More transfer rumours

[KaKa]

13 minutes ago, TRon said:

 

I think those are really underrated qualities in a CM.

 

I think they are crucial. I've always like the overlooked midfielder that 'sets the table' for everyone else. I tend to prefer more risky plays taking place higher up the pitch in the final third. Love a 'boring' midfielder that plays it short between the lines from deep to progress the ball so the risk takers can then do their thing later on in the move rather than forcing things early too often.

 

Always wound me up when under Bruce, Shelvey would constantly go for the killer ball so early on and from deep in our own half, and just cede possession to the other team time and time again.

 

 

 

 

 

[KaKa]

26 minutes ago, Jack27 said:

Stinks of Florian Grillitsch. Who is still a free agent. 

 

Haven't seen a lot of him in midfield so not sure what his game is like in that position to be honest, but if that's his game that might not be a bad shout.

[Shays Given Tim Flowers]

Sounds like

 

[Sean]

Is he related to him though?

 

Edit: NPW

 

 

Edited July 13, 2022 by Sean

[Cronky]

2 hours ago, KaKa said:

 

Not quite. Far more boring (not in a bad way!) than Bruno. More a midfielder that is always an available outlet deep and keeps things ticking over with the ball, continuously playing shorter more simple passes repeatedly around the pitch, finding the best route from which more creative players (like Bruno) can then seek to open up teams.

 

 

 

 

Not sure I like this concept of 'keeping things ticking over with the ball'. Every midfielder should be capable and willing to spot a forward pass that eliminates defenders. I'm not talking about a hopeful long ball, just a pass that forces defenders to move out of their formation to deal with a situation. Really, the CBs should also be capable of doing this, which of course allows all the midfield to move further forward. I think this is what Howe is aiming for. The opportunity to spot a good opportunity doesn't always fall to your more skilful players.

 

My nightmare is watching a Batty or a Scott Parker collecting the ball off the centre backs and exchanging pointless passes which don't put any pressure on the opposition.

 

 

[KaKa]

4 minutes ago, Shays Given Tim Flowers said:

Sounds like

 

 

 

Oh God ... poor Vurnon. 

 

As with every role in every sport, there's levels.

 

At the lower end of the scale Anita, and at the higher end of the scale Rodri/Busquets.

 

Here's a clip of the geezer we were linked with, Arthur Melo, that plays in that kind of style if it helps.

 

 

[madras]

6 minutes ago, Cronky said:

 

Not sure I like this concept of 'keeping things ticking over with the ball'. Every midfielder should be capable and willing to spot a forward pass that eliminates defenders. I'm not talking about a hopeful long ball, just a pass that forces defenders to move out of their formation to deal with a situation. Really, the CBs should also be capable of doing this, which of course allows all the midfield to move further forward. I think this is what Howe is aiming for. The opportunity to spot a good opportunity doesn't always fall to your more skilful players.

 

My nightmare is watching a Batty or a Scott Parker collecting the ball off the centre backs and exchanging pointless passes which don't put any pressure on the opposition.

 

 

The pointless passes, when done well are often an attempt to pull opposition players out of position and to keep them chasing to tire them out.

 

Do you not think it strange that the best teams in the past 30yrs maybe more have been comfortable with the ball at the back and in no hurry to get it forward ?

 

Just because we had Batty and Parker do it to little effect, as much because we didn't have other players who could play that way, don't write it off. My best mate who I sit next to at the match is going to be a bloody nightmare this season until he gets used to not getting it forward as soon as possible.

[KaKa]

6 minutes ago, Cronky said:

 

Not sure I like this concept of 'keeping things ticking over with the ball'. Every midfielder should be capable and willing to spot a forward pass that eliminates defenders. I'm not talking about a hopeful long ball, just a pass that forces defenders to move out of their formation to deal with a situation. Really, the CBs should also be capable of doing this, which of course allows all the midfield to move further forward. I think this is what Howe is aiming for. The opportunity to spot a good opportunity doesn't always fall to your more skilful players.

 

My nightmare is watching a Batty or a Scott Parker collecting the ball off the centre backs and exchanging pointless passes which don't put any pressure on the opposition.

 

 

 

Yes, I agree. The idea though, is that these shorter passes are played between the lines up the pitch, or to players alongside that are in space to progress the ball. It's about finding the best route to get forward from deeper positions, using shorter passes. The likes of Batty, Parker and Anita just play the ball to the person closest to them all the time, without any thought to it, and without actually looking to get their teams up the pitch. These are two very different things.

 

These kind of midfielders will also switch play when needed and will look for passes in behind when the team has moved forward and they are then also higher up the pitch too.

