More than happy to let Ole buy a defender in Jan. If he's basing everything off Fergie as he seems to be doing, I have every faith. That man knew what was needed at the back.
Conceding a goal a game isn't good enough for a top side. And we've hardly been playing the big boys have we?3 goals in 3 games isnt bad at all. Our attack and defence was shit pre-OGS. Both have actually improved since he came in.
GF pre-OGS - 29 in 17
GA pre-OGS - 29 in 17
GF during OGS - 12 in 3
GA during OGS - 3 in 3
The new style has not yet been tested to a great degree.Like someone else said, what is encouraging is that goals against us are coming from mistakes and set pieces. If our new style was constantly getting countered on it would be a worry.
How’s Taunzebe doing at Villa?As far as transfers go, I really think that we could ignore midfield and attack and just concentrate on defence.
Darmian- ____ -Rojo- ____
Valencia-Jones- Bailly - Young
Dalot - Smalling - Lindelof - Shaw
That’s what I’d be looking to clear out in January/Summer. I’d then be looking to sign a top quality centre back, a top quality fullback and bring Taunzebe back into the fold.
They have Robertson (and to a lesser extent Alexander-Arnold and Alisson) as well though; van Dijk is a brilliant player but he isn't doing it all himself.Maguire is gettable in January. I reckon 55m will do it.
He is young, commanding, great in the air, good on the ball. Has premier league experience. He lacks a little pace, but playing a Bailey next to him will work.
Then I think we should go for another CB in the summer and get rid of a couple.
As Liverpool proved, one class defender is all it needs.
I agree. Shaw, young, Valencia not good enough as well as Smalling, Jones, lindeloef if I’m being honest.They have Robertson (and to a lesser extent Alexander-Arnold and Alisson) as well though; van Dijk is a brilliant player but he isn't doing it all himself.
We have De Gea and that's about it; the rest of our defence has question marks surrounding them. We need to sign elite quality at fullback as well as centre back in my opinion.
Gana from Everton would be an upgrade on Matic/ Herrera as he’s mobile.How’s Taunzebe doing at Villa?
Think we might need to look at a quality, mobile DM as well.
I agree with that. If we're going to continue to ask our full backs to play so far up the pitch, having a DM with the pace to deal with counter attacks will be essential.How’s Taunzebe doing at Villa?
Think we might need to look at a quality, mobile DM as well.
An argument could be made for the inclusion of Bailly to our squad - a hugely talented centre-back who, through no fault of his own, was cruelly denied the gift of a functioning brain - but overall that list seems fair.Keep - Shaw, Lindelof, Smalling, Young, Dalot
Sell - Everyone else
Buy - left back, right back, 2 centre backs
100% agree with this. We need quality players coming in, no more punts or players that are only good enough to be squad players.Keep - Shaw, Lindelof, Smalling, Young, Dalot
Sell - Everyone else
Buy - left back, right back, 2 centre backs
Who?Gana from Everton would be an upgrade on Matic/ Herrera as he’s mobile.
You can't be possibly think a mid table level midfielder will be an upgrade on Matic or even Herrera. Matic & Herrera are way above Gana, if you want mobile then get Kante, if it's not possible to sign him then don't waste the money on average ones and just stick with what we already have right now, Herrera is mobile enough.Gana from Everton would be an upgrade on Matic/ Herrera as he’s mobile.
@Mr PGThink we might need to look at a quality, mobile DM as well.
We don't need three. Even one would do for now.Get Koulibally and Maguire in January. Levy wont sell Toby in January (bastard!) but we should bid anyway now to unsettle him for the summer..
As for the first two, throw the kitchen sink to both of those clubs whom I think will cave and sell. I suspect 200 million will sort us out for all three which is nothing really in today’s market. We can make that money back easily. Sell off any deadwood too.
Agreed. This is what we should be aiming for in the summer.Keep - Shaw, Lindelof, Smalling, Young, Dalot
Sell - Everyone else
Buy - left back, right back, 2 centre backs
Agree with this. Set pieces need to be looked at as we struggle there. Also, it would be interesting to see how we deal with teams who use swift counter-attacks.Keep - Shaw, Lindelof, Smalling, Young, Dalot
Sell - Everyone else
Buy - left back, right back, 2 centre backs
Very good once he was finally moved into the centre (he was playing at rightback before that). Villa fans love him since that move. Unfortunately he got injured a couple of weeks ago and I'm not sure when he'll be back.How’s Taunzebe doing at Villa?
The problem is probably that Rojo and Darmian are on high wages compared to what they offer on the pitch.If the board doesn't want to spend money bringing in an experienced CD in January then offloading Darmian and Rojo would all but pay for the Kostas Monolas release clause
Young remained our best crosser of the ball apart from Herrera. While Dalot is enthusiastic, his crossing is perfect on strength but delivered to the wrong place. He is more energetic than Valencia but too (physically) weak as defender. He should start in FA but nowhere near regular status.I'm keen on us keeping on playing Dalot through this season. For me, playing Young and Valencia does nothing for us because we know what they're all about and it's not good enough (going into next season). Dalot might be, and giving him the next 6 months might pay off.