Varane

Definitely feels like there's a sting coming in the Varane deal but that's probably due to the fact we have one big transfer let down every summer and we haven't had this year's yet.

Hopefully he is joining though. I fail to see how he can't massively improve us.

comment by Robb - Ashes prediction 5-0 (U22311)
posted 20 minutes ago
Anyone else feel that Varane is gonna crash and burn and spend loads of time injured ? Bloody well hope not but my spidey sense is tingling.
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I think he’ll be okay on the injury front, but that he won’t make a massive improvement to our goals against column.

If this set piece coach is any good that would be a big difference, I think like a third of our goals against were from set pieces, or close to it.

I'm sure we were ranked 20th out of 20 on set
Piece goals conceded last season.

Good to see Ole and the management team have at least identified that as a problem area rather than putting a plaster over it.

Romano now reporting deal is getting close. Understand everyone’s reservations (I also think there’s a twist in this one), but when he reports it, you know it’s legitimate.

Not sure it’s the best use of £50m in my opinion (if we’re spending that on a CB), but at least we’re showing ambition to seriously improve the squad.

comment by Robb - Ashes prediction 5-0 (U22311)
posted 1 hour, 23 minutes ago
Anyone else feel that Varane is gonna crash and burn and spend loads of time injured ? Bloody well hope not but my spidey sense is tingling.
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Does he have a bad injury record, or is that because we used to get a lot of CB injuries?

comment by The Post Nearly Man. Jadon & Marcus & Bukayo. (U1270)
posted 35 seconds ago
comment by Robb - Ashes prediction 5-0 (U22311)
posted 1 hour, 23 minutes ago
Anyone else feel that Varane is gonna crash and burn and spend loads of time injured ? Bloody well hope not but my spidey sense is tingling.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Does he have a bad injury record, or is that because we used to get a lot of CB injuries?
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A little from column A, a little from column B

Having Varane and being able to squeeze up the pitch a bit more may help AWB, though.

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Fingers crossed you're right as spacing between lines has been an issue for us. It would be nice to be able to squeeze the pitch better as a unit. The shorter distancing between players should in theory help us move the ball forward a little more easily as well and enable players to pick up better positions between the lines. As I was saying earlier, I'm hoping Eric Ramsay can have an impact in this regard.

We'll see though.

Yep that’s my thinking.

It should really help the midfield with and without the ball as well.

Despite not being the biggest fan of our options, it’s a difficult job to patrol such a large space between the defence and attack, so I have some sympathy for them.

In fairness to Fred he does a hell of a job covering that area.

Despite not being the biggest fan of our options, it’s a difficult job to patrol such a large space between the defence and attack, so I have some sympathy for them.

In fairness to Fred he does a hell of a job covering that area.

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Yeah our structure doesn't do the midfield any favours.

He'll get chewed and twisted up in the EPL.

There are many better options, and if that kind of money is genuinely geing considered then quite a few of those options would also be available.