The Squad planning thread

Should we sign Reijnders and Gibbs-White, then we would be comfortably set for those teams that want to press man-to-man. However, if teams drop off and defend their box for a point, our central creativity might depend more on Bobb, who is coming off successive injuries, O’Reilly, who has rarely featured in there, or Echeverri, who has barely featured at all.

I have high hopes for all three, but with so many teams now comfortable playing deep, including in the reformatted Champions League, it might be a risk relying on them alone. At the same time, there’s a fair drop off from Wirtz to the next level, but not so great a gap from that level to those three, and bringing someone else in would only block their collective development. The club will have to weigh all that up, of course, but given that situation and the need to spend elsewhere, I wouldn’t be surprised if they decide to pass on another signing and to see how those three cope.
 
Gabriel said:
Should we sign Reijnders and Gibbs-White, then we would be comfortably set for those teams that want to press man-to-man. However, if teams drop off and defend their box for a point, our central creativity might depend more on Bobb, who is coming off successive injuries, O’Reilly, who has rarely featured in there, or Echeverri, who has barely featured at all.

I have high hopes for all three, but with so many teams now comfortable playing deep, including in the reformatted Champions League, it might be a risk relying on them alone. At the same time, there’s a fair drop off from Wirtz to the next level, but not so great a gap from that level to those three, and bringing someone else in would only block their collective development. The club will have to weigh all that up, of course, but given that situation and the need to spend elsewhere, I wouldn’t be surprised if they decide to pass on another signing and to see how those three cope.
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going heavy on creation from wide, need some to step up output and some incomings
 
urban genie said:
Peps early managerial experience he moulded young players not ready into 1st team starters amd took barcas b team up the league.

His biggest achievement now would be to turn a flelding young squad into title winners, otherwise the he only goes to big clubs and buys a team ready made will become an epitaph.

He needs to rekindle some of that fire of his early coaching days, the January signing all look good enough but raw, Pep has the ability to turn them into world beaters if he wanted too.

Bring in rejinders and then the only postions we need ready made replacements is Gk, RB and LB, the kids are alright for the rest
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Yes good points. I have thought this a bit about Pep myself.

As we get older do we naturally become a bit more cautious? I think the way we play also highlights a more cautious approach also. We’re so conscious of games ‘turning into a basketball match’ we build up so gradually it’s not surprising, in addition to teams tactics, we’re constantly facing packed defences. Additionally he seems more cautious on his choice of players.

We do need to strengthen but I just hope we’re brave enough to sweep out some of the older players, squad players to make places in the squad, and we don’t lose any promising players coming through.
 
Gaz (FMwkdsoul) said:
going heavy on creation from wide, need some to step up output and some incomings
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The wide players are good but still raw, and they haven’t shown anything to suggest they can get around the block; that’s partly on them and partly on the players in the middle/defence taking too long to get them the ball. Any incomings (Reijnders/Gibbs-White) are also going to have to get used to Guardiola’s system, so the onus of also piercing tightly-packed defences should not be on them, not that they’re best equipped for that.
I’ve always said next season would be another one of development, so it might be that we go in-house and are then better served for seasons after.
 
Gabriel said:
The wide players are good but still raw, and they haven’t shown anything to suggest they can get around the block; that’s partly on them and partly on the players in the middle/defence taking too long to get them the ball. Any incomings (Reijnders/Gibbs-White) are also going to have to get used to Guardiola’s system, so the onus of also piercing tightly-packed defences should not be on them, not that they’re best equipped for that.
I’ve always said next season would be another one of development, so it might be that we go in-house and are then better served for seasons after.
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and the fullbacks coming in. A wide player with a world class cross from any side would be ideal.
 
franksinatra said:
Yes good points. I have thought this a bit about Pep myself.

As we get older do we naturally become a bit more cautious? I think the way we play also highlights a more cautious approach also. We’re so conscious of games ‘turning into a basketball match’ we build up so gradually it’s not surprising, in addition to teams tactics, we’re constantly facing packed defences. Additionally he seems more cautious on his choice of players.

We do need to strengthen but I just hope we’re brave enough to sweep out some of the older players, squad players to make places in the squad, and we don’t lose any promising players coming through.
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We can’t sweep out everyone (contracts) but if Reijnders and Gibbs-White sign, it will be the first time that we have had the midfielders to allow us to play the ‘basketball’ style we saw at the start of last season.
 
