Alvarez done deal - £82m to Atletico

[bluealf]

Oscar Bobb is a winger. He'll be competing with the likes of Savio, Doku and Grealish.

Alvarez is a backup to Erling. One injury and suddenly we're relying on wingers who have never hit double figures in their careers to smash in the goals for us. Or Kovacic to suddenly turn into Gundogan.

I get people being optimistic but it is not a good idea.

I would suggest we will be relying on Foden as the false 9, a role he performed very well when asked in the past.

We won the league twice with no centre forward before we signed Haaland, so I doubt it would unduly hinder us reverting back to that formation, if/when Haaland gets injured.

 

[Ethan23]

Sorry if this has already been covered but do we have a natural number 9 in the Eds or 23’s that might be able to step up.

We seem to dominate all the age groups so we surely have a forward that’s been banging in the goals ?

 

[Fordyboy46]

Sorry if this has already been covered but do we have a natural number 9 in the Eds or 23’s that might be able to step up.

We seem to dominate all the age groups so we surely have a forward that’s been banging in the goals ?

I don't think we have, Matty Warhurst scores a few but I think he's nowhere near the first team standard

 

[bluealf]

Driving to the dentist I’ve nearly crashed the car
That absolute wankstain O’Hara says it will be a good move,as Atletico are a bigger club than City, and he doesn’t get enough playing time at the Etihad

I have no idea how these cunts survive in the real world, they spew out drivel on a daily basis and even if the first part is subjective the second part is an outright lie.

 

[oldius]

Oscar Bobb is a winger. He'll be competing with the likes of Savio, Doku and Grealish.

Alvarez is a backup to Erling. One injury and suddenly we're relying on wingers who have never hit double figures in their careers to smash in the goals for us. Or Kovacic to suddenly turn into Gundogan.

I get people being optimistic but it is not a good idea.

In the EDS, Oscar played all across the front line and was, arguably, most successful playing as a central forward. I would agree though that in these early days, allowing a player to cement one position and be comfortable in it is probably the way forward.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

In a Pep team, they are just lables.

So is Felix,by that logic,and so is Eze if we are going to get pedantic.

Okay, so forget the labels and let's talk about goals.

Who, based on what they've actually shown us, is capable of slotting in and getting around 20 goals if Erling or Phil have a long injury next season?

 

[Coatigan]

Okay, so forget the labels and let's talk about goals.

Who, based on what they've actually shown us, is capable of slotting in and getting around 20 goals if Erling or Phil have a long injury next season?

Fair question.

Don't think it would fall on one single individual. Like it didn't the season before we had Haaland.

As above, I am not against replacing Alvarez. Not with Felix though, and don't think Eze improves us either.

 

[bluealf]

The guy wifed Danielle Lloyd after she had been spunked in and passed around by his spurs teammates, I wouldn't really trust his judgement on anything!

She has 5 kids now, 3 with fatty and 2 with an ordinary bloke

 

[AirbagsOptionalTheReturn]

If he goes he will be missed in terms of effort and his finishing, however, if we do get Felix on loan, I think he could return similar numbers as I do think that there is a player in there (yes I know someone will shoot that statement down so please don't bother correcting me). The numbers are great, buy for what was it 14 or 21 mil (can't remember) and get at least 3 times that for a player that appears to want to be the number 1 striker and with the best will in the world that will not happen here.

 

[Rammy Blue]

We’ve got just under 4 weeks left in the window, plenty of time. I don’t believe Alvarez leaving will have been as big a shock to Txiki and Pep as it will have been to us, consequently I expect us to be ready to start moving in the market. There will have been a plan for this eventuality.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

Fair question.

Don't think it would fall on one single individual. Like it didn't the season before we had Haaland.

The season before Haaland we had Sterling, Gundogan and Mahrez.

We've now got Grealish, Kovacic and Doku.

The difference in quality in front of goal is a gaping chasm.

If Erling and Phil are available for the majority of the season then we'll most likely be fine but if anything happens to them then we're relying on people who haven't shown that they can do it.

 

[bluealf]

Okay, so forget the labels and let's talk about goals.

Who, based on what they've actually shown us, is capable of slotting in and getting around 20 goals if Erling or Phil have a long injury next season?

Which world-class 20+ goal a season striker is coming to sit on the bench and watch the Viking week in and week out and hoping for an injury to get his game time?

