Mikky

1 hour ago, Gallowgate Toon said:

Ashworth was apparently responsible for 9 departments, more than at any other job he'd had. I think that's genuinely too many, really, and a DoF (or equivalent) should have tighter remits to ensure they actually deliver well.

 

Having a sporting and a technical director might be the way forward or some other structure.

Definitely - was thinking this the other day when there was some gossip around the Brentford duo - one to look at the playing side - the other around the structures in place.

4 hours ago, McDog said:

 

 

He's been there in Eddie's setup. I personally think he's fine there.

Yep - we are well covered on the left with Barnes - The Joes and Anderson, that’s not to say Gordon can’t play there either - his flexibility is invaluable 

2 hours ago, Geordie Ahmed said:

He still has developing to do.

 

As tempting as it might be to keep him for next season I think long term another loan stint would do him wonders.

 

Though, I guess a lot depends on what we do with the RW situation in the summer.

 

I'd like us to sell Miggy, sign a RW and keep Murphy as the back up, let Minteh have another season on loan and then in 2025 keep him around to challenge for a starting spot.

Yeah I totally agree with this:

Barnes - Gordon - RW are your first choice options 

Then as back up - Big Joe - Willock - Anderson and J Murphy - that’s plenty

Said it in the Big Joe thread we should buy Ederson for our midfield - he’s literally perfect for how we play 

22 hours ago, Lush Vlad said:

Yeah. Just feel like he is a pure, touch inside and shoot wide forward type. Whereas Gordon seems a bit more versatile. 

Yeah Gordon is the more all round package - might as well try him on the right at some point 

4 minutes ago, Big Jow said:

He’s worth whatever he asks for at this stage. He’s our biggest injury loss. If we have people like Targett on 100k, I can see why he thinks he’s worth more.

Whilst we are signing up midfielders might as well sign his countryman - Ederson from Atalanta - just the profile of midfielder we need 

12 minutes ago, Optimistic Nut said:

Sell Almiron and Murphy, sign a RW and keep Minteh as cover.

I would buy a RW and have him compete with Gordon (Murphy) and loan Minteh for another year 

If Howe persists with the 3 then I think we are better served with either Barnes, Joes and Anderson competing for the left sided slots - I think 2 out and out wingers leaves the midfield exposed 

15 minutes ago, gbandit said:

No need to rewrite stuff, he did very well last season but we dominated 90% of games last season, with or without the ball. He was excellent at breaking up play and showed fantastic stamina game after game. His ability on the ball is identical this season to last, he takes too long on the ball and gives up possession when under pressure. You cannot have a player with his technical ability in central midfield if you want to consistently be a top six team

 

 

 

The guy is a brilliant pro - works his socks off week in week out.

If our ambition is to somewhat solidify ourselves within the top 6 then players such as Longstaff, Miggy and Wilson eventually need replacing - it’s the brutal reality of being a club with ambition to aim high - players like these unless they improve to that level get left behind and can longer provide output at the level required 

If during the summer Howe doesn’t see this and the status quo remains as is, he won’t last beyond autumn.

I think in the summer Howe needs to be ruthless with this squad - it’s obvious where we need to strengthen - CB - LB - CM - RW - CF, the likes of Targett, Hall, Longstaff, Almiron and Wilson need disposing of - the quality and depth in quality needs increasing

Shocking this - weak and pathetic to a man 

30 minutes ago, Dr.Spaceman said:

How has that useless cunt managed to fail his way to the very top of the game 

Can say the same about Gattuso - had some really good jobs recently 

6 minutes ago, brummie said:

 

How does this work with the contracts of people who are, to all intents and purposes, not football staff. He's not a player, he's not a manager, so how would his contract be any different to that of anyone in a 'normal' day to day job? 

 

Not coming at this from an angle btw - I have no dog in this race - just wondering aloud.

I am guessing he’s signed a contract for X years - if Man U make an approach then I am assuming it’s built into his contract that X amount is payable to release him early or to break the contract?

13 minutes ago, toon25 said:

Just relegate this lot now man 

Feel for their fans - they made no attempt at the start of the season to stay up in terms of recruitment - sold their best 2 players in the summer too - not sure what Wilder could do

4 minutes ago, The Prophet said:

While I see what Howe is trying to do, I still like the idea of a defensive midfielder, even if just to bring on late on or to change shape. 

Ideally someone who can retain and pass the ball - a lot of our issues with the back 5 stem from us losing the ball 

2 minutes ago, STM said:

I really like the look of Solanke. He's got similar attributes to Toney and I think there's room for improvement.

 

In terms of price. What's he going to set is back? 50m? While some might turn their noses up, that's standard fare for a good PL striker.

 

Ultimately, I believe in the TEAM but the team can't function if some of its players are made of paper.

Solanke is a good player - sadly the Snglish tax means he is out of reach

FWIW I think we will go abroad 

J David 

Sesko

Gimenez

Zirkee

Gudmundsson

Jonathan David for me like (Sesko is my number one choice but David is canny)

20 hours ago, ponsaelius said:

Too expensive and too old at 28 this summer to fit into our budget. He's a 'last piece of puzzle' type player for somebody like Arsenal.

I think we’ll go down the Sesko or J David route 

1 hour ago, leffe186 said:

 It really doesn’t. It’s shit everywhere, just a bit more demonstrative on the continent.

 

In other news, really enjoying the Europa League goals show. First time I’ve come across it. Like a more civilised and less amphetamine-fuelled Redzone.

 

And on cue, an absolutely pathetic red card bought by Galatasaray. Quintessential ref evening up the game (now 10v10) and being generous to the home team.

Goals show is brilliant - always watch it during the CL (unless we are playing)

4 minutes ago, Astroblack said:

What a player Rafa Leao is. That finish was so good. 

The build up wasn’t bad either 

So last 15 matches and a further 15 matches still to play, the likely outcome is that we would only have had both Isak and Wilson in the same game week squad on only 3 occasions 

1 minute ago, Geordie Ahmed said:

 

The plan was for Gordon to be 3rd choice which I can understand

 

It's just been compounded with the injuries we've had elsewhere

 

 

Might have to use Anderson there when he comes back 

Hopefully we get Michael Edwards - Howe was on his shortlist to be Liverpool manager before he recommended Klopp

32 minutes ago, 54 said:

He's a solid and dependable player, who can cover both RB and CB, you don't get many of them happy to be third choice, and if he's replacing Dummett, it's a upgrade while also creating space in the squad.

Nail on head - he’s effectively number 9 if we go on the basis we need 2 players for each of the back four positions - come an injury crisis (which we are all too familiar with) he becomes very useful 

56 minutes ago, Scotty66 said:

Has to be back soon now?

 

Interested to see if he comes back in and starts getting more minutes than Hall.

He’s been on that sodding bike for ages 

36 minutes ago, Dr.Spaceman said:

I really like him. To be out the team for as long as he was, then to come back and put in a couple of fantastic performances in the way he did was great to see.

The ideal squad player - provides decent cover 

25 minutes ago, ponsaelius said:

We absolutely should be trying to shift either one of Almiron or Murphy if we get a solid offer. We won't be signing a right sided player if have both of them still on the books.

 

We have to sell and both of those players are right at the right point where they need to be sold or there will be no market for them going forward.

Would sell Miggy - should have enough cover with Minteh and Murphy alongside a top quality RW