Now That's What I Call Transfer Rumours! 7

[nemtizz]

Despite how good he's been the fact he has almost zero threat going forward was and is an issue.

[Jaqen]

He's slow and poor on the ball. We made it work but it was never going to  be a long term solution. I don't think defensively we'd get miles stronger replacing him but we definitely would give team a lot more to think about when defending against us and be more balanced. Think it would do Trippier some good as well not having to be the one fullback bombing up and down the wing constantly. 

[Kanji]

Our entire attack isn’t really designed to have him cross or attack. When he does it’s fucking bloody awkward and randomly effective. He’s def needing to be upgraded, ideally you find another really strong defensive player who’s just obviously better going forward. 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Burn’s been good and the unit has been excellent (and well protected from the front). But I don’t think there’s any doubt Burn will be upgraded very soon. 

[toon25]

42 minutes ago, McCormick said:

His lack of pace as an lb is always a worry but he’s usually very good defensively. We also have a perfectly fine alternative in Targett. I’m more worried about what happens if Trippier were to get a lengthy injury.

Absolutely agree with this, like.

[Deuce]

The utility of playing Burn at LB is that it allows us to play a back 3 when Trips pushes up to essentially play RM. I don’t know if that’s by design…does Howe truly want one “CB in FB’s clothing”, while the other FB  joins the attack? Or is it to make the most of the players that we have? With relatively unlimited resources, how would Howe have us set up?

[NWMag]

2 minutes ago, Deuce said:

The utility of playing Burn at LB is that it allows us to play a back 3 when Trips pushes up to essentially play RM. I don’t know if that’s by design…does Howe truly want one “CB in FB’s clothing”, while the other FB  joins the attack? Or is it to make the most of the players that we have? With relatively unlimited resources, how would Howe have us set up?

Maybe an out and out DM to sit in between the two CBS, and both FBs pushing forward? 

[r0cafella]

According to Ornstein Chelsea are also in for all of the midfielders we’ve been linked with

 

Hope we don’t end up missing out on all the actual good ones and left with Mctominay

[timeEd32]

2 hours ago, toon25 said:

Absolutely agree with this, like.

Same. We have too many holes to fill to deal with this, but one of the most obvious ways we could regress next season is an injury to Trippier. We were incredibly fortunate to get 46 games and almost 4,000 minutes from him. 

[ExiledGeordie]

7 hours ago, Shak said:

It depends on Howe how feels about Targett, for me.

 

Burn did a commendable job at LB given his skillset but I wouldn't say he was good by any means. The fact that Targett didn't manage to take the job back doesn't fill me with confidence about him going forward.

 

If it was just a fitness thing or aversion to changing something that was working and Howe likes Targett... I'd be OK with no big name LB signing.

 

A young player that can backup Targett (with Burn being the emergency LB option) would be the minimum though, can't go into next season with Burn and Targett the only left footed defenders in the squad.

I think a new attacking LB is crucial to developing our play to help break teams down at home against a defensive set up and to improve our options in the champions league. Dan Burn has been excellent for us from a defensive point of view but I just don’t see him as the answer moving forwards. I think we need someone linking up on that left side note and providing more of an attacking threat. The team and our style of play will improve and bringing in a left back will be part of that I think.
 

I agree though it’ll be interesting to see what Howe does with Targett moving forwards. I thought he would become the back up left back behind a new signing (occasional league games, cup matches etc) but his lack of game time the season just gone makes you wonder what Howe thinks of him moving forwards. That said he was injured for a fair chunk so that’s probably had an impact. We do need numbers for a sways though with so many games.

 

 

Edited June 17, 2023 by ExiledGeordie

[Geordie_once_removed]

A new LB is 3 or 4th on the priority list for me. My order is CM, RW/RWF, then RCB or LB.

 

I love Burn but when you look at the stats playing him makes us a bit one dimensional and places a lot on Trippier not getting injured. If you have someone with more attacking treat down that side, with Trippier fit you can vary how you attack more. If Trippier gets injured then you can play a similar way to this year but switch the focus to the left.

 

We also arguably have out best attackers on the left and this could help us get more out of them.  Finally we could in some games switch to a back 3 with attacking wing backs. It just gives us a lot more options.

[Cronky]

If we were to only sign two players, I wouldn't want them both to be in midfield. A good left back would make a big difference. 

[Chris_R]

12 hours ago, timeEd32 said:

 

TO BE CLEAR THIS WAS GENERATED BY CHAT GPT. WE HAVE NOT BEEN LINKED TO GRIEZMANN.

[The Prophet]

8 hours ago, NobbySolano said:

The mental gymnastics here. Do a job. Yeah I'll say. It's great he can play both cb and lb. 

 

If Howe thinks he can play lb then I'll say he is a lb that can cover cb. 

 

An upgrade would be great. But I'm not fussed. And even so, i would expect heavy rotation and plenty of time for him at LB. 

