Anthony Elanga: NUFC have bid of £45m rejected (Ornstein)

[The College Dropout]

16 minutes ago, TRon said:

 

 

It's about priorities. We don't have a big enough budget to sign for every position. 

Not being able to play 433 effectively because of 1 injury or suspension is a priority. Even if it’s a body.  The way the Arsenal CB was able to come in Kiwior - he’s proper backup but he can go against us and Real. We don’t have that player. Miley isn’t trusted. Neither are the other 2 who will probably be sold anyway. 

[Ikon]

2 hours ago, McCormick said:

@IkonIf you’re saying we need a prime David Silva type but with Gordon’s pace for the right wing spot, I agree  but that player either doesn’t exist or wouldn’t come to us. He has limitations, sure but that’s like every player. The point is Howe seemingly really wants him for the way he wants to play and that’s more than enough for me.

Just because i prefer a different type of player to Elanga, one that offers a bit more in general play and a bit of guile/higher technical ability. It doesn’t mean prime David Silva with Gordon’s pace. 
 

I’ve said it before, he’s not shite, and I think he’d do well here, but it doesn’t change the fact that I think I’d prefer something else that improves a lot of our other weaknesses. Howe will definitely improve him and so will better players around him. I think improving our control of games and ball retention would mean less chasing when defending at times, as well as conserving a lot of energy over a busy long season with tons of games.  Yes there are other positions where we can improve this as well, I just think when you look at what we already have in our wide areas it wouldn’t hurt having something slightly different. I also don’t see too many other areas where we can improve technically without replacing one of our better players. Obviously GK and Botman coming back helps. 
 

Im also thinking that a player with a bit more in general play and guile could drag the opposition out of shape more (when not in transitions) which I think would help Tino to perform at his best as well as giving a bit more space centrally for Isak at times.

 

Ive also said that IF we get someone like Pedro between Isak and say Tonali and Bruno then I’d be much more open to signing someone like Elanga who’s absolute strongest attribute is his pace and crossing to a degree. Because then we’d automatically get more space  for our wide players to exploit as well as a bit more creativity and variety in our play by being more dangerous from central areas more often. That would make a massive difference to someone like Elanga I think, as well as Gordon. 
 

I’ve said all the above a few times over. Seems to be a lot of fuss from some people in here as soon as we prefer a different type of player that EH seemingly wants.  
 

Once again, I think he’d do well here, but I just don’t think he’s the player to throw 60m on. I will back him and I’m also sure that if he signs I will be getting tons of undeserved flak as soon as he does some things well  Despite not thinking he’s shite or anything of the sort. Pedro in and I think he would be a good signing even if not my ideal choice. 
 

I’ve followed him since his youth and he definitely has his strengths but also quite big weaknesses. Yea like many other players. I just think that his weaknesses won’t improve our current ones which I think is the next step to evolve another level. 
 

Let’s just see if it happens to begin with 👍

[The College Dropout]

1 hour ago, AyeDubbleYoo said:

Hard to say, I’d say both similar quality but very different styles. Not sure Madueke is available mind. 

Aye Madueke looks technically solid but output and attitude isn’t there. Opposite with Elanga.  About the same level overall - good PL winger with potential 

[nufc123]

If we dont change system and use Pedro (if he signs), midfield will be knackered by new year.

[The College Dropout]

Just now, nufc123 said:

If we dont change system and use Pedro (if he signs), midfield will be knackered by new year.

I think we will change system if we get Pedro. 
 

But we still need midfield cover. 
 

If Isak and a midfielder is unavailable- we need to be able to play a competent 433. 

[nufc123]

1 hour ago, Novocastrian said:

Is Elanga better than Madueke? I really rate him and he’s probably available a bit cheaper than Elanga.

Right now Elanga is a better player with a better mindset. Madueke is probably a more talented player.

[Deuce]

Elanga is a proven PL talent, an upgrade on Murphy, and would hit the ground running on match day 1.

 

There really aren’t any other players available to us who tick all three boxes.

[The College Dropout]

Elanga had a better season.  Not sure he’s a better player.  
 

It’s like Gordon and Barnes.  At his best Gordon is more effective and consistent. But Barnes is better technically and is more composed. 

