Drinkwater

[Chico1958]

Can't we do a swap for Kante unless somebody has already mentioned it of course plus 30 million

 

Prefer have Kante back than Willian

[mozartfox]

Was he at the Kante/Mahrez dinner?

[st albans fox]

This is getting bizarre again.  Willian is not coming here. Not never ever ever. Whatever you offered him!

[ARM1968]

Chocolate?

[Strokes]

8 hours ago, Costock_Fox said:

Has anyone mentioned how Southgate said he would be in every England squad yet? I feel this point may have been missed.

I'm glad you pointed this out, I totally was not aware. 

[Kitchandro]

8 hours ago, ozvaldo said:

Sell Drinky, buy Gylfi.
Different position, but with Iborra, James & N'Didi, (and everyone's favourite club hero, Kingy as back up), we well covered in that area.

 

Kasper
Amartey, Wes, Maguire

Albrighton, N'Didi, James, Gray,
Gylfi
Ian Nacho, Vardy

 

 

No, not good enough. Sigurdsson isn't coming and is massively overrated at this time.

 

Why is James all of a suddenly the new Scholes when he's played only firendlies and Championship matches in 2 years?

 

And on the bench we've got Iborra and King as our creative sparks? Fvck me!

 

We need Drinkwater to get back to form and we need to sign a true creative central midfielder, a borderline number 10.

[Buzzell]

Disastrous if we let Drinkwater go being so close to the new season and without a replacement that's atleast the same ability wise as him. 

[Dan]

On 7/31/2017 at 23:42, Izzy Muzzett said:

I'll bet you £50 no one outside of the top 4 will win the title in the next 10-15 years.

 

What we did was a one off. A once in a generation 5000/1 miracle. I doubt I'll ever see anything like it again in my lifetime.

 

Normal service is resumed. Be prepared to be bored shitless with the usual suspects sharing the PL between them for the next decade or so...

Not one team outside of last year's top four will win the league in the next ten years? You're on

[inckley fox]

1 hour ago, Kitchandro said:

No, not good enough. Sigurdsson isn't coming and is massively overrated at this time.

 

Why is James all of a suddenly the new Scholes when he's played only firendlies and Championship matches in 2 years?

 

And on the bench we've got Iborra and King as our creative sparks? Fvck me!

 

We need Drinkwater to get back to form and we need to sign a true creative central midfielder, a borderline number 10.

If we're playing 4-4-1-1 with Iheanacho as the '10', then I doubt we'd stick a creative Sigurdsson-esque midfielder in one of the two supporting central midfield roles. The nature of the 4-4-2 is that you'll always need more industrious players in order to cover the ground. James, Drinkwater, Ndidi, possibly Iborra - I'm not sure - offer you that. If we were to bring in an outright attacking central midfielder we'd either be overrun in the centre or he'd wind up stepping on Iheanacho's toes. 

 

A good new CAM might fare better in a 4-2-3-1 than Iheanacho would, but I can't see us playing that system too often, certainly can't see us spending £30m or £40m on a player who'd restrict Iheanacho's first team opportunities. If Shakespeare wants to go 4-2-3-1, or even 3-5-2, we've got Iborra and Drinkwater who've played the advanced midfield role, Ndidi who played there the other night, and (possibly) both Mahrez and Gray who (according to some) would prefer that role week-in week-out. There are options.

 

I suspect a lot of our 'creativity' (if that's the right word!) under Shakespeare, as under Pearson and Ranieri, will come from the wingers in a variation of 4-4-2. I wouldn't be surprised if that were our priority in the event of Gray or Mahrez leaving (unless Musa and Lawrence continue to make an impression). And if Drinkwater were to leave, or fail to find form again, I imagine we'd prioritise industry over flair for the central midfield berths.

 

I still wouldn't be surprised to see him looking at the defence again - for an attacking right back, or further central defensive reinforcements - before he rushes into recruiting more creative players. Whether that's right or wrong.

