James_lcfc

I was hoping we’d be going for someone who ranks a bit higher in progressive carries and successful take ons. He does look to have a lot of good attributes though. Also, not too many goals over quite a few appearances in a bit of a sub-standard league? He is only 20 though, and if everyone else is excited, I’m excited!

I guess everyone has already said their piece on this one in the other thread. Time to back him now - Hopefully he’s one we look back on as a very shrewd bit of business.

Yep, I reckon so too. Looks an expensive risk, but you’ve got to speculate to accumulate after all!

Fully agree on this. If we fail to get another decent forward in, it looks like a pretty poor window. Skipp may well be very decent, it’s just obvious we’re going to be short on creativity and goals.

This is the one. Time to push the boat out Rudders!

Yep, could definitely be the plan, in which case we’re worrying about nothing. I’m just not convinced we’ve brought Ayew in for decent money at his age to play second fiddle.

If he ends up being brilliant and a great bit of business, most people will be happy to eat their words. We want the club to do well after all. But surely you at least understand the opposite point of view on transfers like this? Obviously you don’t have to agree.

True, but not if he plays second fiddle to a Bobby Reid or Jordan Ayew. As I said though, it may not pan out that way and Mavididi will end up starting more than he doesn’t. Just a bit of a concerning transfer in my opinion for more than one reason. Not moaning for moaning sake by the way, just a discussion!

This is the place to discuss transfer strategy etc, I don’t see it as moaning. Your points are fair. It’s not as worrying with Fatawu as he’s young and we have time. But Mavididi is 26…we really can’t be wasting time with him. Next couple of years are crucial in terms of his development. Of course we could be concerned about nothing and they’ll be the main men and the newcomers just rotation options. Time will tell I guess.

This is my main concern too. We should be looking to build around them and develop them into players we can sell for big money - Both are very talented in my opinion. We aren’t spending £8m on 32yr old for the future, he’s for the here and now.

Not really sure what that means, but it made me laugh!

Yep. That '2 more attackers' line is blatant lip service direct from the club. Just BS. The saddest part is you now need to promote Alan Nixon to a Tier 1 source.

Did you watch the game? Genuine question. Abysmal is a more than fair assessment of our first half performance. That's not being overly critical/negative either.

You are 1 or 2 posts away from putting this to bed. Don't give up yet!

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.