The College Dropout

Cool. Just feels unrealistic to me and I’ve outlined why.

Nothing wrong with a bit of scepticism. I remember you mentioned Marco Silva as a potential candidate- I didn’t buy it at first but I’ve been very impressed with how he’s developed Fulham over the years. He’s shown growth from the Everton days. And Howe is showing growth here. You always wanted to give Howe a proper chance. Seen this on Twitter: im not usually one to believe in ‘master plans’ but this was always a concern. Howe’s rejigged the build up to limit the impact of this. Which might have needed some time to prepare.

He’s not a RW though. He’s a striker. maybe I’m being too cynical but the idea feels too FM-tastic. You get the out of favour superstar and you ham-fist him into your team where’s he’s ’accomplished’. When in real life he’s never going to track a fullback ever again. And will inevitably join a Spanish or Italian CL club or if he’s unlucky - join Spurs. If he’s to join on loan - he’s not coming to chase fullbacks for Newcastle United. The French no. 9 position is up for grabs.

We’ve often used Barnes off the bench when chasing a game against a deep defence. And he’s managed to execute. Barnes doesn’t need space, he just needs to get to his spots. And he can 1 touch finish. He’s got great tech that applies at the elite level. It’s his general play that is extremely limited. From what I’ve seen of Bowen he’s got that elite tech but better work rate and all round play. Liverpool were very hot on Bowen (and Barnes too at a point). I think they both have an efficiency in the final third that translates against Lower blocks. Barnes issue is that the rest of his game is just so limited. And Bowen has either been poorly advised or he’s happy to be a big fish in a small pond by signing a 6-year deal at 27. It’s rumoured to be 120-150k which isn’t even the super max deal I thought it was.

Kolo Muani plays for PSG. He was signed for €90m. He probably earns €200k per week. Why would he/we sign him to sit on the bench? Even if his wages are subsidised. He will not Join to sit on the bench. when we think about targets we should consider the targets existing wages and profile vs what we can offer.

He also doesn’t need to move. if he was available for £30m a top 6 side + data boys (Brentford, Brighton) would buy him just for the value. That pushes the price to £40m and that’s if they need to sell him. He’ll be worth that same £40m next year. Re Brighton: I believe they only signed Minteh and Rutted because the value of the deals was so good vs risk. If you look at their squad - they didn’t need another RW or 10. But us and Leeds got ourselves into FFP issues and had to sell high potential players for a decent fee. We had a lot of interest at 30-40m for Minteh after 1 good season in the eredivisie. Southampton will know if Dibling could do similar next season. Unless forced - no need to sell for £30m this season.

Dibling went from Southampton youth academy to the spurs academy a few years ago. He didn’t like it and moved back within a year. He’s not putting in a transfer request like. He’s a proper wonderkid that’s had hype from a young age - we are not going to get him on the cheap. I expect him to do an Archie Gray. Spend a year getting regular championship football in what will likely be a winning team. Try to shine. Try and get Southampton promoted. If Dibling shines and Southampton get promoted, stay another year. If they don’t consider leaving. He may need further development time anyway. And Leeds only sold Gray because they needed the money too. The Champ is a great league to develop talent. I stand by it, if Southampton sell in the summer they’ll get £40m unless they have PSR issues like Leeds.

I agree with you. I think Bowen could make the step up. That left foot is cash money. He doesn’t need a transition or space to get it off. Similarly I think Barnes could do a job off the bench for any elite side for the same reason - that right foot is cash money at finishing. Bowen has more creativity though. I’m not sure on Mbeumo as Brentford are such a transition and direct attack based side. I do love Mbeumo’s movement though. Martinelli I always doubted technically. But he doesn’t even have the box instincts I thought he might. That hunger and desire to always be at the far post moving. Doku and Savio just aren’t those types of players. Mbeumo and Bowen have that determination and instincts in the box. It’s why I don’t mind Gordon at 9. He’s got decent box movement and that determination to get the first touch in the box. It’s hard to teach that. Rashford never had that, he liked everything to feet and then to show quality. But that quality would waver.

Agreed. But likewise they are inferior to the Saka’s and Mahrez’s. Their ability just isn’t there. It’s that gap between Gordon and Isak. If Gordon and Martinelli are excellent, what is Isak? Their movement isn’t that good either. Sterling was excellent and getting into tap in positions against a low block. I prefer Gordon’s tenacity and box instincts.

Do they have PSR issues? Or is his contract up? Dibling could earn them that money getting them back up next season. Why would they sell him for less than they sold Tino?

Did a Quick Look and Arsenal fans seem to rate Martinelli less than I do. They want him out. Arsenal fans seem to have a general frustration at a lack of ballers. Their reminiscing about the Wilshere, Nasri and Fabregas era top ballers tbf but just funny to me as that’s like the 5th best Arsenal side of my lifetime

Martinelli’s a couple levels below Saka. Gordon’s a couple levels below Palmer. Any Liverpool LW is a level below Salah. Bowen vs Son is close. Mbeumo over any City winger. Olise over Eze. Amad over Rashford and Garnacho this season. I like Gordon more than Martinelli. I said it early last season that Gordon would outscore Martinelli. Head down dribbler. I also had Barnes out scoring Rashford this season.

Think the inverse is true. there’s an array of top class left footed wide players. To the point nobody cares that Olise didn’t choose England. With Saka, Palmer, Bowen even Foden England are spoilt for Choice. Then you have Mbeumo, Amad and Salah. It’s a lot weaker with the right footed wide players. Diaz and Gakpo might be the best in the league which is a big drop off from prime Mane, Sterling, Son and Rashford days. Gordon might legit be top 5. Martinelli is poo. Rashford is poo now. All the city wingers are poo. Son isn’t at the same level.

Still at a rank well over 1m. The Isak move has probably cost me 1m in rank alone. I’d be right up there with those extra 50 points. BUT - the Champ has had 4 green arrows in a row. Still think a 5-figure finish is possible. Aiming for top 500k by GW25.

There’s a goal here for Ipswich. I could do with my double Arsenal clean sheet tho.

Figures. Wolves do have Cunha who can seemingly slap them in from anywhere.

Arsenal don’t score a lot of goals from open play do they?

Agreed seems it’s correct the decision according to the law. but is a shit law. You shouldnt be able to throw elbows like that.

Not worried about Brighton and Brentford in the league. Both would be delighted with 55 points. A lot of people would want Howe out with that total.

Brighton have half a dozen players that can play RW and AM but only 2 proper strikers. Pedro’s not a 9.

Minteh’s looked good since he’s come on imo. Adingra is often bad when I see him. Then he’ll do something useful. Then go back to being bad.

It’s been an awful game.

Lucky boy. That’s a red imo.

Why do people think Dibling will be cheap? Defensive teenagers like Gray and Hall have gone for over £30m. Dibling will go for closer to £50m than £30m imo.

My point is - by taking the coaching job Rangnick tanked his own credibility as DOF or whatever his initial role was. Giving the managers job to literally anybody else as an interim would’ve allowed him to focus on that initial job. He didn’t need to coach the players to run the rule on them. No DOF has needed to do that. He had a good track record as a DOF but he was horrendously under qualified to take the managerial job. Which showed. Then undermined his DOF job.