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.