Lush Vlad

Always got away with nailed on yellows when I was captain, albeit about 11 leagues lower Possibly another reason to make him captain.

Would be a shame if true. I still think he has plenty to offer. But without going all tinfoil hat. Something seemed off last season after all the rumours and he had so many games where he just totally switched off. If we do sell him and get back similar or more than what we paid for him. Then it is totally understandable.

Didn’t they spend £15m on him? Why would they now sell at a loss a season later? Unless he kicks up a fuss and demands a move. I can’t see it. What other U21 keeper options do we have? Are we not a bit lacking in that department at all levels bar Pickford? Hence why Trafford got a call up as about 5th choice. Despite being nowhere near ready. Not that he would have played, mind. Just not sure what relevance him playing at U21 level has. Plenty of average players who get stick have played for England at junior and senior levels. As for points 1 and 2. I don’t think he is good enough to be a backup for us currently. Never mind compete with Pope. Especially not at what he would cost. Hence my comment about not wanting him anywhere near the club.

A good mate of mine goes home and away quite regularly. He has been saying for a long time he’s not a fan. Maresca has plan A and nothing else. Didn’t show up for most the big games. Over plays when it doesn’t suit. Too many games where they don’t create much etc etc. A pure Pep disciple without the genius element by the sounds of it.

So weird to have the opinion a keeper looks nowhere near good enough for us right now? I thought he looked terrible every time I saw Burnley or their highlights. Not sure why we would spend what I would guess would be quite a substantial fee. On someone who is nowhere near the level we are after, might never be, but won’t be for a good few years regardless. Keep hearing we are restricted by FFP. Yet we keep getting linked with goalkeepers that are not worth it as a backup, not better than Pope or would cost a bomb. Either get a genuinely decent number 2 that wouldn’t cost the earth or go and get a marquee signing to replace Pope. Trafford is neither of these and I don’t think we can risk another Hall or Livramento, for the future type signings for decent money.

Someone else on here mentioned him. Then I copied him after watching him more closely. Think he would be a decent number 2 and genuine competition for Pope. Without us having to spend £25-30m or more. When already fucked by FFP and have other positions that need sorting as a priority.

He looked awful for them all season and was replaced halfway through by Muric, who was quality for them in the Championship. Find it hard to believe he is a similar height to Pope. Looked tiny on screen and certainly agree with their assessment from the bits I saw. Wouldn’t want him anywhere near the club.

I know he didn’t play much for Arsenal. So hard to gauge. But it certainly feels a bit early to call him injury prone or massively worry about his fitness overall. Hasn’t it been pretty much a hamstring and achilles problem, possibly linked (no idea) that kept him out this season just gone. But a decent injury record with us, otherwise? Obviously hamstring problems for someone with pace like him can be problematic to say the least. But it’s bit early to be loaning him out for 6 months to Glue Factory FC or Knackers Yard United.

Agree with this. He may have some technical flaws with his passing and finishing. Plus sometimes holding onto the ball so long. But never known a player like him that has so many qualities that don’t appear on any stats sheet or necessarily shine through if you’re half watching a game. He’s an animal and I’m also really happy he is staying.

She’s more your type.

Was gonna say. He has main character syndrome, arrogant fuck and seems one of the worst blokes going Didn’t think his analysis was particularly good or bad, mind.

Came in here to have a look for this. Was there a rumoured obligation to buy him if promoted? Would be great if so. Getting some money for him and his massive wages off the books would be a right touch.

Forgetting the cricket stuff for a minute. If he did sort the injuries/pain out. Then it didn’t change his performances. He was decent earlier in the season when Tonali was a bit hit and miss. Understandable, in hindsight. But he has been poor for a long while now.

Love him, mate. Probably my favourite artist.

Yep. Stuck record, I’m sure. But only got ourselves to blame after that shit show against them cunts.

Agree with that. No idea what our budget is or what we are expecting to get in via player sales. But I still think a striker, right winger, defensive cover (sorted with the free transfers by the sounds of it) and having more than one CM that can play the deeper role. Are more pressing needs than a new number 1 GK for big money. Without even using hindsight. Plenty felt we were short at right wing and up front going into this season. Yet we spent 50 odd million on two full backs who barely played for large spells. So it is a fine line between current squad needs and players for the future we think are too good to turn down at the price.

Is it not being skipped over that this Marmaduke bloke is also crap with the ball at his feet by all accounts? Not as bad as Pope with his passing. But that’s not a high bar to clear.

Hopefully Howe has a word with Glasner Isak and Wilson have still been fairly prolific when fit and playing. Plus I’m sure a lot of it is to do with personnel available. But I watch a lot of games where I feel like our 9 is isolated and we’re not getting them the service or involved enough.

Agree with this. I also think he is really unique as a player. He has his limitations, of course. He must be one of the slowest in the squad, he can be a bit rash with diving in and going gung ho with his press and then easily bypassed and his shooting technique is terrible. But his passing range, touch, skill, ability to hold onto the ball or win the foul under pressure, energy levels, attitude... They're all elite. He doesn't shirk the dirty work, either and is almost as good off the ball as he is on it. I honestly have no idea who I'd compare him to as a player in regards to his style. I thought Thiago Alcantara a bit at first. But he's more of a shithouse, better off the ball and not permanently injured. He is a one-off and offers so much to the team and the club as a whole. Not a popular or much of a shared opinion on here and I do get that regular goals are such a rare commodity. But I genuinely think he'd be just as hard to replace as Isak. What with everything he brings to the team. The stats and all of the intangibles.

Just seen that Maddison goal Pope has spent his entire time here booting/slicing everything clear, even when an easy pass is on. Then just randomly trying to be De Bruyne with the through ball from his own box

Got this TF end of season show on. As I do quite like all the local journos views and the format. But fucking hell. Even though I do agree with him at times. Craig Hope is awful. Can tell who he writes for just by the way he speaks. Massively exaggerates things all the while and spouts shit without any context or deeper thinking.

Poch gone? Got told by a mate who gets the odd bit of info via scouts and ex-pros. Sacked yesterday, apparently? Find it hard to believe. Would have leaked by now.

It's been said plenty on here. But to get a keeper as good as Pope, that is also good with his feet, isn't going to be cheap. For all that Flekken can ping it about. I thought he was poor for the Murphy goal. It was a great pass from Isak, but he got caught in no man's land and originally went for the ball and got nowhere near it. He got hands to the Isak finish, possibly being a bit harsh there, but he could have saved it. Then he was terrible for the 4th. So 3 goals out of 4 where I think he could be doing better. Is this Valencia keeper amazing with his feet? Not hard to be better than Pope at passing But it should be a real upgrade if that's what we're looking for. We know Ramsdale is, but he's also a bit of a clown show and no way is he a better 'keeper' than Pope.

Well. I took myself away and had a day up the races. As it was bad for my health midweek. Lovely surprise checking the score

Supposedly starting today. Hopefully not his farewell game.