Txiki & Pep met in Amsterdam yesterday

[BillyShears]

So you reckon at least 6 first team signings this summer? That to me is fantastical.

Fair enough. But yeah fwiw I think we will see two in the back four three in midfield and one in attack. First XI or best 16 anyway. Pep tends to use a small squad.

 

[Rolee]

Fair enough. But yeah fwiw I think we will see two in the back four three in midfield and one in attack. First XI or best 16 anyway. Pep tends to use a small squad.

That's going to be quite a lot of outgoing loans.

 

[Lancet Fluke]

I think any kind of assessment of the season as a whole leaves him with far more questions than answers. Maybe it's just me but I can't marry Pep's brand of football with our current squad. He's a top coach but he isn't a miracle worker and the notion that he's going to come in and suddenly we're going to see a whole new set of characteristics in these players is a bit fantastical. We can't realistically expect 11 new players but equally if you add in the three big ones from last summer I reckon we will be looking at a team with a total of 9/10 new players.

That kind of overhaul takes years not months IMO. If we do try to do it in one or two windows then we'd be in for a seriously rocky ride for a while no matter who the manager is. I am sure he would be better trying to get what he can out of what we have (with perhaps 3 or 4 changes in the areas he is most concerned about) even if that means not being able to immediately play in exactly the way he would like. I would like to think he is able to adapt things to some extent to suit what he has at his disposal. I also think the players have been too comfortable for too long and some may well have some extra gears to go through under Pep (just as I am sure some won't) but only time will tell on that.

 

[BillyShears]

That's going to be quite a lot of outgoing loans.

We brought in how many in Pellegrini's first summer ? I personally don't think it is an OTT number to suggest six. I agree though the challenge will be getting players out.

 

[Rolee]

We brought in how many in Pellegrini's first summer ? I personally don't think it is an OTT number to suggest six. I agree though the challenge will be getting players out.

Fair point but I was always under the impression that one of the benefits of the DoF model is that player overhauls wouldn't be necessary with managerial changes?

 

[balotelli's back pocket]

Pep wanted assurances that Bony would be sold before he arrived after watching on Saturday

Well considering the window opens he same day pep starts, that was a shit joke mate :-)

 

[BillyShears]

Fair point but I was always under the impression that one of the benefits of the DoF model is that player overhauls wouldn't be necessary with managerial changes?

I think the overhaul is as linked to the average age of the squad as the new manager coming in. Four 30 year old plus full backs, a midfield with similar 30 + players. Think we all agree Bony will get replaced. Maybe some of the replacements we can get internally from the academy. Overall though these changes were coming regardless of Pep, getting Pep just means the characteristics of the incoming players will be pretty particular.

 

[flb]

Two fullbacks and two midfielders would transform this team, with a few EDS lads thrown into the squad like Roberts and Garcia and a recalled Denayer.

Coupled with a manager who knows what hes doing and we are good to go.

Navas, Clichy, Kolorov,Bony, Fernando and Yaya I'd expect to leave.

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

Someone's nan has hacked his account methinks.

'Nan'. How quaint.

 

[JustAnotherCityFan]

A forward is a must considering its ACON next season.