Lots of debate on here about the cull of experienced heads and lack of replacements in CM and attack. To me it seems the trimming of the squad of players Ole doesn't fancy is deliberate his call and I applaud him for getting rid of big earners that don't want to be here. Huge risk though that it comes at a time when we couldn't get all our targets. Again though, if Dybala et al don't really want to come what's the point?
This has led to the creation of a young squad, and I have no doubt it is full of players who want to play for this club. Comparisons have been made to LVGs second season, where he deliberately wanted to work with a smaller squad with lots of young players. There are a few notable differences between the two situations. The current crop of youngsters are among the most highly rated since probably the class of 92...of course I realise that doesn't mean they will make it. LVG also had quite a few signings that didn't work out that year (the Schmidfield and Depay weren't great for us), a past it Wayne Rooney and a style of play that seemed to go nowhere.
I have long said the current state of the transfer market is completely unsustainable. The cost of even average players is already growing at a rate faster than even the top clubs can keep up with. We have started to see more loan deals, swap deals for top players to reduce financial costs of acquiring top talent, eventually I feel the top clubs will start to rely more heavily on their Academies. Is this current strategy a recognition of this potential new reality and a positive sign?
We are at a point in our history that while some feel the pressure on these young lads may be too much, is it really any more pressure than the Class of 92 were under? They came into a squad that lost a lot of experience (Ince, Hughes, Kanchelskis), that finished 2nd in the league and had the expectation of challenging again for the title. Yes they had great players around them, but did lining up beside a Roy Keane and playing under SAF not bring it's own type of pressure? Theoretically the expectation and pressure on this group should not be as high. I think they have the right manager let them express themselves, and of course time will tell if the club are for once being proactive in their approach to rebuilding.
Getting ahead of the game
posted on 30/8/19
If this is just one part of an overall strategy to get young, hungry players who are on the same wavelength playing for the club then I'm all for it.
The proof of the pudding will be who we recruit in the coming windows. At least another 2/3 first XI standard players are needed IMO.
posted on 30/8/19
comment by Diafol Coch 77 - A Reputable Poster (U2462)
posted 21 seconds ago
If this is just one part of an overall strategy to get young, hungry players who are on the same wavelength playing for the club then I'm all for it.
The proof of the pudding will be who we recruit in the coming windows. At least another 2/3 first XI standard players are needed IMO.
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Obviously future transfer activity is required to get us competing again, but I think the more sensible poster on here see that as something down the line. To me the outs don't look anything else but planned and that should reassure some people that at least there is a plan. I have no doubt this phase 1 of something more. I just hope the board recognise the need to see it through.
I have my suspicions that Ole will perhaps not see the success he mention but if he lays the ground work for the next guy, that has to count as a success.
posted on 30/8/19
comment by Mumbai Martial - Mountains are there to be climbed (U3867)
posted 31 seconds ago
comment by Diafol Coch 77 - A Reputable Poster (U2462)
posted 21 seconds ago
If this is just one part of an overall strategy to get young, hungry players who are on the same wavelength playing for the club then I'm all for it.
The proof of the pudding will be who we recruit in the coming windows. At least another 2/3 first XI standard players are needed IMO.
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Obviously future transfer activity is required to get us competing again, but I think the more sensible poster on here see that as something down the line. To me the outs don't look anything else but planned and that should reassure some people that at least there is a plan. I have no doubt this phase 1 of something more. I just hope the board recognise the need to see it through.
I have my suspicions that Ole will perhaps not see the success he mention but if he lays the ground work for the next guy, that has to count as a success.
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I may be wrong but I think Ole's love for the club means that he'll probably be willing to sacrifice any possible success for himself to try and make sure we get long term success.
He'll want to win of course but it could well be it's the next manager who gets us over the line in that case. Having said that I do hope we go all out in the Europa this season. It would be great for some of our new players to get a taste of success even if it is the minor European competition. The prize at the end is massive too.
posted on 30/8/19
I have my suspicions that Ole will perhaps not see the success he mention but if he lays the ground work for the next guy,
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I think quite a few people see it that way.
Maybe we have our technical director/Director of Football actually in the managers chair currently?
posted on 30/8/19
comment by Shy Ted (U15867)
posted 6 minutes ago
I have my suspicions that Ole will perhaps not see the success he mention but if he lays the ground work for the next guy,
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I think quite a few people see it that way.
Maybe we have our technical director/Director of Football actually in the managers chair currently?
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Interesting point. Don't think he can afford to be a disaster though if he wanted that role. I do think though he wants to manage for a while yet but you never know!
posted on 30/8/19
comment by Shy Ted (U15867)
posted 30 minutes ago
I have my suspicions that Ole will perhaps not see the success he mention but if he lays the ground work for the next guy,
----------------------------------------
I think quite a few people see it that way.
Maybe we have our technical director/Director of Football actually in the managers chair currently?
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That could be true. I think his biggest asset that we see right now is he actually has an idea of what direction to take the club in, what is less known is his ability to do the tactical side of things. You would imagine the former would be essential for the DoF role.
posted on 30/8/19
We need to get ourselves in a position to make the right signings, some big signings in the next 2 windows though as well, which may be difficult with the current squad. The likes of Sancho, would be a perfect signing, young, English and incredibly talented as well as experienced at the highest level now. I think we'll be going all out for him at some point but we don't stand a chance without CL football imo.
posted on 30/8/19
comment by Mike (U1170)
posted 5 minutes ago
We need to get ourselves in a position to make the right signings, some big signings in the next 2 windows though as well, which may be difficult with the current squad. The likes of Sancho, would be a perfect signing, young, English and incredibly talented as well as experienced at the highest level now. I think we'll be going all out for him at some point but we don't stand a chance without CL football imo.
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I think Sancho will eventually want a return to England. City are probably the only other English side that could afford him, and I don't think he'll go back there
posted on 30/8/19
comment by Mumbai Martial - Mountains are there to be climbed (U3867)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Mike (U1170)
posted 5 minutes ago
We need to get ourselves in a position to make the right signings, some big signings in the next 2 windows though as well, which may be difficult with the current squad. The likes of Sancho, would be a perfect signing, young, English and incredibly talented as well as experienced at the highest level now. I think we'll be going all out for him at some point but we don't stand a chance without CL football imo.
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I think Sancho will eventually want a return to England. City are probably the only other English side that could afford him, and I don't think he'll go back there
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I'm genuinely surprised we haven't placed a £100m+ bid for him, with the condition he arrives next season.
Definitely can see the Spanish teams going for him if he's on the market.