I thought we had sold one too many and had fatally weakened our defence and now we don't even have Maxence or a recognised replacement. At the moment there are way too many unknowns regarding players and management, the players should all be ready to play as this is a critical moment for the club. I am usually pretty cool about this but there's been way too many changes and yes we are faffing about as usual as even if we get players in, there's no time to build a cohesive team.

We actually struggled (including the infamous FA cup exit) whilst Marc was with us.
Just saying.

 

[Tlsestu]

We actually struggled (including the infamous FA cup exit) whilst Marc was with us.
Just saying.

Remind me, how long was our unbeaten run last season with Marc and Maxence in the team? Trophies? just saying

 

[ASCPFC]

How many in on deadline day?

 

[Tlsestu]

How many in on deadline day?

Only Lacroix I think, I might be wrong but most come in relatively early, it just drags on before being announced. The sales have been a bit last minute.