Midfielders

[Withington Blade]

That’s a great pick up for them quality player the comparisons with eze are clear to see.

Agreed, seems another very astute, low-risk signing if the reported fee is accurate.

 

[Snowflake]

That’s a great pick up for them quality player the comparisons with eze are clear to see.

One less for us to worry about.
The more quality players that move on from Championship the better.

 

[Yogi]

One less for us to worry about.
The more quality players that move on from Championship the better.

True I think a few of the challengers from last year will fall away. Reading and Barnsley definitely will and I think Swansea will probably lose of few key players before the window closes. Others will come on strong to take their place though Bristol city seem to be doing some canny business and have an experienced manager.

 

[AdamSufc1997]

Utter madness they let him go for 8m

 

[BerksBlade]

8m for Olise seems like a really good deal.

 

[dc_blade]

Reading are in FFP bother.

 

[Yogi]

Utter madness they let him go for 8m

On the plus side for us that sets the market this summer. Some of the top young talents in the championship might not be as unattainable as I thought they might be.

 

[Grappler]

Reading are in FFP bother.

Wonder if a cheeky bid for Joao would work?

 

[Liaminho9]

Apparently the Olise £8m was his release clause

 

[blades14]

Reading are in FFP bother.

Josh Laurent

 

[Mouth of the South]

If Reading are indeed in distress there may be a few possible targets, some of which have been linked to Utd previously - the pick would probably be Ejaria but Meite, Rinomhota, Swift and possibly even Aluko (if SJ is considering playing a formation that includes wide forwards) may also be options

 

[Toronto Blade fan]

Ejatia and Rinomhota would be my picks from reading. Maybe Swift if we could get him for cheap enough

 

[Champagneblade]

Would have been a good Duffy replacement last year if we hadn't spunked so much on Brewster.

 

[Yogi]

Would have been a good Duffy replacement last year if we hadn't spunked so much on Brewster.

True but I understand why no one moved for him last summer needed a bit more game time this summer feels like the natural time for him to move up. The lad at QPR chair will be the one who moves next summer although if we could get in for him now I would.

 

[Berlin Blade]

When was the last time we had a player like that? Seriously. I really hope that under Slav we are going to get some wide players that are really direct and have dynamite pace. EVERY fucker else has one.

 

[Yogi]

When was the last time we had a player like that? Seriously. I really hope that under Slav we are going to get some wide players that are really direct and have dynamite pace. EVERY fucker else has one.

Brooks probably I agree though I hope we recruit one or two this summer who if not the finished article yet could develop into it.

 

[Champagneblade]

I see David Brooks' contract expires in the summer.

Worth keeping an eye on, depending on how we end up?

He'd be a tempting free at 25 if he can start to get a run of games.

He'd be excellent in a 4-3-3 out wide.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

I see David Brooks' contract expires in the summer.

Worth keeping an eye on, depending on how we end up?

He'd be a tempting free at 25 if he can start to get a run of games.

He'd be excellent in a 4-3-3 out wide.

I’m sure they’ll be a significant number of PL clubs who would take the risk by offering him a very sizeable contract given there’s no fee.

 

[ancientblade]

Brooks probably I agree though I hope we recruit one or two this summer who if not the finished article yet could develop into it.

i think its time to ditch the wingback system and bring a couple of pacey wide players in and i think slav will dont think theres any way we will be playing 352 next season

 

[Yogi]

i think its time to ditch the wingback system and bring a couple of pacey wide players in and i think slav will dont think theres any way we will be playing 352 next season

Don’t see the wingbacks or attacking fullbacks going if I’m honest I think 3-5-2 and 3-4-3 are the most likely formations we’ll play. Even if we play a 4-3-3 I think we’ll still see the fullbacks pushed high up.

