31 Aug 2024 08:25:43
I don't think all the doom and gloom surrounding our transfer business is really warrented. The club have done sensible business and Slot has time to assess the squad properly until the January transfer window. Our squad is very good. The players haven't all of a sudden become bad players in the last few weeks since the season ended. Chiesa could be a masterstroke of a signing and can potentially be the cover we've needed for salah. Weve cleared out a few players who were probably never going to make it here for very good money. Weve loaned out some players for more experience who probably weren't going to feature much. We have 2 good players for almost every position still at the club too. The zubimendi/ No6 position is the only area I personally feel like we may be short but Grav has started well there so we will see how it all pans out. Sorting out Trent, VVD and Salah futures should be the priority now. Rome wasn't built in a day and Slots team won't be either.
31 Aug 2024 09:02:32
The key word there is sensible.
Transfer windows have a habit of knocking sense out of people as clearly evidenced in the last few weeks.
Excellent post though Kopite.
31 Aug 2024 09:08:20
Sounds like a “We are in transition” post ?
Some managers win the Pl first time of asking you know?
Oli had us in transition for the last 2 seasons as well. When does it end ?.
31 Aug 2024 09:11:55
Do you think this squad can get 95 points? I think like most it’s a couple of players short. Also I don’t think it gives any confidence to the out of contract players to make them eager to sign new deals. Massive opportunity wasted.
31 Aug 2024 09:35:36
VVD, TAA and Mo have all played in both league matches and we don’t have any out of contract players.
31 Aug 2024 09:37:14
Most don't though do they Irish Rover. It's actually more an anomaly if they do.
31 Aug 2024 09:38:59
Are you serious kopite? Sensible? The two areas that needed addressing were at cdm and cb, but we got a goalie who's not needed and a fowrard when we're stacked in that department, low fee so not a big issue. This abs rubbish about assesing the squad bla bla . Plenty of teams got new managers but didn't need to assess the squad and neglect the glaring weaknesses. The club new what was needed and the people paid a fortune to deliver have failed miserably. As Roy Keane would say failure to prepare, prepare to fail, but what would he know ?.
31 Aug 2024 09:44:32
I think the criticism is actually warranted.
The 3 most senior players are still not sorted wrt contracts.
We've bought 2 players in areas that we are well stocked, and didn't really need any additions.
Yet the midfield and defense, where we needed reinforcements, nothing happened.
31 Aug 2024 09:46:56
WDW add the word soon if it makes you happy.
31 Aug 2024 09:48:20
We might be a couple of players short markp but whos to say if we got that couple of players we still wouldn't come up short? Whos to say when we get to January we won't add players while still in the mix for the title? . Whos to say city and arsenal have the bad luck with injuries that we've had the past couple of seasons and we end up winning it? Slot will have a good idea what the squad is capable of in terms of his playing style by the next transfer window and the club can then make decisions based on a bigger sample size. I'd rather we did it like we are than ending up a circus like chelsea or have 115 charges hanging over us.
31 Aug 2024 10:31:17
There's arguments both ways.
You could say Hughes knows a few of the expiring contracts will be signed soon and didn't want to much change in the squad with a complete coaching change occuring. Take a year to assess when the squad should be good enough to make champs league and make your decisions next summer.
I could see that as perhaps sensible.
I certainly think we could have kept or added a 5th choice defender just in case two get injured in this season with more matches. Good thing none of our cbs are injury prone right? I don't think you can argue that someone who makes that point has no sense.
Likewise, a tough tackling baller in Cm who could take the ball under pressure would improve the team massively. Drop prime Xabi Alonso into this squad and where do you think we are challenging then. For the league right. I don't think we scouted enough personally or made enough efforts to improve this position. I think we have three players to play two positions the way Slot wants to play. So I don't think that's a completely insensible view either.
Likewise, I don't think that thinking this was not the way to play a transfer season if all three expiring contracts do leave.
Likewise, I don't think taking an opportunistic approach to transfers is a way to go. Of course I'm sure there is more plan than this and he misspoke but the actions thereafter the fact sort of backed up what he said. I'm sure now detailed planning will start and contract talks will start. It simply must.
So you can argue either way and still be a sensible person. This is a game of opinions and I never see the need to take a dig at people's intelligence or sense arguing one way or the other. Debate is what fans do. There's usually valid points to both sides of the debate.
31 Aug 2024 10:33:31
It’s called “silly season” for a reason ?.
31 Aug 2024 10:36:46
How much say do we think Slot will have in the contracts for the 3 (I don’t mean financial or length, more I want these players in my team get it done)
Let’s be honest Slot isn’t assessing the 3 to See if they are good enough for his squad and all 3 are up there with being the first names on his team sheets.
Surely the club must know if the 3 want to negotiate or not. If they don’t then just announce it now rather than when we’re in the home straight of a season.
Trying to replace 1 of them is a tough expensive task. Trying to replace all 3 is mammoth.
But I suppose we have Bradley, Quansah and Doak who will save the club a fortune if all 3 move on. Just not sure if those 3 keep us as competitive.
31 Aug 2024 10:39:29
Yes I'm serious Port red. You say glaring weaknesses but I don't think they are as glaring as you and some others make out. In regards to the CB position we have Vrig, Konate, Quansah and Gomez still at the club. That looks like a pretty solid 4 players for 2 positions. For the 2 deeper midfield positions we have Mac10, Grav, Jones and Endo. This is the area that could do with some beefing up but its only Endo that needs replacing as far as I can see as he doesn't seem to fit Slots type of player for this position. Its really not a reason to become as hysterical as you and others seem to be. As for assessing the squad, yes plenty of other managers/ clubs don't feel the need to but plenty of other managers/ clubs spunk away money with little or no benefit. Just have a bit of perspective on the situation as a whole rather than fuming about it.
