TRon

Value rocketed by 100% already.

I'm sure Howe is as aware of those stats as everyone else. I haven't played football simulation games for years so I am very much out of the loop, but I guess he sees something else which he reckons he can work with. Like I said, he looks the type who likes to release the ball quickly if there's a quick pass on, looks an intelligent footballer to me regardless of the stats.

Again, I respect the stats, but just with the eye test, he seems a really intelligent footballer who strikes the ball very well. Even with his finishes you can see he doesn't just blast it blindly. If he signs I reckon Howe will make him look twice the footballer he is now. In a better team which is coached properly, he looks the sort who could deliver exactly what we require.

Miggy is actually a very intelligent footballer, he has so many qualities: pace, unselfish and hard working. Just lacking venom in both his shooting and his goal hunting instincts. Even last season it felt like Howe was constantly pushing him to get into goalscoring positions.

Agreed. Stats don't take into account stuff like how football works in transition, e.g., Barnes doesn't hold onto the ball to show off party tricks, he'll pick it up and release it quickly if the moment requires it, that can get the ball from a defensive position to attack very quickly. Also his team mates will trust him to release the ball so will make runs ahead of him instead of holding back to see if he wants to juggle it a few times.

I know, logically it makes perfect sense, I just find it hard to believe we could have such a perfect transfer window. Despite what I said in the other thread, I'm really too chicken shit to dream that big.

We've got Almiron. Funnily enough, I have said a few times I wish we had someone who could take free kicks with the left foot, but I guess Miggy just doesn't strike the ball particularly well.

It's Chiesa mate. Dare to dream.

Yep. I don't think there's enough appreciation for what a talent that is. I've seen him skip past players too, just doesn't make a big song and dance about it so maybe not as flash as an ASM, and let's be honest, maybe because he's not quite as skilful. But he looks like he plays with economy and intelligence, I can understand why Howe rates him.

I really, really want this to be true, wish I could convince myself it's realistic.

It's not a sexy signing, but if you watch his highlights he strikes the ball really sweetly. Not surprising he scores that many goals, I don't think any of our current wide players come close to that sort of shooting prowess.

I just love how he when he hits the ball it seems to lift, swerve then dip into the near/far corner like it's equipped with some sort of homing missile technology. It should be part of the Star Trek franchise.

I wish I hadn't seen that now. If he ends up at Liverpool...

Yeah those are fairly typical 2022-3 Callum Wilson goals.

I'd like to see that hat trick to verify myself, but just another thought about that...when he was playing under Bruce he was probably getting a lot more space to run into so he could show his pace. Under Howe we are generally trying to break teams down who are sitting deeper so not so much opportunity to get a clear run one on one. Just wonder if that might be why he appears slower?

Nice work, looks really professional

Especially since they are getting £50m a year from their sponsors. That's double the money we are getting, and they aren't even a Champion's League club.

Did you draw that?

Must be pound for pound one of the best signings we ever made value-wise. He was obviously never worth £30m that we got for him, but he gave us some really good years and scored some important goals.

Sounded like Adam P was doing the interview tbh.

Can't say I've noticed him losing a yard and a half pace, but even if he has, is that necessarily down to injury? Might it not just be he's in his 30's now?

He'd be fine for a championship team if he had a better injury record. We'd probably have gotten a decent fee a few years back, but his constant breakdowns and relatively high wages makes him a liability now. Nothing to do with his ability. While he is never going to pull up any trees, he could definitely do a good job at that level if he was 100% fit for most of the season.

Chiesa is proven class at the highest level. Of course no one here knows how the injury will affect his future performances, but agree, he's in a different league to ASM.

It would be very difficult for them to find anyone as stupid as themselves to pay the wages they are on, regardless of the transfer fee. How the fuck we managed to mug them off so badly is beyond me. Forests DOF is maybe Saudi?

I think his main issue was carrying the ball, he never looked that comfortable in possession.