Watching Norwich and watford

[blade too long]

You can't help but think

Norwich were pretty poor in the prem
Finished bottom by some margin and suffered many a haevy defeat

But are running away with the championship title this season

Pukki is finding scoring easy again after drying up last season

Watford have also look like claiming automatic

So once we get all our injuries sorted
And O Connell Egan Basham Berge are back as a unit perhaps we can refind our mojo in the same way

They've looked miles ahead and to be fair were not convincing in the prem Last season

 

[knowsnowt]

Not arsed as long as we take 3001 to QPR.

 

[Scarebus]

Huddersfield and Stoke are well shit though

 

[S40BLADE]

Helps having Sarr, Deeney (with service), Buendia, Cantwell, Pukki, Hernandez etc. Most of the regulars for these two clubs would walk into our squad/starting 11. Even when they were poor in the Prem their recruitment drives were intelligent. It seems that we didn't even put profiles together, For example we failed in getting Swift so refused to even go after another midfielder. Hilariously poor.

 

[pommpey]

You can't help but think

Norwich were pretty poor in the prem
Finished bottom by some margin and suffered many a haevy defeat

But are running away with the championship title this season

Pukki is finding scoring easy again after drying up last season

Watford have also look like claiming automatic

So once we get all our injuries sorted
And O Connell Egan Basham Berge are back as a unit perhaps we can refind our mojo in the same way

They've looked miles ahead and to be fair were not convincing in the prem Last season

Yeah. And we've got Stevens, Norwood, Fleck, Lundstram and a shitload of Championship duds up front.

We need a clear out and a new system. Play 5-3-2 next season and we are fucked

pommpey

 

[BladeTillIDie]

Helps having Sarr, Deeney (with service), Buendia, Cantwell, Pukki, Hernandez etc. Most of the regulars for these two clubs would walk into our squad/starting 11. Even when they were poor in the Prem their recruitment drives were intelligent. It seems that we didn't even put profiles together, For example we failed in getting Swift so refused to even go after another midfielder. Hilariously poor.

True, didn't deeney and pukki still get double figures last season? And Buendia top assists.

 

[AdamSufc1997]

Difference is they have quality we don't

 

[bromtom]

If we keep playing the same way and don't shuffle the personnel, we're going to skew more Huddersfield.

If we shift some dross, keep the quality players and add a few, and more importantly start playing positive football with the aim of creating chances, we might skew Norwich/ have fun next season even if we don't do anything.

Up to the new manager to find that style, and the players to get their shit together.

 

[blade too long]

Difference is they have quality we don't

Really
So oconnell Egan Berge mcgoldrick Basham are all shit then
Strange how they got us 2nd last time out

 

[blade too long]

If we keep playing the same way and don't shuffle the personnel, we're going to skew more Huddersfield.

If we shift some dross, keep the quality players and add a few, and more importantly start playing positive football with the aim of creating chances, we might skew Norwich/ have fun next season even if we don't do anything.

Up to the new manager to find that style, and the players to get their shit together.

Did Watford not change manager and players

Don't get this ingrained pessimism

It's a massive massive gulf from the championship to the prem
We haven't had half the team playing a lot of this season.
When we are fully fit we will still be miles better than half the teams in the championship
To suggest otherwise is barmy

 

[Davalon]

Keep all the defence and that area should be very strong if everyone remains fit.

Where we lag behind those two is creativity.

That's the area we need to improve on in our recruitment.

Cantwell and Buendia for instance would be the first names on our teamsheet.

 

[JackSUFC]

Helps having Sarr, Deeney (with service), Buendia, Cantwell, Pukki, Hernandez etc.

Funny how they kept top talent like that, but a lot of our fans on here are desperate for us to sell Berge. Strange behaviour.

 

[Bladesthorpe]

Keep all the defence and that area should be very strong if everyone remains fit.

Where we lag behind those two is creativity.

That's the area we need to improve on in our recruitment.

Cantwell and Buendia for instance would be the first names on our teamsheet.

Sadly Basham will be the only one here from your list next season if rumours of Jack's injury are true and Berge and Egan are sold.

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

Funny how they kept top talent like that, but a lot of our fans on here are desperate for us to sell Berge. Strange behaviour.

