Gallowgate Toon

We're trying to build a squad for the rest of the season, not just a first team. Dummett can't be relied on to stay fit, and Lewis has had a handful of decent performances (I think he'll come good but he's a risk). Someone like Targett is a solid acquisition. I think it's pretty clear now that we're looking to be a counter attacking side for the rest of the season. We can't be going back to playing Ritchie at left back under any circumstances.

Guimaraes' best position is as a DM so I think that position is covered. We'll see how it goes but I imagine either Shelvey moves up alongside big Joe or he he hits the bench.

I think his highlights look pretty good, tbh

I'm not worried about him being skinny. He plays in arguably the most physical league in the world and scores goals. Looks another very much suited to counter attacking.

Wew. I think he'll be a really, really useful off-the-bench option, like.

Lingard would be a very smart addition from here. Like the look of Mavididi.

Fucking yes, man!!!

Think we'll get 1 more permanent in and then it's down to the loan market.

If Burn is the only CB we get through the door, it positions some interesting tactical conundrums. We can't really move the defensive line up as Howe obviously wants to, unless we develop the world's best offside trap. Gives options to go to a back 3 as well, which I think might be a happy medium for Howe.

I dunno, like. Having a rotation option who has a 1-in-3 record and opens up additional routes to attack is very, very handy to have and will be for a couple of seasons while we establish ourselves, if we stay up.

Very sensible signing. Many Brighton fans at work have said he's a good defender and is playing well this season Like Wood, a smart short-to-medium term move.

The Wood slander continues. He's from about as far away from Britain as you could possibly be.

Weirdly, I have little excitement about Dembele (which is mad), but you'd think his style of play is tailor-made for the league, particularly in a counter attacking side. Ne chance his body will keep up with the demands though, surely.

If you watch the extended highlights against Leeds, Wood is involved a lot in our attacking play and put in a good overall performance, imo. He wasn't great against Watford, though. He is what he is for us - a rotation striker & useful plan b option. How many squads in the league have a backup striker with a 1-in-3 record in the division?

The hate Chris Wood gets for having a very decent scoring record in the division

The older I've got, the more I've thought that local presence is a really important thing in a club. The whole thing is an extension of the city and its people.; having a core of people who understand it, feel connected, and continue good traditions is important to keeping your identity as you grow.

I actually wouldn't mind Shelvey in a midfield 3 as long as he isn't the primary protector of the defence. He's not a long-term solution at all but I think he's good enough to compete with Willock & Longstaff for that 3rd midfield position for the rest of the season. This is assuming we don't get the defensive reinforcements that would enable us to change the overall shape of the team. Bruno Willock Big Joe Above feels like the most balanced out of the squad, for me - ahtleticism but with the ability to beat players, play passes forward, and get in the box.

Feels like there's a chance he replaces both Cabaye and a bit of Tiote in one go. Cabaye was a fantastic passer and very willing runner but he definitely was held back a bit by his physicality as a true CM over here. It felt like he flourished the most once he moved up the pitch. Amazing stuff.

Wasn't there a report around a couple of years ago that the Bundesliga is the highest scoring league in Europe? Vaguely remember reading that, on average, there are 4 goals a game or something.

Have any attackers come from the Bundesliga over the last 5 years and been successful? Werner's record there was ridiculous.

Interesting. I feel like recent attacker numbers from Bundesliga aren't a great barometer of success over here. His international and European records don't look particularly great.

Fuck. This feels far too good to be true

He feels like Botman-lite? Got a feeling we're still in for a pacey CB.

Don't think it's much of a problem, tbh. There are lots and lots of good players whereby coming here would be an increase in salary and not disrupt structure while we're in a dogfight. We don't need superstars right now, we just need good players.

I was watching some of Alli's highlights back last night and I didn't realise how absolutely class he was, tbh. Not just his goals but some of his skill & athleticism too - I'd always thought of him as a bit of a poaching no.10 but he was skinning players and all sorts. Bit of a dirty bastard too which is always handy to have on your side. Feels very fanciful that he'll get back to anywhere near that level though, as it's now years since he was that player. Seems like a mixture of injuries, mentality, and change in style/system have seen him decline.