 

[ancientblade]

Don’t see the wingbacks or attacking fullbacks going if I’m honest I think 3-5-2 and 3-4-3 are the most likely formations we’ll play. Even if we play a 4-3-3 I think we’ll still see the fullbacks pushed high up.

as you know 433 is my preference still very much doubt we will continue with overlapping centre backs so dont see the point of 352 anymore slav will want pace out wide and apart from burke we aint got any

 

[Yogi]

as you know 433 is my preference still very much doubt we will continue with overlapping centre backs so dont see the point of 352 anymore slav will want pace out wide and apart from burke we aint got any

I agree the overlapping centrebacks is out the window but most back 3’s are very effective without it. I think we’ll go for some pace outwide what ever the formation.

 

[BerksBlade]

If Reading are indeed in distress there may be a few possible targets, some of which have been linked to Utd previously - the pick would probably be Ejaria but Meite, Rinomhota, Swift and possibly even Aluko (if SJ is considering playing a formation that includes wide forwards) may also be options

They are in trouble with the FFP feds. Laurent & Rinomhota would be good options, as would Tom McIntyre at CB (although I think he's just signed a new contract)

 

[Weasel]

Surely there must be a decent technical midfielder or two available at a decent price from over in Spain that our new first team coach will be aware of....?

Probably much better value for money if we can identify a player or two from overseas and provided they meet the working criteria post Brexit. Be nice to see some pace and power in the midfield after we looked a bit powder puff at times last season in that department.

 

[Yogi]

Surely there must be a decent technical midfielder or two available at a decent price from over in Spain that our new first team coach will be aware of....?

Probably much better value for money if we can identify a player or two from overseas and provided they meet the working criteria post Brexit. Be nice to see some pace and power in the midfield after we looked a bit powder puff at times last season in that department.

He’s not going to give you power but I wonder if the reported interest in Ryan Gauld earlier in the window was genuine he’s a lovely little player.

 

[ancientblade]

I agree the overlapping centrebacks is out the window but most back 3’s are very effective without it. I think we’ll go for some pace outwide what ever the formation.

if were still going with wingbacks osborn would be the one for me on the left hes got pace and for me its his best position and maybe robinson and stevens will be the options for lcb if slav opts for 3 at the back think both would be good enough there for the championship

 

[Yogi]

if were still going with wingbacks osborn would be the one for me on the left hes got pace and for me its his best position and maybe robinson and stevens will be the options for lcb if slav opts for 3 at the back think both would be good enough there for the championship

RND for me at left back if he wants to operate like he did at Fulham where the right back pushed right up and got to the byline and the left back still got forward but crossed from a deeper position. RND has a wicked left foot so would seem suited to that with either baldock or bogle getting you and to the byline.

 

[ancientblade]

RND for me at left back if he wants to operate like he did at Fulham where the right back pushed right up and got to the byline and the left back still got forward but crossed from a deeper position. RND has a wicked left foot so would seem suited to that with either baldock or bogle getting you and to the byline.

you may well be right yogi like rnds attitude in going to pre season in spain havent seen much of him has he got plenty of pace ? one things for sure very much doubt we will be pissing about in triangles out wide anymore under slav

 

[Yogi]

you may well be right yogi like rnds attitude in going to pre season in spain havent seen much of him has he got plenty of pace ? one things for sure very much doubt we will be pissing about in triangles out wide anymore under slav

He’s no slouch capable of getting round the back for certain but not Burke or mousset fast.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

Watching the inside preseason videos just shows how well stocked we are in most departments, apart from midfield doesn't it?

We have:
Norwood - readily involved.
Ozzy - readily involved.
Brunt - youngster
Freeman - I hope he gets his chance here now.
Fleck - presumably extended rest after the Euros.
Berge - MIA?!

Ideally, we need spend what funds we have on centre mid, adding bodies, bite and creativity.

Well that, and I'd also streamline the GK department and add quality that is realistically sufficiently good enough to play. Ideally Ramsdale +1. If that can be Verrips, great. Then keep a kid there and loan 2 of Eastwood, Dewhurst and Amissah out, release Foderingham.