There’s a difference in ability & influence between that list of players & Berge.

There’s more change of Berge driving the team to visit a Museum for a team bonding session than to promotion from the championship.

 

[steve26272]

Funny how they kept top talent like that, but a lot of our fans on here are desperate for us to sell Berge. Strange behaviour.

is that the same Berge that in the last 48 hours has been linked to Liverpool & Man City?
What does Klopp & Pep know compare to most on here?!

I think you can compare the top of the Championship/Prem to Scottish Prem/Champs League

Most teams Celtic & Rangers face weekly are way below them
However when they go into Europe, they invariably fail miserably, as even the lesser teams in Euro are way above their weekly opponents

If we keep Ramsdale, Egan, JoC, Bash, Bogle, Fleck, Berge*, McG, McB, Brewster and the new manager can find the style of play to give the front 2 chances, i dont see why we shouldnt look for top 6 minimum

Looking 3-6th, are we seriously saying we wouldnt expect to be above these? non of them are above a 50% win ratio!!



*Berge, if we can keep him, we should build a team around moving the ball through him to the strengths of Brewster and Mcb, both have proven they can score in the Champ - i suspect their goal drought is due more to them not having the service/facing better defenders than loosing the knack

 

[Davalon]

Sadly Basham will be the only one here from your list next season if rumours of Jack's injury are true and Berge and Egan are sold.

What are the rumours on JOC?

Not recovering properly?

 

[raul]

There’s a difference in ability & influence between that list of players & Berge.

There’s more change of Berge driving the team to visit a Museum for a team bonding session than to promotion from the championship.

Better him the Moose I suppose.

 

[Bayingblade]

Yeah. And we've got Stevens, Norwood, Fleck, Lundstram and a shitload of Championship duds up front.

We need a clear out and a new system. Play 5-3-2 next season and we are fucked

pommpey

We won't play 5-3-2 next season Pommps so I think you can be comforted by that..........

We'll play 3-5-2

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

is that the same Berge that in the last 48 hours has been linked to Liverpool & Man City?
What does Klopp & Pep know compare to most on here?!

I think you can compare the top of the Championship/Prem to Scottish Prem/Champs League

Most teams Celtic & Rangers face weekly are way below them
However when they go into Europe, they invariably fail miserably, as even the lesser teams in Euro are way above their weekly opponents

If we keep Ramsdale, Egan, JoC, Bash, Bogle, Fleck, Berge*, McG, McB, Brewster and the new manager can find the style of play to give the front 2 chances, i dont see why we shouldnt look for top 6 minimum

Looking 3-6th, are we seriously saying we wouldnt expect to be above these? non of them are above a 50% win ratio!!


View attachment 110026
*Berge, if we can keep him, we should build a team around moving the ball through him to the strengths of Brewster and Mcb, both have proven they can score in the Champ - i suspect their goal drought is due more to them not having the service/facing better defenders than loosing the knack

If those rumours are true, then neither Liverpool or City are looking for Berge to win them the title, just to carry water and pass it on to a world class creative player.

We on the other hand would be looking at our record signing to dominate & win games for us, which I have not seen one ounce of proof that he can do.

I don’t doubt that he has the ability to play in the top leagues in a certain role, but to suggest we sell him & better use the money isn’t wide eyed crazy talk.

 

[pommpey]

We won't play 5-3-2 next season Pommps so I think you can be comforted by that..........

We'll play 3-5-2

If we do, it will have to be with a far better equipped midfield.

It needs to be 3-4-1-2 for it to be effective, We need two playmakers/enforcers as the central two in that '4' who have the ability to deny the opposition and pass effectively (Fleck/Lundstram at the moment?) and a return to the 'Duffy' role with an attacking midfielder who has the ability to link with the two in front and even bag goals himself. Does Norwood fit that description? Nope. Never in a million years.

Unless that midfield can win the game, the wingbacks can't get forward.

We also need a fallback plan in case Wilderball isn't working, which in my view it won't.

pommpey

 

[Houston_Blade]

The first 10 games of next season will be a good indicator of where we'll end up.

Norwich last season in my opinion gave a much better account of themselves than we have so far, that's not just points on the board, it's performances and intent. They weren't good by any means but we have been dire. They kept hold of Pukki for goals and Buendia/Cantwell for creativity.

