21 May 2024 15:17:01
Ed1, where do you see Curtis Jones fitting in our new system assuming Slot keeps it the same as at Feyenoord? To me, he appears to be the obvious odd man out (which I think would be a shame) as he isn't really 6 or a 10. Also, do you think Slot will be the man to convert Trent to a DM? It was teased in pre season last year but as soon as Bradley got hurt it was never attempted again.
Thanks in advance and sorry for the long post.
{Ed001's Note - he was always an attacker in youth football and should be perfectly capable of playing as a 10. He has also played very well as a 6 for England U21s. I don't see an issue with that, it is his injuries that are the problem.
I do expect Trent to move into midfield under Slot, he has Bradley and Ramsay for fullback, so it makes sense to play Trent there.}
21 May 2024 15:48:27
Ramsay?
{Ed001's Note - yes. He has had injury problems but I would expect Slot to give the players a fresh start and he should be very suited to the partially inverted fullback system Slot favoured.}
21 May 2024 15:50:41
Hello ed 1 just for curiosity what are the positions you think we need to strengthen as you have been championing the youth
Bradley last year
Beck this year at lb but what are the positions that you would go out and spend big to bring someone in .
I personally think we need a cb and another midfielder but do you and your crystal ball see anything we don’t in the squad and youth?
{Ed001's Note - left sided centre-back to replace VVD long term and left-sided attacker to replace Mo long term. They are what we really need. I think if anything we are a bit ott on midfielders, could probably do with offloading one or two to get Trent in there and make space for youth coming through.}
21 May 2024 16:06:15
Surely we'll be saddled with too many midfielders if Trent makes a permanent move, which I feel would be best for all parties. On top of that Bajcetic will be fit again and the likes of Clark and McConnell will be pushing for places. Which of our midfielders could you see moving on?
Gravenberch is the first likely casualty for me, I don't think he is versatile or well rounded enough to justify keeping, a bit like Smith Rowe at Arsenal. Jones perhaps, because of his injuries, though I love him as a player.
I can see Mac Allister, Szoboszlai and Elliott being perfect for the advanced midfield positions, I can even see a place for Szoboszlai playing on the right if Salah goes, he'd fit what Slot looks for in a winger.
Endo and Bajcetic are a fine combination for the 6, unless Slot wants to find a replacement for Endo and have Bajcetic play understudy, though I can't see that happening. I think it's more likely that Trent moves there for some of the matches.
21 May 2024 16:37:08
We are crying out for a top quality defensive midfielder, someone of the calibre of Fabinho, when he was good. Bajcetic may be the answer, but if we are seriously going to challenge that's where the money needs spending, in my opinion. And this obsession with Trent being the answer in midfield is delusional. In my opinion of course.
21 May 2024 16:38:20
Who out of the midfield would you offload then Ed
I honestly think theirs a case for them all to stay but we are counting on potential coming to fruition with most of them .
How long do you wait I can see Elliot being the pick of the bunch in a few years he’s really adding parts to his game I never thought he’d be able to do but he’s improving so well really think he’s going to be a mainstay.
{Ed001's Note - I like Jones, but his fitness issues are a worry. I would say he is the one closest to the door, sadly.}
21 May 2024 17:02:33
We have a top quality DM in Endo for maybe one more season, him and Bajcetic rotating will do us just fine if we are playing a DM that is. Why spend money on a position already covered? (for now atleast) .
21 May 2024 17:16:53
Salah, have to disagree. Endo is a "good" player. Top quality? Never. Served a purpose this season, but he lacks pace and he's not going to improve that.
21 May 2024 17:20:31
I think we're guaranteed a minimum of 48 games next season and every player in the squad has a clean slate to impress the manager during pre season.
Its a great opportunity for players like Jones and Elliot to stake their claims.
21 May 2024 17:31:44
Agree with that JK, but we need additions to what we finished up with, if we are to improve on this season.
As I say, definitely a DM, and a left sided CB who can play LB. I don't think I'll get my wish on the DM, mind you.
21 May 2024 17:37:08
I think a top DM is a priority. Endo has been a shrewd signing and we were worse team when he didn’t play but for me he’s a back up option for team wanting to push for titles.
