22 days into a 31 window and we're still playing a championship standard winger up front, a striker in midfield and a centre back in front of a back 4. Bidding for our top target 18 days into a 31 day transfer window is laughable and we can see a mile off that this deal will fall through next week as they have no intention of selling. We'll end up with nobody at this rate or someone like Gilmour who wasn't good enough for Norwich on loan.
We have 17 days until we face Villa, plenty of time for us to get some fresh faces in to give us a lift and offer COVER for the injury prone players that we have. Don't give me the Bamford will be back by then ****cks as he's been plagued by injuries all season and why should Feb-May be any different.
Today's loss needs to be a big wakeup call because we are in a relegation battle thanks to poor management on and off the field.
Why you get your transfers done early
posted on 23/1/22
Gelhardt should have come on sooner. Roberts should have stayed on the bench
posted on 23/1/22
When Roberts received the ball I was urging "don't lose it, don't lose, simple pass" as our midfield and full backs were surging forward and what then happened happened.
Remembering back to the Burnley game the lift that the whole stadium got when Geldhardt was sent on should not be underestimated and felt that an evenly poised game with us just missing something in final third could have been lit up with a much earlier Gelhardt introduction. Yes I hear that he also lost the ball a few times in those last 10 minutes but we were 1 down at that stage and he was trying to get something going.
One other point was that I feel we needed to bolster the midfield today and having faith in young Hjelder to start at left back and move Dallas in to strengthen that midfield would have added something today. The overriding themes in my my head were as great as the man is, Bielsa will seemingly always choose the play an experienced guy out of position rather than go with the under 23 unless enforced by injury. With Forshaw out we needed something more in midfield and by not doing the above really feel we made a mistake.
posted on 23/1/22
*yesterday
posted on 23/1/22
As (I think) HaveFaith said last time this sort of thread happened, the striker you want just doesn't exist. It's not as simple as going and signing a striker on loan. Anyone who is good enough is playing for their team, and if they aren't then they won't be fit, or just aren't good enough at all, or will be stupidly expensive. You mentioned JKA on this thread. He perfectly embodies all three of those. Its easy to mock Kinnear when he says that the January transfer window is a tough one to do business in, but he's absolutely right.
posted on 23/1/22
Exactly this lubo hence we try and get the best from what we have until our position allows us to try and bring in better. The same chaps who were heckling Roberts yesterday also shouted “duck off back to Spain” at Rodrigo. Any wonder he disappears straight down the tunnel and there are rumours he wants to leave.
posted on 23/1/22
If we sign a striker what happens to Gelhardt? For me we should be giving him more minutes, he deserves it. He's quality.
I'd rather see Roberts in the 8/10 role. Doesn't help when he's moved positions constantly
posted on 23/1/22
I agree Joffy should be our starting striker. But for
whatever reason, MB continues to marginalize him.
Baffling.
He should've either started yesterday or had the
minutes that he gave ineffective Roberts. And if he
won't play Joffy or Rodrigo in the 9 (his preferred
position), then sign a striker. Bamford can't be relied
upon this season.
posted on 23/1/22
Hes not marginalizing Gelhardt. He's pacing him. Which is fair enough, given that he's 19, with no PL experience, and just back from an injury.
posted on 23/1/22
comment by Kebablegs (U17699)
posted 17 hours, 51 minutes ago
What concerns me regarding kinnears words is remembering the debuts of players like smith woodgate Kewell and Milner. I remember watching them and they immediately looked senior players. Kewell was utterly amazing and left me drooling for more.
I don’t see that with the current crop. They come in and “do a job” but none of them have left me thinking wow this lads going to be special.
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Nailed it.
posted on 24/1/22
comment by Jonty (U4614)
posted 21 hours ago
comment by Kebablegs (U17699)
posted 17 hours, 51 minutes ago
What concerns me regarding kinnears words is remembering the debuts of players like smith woodgate Kewell and Milner. I remember watching them and they immediately looked senior players. Kewell was utterly amazing and left me drooling for more.
I don’t see that with the current crop. They come in and “do a job” but none of them have left me thinking wow this lads going to be special.
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Nailed it.
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So you expect every player to have immediate impact, what utter nonsense, of the 1993 FA youth cup winning side none of them made it big time but the side they beat featured the Nevilles, Beckham, Scholes and Butt. Some really special players. Most top players don't develop until they are in their mid to late 20's.
With the buying power of the top Premier League outfits, I would be surprised if the likes of Kewell if he was breaking through today would have any more impact than the kids coming through from our U23's.
Have you ever asked yourself why U23 and not U21? In the 70's players could graduate from the U21's to the first team as it wasn't that big a step, nowadays the gulf is massive and players need much more time to develop.
I have no doubt that Gelhardt will play for England, you need to stop writing him off at 19.