James_lcfc

Is there much point in us having a recruitment team? Either they’re shit at their job, or Cooper and his back room staff are identifying players. Either way, doesn’t seem much point in us having one! Managers are so transient nowadays, it doesn’t seem like the right strategy to let them have a big say on the incomings.

That one is dodgy, I'll give you that!

Youth team players going AWOL, and now the great Kevin Pressman is getting accused of match fixing What a day.

Would've been a great save if he got to it. Fine margins.

Obsessing over players’ height is such an English fan trope isn’t it. Pack the team out with big lads and bully your way to the wins! You'd have thought we’d have learnt by now considering it’s 2024, but obviously not!

I think the issue is that his defensive exploits don't make up for his ability on the ball. He's not just average or a bit below average in that regard, he's genuinely terrible. I think a deep lying midfielder nowadays needs to be better with the ball at his feet. I do actually like him further up the field and winning the ball high - He works quite nicely with the wide players as well. I just can't watch him in that DM role anymore though, it's painful.

True, but it seems like most clubs need the money nowadays. Holding on to your most sellable assets for too long is a risk for a lot of clubs - Especially when there's a decent amount of interest in them.

Lots of players like this are available, and the closer it gets to deadline day the more of a buyers market it will become. We have an experienced and competent DOF who will know this and be planning accordingly. It's all in hand.

Fair, but almost every other player was worse than Maddison in the relegation season. Barring Vardy and Ricardo, I find it hard to like any of that squad, including the ones still here.

Huh? Mavididi's defensive stats are better than Reid's? Why wouldn't he fit into the anti-football gameplan? Reid was OK defensively, but so many forward moves ended with him in the first half - It was infuriating. I'm sure people watched a different game to me last night.

We need Vardy higher on the all time PL scorers list now, so he needs to play. Sign a new striker next season, get another winger and number 10 in to contribute with goals for now! All about the Vardy legacy

Yep Maybe Mads would be the only one who you could put above a 7 overall...and even he could have done a lot better with some of his long passes to no one.

He’s an honest squad filler. Really can’t be relying on him as a starter.

He always gives his all and seems to really care. Far from convinced he’s good enough at this level, but I can’t help but like him.

Got to get reinforcements in before the end of the window. Proper first teamers. The board should see there’s a bit of hope if we do. Don’t have to just accept relegation.

Like the look of him. Looked very tired and leggy quite early, but a promising debut.

Felt a bit sorry for him over the Summer. I said a few times that he’s working with a squad of very low end PL players so needs decent backing. But watching him not start Mavididi or Ricardo in the very first game at home… Nah, he can get in the bin now.

The fact he hasn’t started Mavididi is honestly comical. Ndidi still getting a game at PL level as well. It’s genuinely unbelievable. So so bad.

I think it would be more of a celebration judging by the general consensus on this thread so far!

Well it would be panic from Arsenal as they realise he's not going to feature so try to get his wages (or a portion of them) off the books for the season. He'd be a good option for us.

I’m still really looking forward to the game for some reason. Definitely something wrong with me.

I don’t know about his time at Sampdoria, so can’t really comment on that. I do know they finished rock bottom with a pretty shocking points total and didn’t take up the option to sign him. Granted - Relegation would have decided that for them. I like Harry but you need to play to his strengths. Other aspects of his game are pretty poor in my opinion.

Well he had to drop down to the Championship for a reason didn’t he.

Soumare, Wilf and Hamza can play there, sure. All are dogshit at PL level though, so it depends on your expectations for the season I guess.