[TRon]

40 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

Not being able to play 433 effectively because of 1 injury or suspension is a priority. Even if it’s a body.  The way the Arsenal CB was able to come in Kiwior - he’s proper backup but he can go against us and Real. We don’t have that player. Miley isn’t trusted. Neither are the other 2 who will probably be sold anyway. 

 

Is it more of a priority than buying a right sided forward, CB and ball playing goalkeeper? 

[The College Dropout]

1 minute ago, TRon said:

 

Is it more of a priority than buying a right sided forward, CB and ball playing goalkeeper? 

Than a GK? Yeh. 
 

Having to change formations because of 1 or 2 injuries across 4 positions is awful squad building. 

[The College Dropout]

I’m talking Jorginho to Arsenal, Norgaard to Arsenal, Barkley to Villa - just someone the manager trusts to play due to a few injuries.  
 

By the end of last season Howe only truly trusted 3 central midfielders. We can’t go into a 55-60 game season like that. 

[buzza]

I think we would go to a 4231 if we brought elanga and pedro.

Bruno and tonali as the two and when they are knackered in the 2nd half, we bring on Big Joe and/or Miley to keep things sweet. Also would have barnes and Murphy to keep the Press intense Up top....

[The College Dropout]

2 minutes ago, buzza said:

I think we would go to a 4231 if we brought elanga and pedro.

Bruno and tonali as the two and when they are knackered in the 2nd half, we bring on Big Joe and/or Miley to keep things sweet. Also would have barnes and Murphy to keep the Press intense Up top....

Howe hasn't been doing this.

 

Isak & Big Joe get injured - what do we do?

Based on last season - we got to a back 5. That's not right.

[The Prophet]

Any updates on Elanga then?

[sushimonster85]

Miley will get way more minutes next season, think he will move past Willock as being the first midfield sub

[r0cafella]

Just now, sushimonster85 said:

Miley will get way more minutes next season, think he will move past Willock as being the first midfield sub

Willock is another with2 years left. We need to make a decision about keeping him or selling him this summer. 

[Dr Venkman]

9 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

Howe hasn't been doing this.

 

Isak & Big Joe get injured - what do we do?

Based on last season - we got to a back 5. That's not right.

 

Got much work done today?

[Willow]

If we can shift Willock on this summer that'd be a huge positive. I'd happily take £15m and think he'd be a good signing for a promoted side 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

1 hour ago, nufc123 said:

If we dont change system and use Pedro (if he signs), midfield will be knackered by new year.

 

I don't think we can use Pedro unless we change system, can we? Not with Isak anyway. 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

14 minutes ago, sushimonster85 said:

Miley will get way more minutes next season, think he will move past Willock as being the first midfield sub

 

Still hoping Willock won't be here, but I guess moving him and Longstaff in the same window is unlikely. 

[The College Dropout]

6 minutes ago, Dr Venkman said:

 

Got much work done today?

Loads - started at 730

[janpawel]

3 hours ago, GallowgatePigeon said:

 

In the immortal words of Eddie Howe: "Let's fucking give it to them"

Buckled me this 😂

 

31 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

I’m talking Jorginho to Arsenal, Norgaard to Arsenal, Barkley to Villa - just someone the manager trusts to play due to a few injuries.  
 

By the end of last season Howe only truly trusted 3 central midfielders. We can’t go into a 55-60 game season like that. 

 

Totally agree with this. 

 

Who knows as its all rumours ultimately...

 

But could Pedro be rotated with Joelinton at LCM, Osula finally gets given a chance and does a Hall/Gordon after a cracking Summer tournament, so Pedro isn't needed as much as a 9

 

Still not ideal depth at CM, but can't see us getting a Ederson level CM, and we don't seem to get the Burn type signings anymore (CM equivalent I refer to) 

[TRon]

46 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

I’m talking Jorginho to Arsenal, Norgaard to Arsenal, Barkley to Villa - just someone the manager trusts to play due to a few injuries.  
 

By the end of last season Howe only truly trusted 3 central midfielders. We can’t go into a 55-60 game season like that. 

 

Joelinton was out for a prolonged period, that isn't likely to happen again. He's the only CM who is difficult to swap out, Joe Willock is the best fit replacement. You could argue he didn't shine last season, but he's done well previously in that role. In any case, he could be sold and we could use that money to buy a midfielder. 

[LFEE]

Lot of disrespect for Willock in here. 

[r0cafella]

Just now, LFEE said:

Lot of disrespect for Willock in here. 

You'd give him a new contract?