31 Aug 2024 10:43:08
I'm probably in the minority, but I think more rests on Slot's system of play than on the fact that we haven't reinforced as much as people had wanted. If Slot's system is different enough and uses the strengths of the players that we have on board, then it could surprise both the other teams and our fans. I remember Klopp's first year, other teams where overwhelmed with his geggenpressimg and it took time for them to figure it out. Almost a year. I remember Conte's first year at Chelsea, it took time for teams to adjust to his system of play, but he won the title anyway.
I want a conventional DM in the team, because I'm convinced we will need one against certain teams. Endo is adequate enough, but what's all the harping for if Slot is not interested in using one? Zubimendi is not your conventional DM, and that should be clear to everyone. And in the end it's Slot who decides what he needs for his system and nobody else.
As far as the 3 contract renewals are concerned, I think (as a few others on here) that TAA will get renewed and Salah and VVD will be allowed to walk next summer. Slot has to put his stamp on the team. This will be part of it.
31 Aug 2024 11:00:43
Title Winners:
Fabinho
Henderson
Milner
Keita
Gini
Ox
Lallana
(Curtis and Harvey barely played and even then further forward) .
Current midfield:
Gravenberch
Macca
Endo
Szobo
Curtis
Harvey
I’d argue it’s better now.
I’m not saying I don’t think we can’t improve but if Grav can prove he works in that position then why waste the money now.
31 Aug 2024 11:33:30
Very good point there @ArAy, I would also want a midfielder who’s robust, can battle the physical challenge, not shy for a tackle and is press resistant. I don’t care what you call him (DM / CM / ABCD) . Does it even matter? Our current crop ate far too offensive and Endo is past his best days, he gets brushed aside like the rice in your mouth.
Premier league is a different gravy. I am sure this time next year slot would want a midfielder of that grade.
31 Aug 2024 11:34:20
Valid point Wassa. Hendo, Wiji and Fabinho were the heart of that midfield; 1 DM and 2 CM/ AMs. We now have Gravenberch, Mac Allister and Szoboszlai; 2 DM/ CMs and 1 AM. That's how Slot wants to play. Can easily be just as good, if it works. Way too soon to tell.
31 Aug 2024 12:02:49
"a midfielder who’s robust, can battle the physical challenge, not shy for a tackle and is press resistant"
Isn't that how Grav has been playing for the first two games so far this season? ;)
But snarky comment aside, I do think that Endo should have been upgraded on. He doesn't fit the way Slot plays and I think we'd see him struggle if/ when we need to rely on him during the course of the season. Morton is a better fit but it's questionable how good he'll be since he has barely played for us.
31 Aug 2024 12:52:10
Where has this DM and CB clamour actually come from? Everyone seems to be saying it as if it’s a fact that we needed them.
The only fact is that the club, manager, coaching staff obviously feel that neither of those position are in urgent need of improvements. I’m sure they would try to bolster any position if the right player becomes available as they did with Zubimendi and Chiesa but they are happy with what we have for now.
Then you get a load of armchair managers who don’t see the players in training every day, don’t see the stats on players, don’t see scouting reports, don’t see the data, don’t know the personalities of the players, don’t know the system Slot wants to play, all trying to tell him what positions he needs to strengthen!
You are all stuck in the past guys. You are seeing Klopp’s system and Klopp’s last 2 seasons and drawing your incorrect conclusions from there.
Let’s just see how we go until January and then we will have a better idea. More importantly the manager will have a better idea.
{Ed001's Note - and yet they tried to buy both a midfielder and a centre-back.}
31 Aug 2024 13:03:41
UnderArmour. I'm not familiar with your eating habits, but I'm a prolific rice eater and I do not brush rice around in my mouth. I chew slightly and then swallow. I suggest you do the same. It'll taste better.
31 Aug 2024 13:31:12
They made enquiries about lots of players Ed but obviously didn’t see an urgent need to push to sign them or move on to other targets once they failed to sign them.
If you are in desperate need for a CB you sign one. If you are in desperate need for a DM you sign one. They may be your 4th choice target but you get them in.
My point is I’m sure they will try to improve on the squad if the right players are available but they see no urgent need fill positions with 4th or 5th choice targets.
I thought that’s pretty much what I said in my previous post but you obviously missed it.
{Ed001's Note - not if there isn't one within the value you have assigned to them you don't. Your point is just that whatever the club does, you will defend it.}
31 Aug 2024 13:41:35
Ed01 - Which CB did they try to buy?
{Ed001's Note - they asked about a few - Inacio for example.}
31 Aug 2024 14:39:33
So you agree with me then Ed?
The club has shown they will spend money when it needs spending. On this occasion they didn’t think the players available were worth the spend given the squad we already have.
Glad we are on the same page.
And yes I will defend the club when I feel the criticism isn’t warranted.
Do you believe all of this criticism is warranted? Do you believe Hughes is out of his depth and we should get rid? That we should’ve sign a DM and CB and is complete negligence that we didn’t?
{Ed001's Note - no, I don't agree with you, I think Hughes is incompetent and failed miserably.}
31 Aug 2024 14:57:41
They've been trying to get Colwil for almost 2 years now.
31 Aug 2024 18:34:55
Becker thinks he knows everything but we won't reply when challenged on facts.
31 Aug 2024 18:53:27
Becker is a premium seat arsehole I'll bet my owned house against his highly mortgaged house I'm correct.
01 Sep 2024 00:32:45
I think BP is Hughes at this point lol.