Bony (Season long loan at Stoke - Official)

[Dax777]

Yes clubs b

I am doing so under what Pellegrini and the club have said, that they all have a part to play and the mere fact we have 3 strikers. I don't WANT to keep Bony. However, unless we can get a replacement in in the shape of a goal scorer, I don't believe the club will sell.

As that is highly unlikely to present itself in January I don't think he's going anywhere, even if I offered to drive him myself.

You do sign players for depth and variety. It's why we had 3/4 strikers in our title winning seasons. Aguero got injured for a long period of time during the second title winning season. Clubs most certainly buy players for depth, obviously, and that leads into injuries, suspensions and any other unforeseen but planned for occasion.

We have 4 centre backs but due to injuries a RB may have to play there, that's a bandage over the issue. It's papering over the cracks. Four CBs is not too few, it's just too many injuries and possible injuries with a recent fixture pile up. Hell, we bought Bony when Aguero and Dzeko were injured and Milner was the other option! Because Milner was a quick fix, which is what Sterling would be but you want experience in each position. Otherwise we could have kept playing Jimmy up front, but I'm sure everyone was crying out for a striker. So yes, you do buy in case of injuries and all sorts of circumstances, otherwise every club would have 18 players.

If Aguero going down spells doom maybe we should try and address that then by having the choice of better goalscorers to choose from other than Bony? Instead of just binning him and reducing the options.

As for Mangala etc I'm not talking about your specific opinion on those players but there was an undeniable amount of cock sure posts on how they'd do this and that, when in reality it's unknown until the prove it. For the record I believe the club addressed the right positions but wrong players. There was no "Oh Fernando and Dinho will be a brick wall" because I'd never watched him. Same as how Sterling has played very few games up front, if any as the sole striker, so I'm not going to commit to lumping pressure on him.

Yes, clubs buy players because of injury, but those players are supposed to be the backups. Not the backup to the backup.

We have 4 CBs because 2 start, which leaves each with 1 backup. We had a 5th CB and loaned him out because it generally doesn't make sense to have a backup to the backup.

Last year we had 4 strikers because we were starting 2 upfront. Even then, Carrying 4 strikers was a hassle, coz having 2 on the bench limited your options unless one of them was more of a tweener. Which Jovetic kinda was.

But now that we mostly play with one Striker we really only need 1 backup. Kelechi should be that backup as be has been more impressive in his cameos than Bony.

We really don't need a 3rd striker in a 1 forward system, unless Kelechi is not good enough to be a backup. If that's the case, then bin him and get a backup who can. But having 3 is frankly redundant.

Having more bad stuff doesn't make you better, it just makes you have more bad stuff.

 

[pudge]

Yes clubs b

Yes, clubs buy players because of injury, but those players are supposed to be the backups. Not the backup to the backup.

We have 4 CBs because 2 start, which leaves each with 1 backup. We had a 5th CB and loaned him out because it generally doesn't make sense to have a backup to the backup.

Last year we had 4 strikers because we were starting 2 upfront. Even then, Carrying 4 strikers was a hassle, coz having 2 on the bench limited your options unless one of them was more of a tweener. Which Jovetic kinda was.

But now that we mostly play with one Striker we really only need 1 backup. Kelechi should be that backup as be has been more impressive in his cameos than Bony.

We really don't need a 3rd striker in a 1 forward system, unless Kelechi is not good enough to be a backup. If that's the case, then bin him and get a backup who can. But having 3 is frankly redundant.

Having more bad stuff doesn't make you better, it just makes you have more bad stuff.

You're predicating that on Bony or a player of his ilk, and once again you're limiting goal scorer to striker when I myself have offered other options to producing the desired productivity that Bony hasn't.

Again, why bemoan a lack of productivity then not address it?

A third 'keeper is redundant then but we still have one, and he's had to appear on the bench this season. God forbid he's needed but that's why he's there. We're not going to stick Zabs in nets as the third choice just in case.

 

[This and only this]

Having more bad stuff doesn't make you better, it just makes you have more bad stuff.

What a money quote!

 

[Dax777]

You're predicating that on Bony or a player of his ilk, and once again you're limiting goal scorer to striker when I myself have offered other options to producing the desired productivity that Bony hasn't.

Again, why bemoan a lack of productivity then not address it?

A third 'keeper is redundant then but we still have one, and he's had to appear on the bench this season. God forbid he's needed but that's why he's there. We're not going to stick Zabs in nets as the third choice just in case.

Yes, I am limiting it to striker (and more specifically) the backup striker. because that is where the lack of productivity in terms of performance exist.


So goals from wide AM position is not the issue. Better production, both in terms of goals and general play from the backup striker is. And by selling Bony and moving Kelechi into the backup position we at worst match Bony's production, and at best may improve on it.

The way to address the main issue of goalscoring is to have our best striker fit. In the absence of that, there is going to be a drop off. I'm simply saying Bony hasn't shown to be better than Kelechi so why keep him?

Sure, in the summer we might get another goalscoring winger like Greizmann, but isn't that what Sterling and DeBryune were supposed to be? And aren't they already performing as such?

DeBryune had 10 goals in 25 appearances in the first half of the season, Raheem had 9 in 25. If they match that productivity in the remaining 30 games, they finish with 20 and 18 respectively. I'd say day are already doing their part.

The problem is we feel we are not getting as good production from Bony.

Now I'm not opposed to better players, and Griezmann is a top player. And if he is a target of our coach next year be it Pellars or Pep, I'll be all for it.

But for the rest of this season, I don't see the point of holding on to Bony when we have Kelechi who can perform up to Bony's standard in our system.

At worst they are about equally effective in our system. At best, Kelechi is a far superior player in our system.

While losing Bony might not 'address the problem' keeping him doesn't either. So if a bid comes in, why not sell?

As for goalies, they are a unique breed. No one else plays their position. Outfield players on the other hand don't require a backup to the backup.

 

[blueinsa]

Just because we paid 28m for him, doesnt mean that is his true vaule. I was so annoyed when we signed Bony. I thought oh great, we have paid 28m for a 15m striker. Those wanting 25m for Bony - would we pay his 28m transfer fee again? So why would another club come close to matching that?

He is no Giroud thats for sure.......

1/10 must try harder!

 

[Blue Smarties]

He is no Giroud thats for sure.......

1/10 must try harder!

Maybe Arsenal will bid? He's a player who sums their club up. Shows a bit of talent but when the spotlight is on, never truly performs.

 

[George Hannah]

I'm told he's enjoying lava bread on toast at the moment.

 

[blueinsa]

Maybe Arsenal will bid? He's a player who sums their club up. Shows a bit of talent but when the spotlight is on, never truly performs.

Nah, he isnt French and a teenager so its a big no from Wenger.

Got to love these gooners. Much like the famous scousers on here with their love of the January PL title medals pmsl.

 

[blueinsa]

I'm told he's enjoying lava bread on toast at the moment.

You mentioned he was on holiday yesterday mate.

Must be something in these rumours but shirley we only sell if we know we can replace this month.

 

[Blue Smarties]

Nah, he isnt French and a teenager so its a big no from Wenger.

Got to love these gooners. Much like the famous scousers on here with their love of the January PL title medals pmsl.

Part of me wishes we'd keep them until May but they always end up getting on my tits too much.