[ozvaldo]

12 hours ago, Kitchandro said:

No, not good enough. Sigurdsson isn't coming and is massively overrated at this time.

 

Why is James all of a suddenly the new Scholes when he's played only firendlies and Championship matches in 2 years?

 

And on the bench we've got Iborra and King as our creative sparks? Fvck me!

 

We need Drinkwater to get back to form and we need to sign a true creative central midfielder, a borderline number 10.

James did more in that 2nd half against Burton than Drinky has done all pre-season.

 

James is just better than him.  It's a shame he's been injured.  Once his fitness levels increase, he'll come good.

 

 

[HoustonFox]

12 hours ago, Kitchandro said:

No, not good enough. Sigurdsson isn't coming and is massively overrated at this time.

 

Why is James all of a suddenly the new Scholes when he's played only firendlies and Championship matches in 2 years?

 

And on the bench we've got Iborra and King as our creative sparks? Fvck me!

 

We need Drinkwater to get back to form and we need to sign a true creative central midfielder, a borderline number 10.

You didn't even mention Gray at LWB!! 

[Old Fox]

1 hour ago, ozvaldo said:

James did more in that 2nd half against Burton than Drinky has done all pre-season.

 

James is just better than him.  It's a shame he's been injured.  Once his fitness levels increase, he'll come good.

 

 

So you base your judgement on a half of preseason football to determine that a midfielder who has not played for over two seasons in the prem is better than a midfielder that was instrumental in winning the league, called up by England and played with an injury for large parts of last season......you have just made yourself look a complete berk imo!!

 

DD is a top quality midfielder hence the Chelsea interest and whether he is playing as well or has as much confidence is another matter but as the saying goes form is temporary and class is permanent. DD for me should be kept at all cost if possible as he would leave a massive hole on the pitch and in the dressing room - hopefully we can retain him and then also see MJ push on.

[leicesterlad1989]

1 hour ago, ozvaldo said:

James did more in that 2nd half against Burton than Drinky has done all pre-season.

 

James is just better than him.  It's a shame he's been injured.  Once his fitness levels increase, he'll come good.

 

 

Bold statement. James was a decent player for us prior to his injury. Personally I thought he was very over rated during that season. Very hard worker but neither created or scored. Drinkwater in the season we won the league was on a completely different level to what I've seen of James. How you have come to that conclusion I would never know.

 

Very big things were expected of James when we signed him. He did progress well until the injury. I do hope he continues to get better as he has had a good pre-season but I don't agree he is better than Drinkwater.

[ozvaldo]

11 minutes ago, Old Fox said:

So you base your judgement on a half of preseason football to determine that a midfielder who has not played for over two seasons in the prem is better than a midfielder that was instrumental in winning the league, called up by England and played with an injury for large parts of last season......you have just made yourself look a complete berk imo!!

 

DD is a top quality midfielder hence the Chelsea interest and whether he is playing as well or has as much confidence is another matter but as the saying goes form is temporary and class is permanent. DD for me should be kept at all cost if possible as he would leave a massive hole on the pitch and in the dressing room - hopefully we can retain him and then also see MJ push on.

Calm down, Old Fox.
It's not based on a half in preseason.  
It's based on what I believe James can offer to the team.  I think his regular presence has the ability significantly enhance the midfield, and in fact the whole 11.
I'm basing that on what I've seen of him prior to his injury.  It's just my opinion.

Next time you watch DD, watch how slow he is on the ball, how many touches he takes, etc.  If you get the chance, glance over to James and watch him.  There's going to be a significant difference.  

Enjoy the game tonight.

[ozvaldo]

7 minutes ago, leicesterlad1989 said:

Bold statement. James was a decent player for us prior to his injury. Personally I thought he was very over rated during that season. Very hard worker but neither created or scored. Drinkwater in the season we won the league was on a completely different level to what I've seen of James. How you have come to that conclusion I would never know.