Gaz (FMwkdsoul) said:
and the fullbacks coming in. A wide player with a world class cross from any side would be ideal.
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But do you think we’ll go for two genuine fullbacks, or one versatile fullback that can cover both sides and invert? I wouldn’t be adverse to signing only one genuine fullback this season, if there is only one, but marking our intention to go down that route, rather than sign a Cambiaso-type that sees us fill in just now while contracts are run down.
 
Gabriel said:
But do you think we’ll go for two genuine fullbacks, or one versatile fullback that can cover both sides and invert? I wouldn’t be adverse to signing only one genuine fullback this season, if there is only one, but marking our intention to go down that route, rather than sign a Cambiaso-type that sees us fill in just now while contracts are run down.
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Two I hope. Even if one is a project/wonderkid.
 
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Lets be honest, from the transfer committee to the manager, to the chairman and CEO, their running of the football side of things hasnt been up to scratch the last two years has it? Khaldoon should be getting a word from Mansour and Khaldoon should be passing down the bollockings to Soriano and Txiki! Now the squad is in an unbalanced mess and fallen way behind not only the European elite but bloody Liverpool and Arsenal! Poor show from such alleged professionals.
 
richards30 said:
Lets be honest, from the transfer committee to the manager, to the chairman and CEO, their running of the football side of things hasnt been up to scratch the last two years has it? Khaldoon should be getting a word from Mansour and Khaldoon should be passing down the bollockings to Soriano and Txiki! Now the squad is in an unbalanced mess and fallen way behind not only the European elite but bloody Liverpool and Arsenal! Poor show from such alleged professionals.
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Think we need to remember that we had been through the process of rebuilding but on a more frequent basis. That regular change and larger squad had proven successful domestically but fallen short in Europe; too many great players left without enjoying European success. We then went down the road of gathering a smaller but higher-quality squad, which thankfully enjoyed success on both fronts. However, its assembly peaked with the treble and necessitated loyalty from both sides, ergo longer contracts. We now find ourselves on the downward slope from that peak, but we really don’t know what type of squad comes next. Our success is unparalleled, so that means now dealing with unprecedented circumstances.
 
richards30 said:
Lets be honest, from the transfer committee to the manager, to the chairman and CEO, their running of the football side of things hasnt been up to scratch the last two years has it? Khaldoon should be getting a word from Mansour and Khaldoon should be passing down the bollockings to Soriano and Txiki! Now the squad is in an unbalanced mess and fallen way behind not only the European elite but bloody Liverpool and Arsenal! Poor show from such alleged professionals.
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Stuff happens when the DoF and coach can do whatever they want. Should’ve gotten new played last season already . Now the same coach wants a smaller squad again when we have like 60 -70 games next season with the CWC and WC
 
Gabriel said:
Think we need to remember that we had been through the process of rebuilding but on a more frequent basis. That regular change and larger squad had proven successful domestically but fallen short in Europe; too many great players left without enjoying European success. We then went down the road of gathering a smaller but higher-quality squad, which thankfully enjoyed success on both fronts. However, its assembly peaked with the treble and necessitated loyalty from both sides, ergo longer contracts. We now find ourselves on the downward slope from that peak, but we really don’t know what type of squad comes next. Our success is unparalleled, so that means now dealing with unprecedented circumstances.
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Doesnt help with with Txiki admitting that after the treble season the next summer was a mess?
 
richards30 said:
Lets be honest, from the transfer committee to the manager, to the chairman and CEO, their running of the football side of things hasnt been up to scratch the last two years has it? Khaldoon should be getting a word from Mansour and Khaldoon should be passing down the bollockings to Soriano and Txiki! Now the squad is in an unbalanced mess and fallen way behind not only the European elite but bloody Liverpool and Arsenal! Poor show from such alleged professionals.
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Not like you to lose your head, bit early for this transfer window though.
 
We need some midfielders and wingers who can consistently score goals over a season to take the pressure off the big man. I have no idea who they are but that’s who we need imo.

Doku, savinho, Kova, Foden, Gundo and silva haven’t continued enough goals this season for us. The Stats back that up.
 
Hesperus said:
We need some midfielders and wingers who can consistently score goals over a season to take the pressure off the big man. I have no idea who they are but that’s who we need imo.

Doku, savinho, Kova, Foden, Gundo and silva haven’t continued enough goals this season for us. The Stats back that up.
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Kovacic definitely scored enough. Everyone else failed but expecting goals from Bernardo is crazy enough
 
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