22 Mar 2023 19:46:10
Hi ed,

Who would you choose as a more realistic choice to Bellingham and Gvardiol? Both seem to be heading elsewhere.

Cheers.

{Ed002's Note - Perhaps Neves and Ndicka.}

1.) 22 Mar 2023
22 Mar 2023 20:09:04
Ambition and reality!

2.) 22 Mar 2023
22 Mar 2023 20:17:34
Kone and Nunes/ Rabiot with Ndicka or Salisu.

{Ed002's Note - Kone is heading elsewhere - Liverpool has made no approach. Salisu is not moving to Liverpool although he may well be moving elsewhere. There is plenty of interest in Ndicka including Liverpool. Rabiot just May be possible.}

3.) 22 Mar 2023
22 Mar 2023 21:07:56
Thanks Ed002 although you ruining the fun as its meant to be speculation ? I’d be happy with Rabiot and Ndicka as a start though mate! Which CM/ DM would you add to that for a good window in your eyes? A realistic one, I’m aware who you’ve stated we are interested in but who would be your pick to add to them two?

{Ed002's Note - Neves. Perhaps Nunez.}

4.) 22 Mar 2023
22 Mar 2023 22:04:06
Neves, Nunez and Rabiot would be very nice Ed ? Not that all 3 will happen.

5.) 22 Mar 2023
22 Mar 2023 21:43:47
I have seen you speak of Nunes frequently although I’ve been very busy at work lately and not frequented the sight as much as I’d of liked, is Neves interest new and concrete or someone you just personally see as a good fit? Thanks as always in advance sir.

{Ed002's Note - Neves will become an option this summer and the expected interest of Barcelona might well drift away. He would be an excellent addition to midfield and is versatile.}

6.) 22 Mar 2023
22 Mar 2023 22:58:44
Neves would be a superb Thiago successor. I think people forget how young he is because he’s been around forever.

7.) 23 Mar 2023
23 Mar 2023 05:01:30
You're right OneKiss. I thought he'd be 28 or 29. Was really surprised to see that he had just turned 26 last week.

8.) 23 Mar 2023
23 Mar 2023 08:31:46
I know right?! Dude looks about 35 ?.

9.) 23 Mar 2023
23 Mar 2023 08:35:15
Neves is less mobile than Fabinho and Thiago. Just what we need.

10.) 23 Mar 2023
23 Mar 2023 09:44:24
We’re having a very bad season (our midfield in particular are playing very badly (or so I’ve read) and we are still 15 points ahead of Wolves with 2 games in hand - seems to me Neves and Nunes are going to have to raise their game to get into our starting 11.

11.) 23 Mar 2023
23 Mar 2023 10:41:38
WDW - of course 2+2=7 :)

Seriously though, Wolves have struggled to inject speed into their play for multiple seasons now, under multiple managers. Forwards have changed, wingers have changed, fullbacks have changed. Neves and Moutinho, while technically excellent, are part of the reason Wolves play slow football.

Judging Nunes on this season would be a bit harsh. The poor guy has been linked with a transfer away from Wolves from the moment he signed. He has also been played in about 4 different positions by a couple of managers. That can't be helpful either. No doubt Jorge Mendes has a plan for him.

12.) 23 Mar 2023
23 Mar 2023 10:47:24
Neves is a really good player. He's not rapid, but he covers the ground really well and if a proper powerhouse. Also (vitally) he can score from outside the box unlike most of our midfielders which forces defenders to step out to close him down, opening up gaps in a low block.

Lindstrom, Mount, Neves, Rabiot and Ndicka would be good and realistic replacements for Firmino, Fabinho, Ox, Keita and Matip. Would add the steel and the work rate back to our midfield and allow us to drop Virgil if he was slacking.

13.) 23 Mar 2023
23 Mar 2023 10:52:21
Manuel Ugate is one I'd look at personally.

14.) 23 Mar 2023
23 Mar 2023 13:06:50
MK - did you actually say Neves is "a proper powerhouse"?

15.) 23 Mar 2023
23 Mar 2023 13:08:29
stone - I am with you. Ugarte would be a brilliant replacement for Fabinho. But it sounds like there's no interest in him by us at the moment.

He's got that Mascherano/ Medel tenacity about him.