 

Very big things were expected of James when we signed him. He did progress well until the injury. I do hope he continues to get better as he has had a good pre-season but I don't agree he is better than Drinkwater.

That's fair enough.
I think James is better and has the ability (when fit) to offer us more.  
Enjoy the game.

[inckley fox]

Creativity doesn't come purely from one or two individuals, it's a team thing, and I think we're working on it.

 

Our ability to make chances is, to a degree, hampered by Simpson's offensive shortcomings. So, an over-lapping type full back who is comfortable going forward might do more for our attack than bringing in Mahrez mk 2. Equally, we often fail to build because we're uncomfortable bringing the ball out of defence. Maguire may well help.

 

Up front, Iheanacho is a creative force in the 'ten' role. Previously we had Okazaki there who, for all his great attributes, is no magician. This, you'd hope, will improve our use of the ball in attack. It may also afford more space for 'creative' players like Gray / Mahrez, even Drinky.

 

I don't know how great an impact this smattering of additions will have, or how it will impact on others. It's not necessarily the case that creativity improves purely because you spend loads of money on flair players, just like signing defenders isn't the only way of improving yourself at the back. Remember the groans when we signed Sinclair? And more still when people actually saw him play, but his pace brought the best out of Elliott and Taggart. By the same measure, people thought we had ample central midfield options when we signed Savage, but his industry - in time - gave us a creative boost on account of Izzet getting more freedom.

 

Rather than rushing to sign a renowned ACM for £40m, then finding that we can't fit him into a 4-4-2 because he can't do the defensive duties, I'd like to see us making the most of our pre-existing creativity. And, little by little, to replace some of our more 'agricultural' players with guys who can add to the whole team's attacking approach.

[Old Fox]

2 minutes ago, ozvaldo said:

Calm down, Old Fox.
It's not based on a half in preseason.  
It's based on what I believe James can offer to the team.  I think his regular presence has the ability significantly enhance the midfield, and in fact the whole 11.
I'm basing that on what I've seen of him prior to his injury.  It's just my opinion.

Next time you watch DD, watch how slow he is on the ball, how many touches he takes, etc.  If you get the chance, glance over to James and watch him.  There's going to be a significant difference.  

Enjoy the game tonight.

Well either way your talking bloody rubbish in my book - all about opinions!!

 

I will enjoy the game and you too!!

[Arriba Los Zorros]

10 minutes ago, inckley fox said:

Creativity doesn't come purely from one or two individuals, it's a team thing, and I think we're working on it.

 

Our ability to make chances is, to a degree, hampered by Simpson's offensive shortcomings. So, an over-lapping type full back who is comfortable going forward might do more for our attack than bringing in Mahrez mk 2. Equally, we often fail to build because we're uncomfortable bringing the ball out of defence. Maguire may well help.

 

Up front, Iheanacho is a creative force in the 'ten' role. Previously we had Okazaki there who, for all his great attributes, is no magician. This, you'd hope, will improve our use of the ball in attack. It may also afford more space for 'creative' players like Gray / Mahrez, even Drinky.

 

I don't know how great an impact this smattering of additions will have, or how it will impact on others. It's not necessarily the case that creativity improves purely because you spend loads of money on flair players, just like signing defenders isn't the only way of improving yourself at the back. Remember the groans when we signed Sinclair? And more still when people actually saw him play, but his pace brought the best out of Elliott and Taggart. By the same measure, people thought we had ample central midfield options when we signed Savage, but his industry - in time - gave us a creative boost on account of Izzet getting more freedom.