Give us a name that you want to see come here.

Also, if we give yo ua third name, will you then ask the same question and tack that name on in the game of IFS and BUTS?

Haaland, Foden, KDB (who has played the false 9) I would imagine Bernie could easily do a job, guy can play anywhere, Bobb could play there, has done for the youth teams, I could also see Nunes playing this role, even maybe a chance for McAtee, the role is all about getting the ball and laying it off, playing it through for a runner etc slightly more advanced AM, the position many think he is rather than a winger.

So what are we going to do if we are struck down by severe illness and can't field a team? :)

ps ideally I would rather keep Alvarez and I am pissed that somebody has been in his ear and turned him against the club and I certainly won't be one of those who say fuck him he was shit anyway when he leaves but we have to deal with it

 

[Tugay One Cup]

As above, I am not against replacing Alvarez. Not with Felix though, and don't think Eze improves us either.

Agree with the Felix part. I think Eze is an improvement on some of what we have. Unquestionably so, in front of goal.

 

[Coatigan]

The season before Haaland we had Sterling, Gundogan and Mahrez.

We've now got Grealish, Kovacic and Doku.

The difference in quality in front of goal is a gaping chasm.

If Erling and Phil are available for the majority of the season then we'll most likely be fine but if anything happens to them then we're relying on people who haven't shown that they can do it.

We had Grealish that season too. And now we also have savinho, and bobb to add to the mix.

But you make fair points. Let's see what happens.

If the right player is available, I'm sure the club will replace Alvarez. I'd rather they got the right player than got in someone like Eze. Felix would be a safee stop-gap, but juat don't think it would outweigh the risks, I'd rather risk it on Bobb.

 

[Rammy Blue]

Big Erl will score about 50 in the league, no problem.

 

[bluealf]

The season before Haaland we had Sterling, Gundogan and Mahrez.

We've now got Grealish, Kovacic and Doku.

The difference in quality in front of goal is a gaping chasm.

If Erling and Phil are available for the majority of the season then we'll most likely be fine but if anything happens to them then we're relying on people who haven't shown that they can do it.

Bernie, Sav, Bobb and McAtee all play out wide.

I believe this is the time for Bobb to get his chance, I don't want us to spunk 60m on Eze and for us to lose another potential superstar.

 

[blueparrot]

The season before Haaland we had Sterling, Gundogan and Mahrez.

We've now got Grealish, Kovacic and Doku.

The difference in quality in front of goal is a gaping chasm.

If Erling and Phil are available for the majority of the season then we'll most likely be fine but if anything happens to them then we're relying on people who haven't shown that they can do it.

Being selective with names there.Did we struggle for goals last season?

 

[Tugay One Cup]

Which world-class 20+ goal a season striker is coming to sit on the bench and watch the Viking week in and week out and hoping for an injury to get his game time?

Give us a name that you want to see come here.

I'd take someone of a similar standing to Alvarez.

Haaland, Foden, KDB (who has played the false 9) I would imagine Bernie could easily do a job, guy can play anywhere, Bobb could play there, has done for the youth teams, I could also see Nunes playing this role, even maybe a chance for McAtee

Haaland and Foden have been spoken about. Kev is old and his body has been declining. Bernardo doesn't add a whole lot in front of goal. Bobb hasn't shown he can consistently do it. Nunes could barely get in the side and is an utterly unremarkable player. McAtee struggles to stay involved throughout ninety minutes.

ps ideally I would rather keep Alvarez and I am pissed that somebody has been in his ear and turned him against the club and I certainly won't be one of those who say fuck him he was shit anyway when he leaves but we have to deal with it

I completely agree with this.

The problem I have is that saying "fuck it, we don't need a replacement" isn't dealing with it. It's ignoring an issue in the squad.

 

[M18CTID]

Love Alvarez but it’s been a challenge trying to fit him into the team on a regular basis so on that score I think this represents excellent business for us and him. At this rate, it looks like we’ll be Net Spend champions again!

 

[Tugay One Cup]

Being selective with names there.Did we struggle for goals last season?

Go on then, tell me which midfielder and two wingers we've signed in the last two years who are as prolific in front of goal as Mahrez, Sterling and Gundogan.

If you're comfortable depending on one of them to suddenly double their output and have a POTY season like Phil did then fair play to you but I don't see it as likely.