It's Quiet thread 14 - 'do one' edition

[FantasyIreland]

I'm more than a glass half full thanks. It's been a shit transfer window and imo we're no stronger than we was last season.

 

[leo_city]

Palmer looks like he could be the one to break into our side earlier than Doyle.

 

[Holcombe bloo]

I dont think Pep cares really about his CDM breaking up play with interceptions and tackles. I think Pep only cares if the CDM can pass / break the lines and start attacks and also keep composure on the ball when pressed thats why we bought Rodri hes the fernandinho replacement.

I think tommy will prove that side of his game is as strong if not stronger than Rodri.

 

[Blue tiger]

An excellent point. Some posters want replacements for Kompany, Merlin, Sergio, Fernandinho etc. who are already as good as those players were when they were at their peak. If they were out there they would hardly be available or if available would probably cost £ 70 million + each.

You both make good points, but the only issue is the faults we have are the same ones we have had for a couple years Kompany was injured a lot towards the end, now we have obviously bought Dias who will hopefully be the CB we need, although I see him as Otamendi's replacement and Laporte needs to be the Vinny replacement in terms of leadership. Fernandinho was already

That's the main issue there, I think unless Rodri becomes the sort of disruptor that Ferna was, and starts contributing more to attack, he will have a lot of criticism on him. He can become the latter, but probably not as good a disruptive bastard as Ferna.

I would say the openness of criticism for our tactical fouling season before has contributed a lot. We don't seem to make those tackles, instead we allow the opposition to often play their way into our half before trying to dispossess. Maybe Pep's not wanted that label on our side.

Do feel for Rodri to be fair. He obviously divides opinion on here

An excellent point. Some posters want replacements for Kompany, Merlin, Sergio, Fernandinho etc. who are already as good as those players were when they were at their peak. If they were out there they would hardly be available or if available would probably cost £ 70 million + each.

Agree with this 100% it puts too much pressure on. Keep seeing Dias is the Kompany replacement. That's a hell of a lot of pressure to put on the lad. I think its Laporte who needs to fill that role in terms of leadership at the back. Same with Foden and David Silva. Bernardo needs to be the man to fill that role and allow Foden to grow into. Rodri divides opinion on here, he gets compared to Busquets, but let's not forget he had Xavi and Iniesta helping him out as well as a back line of Alba, puyol, pique and alves. Rodri has had a make shift back 4 in Otamendi, stones fernandinho, whoever we can slot at LB and Walker and Cancelo! While I agree we cant consistently spend our way out of the problem, I do feel a solid LB was important to have got this window as Mendy is unreliable and the others are just stop gaps. Tottenham got a lot of stick for buying the a LB from Real Madrid due to that buy back clause, but are they really in a worse position than us when it comes to LB now? The have a potentially solid LB for 12 months at least and have that time to scout a decent replacement if Madrid do come back. We in the meantime have the problem of a poor LBs and have to wait to get a decent one

 

[brian the blue]

I don't think you're giving anywhere near enough credit to our players or manager.

I'll repeat some facts. Dias is better than Otamendi and younger and is considered a leader and an organiser. Ake is a better player than NOBODY, which is what we had last season. Torres is a better player than NOBODY which is what we had last season. Ergo our squad is MUCH stronger than last season regardless of the current Scouse wankfest.

People can be as pessimistic as they like, but so far all those "opinions" have stunk of people just marding it up that the transfer list they had put together wasn't put into action.

People may be moaning because they were expecting a window with Messi/Aouar etc but the point I was trying to make is that we need to be up and around 100 points to win this league. We have already lost 1 game, we have no fit striker and 2 of our 3 signings are from abroad and will need time to settle.

If 86 points wins you the league then a couple more games early season where we drop points due to people returning to fitness/bedding in is fine. We can't afford that luxury this season.

 

[BillyShears]

Palmer looks like he could be the one to break into our side earlier than Doyle.

He's more of a Pep style of midfielder for sure. But he's clearly an 8 - an attacking CM. Showed in the positions he took up and his bursts into the box.

I feel like Doyle is a 6.

 

[FantasyIreland]

Palmer looks like he could be the one to break into our side earlier than Doyle.

Apples and oranges.

 

[leo_city]

I'm more than a glass half full thanks. It's been a shit transfer window and imo we're no stronger than we was last season.

We have 4 senior centre halves, 2 right backs, 2 left backs (only problematic area although if Mendy can somehow stay fit I feel he will come good), plenty of options in midfield and attack. No side in Prem has this level of depth, Liverpool have addressed it to an extent but they make it work with what they have more times than often. So can we, if we can win the league with Walker just walking into our team along with Stones, Otamendi and Delph, then we can win it again this year. Just need a bit of consistency and rhythm, which we have not had because of no pre season and injuries.

 

[Holcombe bloo]

He's more of a Pep style of midfielder for sure. But he's clearly an 8 - an attacking CM. Showed in the positions he took up and his bursts into the box.

I feel like Doyle is a 6.

Oh he’s definitely a 6 though I think Doyle can play 8 and do a decent Job there.

 

[leo_city]

He's more of a Pep style of midfielder for sure. But he's clearly an 8 - an attacking CM. Showed in the positions he took up and his bursts into the box.

