Lotus

Isak can’t and won’t press like Gordon. Certainly not for 90 minutes. I doubt he could do it with that intensity for 45 mins tbh. With Isak being less of a press fiend it would require our CBs to be much tighter to the forwards they’re marking. Burns can’t/won't and Schar isn’t as an effective at it without Botman. I think the obvious way to go without Botman but with Isak is a lower block. Otherwise I think teams will just play through the middle of us without much interference.

Have to be honest and say I’ve had doubts about JL for a long time. Even during his v. good period. He has had me out of my seat (in a good way) though. But I think the surprise factor has worn off. For the opposition too, they’ve realised where he’s a little bit weak in his game and I think they try and stay well clear of the areas in which he’s clearly a monster. Anyway, hope he kicks on a bit and develops that little bit more positional awareness and becomes more secure with the ball in key defensive areas/times. I’d much rather he just got even better than buy someone else.

Great attitude and application. We all know what he can’t do but I really appreciate him for always giving his best.

I can forgive the miss, it was the weak pass to a Man City player on the edge of our box that infuriated me

Great proactive defending.

Didn’t have a massive f**k up with the ball so that’s progress. Went missing once when Lewis pinged a great first time ball into the acres of space Hall had vacated. Would also like to see him a better at closing down crosses. He’s getting better though. That’s very important. Some excellent passing. He’s got vision and the technique to execute.

That one serious fuck up is always coming though and that’s really annoying atm. Without it he’d be a shoe in.

It's very possible to have good players who don't fit your style. Happens all the time. We also show no inclination of adapting to him, so.....

Tbf they played better than us last season until we scored. They looked pretty good until then. They do have (on paper) inferior players tbd. Oh well...

I think ultimately we're not really the right team for him. We need a brick sh*t house who can hold the ball up and can close down defenders relentlessly for 90 mins to minimize out pourous midfield.

Got a lot of time for EH. One things that's bothered me since our good season, it seemed the basis was on over running and over powering teams. With that we frightened them into making mistakes and we capitalised well. I think the whole 'flog yourself til you die - every game' mentality has a limited lifespan. Especially among very good players. Because if you're noticeably better than the average Prem pro you shouldn't have to kill yourself to win or draw. That's where your talent should pay off. Tactically I'm not sure we've consistentley cute and improving.

I think he's playing too deep. He's not a good 6 for the way we play. We leave BIG gaps in midfield and he hasn't the pace to get across and close down. Our midfield plan in general looks disjointed tbh.

Looks like he did his last season at Everton.

Uses terms like ‘pish’ but doesn’t know what a WUM is…. Nah…. WUM.

Clearly a WUM, would ignore it if I were you.

I feel like JL does most of his good defending when he’s running back and tackling an unsuspecting opponent. He has the desire, engine, pace and strength to do this very effectively. Don’t think he reads the game well to play as a 6 and I don’t think he has the mindset of safety first about his passing either. He’s best for us as an attacking midfielder who will absolutely help out in recovering the ball. He can pass well but he has tendency for high risk high reward passes that you would expect from a forward player. Those are best done further from our goal, obvs.

Think the closer we have Bruno to Isak and Gordon the better. Bruno at the base also means another slow player in a defensive position. We would sacrifice Tonali’s attacking instincts but at least he can get back quick enough to cover when we lose it in transition and look all over the place.

Him and Bruno with Tonali as a the deeper CM is our best midfield 3 for me.

He was a weakness today. Not particularly good in defence but wasn’t effective with the ball either. If he’s not a great defender he has to justify his place by playing dangerous passes but that didn’t happen today. Some of that is our players not making the kind of movement that gives him passing options. In matches like that I think I’d prefer to see him moving into midfield instead of Livramento. Think EH was worried about Burns chronic lack of pace.

If we need a CB and RW who must be ready to go with little adaptation then I guess that’s all one years money on one player and then all the next years money on the other. Unless we sell a star player or some how massively increase our revenue in just 10 months. Therefore seems reasonable to assume project players may be bought in both positions or one at the very least. Especially if PM wants to stick to his agenda of signing approx 6 new players every year. Brighton just spent £25m on Gruda, a project player. Looks like we can just about afford 2 of those at that price point. Or you’re spending £10m and really reaching.

My own experience of working with Saudi companies and Saudi Govt/Private JVs (17 years worth) is that the Saudis make you do everything as quickly as possible, having underlings employed just to harangue you and constantly put a rockets up your arse. You finish everything you were contracted to do ahead of schedule only to realise they even started phase 1 of their side. Sweet F.A. The project then sits about, collecting dust while they’re seemingly distracted like a toddler. Then they call for a big meeting, turn up and talk big. Proceed to sit on their hands after. Very interesting culture and much to admire as well as admonish (they’ll feel the same about us..). Delivering projects on time or even the same eon is not a strong point. Especially if you have Saudis in prominent key decision making roles. It’s better when they bankroll it but outsource the project management. Our project may have very capable and decisive Saudis in (what look like) key positions. There’s a whole other politic at play though. Balancing interests of Royals and Clans. All in the shadows.

Very interesting to read he will be looking to sign 6 players a year for 3 years, totalling 18 new players and that’s how he’ll refresh the squad. One would imagine that’s a lot of project players. Maybe only 1 first team ready players and 5 project players. Thats quite a different strategy to what we’ve done up until now.

Tbf, when I’ve seen Romero for Argentina he’s looked good. I only ever watch in the Prem when he’s playing us, and especially at St James’ he’s been dodgy af.

If we bid somewhere between £65-70M then we had enough for a cheaper CB and a decent RW. I’m also of a mind that Palace would’ve accepted that much. But neither Guehi nor the option CB + RW happened. If we were in fact offering considerably less, perhaps led by Nickson (conspicuous by his absence) and PM was just a negotiator at the table. He said he couldn’t steer the direction the transfer committee wanted to go in as he wasn’t here long enough. Just advise/support. CP drag it out a bit, they want a bit more than we can afford. Other options less favourable to EH come off the table. CP sell a CB and then another is injured, Guehi deal off. We try to scratch around for a late alternative but there hasn’t been sufficient scouting and analysis. Late panic bid for a RW, comes to nothing. Left with nothing. PM now in charge of things.

I’m not picking a fight with you but don’t you think that fee is perhaps wrong? Maybe a deal worth that inc. signing on fee, wages, potential bonus payments to CP if we won the league/qualified for the CL 3 years in a row, etc… It just doesn’t add up to me that we had that kind of money lying around.