 

 

[BonesJones]

1 hour ago, bowlingcrofty said:

In the past 6 months we’ve signed:

 

Trippier

Burn

Wood

Targett

Bruno

Pope

Targett again

Botman

 

There’s 7 weeks to go in the window. We have an incredibly competent manager and one of the best sporting directors in the country. We’re bankrolled by the richest people in the world.
 

We’ll do what needs to be done.

 

 

 

Hard not to like this post. Positive vibes.

 

Spot on about Howe and Ashworth! and the owners!!

[Coffee_Johnny]

Personally I think it is about flexibility. It can be soul destroying to watch a Ray Wilkins, Deschamps (two better versions of ‘our three’ mentioned) style midfield which over relies on possession and passing opponents to death. I’d prefer to watch a player who intelligently uses the ball, whether it be to pause and play the short pass awaiting an opportunity to materialise or to crack a long penetrating pass into the channels. I think Wijnaldum was our best recent example of this. And he went on to show what such flexibility, and willingness to follow-up, can produce when surrounded by well coached equally good players. 
 

I’m not knocking ‘specialist’ roles in midfield, I just think we need everyone to be able to do everything pretty well, and not be a predicable one trick pony, in order to progress. That said, I acknowledge that I have a bias. I absolutely loved the fluidity and flexibility of our attack under Keegan. Even in the 1st division (championship) and first premiership season, before the arrival of more expensive players. 

[madras]

Just now, Coffee_Johnny said:

Personally I think it is about flexibility. It can be soul destroying to watch a Ray Wilkins, Deschamps (two better versions of ‘our three’ mentioned) style midfield which over relies on possession and passing opponents to death. I’d prefer to watch a player who intelligently uses the ball, whether it be to pause and play the short pass awaiting an opportunity to materialise or to crack a long penetrating pass into the channels. I think Wijnaldum was our best recent example of this. And he went on to show what such flexibility, and willingness to follow-up, can produce when surrounded by well coached equally good players. 
 

I’m not knocking ‘specialist’ roles in midfield, I just think we need everyone to be able to do everything pretty well, and not be a predicable one trick pony, in order to progress. That said, I acknowledge that I have a bias. I absolutely loved the fluidity and flexibility of our attack under Keegan. Even in the 1st division (championship) and first premiership season, before the arrival of more expensive players. 

Seriously Bruno is this game, the short ball, the longer, the ball no one else sees, keeping possession, always being available and not giving it away....... and with what he's had around him. Think with better players, better runs to play to, better control in tight situations to play it to and he's fucking great at the winning it back as well.

 

PS you are hankering after a game that was great 30yrs ago, the games moved on, that game was combated when it barely got going.

 

 

[NEEJ]

I'm too young to really remember Batty (my first proper memory of him is his pelanty shocker vs. Argentina), but from what I can gather I think he's being done a huge disservice here in this thread. 

[elbee909]

1 minute ago, NEEJ said:

I'm too young to really remember Batty (my first proper memory of him is his pelanty shocker vs. Argentina), but from what I can gather I think he's being done a huge disservice here in this thread. 

 

I thought he was great.

[Coffee_Johnny]

14 minutes ago, madras said:

Seriously Bruno is this game, the short ball, the longer, the ball no one else sees, keeping possession, always being available and not giving it away....... and with what he's had around him. Think with better players, better runs to play to, better control in tight situations to play it to and he's fucking great at the winning it back as well.

 

PS you are hankering after a game that was great 30yrs ago, the games moved on, that game was combated when it barely got going.

 

 

Perhaps I am, and perhaps I always will.  However, are you assuming that a metronomic, death by a thousand cuts, style of football is proven to be better than a more fluid flexible approach with all rounders (like Bruno) in the lynchpin/engine room positions? Theories and approaches come in and out of fashion. It only takes one ‘rule breaking’ side to break the mould and get coaches scrabbling to re-write the, usually over certain, coaching manuals. 

[nemtizz]

Sign some attackers, you bums.

[LV]

3 hours ago, alexf said:

I think I feel the same. 

Majority these days  seem to want instant gratification.

But I think in the same way I still prefer older films and slow burn storytelling. 

I think I'll enjoy the gradual progression more. As long as eventually success is guaranteed... I'm 33, I still want to see us win something in my life time ?

You’ve got a while left there son

[madras]

5 minutes ago, Coffee_Johnny said:

Perhaps I am, and perhaps I always will.  However, are you assuming that a metronomic, death by a thousand cuts, style of football is proven to be better than a more fluid flexible approach with all rounders (like Bruno) in the lynchpin/engine room positions? Theories and approaches come in and out of fashion. It only takes one ‘rule breaking’ side to break the mould and get coaches scrabbling to re-write the, usually over certain, coaching manuals. 