I feel like Doyle is a 6.

Yeah you're right, that's probably why. I just cannot see past Pep forcing Rodri into every game alongside one of Fernandinho or Gündogan haha

 

[simon23]

It’s exactly as posted, a statement that it won’t happen. Not difficult to understand really. Difficult to understand how that is shit stirring. You can either believe it or not but ultimately it will become true as demonstrated on a rather consistent basis.

Yoy have avoided the main point...you post with such authority aa they are so snappy...you about as much as everyone else
..nothing yet the manner in which you post suggests you yhink otherwise...

Try usung the words...in my opinion....or i beleve....not just statwments of facts with no explanation

 

[FantasyIreland]

We have 4 senior centre halves, 2 right backs, 2 left backs (only problematic area although if Mendy can somehow stay fit I feel he will come good), plenty of options in midfield and attack. No side in Prem has this level of depth, Liverpool have addressed it to an extent but they make it work with what they have more times than often. So can we, if we can win the league with Walker just walking into our team along with Stones, Otamendi and Delph, then we can win it again this year. Just need a bit of consistency and rhythm, which we have not had because of no pre season and injuries.

Yep,while an extra couple of bodies would have helped,there is absolutely no reason whatsoever to be negative.

 

[Scott mcfc]

An injury to VVD, Mane, or Salah would IMO decimate their season. The way Laporte going down killed ours last season. Their squad is IMO much thinner and weaker than ours. It just so happens that their first XI seems fucking injury proof regardless of how many games they play at a high intensity.

Makes you think about all those rumours about Pep's teams being doped up ...

Fuckin spot on that

 

[Gumzy97]

we've got some amazing players/gems id say coming through our academy. thats why if Pep leaves id love ten hag hed love our academy, he also loves using academy players to.

Doyle
Foden
Braaf
Palmer
Delap

 

[Phil1]

I'm more than a glass half full thanks. It's been a shit transfer window and imo we're no stronger than we was last season.

That’s patently untrue and I’ve no idea how you’ve come to that conclusion, mate.

 

[leo_city]

we've got some amazing players/gems id say coming through our academy. thats why if Pep leaves id love ten hag hed love our academy, he also loves using academy players to.

Doyle
Foden
Braaf
Palmer
Delap

Braaf really is a myth to me, I've seen him train with the first team in the odd clip, but I fail to understand what's his hype and where it's come from, except from social media. Him not getting a cup run amongst those names only shows to me he's way behind the other 3 and Foden who's obviously an established senior now.

 

[Thaksinssoldier]

You should try watching athletics rather than football if you think that's true.

I’m a highly trained coach and have won multiple championships in Europe and could probably still outrun anyone in the premier league bar Sane at 42 years of age, and coached two players to nfl tryouts, but okay pal.

 

[leewill31]

Poor window imo. Dias should have been done last year replacing Kompany. Ake is just going to be a squad rotation player, if Laporte is fit he's on the bench. Not replaced Silva, Fernandinho is a year older, Aguero would have had a 6 month injury by the time he returns and will probably have on going issues not invested in another back up. All we've done is replace Sane who didn't play last year.

Like I say it's my opinion but it's been incredibly poor.

Foden with his progression fits in well to take over Silva and he will add more goals as well city have now replaced VK with Dias so no point dragging up a mistake from last window surly? Sterling and Jesus are more than enough to help cover Kun Delap/palmer are looking good for the first team squad our Midfield is topped to hilt with all most world class quality like you said opinions i actually think the squad is in a good place it is now up to Pep.

 

[pavelsrnicek]

I don't think you're giving anywhere near enough credit to our players or manager.

I'll repeat some facts. Dias is better than Otamendi and younger and is considered a leader and an organiser. Ake is a better player than NOBODY, which is what we had last season. Torres is a better player than NOBODY which is what we had last season. Ergo our squad is MUCH stronger than last season regardless of the current Scouse wankfest.

People can be as pessimistic as they like, but so far all those "opinions" have stunk of people just marding it up that the transfer list they had put together wasn't put into action.

I agree with all the above but I still think having a single specialist (And injury prone) left back will come back to haunt us. Zinchenko seems to have copied Delph at full back- excellent season followed by an awful one.

I’d understand if we have one or two in the academy desperate for a chance but it seems to be an issue there too as Wilson-Esbrand is the nearest prospect and he’s not 18 until December.

 

[BillyShears]

I agree with all the above but I still think having a single specialist (And injury prone) left back will come back to haunt us. Zinchenko seems to have copied Delph at full back- excellent season followed by an awful one.

I’d understand if we have one or two in the academy desperate for a chance but it seems to be an issue there too as Wilson-Esbrand is the nearest prospect and he’s not 18 until December.

I think if you apply one standard to our squad, then you have to apply it to EVERY position at EVERY one of our rivals.

So - who is Trent's back up? Robertson's? Who steps in if VVD gets injured? What about Salah, who steps in when he goes down? In all those positions you think they have better options than us? If not then why won't the fact they don't have 2 world class players in every position come back and haunt them?

All that isn't to say that I wouldn't also like a left back. The point is that there's a long way from "we could do with another specialist left back" to "we won't win the league because we don't have a specialist left back back up for Mendy".