 

Wanting to upgrade the weakness areas of the team is wildly illogical like.

[NobbySolano]

1 hour ago, The Prophet said:

 

Wanting to upgrade the weakness areas of the team is wildly illogical like.

 

Saying it's top priority it's daft. It just says you don't know what you are talking about.

[madras]

16 minutes ago, NobbySolano said:

 

Saying it's top priority it's daft. It just says you don't know what you are talking about.

Fucking hell, what's getting into people recently ? Is it the sun or no signings ?

[PauloGeordio]

1 minute ago, madras said:

Fucking hell, what's getting into people recently ? Is it the sun or no signings ?

I’d guess both 

[STM]

Football transfer season is like some social experiment. Alot seem to get disproportionately worked up by potential transfers or lack there of, despite us clearly being in a great position to strengthen the squad.

 

I always used to think it was because we were shite and people were just getting frustrated but apparently not...

[The Prophet]

59 minutes ago, NobbySolano said:

 

Saying it's top priority it's daft. It just says you don't know what you are talking about.

 

If having a natural centre back, who has no recovery pace and offers nothing going forward doesn't make left back a top priority I'm not sure what will.

 

That's not me hating on Burn either. But as we look to evolve Burn, Longstaff and Almiron look thr obvious places to start.

[NobbySolano]

12 hours ago, madras said:

Just leave it altogether then ? I'd say its just as critical if you get the right player. Look at RB in our set up.

Exactly what not critical means. Given a limited/finite budget, LB shouldn't be prioritized over a 6/8/hybrid. 

 

If we go into next season with Dan Burn as starting LB but with Maddison and zsobo or a certain Italian midfielder, then I'll be beyond thrilled. 

 

If we can swing Tierney after that then cool. But honestly more interested in finding backup for Tripper. Way riskier and we haven't seen much from Ashby. 

[NobbySolano]

1 minute ago, The Prophet said:

 

If having a natural centre back, who has no recovery pace and offers nothing going forward doesn't make left back a top priority I'm not sure what will.

 

That's not me hating on Burn either. But as we look to evolve Burn, Longstaff and Almiron look thr obvious places to start.

 

All I'm saying it's that it can't be priority over 3 or even 4 other positions. We can't upgrade every position and add depth at the same time. 

[The Prophet]

Just now, NobbySolano said:

 

All I'm saying it's that it can't be priority over 3 or even 4 other positions. We can't upgrade every position and add depth at the same time. 

 

For me it's probably third on priority list behind CM and RW (or a creative type).

[Smal]

Burn provides the balance. Against decent sides a good rest defence has 5 outfield players in it to defend on transitions and ours regularly does with Burn, Botman, Schar and two midfielders generally behind the ball when it’s turned over high up the field. If you start sending two full backs flying forward you’d need to pull someone else back to keep the defensive structure/solidity. We don’t really want all 3 midfielders having to defend transitions.

 

Yes we can upgrade on Burn’s athleticism and ability on the ball for build-up, but getting some more ability and flexibility in forward areas is way more important imo. Our defensive record was mega last season.

 

 

Edited June 17, 2023 by Smal

[Rafalove]

Think we’re desperate for another striker tbh.

[mondonewc]

It really is nuts how much negativity and arguing there has been in this thread, especially since the season ended. FFS our transformation from being basically guaranteed relegated to top 4, and a cup final to go with it, in such a short space of time is mental. Sure, if you got worked up about us not making top 4 when it was basically locked up, I could get that, but anyone who's not got a big fuck off smile on their face now whenever they think about our club, sadly you'll probably just never be happy!

 

I couldn't really care less if we sign Barella, sure I got excited like everyone else when I saw the rumours and I don't understand why anyone would stop themself from enjoying that, because thankfully we know for absolute certain that if we don't sign him we definitely will be signing multiple other players who are going to improve this team and help us kick on for the years ahead. 

 

Eddie Howe has came in to our club, embraced everything we are about, and its probably fair to say he literally hasn't put a foot wrong in, every aspect of being a football manager for our club, he's nailed it. 

 

So if he decides signing McTominey will make us a better team, I'm with him, if he wants to bring in Maguire, I'm with him, I highly doubt we will sign either of them, and I'd be very confused with either decision, but if they think that's the right option for us I'm absolutely certain Eddie Howe and those around him have the best interests of our club at heart when making those decisions, so I'll support them 100%.  

 

Naturally with forums there's always clashes in personalities, people who dont like each other, cliques etc, but it's pretty amazing how active this forum is when most are dying or gone because of social media, props to everyone for that, and surely we can just enjoy whats to come this Summer when we haven't had it so good for so long. 

 

76 days and counting until the window shuts and we'll be looking forward to games vs the very best in Europe, I'm gunna love sweating every day from now til then knowing WE HAVE GOT OUR FUCKING CLUB BACK!!!

 

 

Edited June 17, 2023 by mondonewc