{Ed077's Note - oh Gary Medel. Ed001 has a big poster of Medel on his bathroom?

16.) 23 Mar 2023
23 Mar 2023 13:16:47
I can’t think of too many players less mobile than Fabinho, if I’m honest.

17.) 23 Mar 2023
23 Mar 2023 14:47:20
100% FPF. He's absolutely brilliant at coming away from ground duels with the ball. Strong in the tackle and hard to dispossess. I'm more surprised you haven't noticed how strong he is. He's in that same mould as Rice and Rodri. A ball winner and a ball carrier. He absolutely bullied us on more than one occasion this season. It's not his fault Wolves can't score goals.

I really rate him. I'm surprised Wolves have let him run his contract down to be honest. He's held their bang average team together for years.

18.) 23 Mar 2023
23 Mar 2023 15:24:26
MK, I, like yourself am an admirer of Neves and think he’d be a great addition. He wouldn’t be bullied in midfield and is a real threat from set pieces and long shots! Good passer of the ball as well.

19.) 23 Mar 2023
23 Mar 2023 16:22:06
MK - are we talking about Ruben Neves here? Come on. He's technically outstanding but lacks the legs to close space and track runs. His tackles are much like Thiago's - a bit desperate and out of control at times.

Let's say you're right about him being what you say he is, then where is the queue of top 6 PL clubs in for him. Everyone is after midfielders this summer. Surely everyone would be after him!

Nunez Nunez - maybe he won't be bullied, but he'll be run past at will.

20.) 23 Mar 2023
23 Mar 2023 17:48:31
FPF, Man United and Barcelona both have had an interest in the last 12 months. I'll agree to disagree on his mobility. For me he's a very good player who works very hard snd has a good passing range. A perfect Fabinho replacement. I have to question how much you've seen him play recently if you think players run past him at will. Maybe 4 years ago he was a bit suspect defensively but he's matured into a really solid player. It's unfortunate for him that a once strong Wolves team has fallen apart due to a lack of consistency in the manager position.

21.) 23 Mar 2023
23 Mar 2023 18:05:12
MK - yes, we'll definitely have to agree to disagree about his mobility. He's definitely less mobile than Fabinho.

As for Barcelona and Man Utd being linked with him - I don't think that is as flattering as you think these days.

22.) 23 Mar 2023
23 Mar 2023 19:40:29
Discussion is all fine and good, but has anyone given to the thought of the question of whether Neves, Nunes and Rabiot (and all the others cited above) are actually better than Fabinho, Henderson and Bajcetic (which I believe has been our best midfield in this most mediocre of years)?

I'm not sure. The jury is definitely out for me. I definitely saw Fabinho improve with Bajcetic next to him, and I also definitely saw the team play very well when Klopp removed the shackles of whatever this new system is and let the players play the way they know how (and have been playing for some years) . (I'm referring to games we played this year against ManCity and ManU) .

My issue and concern is just going out and getting shiny new toys when it's not going to improve the team. After, Arthur, Kabak, Davies, Keita, Ox and Grujic I'm more sceltical than I used to be.

I won't argue with Bellingham, Barella or Chiesa coming in, though. ?.

23.) 23 Mar 2023
23 Mar 2023 19:47:46
What's Ndicka like? Haven't seen him tbh - would he be like back up or more like a starter, rotating with Konate and VVD?

Aye, good few midfield options. Rabiot might be worth going for tbh, quality player and on a free - Neves is a good player too, lots of options mentioned - just hope we have a savvy window in regards to ins and outs.

24.) 23 Mar 2023
23 Mar 2023 22:21:02
Who's better N'dicka or van de ven.

25.) 23 Mar 2023
23 Mar 2023 22:33:47
Ndicka would initially be a back up I think, if we signed him. Similar level to Konate when he first came in and needed a season rotating with Matip.

26.) 24 Mar 2023
23 Mar 2023 23:09:14
Ruben Neves is bang average, and won’t do anything to address our midfield problems.

27.) 24 Mar 2023
23 Mar 2023 23:13:45
Neves an excellent option in midfield maybe if we had some legs. He’s a slow midfielder and we need some pace and agility. Moreover a goal scoring mid would be better. Awful option if you ask me.