I'm resigned to losing Berge and 2 of JOC, Baldock, Bogle and Egan.

I think we need to lose Norwood, Stevens, Jags, Lundstram and Bryan as well as shite like Rodwell who is just taking up a wage. McBurnie, Burke and Brewster need to shape up quickly. Sharp and Didsy will be bit part players under a new manager.

If we can replace these with quality then we'll be ok, But Norwich and Watford kept the core of their PL side together, I don't think we'll do the same.

If we can get rid of some of the 'sludge runners' (copyright Webding) and replace them with creative players we have a good chance.

But I'm not going to come out and say we'll be top 6 based on what we have now, what we'll likely lose and how we've played for the last 12 months.

 

[pommpey]

If those rumours are true, then neither Liverpool or City are looking for Berge to win them the title, just to carry water and pass it on to a world class creative player.

We on the other hand would be looking at our record signing to dominate & win games for us, which I have not seen one ounce of proof that he can do.

I don’t doubt that he has the ability to play in the top leagues in a certain role, but to suggest we sell him & better use the money isn’t wide eyed crazy talk.

We'd be lucky to get £15m for him. He's had half a season and had little effect on any of our games. He also hits the wall on 70 minutes and fades fast.

For him to be efective in a top six side, he needs to show so much more

pommpey

 

[1987]

Helps having Sarr, Deeney (with service), Buendia, Cantwell, Pukki, Hernandez etc. Most of the regulars for these two clubs would walk into our squad/starting 11. Even when they were poor in the Prem their recruitment drives were intelligent. It seems that we didn't even put profiles together, For example we failed in getting Swift so refused to even go after another midfielder. Hilariously poor.

I see where your coming from, but in 4 games neither of them beat us last year.

Cant help but agree about midfield, seems a bit bizarre it was either swift or a brand new striker.

 

[Oreyt]

Better him the Moose I suppose.

Magical Lystery Tours. Free drink on departure. (Organise own taxi home from whatever destination we end up at).

 

[BladeTillIDie]

Funny how they kept top talent like that, but a lot of our fans on here are desperate for us to sell Berge. Strange behaviour.

Every team that gets relegated loses at least one star player. If selling Berge means we have 20 odd million on improving the midfield and keeping the defence together I'm all for it.

 

[pommpey]

Magical Lystery Tours. Free drink on departure. (Organise own taxi home from whatever destination we end up at).

Six goals last season aside, I am still struggling as to why he's still at the club and not loaned out with a wish to offload.

I'd have still much preferred Callum Robinson to that useless twat

pommpey

 

[pommpey]

Every team that gets relegated loses at least one star player. If selling Berge means we have 20 odd million on improving the midfield and keeping the defence together I'm all for it.

I bet we don't get £20m for him. £15m if we are lucky. And from that, you can also bet that only £10m will be regenerated into player funds

pommpey

 

[bypassblade]

I think Norwich have shown this season the class they have may not have been enough for PL but, it's way in front of Championship level. I'm sad to say it but we don't have an iota of the class skilful players they have, Puki scoring for fun yet he get's loads of service from his midfield.

It seems that a few teams are casting eyes over the situation with Berge, I can't see no other outcome than him leaving best of luck to him.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

Difference is that both Watford and Norwich could score goals at PL level.

Without some creativity in midfield we look well short of that - we look, to be frank, completely blunt (game after game losing to nil and never even threatening).

and unless some reinforcements are brought in I see nothing to suggest we will become free scoring in the league below either.

 

[steve26272]

We'd be lucky to get £15m for him. He's had half a season and had little effect on any of our games. He also hits the wall on 70 minutes and fades fast.

For him to be efective in a top six side, he needs to show so much more

pommpey

agree on water carrier, although sometimes you do see players that move as back up and surprise - Jota at Liverpool

I hope, with a full preseason, and facing lesser players in the Championship, he can have effect on games, and last past the 70 min mark.

It was also apparent that his style of play, pace, movement etc wasnt suited to the style established under CW

If a new manager comes in and keeps the same style of play, i say sell him (Britton under Blackwell)

If however the new guy comes in and decides to play through the midfield a bit more, then he could be a real player