James Trafford

[LFEE]

Just now, The Prophet said:

There's bound to be a few sales like. Even if it's not a big one.

Longstaff you feel being the obvious one this window. Dubravka also. Pope much more a surprise but a possible gamble. It’s the Greek lad we really need to shift as seems a waste for both parties.

[black_n_white]

36 minutes ago, SUPERTOON said:

He wouldn't even feel like a new signing at this point. 

Feels that way. Although he’s been our number one target this summer by all accounts.

[Andy84]

Feel like he’ll be a massive shit house that oppo fans will hate but absolutely class as well. Bring him home 

[LFEE]

Just now, Andy84 said:

Feel like he’ll be a massive shit house that oppo fans will hate but absolutely class as well. Bring him home 

Our very own Pickford but with added bonus of longer arms 

[bobbydazzla]

6 minutes ago, Dr.Spaceman said:

How much of Burnley did we all watch last season? Feel like there are a lot of posters on here who watched their every game.

 

It's the same situation with Pope's transfer for me, I was quite underwhelmed with that signing but it wasn't because I'd seen him play a lot. However, I quickly came round to the idea that he was a much better keeper than Dubravka. Hopefully it's the same again, but I've got no idea how good he is, I'm just assuming he's mint (or could become mint) because the club have chased him for so long.

 

I watched Trafford save 2 x pelanties in quick succession when it was Burnley vs The Makems and at that moment I knew it was our destiny to sign the kid and his saves were a "come and get me" plea

 

 

 

Edited 4 hours ago by bobbydazzla

[nufc123]

4 minutes ago, Ikon said:

I don’t mind Trafford. As long as it’s not at the cost of a CM. 

Or a RW, ST, CB. We are desperate for all 4 positions.

[Ikon]

3 minutes ago, nufc123 said:

Or a RW, ST, CB. We are desperate for all 4 positions.

Aye those too. 4 positions imo that must be a priority over a new GK. 

[J7]

21 minutes ago, Turnbull2000 said:

Hard to get excited if it does happen. Would he really be a big upgrade on Pope? £30m+ also a fuckload of money against PSR when it'll do nowt to help ease the burden on our very limited squad.

Yes.

[Gawalls]

3 minutes ago, bobbydazzla said:

 

I watched Trafford save 2 x pelanties in quick succession when it was Burnley vs The Makems and at that moment I felt it was our destiny to sign the kid

 

 

 

 

I mean Sunderland picked up 4 points against Burnley last season so there is that as well.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

24 minutes ago, Turnbull2000 said:

Hard to get excited if it does happen. Would he really be a big upgrade on Pope? £30m+ also a fuckload of money against PSR when it'll do nowt to help ease the burden on our very limited squad.

Jesus H, quite a depressing take. I wonder why the club would be chasing him if he’s not very good and costs too much. 

 

 

Edited 4 hours ago by AyeDubbleYoo

[The Prophet]

If we want to improve our possession game, we need a new keeper like.

[SUPERTOON]

6 minutes ago, The Prophet said:

If we want to improve our possession game, we need a new keeper like.

Agree, at the expense of other key positions this summer though? (Assuming we can’t afford everything).

[TheBrownBottle]

32 minutes ago, Turnbull2000 said:

Hard to get excited if it does happen. Would he really be a big upgrade on Pope? £30m+ also a fuckload of money against PSR when it'll do nowt to help ease the burden on our very limited squad.

I heard this stuff when we were replacing Dubravka with Pope, too.

 

Goalkeeper is the second most important position on the pitch after centre forward - the ability of the keeper has a direct correlation with results, far more than a right winger or a centre back.  So yes, upgrading a goalkeeper is worth it pretty much every time.  Whether or not Trafford is that upgrade I leave to our manager - but if he is, I’m happy to trust his judgement.  

[nufcjmc]

1 minute ago, SUPERTOON said:

Agree, at the expense of other key positions this summer though? (Assuming we can’t afford everything).

Some juicy Champions League level misc sponsors this summer may help towards the budget without a major sale hopefully. 

[The Prophet]

4 minutes ago, SUPERTOON said:

Agree, at the expense of other key positions this summer though? (Assuming we can’t afford everything).

 

Depends on the other signings for me.

[r0cafella]

Weren't talks underway a month ago?

[Sibierski]

28 minutes ago, Dr.Spaceman said:

How much of Burnley did we all watch last season? Feel like there are a lot of posters on here who watched their every game.

 

 

Only their TV games for me, but having watched him at the u21 Euros, then for Burnley in Prem, there is a clear progression in his game I've seen.

 

There may still be occasional mistake in his game, but for a 22yr old keeper with the games he has under his belt, you will be hard pressed to get better across Europe IMO. A position locked down for a long time goes a long way. Would even say £30m isn't that big in the goalkeeper stakes when you consider Chelsea have spent god knows what on many GKs, Man Utd £50m on Onana, Arsenal near £30m on Ramsdale, Mamardashvili for £30m. All who over recent seasons have shown countless mistakes in their game.

[SUPERTOON]

4 minutes ago, r0cafella said:

Weren't talks underway a month ago?

June 8th last year we where first in talks.

[SUPERTOON]

9 minutes ago, The Prophet said:

 

Depends on the other signings for me.

As in names or positions? 

[geordie_b]

9 minutes ago, SUPERTOON said:

Agree, at the expense of other key positions this summer though? (Assuming we can’t afford everything).

 

Could argue that Hall and Tino were signings we couldnt afford but they were young talent that the club identfied and they thought it was right time to roll the dice.

 

I'm still of the opinion that Hall and Tino signings were luxury gambles that we shouldnt have made and they massively hinderered our squad progression over the last 4 windows. Had we made back to back CL qualifications they would have been fine but the gamble back fired and we had to stand still as a result.

 

However, now we are coming out the other side of the PSR hole they look fantastic aquisitions at great prices. 

 

Hate PSR...

[Vaj]

I think getting a goalkeeper who is good with his feet is as important as any other position needed in this side with the exception of an RCB. To grow as a team we need a goalkeeper that is comfortable passing it out from the back and we need to get Botman back in instead of Burn. The problem of course is affording everything we need but I think the signing of Trafford would be huge long term. 

 

To challenge higher up and to stay there we need players in every position that are comfortable on the ball:

• Sign a goalkeeper
• Bring Botman back in
• Sign a right winger who can retain the ball more
• Sign a right sided centre back comfortable on the ball with a bit of pace
• Last piece would then be to sign another central midfielder who is comfortable at retaining possession to replace Joelinton (won't be this summer)

People will moan that Pope, Burn and Joelinton have done so much for this team which I would not argue against, and they would still be in the squad and getting plenty of opportunities. But to progress into an elite team all those positions need to be filled. 

[r0cafella]

14 minutes ago, SUPERTOON said:

June 8th last year we where first in talks.

The hacks reported we were in talks a couple of months ago. 

[RodneyCisse]

Clicks or something new in Fabs tweet?

[Ikon]

I'm hearing that we are planning to get ready for very advanced talks. 

[The Prophet]

42 minutes ago, SUPERTOON said:

As in names or positions? 

 

Versatility. For example Pedro could potentially play up top or as a ten or an advanced eight, negating the need for a CM. Similarly if we get a right winger who is capable up top, it may negate the need for spending big on a forward.