Nathan Ake

[Taylor]

I think there is a chance you can pick up a gem from a relegated side. Didnt Liverpool get Robertson from a relegated Hull?

At least Ake has been playing a similar style to us. Howe was determined to have his defenders playing out from the back, albeit with some absolute cart-horses, so probably not the best idea.

I cant say I am blown away by this signing but its only really fair to judge him when playing with better players. Fingers crossed he can step up.

This exactly. £8m Liverpool player for Robertson, but maybe they shouldn't of as Hull had a crap defence and went down.

Some people make you laugh. Would they rather we relied on Laporte staying fit all season and see if stones and otamendi can pull it together.

Didn't think so.

 

[cleavers]

You do realise its a team game.

No I never knew that, thanks for pointing it out though.

 

[Benarbia’s Backheel]

Time will tell on this one I think.

Seems a lot of dough for what may be a back up.

if Laporte misses 2/3 of the season and Ake plays and wins us everyhing, will you understand that it’s a squad game? We need far better options than Stones and Ota, and Ake is class.

 

[domalino]

You have your opinion, and I'll have mine, thanks, its not because I'm incapable of thinking just that you are an arrogant tosser, and that's another opinion of mine.

I assume you also thought Liverpool were idiots for buying Van Dijk of 16th placed Southampton in January 2018 when they'd conceded 30 goals in 20 games?

You must be able to look past the idea that an individual is bad because he's in a bad side, especially when he's in a back 4 with journeymen championship players Bournemouth got promoted from league 1 with.

 

[cleavers]

At least Ake has been playing a similar style to us. Howe was determined to have his defenders playing out from the back, albeit with some absolute cart-horses, so probably not the best idea.

About the only positive I can see, we could spend nothing and keep Stones, he can do that too.

 

[Taylor]

No I never knew that, thanks for pointing it out though.

You're welcome .

In all seriousness. As with all transfers time will tell.

I hope Garcia stays and the rumours of him wanting to go back to barca aren't true as he looks like he could develop into a good CB.

Huge question marks over Stones and Ota now. Stones to me is lacking confidence, can he turn it round?

Otamendi needs to go now in my opinion.

 

[cleavers]

I assume you also thought Liverpool were idiots for buying Van Dijk of 16th placed Southampton in January 2018 when they'd conceded 30 goals in 20 games?

I didn't want him either, and I still don't think he's particularly great, if he played in our team without 3 DM's in front of him he might not look so good as he does, anyway this thread is about Ake, not Robertson or Van Dijk.

 

[Charlesfarsbar]

I wouldnt be surprised if we start the season with Otamendi and Garcia both gone and Laporte, Koulibaly (hopefully), Ake and Stones as our 4 centre backs.

I would be happier with that grouping than if Stones was sold Garcia stays

Ake and Garcia wouldn’t be physically up to it as our second choice pairing , they would be fine if paired with any of the other two though

Although it would be weird if Garcia left now with all the game time he’s been getting?

 

[pudge]

I've no idea why you would buy a defender from a relegated team, when you are at the top, Bournemouth conceded the third most goals in the PL for a reason, their defence was shit.

Hull conceded 80 goals in 2016/17 and were relegated.

Liverpool then bought a player called Andy Robertson off them.

 

[ninjamonkey]

Not every signing has to be a superstar. The criteria is to find a deputy to Laporte, a left footed centre back who can play and organise he defence and accepts he’s likely to be second choice with a fully fit squad.

He fits that criteria perfectly has bags of premier league experience and homegrown status as bonuses. Look at Liverpool, they’ve got Vvd and his backup has been Lovren until this summer, is Ake better than Lovren? Unquestionably. Let’s see who they bring in to replace him as vvd’s understudy, they’ll be hard pushed to find somebody better than Ake.