09 Jul 2024 09:36:29
Good morning all.
A couple of months ago I posted that in order for us to stay competitive we would need to sign at least 3 High quality players if we couldn't fill from within, this is not the need for new shinny toys to play with or anything like that but more areas that need addressing imo, top priority has to be a new LB, a CB and a CDM.
Robbo can't be expected to play every minute and Konstantinos Tsimikas although is a willing trier is a severe drop in quality when robbo's out! Maybe young Beck can push on into this role I suppose time will tell but Robbo ain't getting any younger and we will need to find a successor soon.
The same can be said for our center backs, Virgil although he's getting on he was still our stalwart in the backline last season, Jarell for me was excellent had one or 2 slip ups but was otherwise solid. Konate just can't stay fit and is very like Lovern in the fact that he feels he needs to win every ball, gets too close and either gets turned or needlessly fowls the player. Joe was used everywhere last season and did a job were ever he was required, still waiting for him to score hope that happens for the lad this season and gives 100 % everytime but is Slot going to stick with him at CB that's the million dollar question. Either way with Virgil getting on, Maltip gone and our other CB's struggling to stay fit or get a run in their favoured position I think a new CB is a must.
Then there is the No 6 problem which I feel is the most important position we need to sort out. Endo was excellent once he got to grips with the speed and pace of the Premier league but we need a 5 yr younger Endo. Fabs when he came was around 26ish I think could be wrong but was a rock in front of the back 4 and helped making us hard to score against, we are the complete polar opposite nowdays. We need someone younger and similar to fabs for this position and it is imperative that this gets done ASAP, imo we are wasting Alexis obvious creative talent when we use him here so hopefully we can get someone in that can play alongside Mac and sort out our no 6 issue.
Finally in closing for those of you that I haven't put asleep yet . Obviously with Adrain gone and Kelleher seemingly looking for more game time a new no 2 and possibly a 3rd choice keeper maybe sought.
The same goes if Salah is sold it is imperative that we get someone who will score the goals that he does every season, Jota our best other goalscoring forward can't stay fit, Cody is being played out of position maybe Arne will change that, Nunez needs 8 chances to score one goal and Diaz although gives everything doesn't score enough goals and apparently wants a move to Barca.
Mr Slot has his work cut out to get everything right and keep us competitive . I wish him nothing but the best of luck for the coming season, be interesting to see what he does but hopefully FSG will back him and he will sort out the area's where he deems need sorting.
Interesting times ahead for us reds hopefully a few new additions will come along to shore up our problem area's and make us more solid and harder to break down as a team.
All the best for the season ahead fellow reds.
Best wishes to all.
Notsozippy
JFT97 YNWA.
09 Jul 2024 11:52:03
Cant disagree with any of that, Notsozippy.
I would suggest that Fabinho did benefit from the protection that Gini and Hendo gave him. Whether he would be as comfortable with the more progressive no8s we have now is a debate to be had.
09 Jul 2024 11:52:53
From your post, we need more than 3 players.
09 Jul 2024 12:17:04
Notsozippy, nice post and you make some very valid points that I agree with. We need another 6 to support Endo (whoever starts is of no difference to me) for sure and of course, Darwin and all our forwards including Salah, need to improve in front of goal. Jota needs to get his fitness in order as well. Let's see what the preseason brings.
09 Jul 2024 23:54:46
Fair play Jaguar it would seem that your right mate. I can't count but I think what I was trying to point out was the problem areas that need addressing which were LB, CB and CDM. The rest of the players I mentioned haven't gone anywhere yet except for Adrian and I'm sure we if needed to we could fill this position from within the club after all how many games did Adrain actually play last season ?. If anyone else out of the 1st team squad leaves then obviously they will need to be replaced. But thanks for the maths lesson it's very much appreciated mate ?.