Alvarez replacement thread

Gabriel said:
Saturday’s second-half was lacklustre and akin to a pre-season game, which for many it was, yet that inability to get the three-goal cushion last year saw too many players on the park for too long, and, ultimately, come the business end we were not as sharp.

The other problem with the false 9 is that it’s both mentally and physically draining for the player on ‘point’, and if it’s de Bruyne, then he is not getting any younger.

It’s over a fortnight since Alvarez left, and his departure couldn’t have come as a complete surprise to the management, so the lack of a replacement suggests, to me, that they’re happy to go as is.
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Tolm's hinting again so hopefully something in the pipeline
 
Gabriel said:
It’s over a fortnight since Alvarez left, and his departure couldn’t have come as a complete surprise to the management, so the lack of a replacement suggests, to me, that they’re happy to go as is.
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That is a fair take. Or it could just be that is how the market is and there are reasons for leaving it late. Who knows.

Not against either, but I would be surprised if we don't add another. But by no means unhappy.

There is always January too, to address it if needed.
 
Coatigan said:
That is a fair take. Or it could just be that is how the market is and there are reasons for leaving it late. Who knows.

Not against either, but I would be surprised if we don't add another. But by no means unhappy.

There is always January too, to address it if needed.
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It might be a combination of factors: contentment with the squad and a recognition that there is nothing available that would readily improve matters.

I always want to see the league bench full of players that Guardiola can turn to, so we’re close to that, but whether we have enough to arrive fresh against Real Madrid in April, I’m just not quite sure.
 
Evan Ferguson would be a great signing and would become great for us and even though it’s big fee it could be a bargain in future years .
 
Gabriel said:
To be on the look out for two Bs!

Perhaps his exam results were delayed…
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Subsequently clarified that Brighton and Brentford have both apparently indicated willingness to do a deal
The obvious candidates would be Ferguson and Toney but wonder if it might end up being someone more left field?
 
LongsightM13 said:
Subsequently clarified that Brighton and Brentford have both apparently indicated willingness to do a deal
The obvious candidates would be Ferguson and Toney but wonder if it might end up being someone more left field?
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Enciso, Pedro spring in mind
From Brentfords, Mbuemo maybe
 
LongsightM13 said:
Subsequently clarified that Brighton and Brentford have both apparently indicated willingness to do a deal
The obvious candidates would be Ferguson and Toney but wonder if it might end up being someone more left field?
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Well, if we’re having reunions, maybe Milner and Mee…
Hickey and Henry have looked promising, but I don’t see either as needed.
 
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Paul1970 said:
Evan Ferguson would be a great signing and would become great for us and even though it’s big fee it could be a bargain in future years .
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I actually think Brighton could sell, they have a lot of depth in attacking positions.

But as you say big bucks
 
pavelsrnicek said:
Going to be even more frustrating if we have natural wingers with no centre forward if Erling isn’t playing. We definitely could do with a striker, if Erling isn’t playing we have to change our entire system.
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Excellent point! What happens to Doku and Savinho in a false 9 system? False 9 as a true back up plan (20+ matches) is not a good plan, simple as...
 
JewelZee said:
Excellent point! What happens to Doku and Savinho in a false 9 system? False 9 as a true back up plan (20+ matches) is not a good plan, simple as...
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Exactly- we did it as we were forced to do so with no really option otherwise- it's not something you planfully set up to adopt as a game strategy if you can come up with even a halfway decent alternative.
 
Zenmanc said:
Exactly- we did it as we were forced to do so with no really option otherwise- it's not something you planfully set up to adopt as a game strategy if you can come up with even a halfway decent alternative.
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It worked, but as you say we had no real choice at the time. Also, we played the false 9 exclusively, not sporadically.
Something to consider,,,is it a coincidence that Sterling went into a deep decline during that time?
Doku and Savinho are not best suited to play in a false 9 system...these type of players have been brought in as we move further and further into maximizing Haaland's presence. We need a Haaland lite, not a false 9.
 
JewelZee said:
It worked, but as you say we had no real choice at the time. Also, we played the false 9 exclusively, not sporadically.
Something to consider,,,is it a coincidence that Sterling went into a deep decline during that time?
Doku and Savinho are not best suited to play in a false 9 system...these type of players have been brought in as we move further and further into maximizing Haaland's presence. We need a Haaland lite, not a false 9.
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I reckon Savinho could adapt to it more readily than Doku.
 
JewelZee said:
Excellent point! What happens to Doku and Savinho in a false 9 system? False 9 as a true back up plan (20+ matches) is not a good plan, simple as...
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It's a better plan than signing a 9 that isn't good enough to rely on when Haaland is out. Who would you be comfortable with us starting 10 games in a row (for example) if Haaland is out injured?

I can't think of a player that is good enough, available and willing to take a back seat most of the time. Better off going with what we have and then deploying a false 9 as and when necessary.
 
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