Who to bring in depends on Bajetic IMO. If he’s seen as a genuine top class DM in making then perhaps someone like Palhinha could be brought in until he’s ready. If your not sure on Bajetic then bring in someone younger to be first choice for foreseeable future.
21 May 2024 18:37:15
Endo's as honest and commited as they come. In the tackle a tank, its just on the ball for me where he struggles. His position in the starting 11 is definitely one we can improve on.
21 May 2024 19:02:08
Some of the discussion above just feels like “settling” where’s the ambition to get a top quality DM which is badly needed. We can’t afford to be resting on our laurels the team needs to invest in a few players - LCB, DM, RW, LB and 3rd goalkeeper.
21 May 2024 19:43:16
Totally agree with you, Hessle, about "settling". If we rest on our laurels we will end up where ManUre did this season. Believing that our answers lie within is delusional.
21 May 2024 19:44:32
Hopefully Carvalho and Sepp VDB get an opportunity as well in a new system and style.
21 May 2024 20:04:34
Let's hope so, Westwood, if we want to nail that Europa Conference League spot.
21 May 2024 21:47:55
Everyone keeps going on about a top DM but does anyone have any idea who is out there and available that you would call a top DM?
What we don’t want to do is go back to the Rodgers days of just signing players for the sake of it. Endo has shown he can do the job until either Bajcetic is ready or the right player becomes available.
That’s not settling. Settling would be buying someone like Amrabat just because they are available.
21 May 2024 21:47:55
Everyone keeps going on about a top DM but does anyone have any idea who is out there and available that you would call a top DM?
What we don’t want to do is go back to the Rodgers days of just signing players for the sake of it. Endo has shown he can do the job until either Bajcetic is ready or the right player becomes available.
That’s not settling. Settling would be buying someone like Amrabat just because they are available.
21 May 2024 22:18:05
The bar is being set very low. If we are trying to compete with Man City and Arsenal we need a couple of top quality additions. With all due respect to Endo, Jones, Diaz etc for me they are not good enough to be first choice. Yes they can play games and have good periods but over a season they won’t win you the big trophies.
21 May 2024 22:27:31
No point in buying a top quality DM when Slot doesn't play with that position. Waste of money and we don't have the luxury of stocking up on players or not making the most of our cash.
21 May 2024 22:28:15
I know everyone has their favourite position that needs fixing - with DM and LCB / LB being in the spotlight at the moment, but can I throw in the keeper position. Adrian is leaving, Kelleher may well go (nd I think it would be right to let him go if he wants to leave. He has gone above and beyond as back-up for the last 3 or 4 years) . If CK does leave we lose our 2nd and 3rd choice keepers. We seem to have 2 or 3 younger lads coming through Pitulaga, Davies and Jarod being examples but none of them are experienced at the top level.
Definitely a position that need resolving by the club.
Just thought I’d throw this into the mix, especially in light of the recent Ali house sale excitement and the press linking him with Saudi.
21 May 2024 23:06:46
Brommers, Slot literally plays Mats Wieffer, who is a defensive midfielder (a very capable, physicaland technical one at that) . So please don’t say a narrative that isn’t strictly true.
22 May 2024 07:24:19
BP. I don't know of a top class realistically target for dm. i was v keen on us to go all out declan rice as I felt there nobody about like him and he would've been exactly what we need. also I think caicedo would've worked out v well for us (I think he will at chelsea in due course) . Imo without getting somebody top class in there who defensively minded we won't improve next season enough defensively and won't finish any higher than this season. Any team who wins premiership r comes close has a top class dm, city have rodri, Fernando b4 that. we had fabinho, no coincidence arsenal run it v tight this season when added rice. imperative we get somebody in there and if we to play trent there we definitely somebody alongside him like that. endo done v well at times but I think we need an upgrade, bajectic loads of potential but missed an awful lot of football since he broke into team, I don't think we can depend on him just yet to play week in week out in such a pivotal position.
22 May 2024 08:33:20
I’d also say Wieffer is a good shout to sign for defensive midfielder btw. Big, strong defensively, reads the game well, disciplined, composed, good range of passing and can strike a ball from long range.