I'm not presuming that at all, did you watch how much better we were with Bruno at the centre getting the ball off the defence, how good we were ? Was it metronomic? I want fluid and flexible (It's why I want Paqueta more than Diaby) but Bruno in that position is sooooo flexible, the short ball, the long ball, the through ball, the inside ball, the wide ball, all the while maintaining possession  and being open to receive possession AND being a twat when they have it.

[Coffee_Johnny]

Just now, madras said:

I'm not presuming that at all, did you watch how much better we were with Bruno at the centre getting the ball off the defence, how good we were ? Was it metronomic? I want fluid and flexible (It's why I want Paqueta more than Diaby) but Bruno in that position is sooooo flexible, the short ball, the long ball, the through ball, the inside ball, the wide ball, all the while maintaining possession  and being open to receive possession AND being a twat when they have it.

Then I think we’re saying the same thing. We’d both prefer to see a bit more of that in all midfield roles. Which is how I remember your implied criticism of the game 30 years ago. Players with the attributes and flexibility to do everything well. It makes a difference. Not least in terms of how enjoyable it is to watch. 

[Super Duper Branko Strupar]

22 minutes ago, elbee909 said:

 

I thought he was great.

 

He was mint from what I remember. All over the place. Strangling Nicky Butt alone grants him hero status. 

 

 

Edited July 13, 2022 by Super Duper Branko Strupar

[madras]

6 minutes ago, Coffee_Johnny said:

Then I think we’re saying the same thing. We’d both prefer to see a bit more of that in all midfield roles. Which is how I remember your implied criticism of the game 30 years ago. Players with the attributes and flexibility to do everything well. It makes a difference. Not least in terms of how enjoyable it is to watch. 

I'd argue things are more flexible now, defenders are much better on the ball, forwards work more. 

 

My issue with our game of 30yrs ago was when it was sussed we had nothing else. Now the better teams adjust.

[Coffee_Johnny]

2 minutes ago, madras said:

I'd argue things are more flexible now, defenders are much better on the ball, forwards work more. 

 

My issue with our game of 30yrs ago was when it was sussed we had nothing else. Now the better teams adjust.

Hence the emphasis on the ‘f’ word in the post you first felt moved to reply to. Which was basically saying flexibility in the midfield roles is my preference over having a designated ‘water carrier’ alongside other specialist roles. And your ‘30yrs ago =bad/fucked when sussed’ idea, doesn’t fit with my current understanding or past recollection. The ‘modern’ teams who are too reliant on slow build-up seeking the perfect moment, even Man City at times, struggle more against certain formations because they can lack the flexibility of having a whole host of unpredictable potential sources and methods of attack which can come from having more free flowing flexible all rounders in the team. Coached and supported to be exactly that.  A style of play/philosophy which is  also exponentially more entertaining to watch. 

[madras]

1 minute ago, Coffee_Johnny said:

Hence the emphasis on the ‘f’ word in the post you first felt moved to reply to. Which was basically saying flexibility in the midfield roles is my preference over having a designated ‘water carrier’ alongside other specialist roles. And your ‘30yrs ago =bad/fucked when sussed’ idea, doesn’t fit with my current understanding or past recollection. The ‘modern’ teams who are too reliant on slow build-up seeking the perfect moment, even Man City at times, struggle more against certain formations because they can lack the flexibility of having a whole host of unpredictable potential sources and methods of attack which can come from having more free flowing flexible all rounders in the team. Coached and supported to be exactly that.  A style of play/philosophy which is  also exponentially more entertaining to watch. 

Man City will be interesting rhia year because by fuck they have a centre forward. As for us you can have flexibility in movement (like the Dutch total football) or a limited version of that but the players are better. 

 

 

Right now the only thing that would be better than Bruno where he is, is two Brunos in a double pivot.

 

[nufcjb]

5 hours ago, gdm said:

Not that I think we’ll go for him 

 

 

 

 

The fuck Arsenal getting their money from? 

 

Ask Bruno to send him a vid of the Arsenal game and post match scenes to sway Paqueta to us.

[Zero]

Pretty sure we have had make bids but are still waiting for response. I dunno why but seems the management do have huge patience in regards to getting a player they ranked as top target

[TheBrownBottle]

I've never believed Paqueta was joining; I'd be surprised if we actually went for him.  Our budget must be stupendous if we do - we desperately need another good winger.  ASM is the only PL quality one we have - it is a huge weakness.  I'd be prepared to go into the season with the midfield and centre forwards we have if we get a cracking no. 7 in.