02 Jul 2023 11:53:44
Eds - is it between Lavia and Thuram now for the DM and 3rd midfielder we are looking at.

Any developments on the CBs we are looking at?

{Ed002's Note - (1) Not as far as I know. (2) Schuurs looks unlikely now. Antonio Silva looks close to impossible. Evan N'Dicka is a no. Goncalo Inacio looks very difficult. Josko Gvardiol is a no. Kilman is likely heading elsewhere. Pavard is possible but expensive. Micky van de Ven is in talks to move elsewhere. Jurrien Timber is moving elsewhere.}

1.) 02 Jul 2023
02 Jul 2023 12:18:11
CB definitely looks like the trickier one at the moment. Midfielders there are more available options. it seems anyway.

2.) 02 Jul 2023
02 Jul 2023 12:21:44
There's still time for Big Jorg to get that apology into Sporting.

3.) 02 Jul 2023
02 Jul 2023 12:29:35
No word on Colwill, Hincape or this Slovakian dude?

4.) 02 Jul 2023
02 Jul 2023 12:56:50
Last season no midfielders were the right fit and this summer there’s loads.

Looks like it’s centre half’s that aren’t the right fit this time round.

5.) 02 Jul 2023
02 Jul 2023 14:27:13
How would Fab be rated as a CB option by anyone who really knows their football?

6.) 02 Jul 2023
02 Jul 2023 16:10:37
SolidState, my uneducated opinion is I think he'd be technically sound as a CB but too slow for our high line which would make him a liability.

I think we really need fresh blood at CB to add proper competition to VVD and Konate. I don't think Matip and Gomez are pushing for a start quality-wise.

Someone quick would be close to a must in my opinion.

7.) 02 Jul 2023
02 Jul 2023 16:45:42
Gregarious-A big season ahead for Fab then. He has to find his best form, and play less, which will require a dedicated 6 to be brought in (imo) .
He was one of the best not so long ago. I hope he has a last dance.

8.) 02 Jul 2023
02 Jul 2023 17:03:12
Thanks Ed02 as ever. Are we right to assume we are still looking to acquire one more midfielder and a CB if we can actually find one that works for us. Understand many of the people we looked at are no longer available or very difficult.

{Ed002's Note - Yes I believe so and perhaps a GK still.}

9.) 02 Jul 2023
02 Jul 2023 19:14:20
Is this a gk cb type player.

10.) 02 Jul 2023
02 Jul 2023 18:45:33
Great info as usual Ed. It looks like a great summer for us, although the CB issue is going to be difficult to resolve. Even with the world's best midfield, our defence was a mess last year, and heavily reliant on Konate's fitness.

But I suppose we have to be grateful for whatever we get as the club are obviously bringing in some great talent.

{Ed002's Note - The world's best midfield?)

11.) 02 Jul 2023
02 Jul 2023 23:29:59
I think Shabby is referring to it not mattering how good our midfield might be, the defence was pretty rubbish and no midfield can cover over that many cracks, despite that being the common rhetoric on here as it’s easier than daring to say VVD has been poor.
I tend to agree with him. Defence is the major issue for me so I hope VVD and Gomez get back to form and perhaps Sepp make the step up.

12.) 03 Jul 2023
03 Jul 2023 02:20:50
If we play with the ‘inverted double pivot fullback hokey-cokey’ formation we will have Diaz tracking back on the left, Trent stepping up on the right with Mac and Dom stepping back to help Fabs - that will give Ibou, VVD and Robbo more than enough time to store their deck chairs and have a cuppa before any attack becomes a threat.

On a sensible note when we moved to the inverted fb style at the back end of last season we seemed to stop leaking goals, apart from the friendly kick about with Southampton when everyone seemed to have clocked off for their summer hols.

13.) 03 Jul 2023
03 Jul 2023 03:44:29
Crazy how we had Fab and Hendo playing at CB a few seasons ago.

14.) 03 Jul 2023
03 Jul 2023 04:05:38
SolidState, the added midfield reinforcements so far will go a long way to help defensively in my opinion.

Signing a DM would be ideal, of course, but if we don't, having Mac A as a box-to-box and Dom in a similar position or more AM, should help whoever plays holding (Fab, Baj, Hendo) .

The 2 new guys seem to have unlimited energy from what I've seen and both are extremely well-rounded players.