 

Rather than rushing to sign a renowned ACM for £40m, then finding that we can't fit him into a 4-4-2 because he can't do the defensive duties, I'd like to see us making the most of our pre-existing creativity. And, little by little, to replace some of our more 'agricultural' players with guys who can add to the whole team's attacking approach.

brilliant post. We didn't win the league because of having a number 10, we won it because all of our players constantly looked forward to create and we had some brilliant chemistry, one touch passing etc. this goes back to our play in the Championship title winning season, people may have forgotten but we also played brilliant football then. The players in our team now are well capable of it and its about improving the team's chemistry

[Milo]

3 minutes ago, Arriba Los Zorros said:

 

Creativity doesn't come purely from one or two individuals, it's a team thing, and I think we're working on it.

 

Our ability to make chances is, to a degree, hampered by Simpson's offensive shortcomings. So, an over-lapping type full back who is comfortable going forward might do more for our attack than bringing in Mahrez mk 2. Equally, we often fail to build because we're uncomfortable bringing the ball out of defence. Maguire may well help.

 

Up front, Iheanacho is a creative force in the 'ten' role. Previously we had Okazaki there who, for all his great attributes, is no magician. This, you'd hope, will improve our use of the ball in attack. It may also afford more space for 'creative' players like Gray / Mahrez, even Drinky.

 

I don't know how great an impact this smattering of additions will have, or how it will impact on others. It's not necessarily the case that creativity improves purely because you spend loads of money on flair players, just like signing defenders isn't the only way of improving yourself at the back. Remember the groans when we signed Sinclair? And more still when people actually saw him play, but his pace brought the best out of Elliott and Taggart. By the same measure, people thought we had ample central midfield options when we signed Savage, but his industry - in time - gave us a creative boost on account of Izzet getting more freedom.

 

Rather than rushing to sign a renowned ACM for £40m, then finding that we can't fit him into a 4-4-2 because he can't do the defensive duties, I'd like to see us making the most of our pre-existing creativity. And, little by little, to replace some of our more 'agricultural' players with guys who can add to the whole team's attacking approach.

Edited 9 minutes ago by inckley fox

 

Bit sensible, mate.   

 

[Jimmy]

the biggest problem with Drinkwater last season was from the moment he played that back pass to Matt Phillips his head seemed to have completely gone for all his talent if something like that can derail a season so quickly that is a major problem, also when did Drinkwater pick up the injury? if it was pre January he should have been taken out of the side and a replacement signed as carrying him was like playing with 9 men as we know we have to carry Mahrez defensively already

[Dr The Singh]

I believe if Chelsea are interested, it's only right to make money from a player

[Big Wes Says Yes]

Jesus 49er, you really are a glass half empty guy.

If we lose DD, then I for one will be gutted but Chelski are a bigger club and that is the way the football world works and has absolutely no bearing on Appleton or Shakey. It just suggests a level of personal ambition from DD. 

 

As for those lauding James as a better replacement for DD, I would have to disagree. James is decent, but he's been out for too long and will need to prove his long term fitness before he can be seen as a viable replacement.

 

Has an official offer been made yet or is this all still pure speculation?

 

[mod hero]

5 minutes ago, Jimmy said:

the biggest problem with Drinkwater last season was from the moment he played that back pass to Matt Phillips his head seemed to have completely gone for all his talent if something like that can derail a season so quickly that is a major problem, also when did Drinkwater pick up the injury? if it was pre January he should have been taken out of the side and a replacement signed as carrying him was like playing with 9 men as we know we have to carry Mahrez defensively already

That's a good point actually Jimmy, he was our best player up until that.

[AlloverthefloorYesNdidi]

2 hours ago, Jimmy said:

the biggest problem with Drinkwater last season was from the moment he played that back pass to Matt Phillips his head seemed to have completely gone for all his talent if something like that can derail a season so quickly that is a major problem, also when did Drinkwater pick up the injury? if it was pre January he should have been taken out of the side and a replacement signed as carrying him was like playing with 9 men as we know we have to carry Mahrez defensively already

Yeah, i had the same thought, he never got over that backpass, bless him. Up until that point he was carrying us

[Lambert09]

Willian make Gylfi look like Momo Sylla