Are we next seasons Bournemouth' ?

[Stu_Blade]

Our attacking output was heavily dependent on MGW playing well and/or creating something.

I'm hoping that someone else (Ndiaye?!) will step up to the plate next season but the MGW sized hole is a lot bigger than the Henderson sized one we had the other year.

Agreed although difficult to tell with Hendo as we did have a solid defence in front of him. When Rammers was keeper he was facing nearly double the amounts of shots per game. Undoubtedly MGW has been a joy to watch and will go onto great things in the coming years, there is usually another one in the wings from Chelsea, Man City or Arsenal that might fancy first team football.

 

[FriethBlade]

One difference is I dont think there is a Fulham amongst the relegated clubs. In fact I dont think any of the 3 who have come down will finish in the automatic spots.

My original comment could also apply to WBA and if it wasnt for that idiot in charge there they would be my hot favourites to win the league. Swift and Wallace are two excellent free transfers for them.

 

[Houston_Blade]

Agreed although difficult to tell with Hendo as we did have a solid defence in front of him. When Rammers was keeper he was facing nearly double the amounts of shots per game. Undoubtedly MGW has been a joy to watch and will go onto great things in the coming years, there is usually another one in the wings from Chelsea, Man City or Arsenal that might fancy first team football.

Unfortunately based on prior performance there's more chance of getting a Ben Woodburn/James Wilson/John Cofie than an MGW.

 

[Stu_Blade]

Unfortunately based on prior performance there's more chance of getting a Ben Woodburn/James Wilson/John Cofie than an MGW.

That is also the risk. For the owner of the player it's always a win win. I am not 100% certain if we can rely on any of last year's U23s to step up just yet but will be gladly proved wrong.

 

[Houston_Blade]

That is also the risk. For the owner of the player it's always a win win. I am not 100% certain if we can rely on any of last year's U23s to step up just yet but will be gladly proved wrong.

I don't think our U23's will help us either.

We need some good and well thought out signings, not just who some PL clubs want rid of at the end of the window. I don't know how much of MGW was luck and how much was judgement, but if it was judgement then we need the same level of scouting again next season.

 

[Stu_Blade]

I don't think our U23's will help us either.

We need some good and well thought out signings, not just who some PL clubs want rid of at the end of the window. I don't know how much of MGW was luck and how much was judgement, but if it was judgement then we need the same level of scouting again next season.

Luck or judgement very savvy business either way. Depending on what we are looking for CBs wise Finlay Burns at Man City had a spell at Swansea last season a big framed player but only 18 so could be a risk. Also in CB at 25 Phillips on loan from Liverpool played at Bournemouth possible business there. However neither have set the world alight. More of a DM Bakinson at Bristol did better. The vast majority of loan signings are a couple of games played, MGW was definitely above and beyond the best loan signing last season.

 

[SuperBobbyHatton]

No. Yes.

 

[BigBed]

No, were this seasons Sheff United, just a bit different, and with showers.

 

[Lower Drop Blade]

Quite a few similarities, one season to adjust, Brewster or McBurnie score a Solanke amount of goals Berge and Ndiaye too good for the second tier and a solid back line.

Or am I dreaming?

No

 

[Mike325]

I thought we were next season's Sheffield United in 2022/23 season

 

[247Blade]

In terms of going back up at second attempt. Yes we can. Won't be easy obviously, and unfortunately we will not have Bournemouth's billions.

We must be one of the favourites to go up though, which should attract some of the best (realistic) available players/transfer targets. Loads of out of contract players in EFL.

 

[brownblade]

Which bit...?!

 

[diode_blade]

We just don't have the beaches......

 

[Stu_Blade]

We just don't have the beaches......

All depends on coastal erosion and Climate change although Sheffield-on-sea isn't too bad

 

[247Blade]

Which bit...?!

Favourites to go up .... based on what? Maybe after a few choice acquisitions .... to early to predict favorites.

 

[AnotherBlade]

Favourites to go up .... based on what? Maybe after a few choice acquisitions .... to early to predict favorites.

"One of", and currently 4th favorites at around 12/1 so that is a technically accurate statement.

 

[Zipwire]

I wouldn't say we are favourites, pragmatic head says play-offs at best for us next season.

 

[Bell4]

We don't have several hundred caravans that smell of pensioners.. So no.

We do in dinno

 

[CarlMcBlade]

I wouldn’t mind another box to box man, like (dare I say it)...John Lundstram

 

[Blade56]

Yes.

Killer of dreams, be more positive ffs

No

Stop being so outwardly positive ffs

 

[nopigfansintown]

Also worth noting that Bournemouth sold a lot of players after they went down.

True, but the wage bill was around 50 million higher than United's when they went down !
(Over 100 million). We supposedly have 50%, wage cuts taking our champ wage bill down to 30 million ish. I have doubts whether Bournemouth did. 30 million isn't a particularly high wage bill for a Champ club these days

 

[robbiez666]

True, but the wage bill was around 50 million higher than United's when they went down !
(Over 100 million). We supposedly have 50%, wage cuts taking our champ wage bill down to 30 million ish. I have doubts whether Bournemouth did. 30 million isn't a particularly high wage bill for a Champ club these days

I've always been a little dubious about the 50% figure. I'd guess most of the promotion team did but I doubt whether say Mousset or Berge would have signed for one of the relegation favourites on those terms.

 

[GodricBlade]

We don't have several hundred caravans that smell of pensioners.. So no.

We do in dinno

Is the smell of pensioners the same everywhere?
Or are there regional/local variations?
I mean, I know there’ll usually be an under-tone of piss & Werther’s - but what else is in the cocktail?
Overcooked vegetables?
Day-old baking?
Preparation H?

 

[skyjam]

Is the smell of pensioners the same everywhere?
Or are there regional/local variations?
I mean, I know there’ll usually be an under-tone of piss & Werther’s - but what else is in the cocktail?
Overcooked vegetables?
Day-old baking?
Preparation H?

magic mate 'piss and Werthers' is a term i will never forget

 

[Bell4]

Is the smell of pensioners the same everywhere?
Or are there regional/local variations?
I mean, I know there’ll usually be an under-tone of piss & Werther’s - but what else is in the cocktail?
Overcooked vegetables?
Day-old baking?
Preparation H?

Also quite a strong whiff of brylcream and rancid mushrooms

 

[Stretch]

A lot hinges on us filling the void left by MGW. We will still be a very good side without him, but his goal and assist contribution was the extra 10% that made us better than almost every other team in the league on our day.

The lad was truly special and I haven't got a clue how we replace that. It might need to be a couple of players who can share the burden.

Some more energy in central midfield and another striker wouldn't go amiss either.

 

[nopigfansintown]

I've always been a little dubious about the 50% figure. I'd guess most of the promotion team did but I doubt whether say Mousset or Berge would have signed for one of the relegation favourites on those terms.

It'll be in the accounts one way or the other. I know that Wilder mentioned it in a Boro interview:

"I was at a club that got relegated from the Premier League and there was a reduction, I would say universally a 50% reduction in everybody's wage which obviously allowed for the continuity and the club not being put in a messy financial situation".

Wilder on parachute payments and the distribution of PL money

Chris Wilder was asked about one of the biggest financial issues facing football in England ahead of Middlesbrough's game with Fulham

www.gazettelive.co.uk

 

[Stu_Blade]

A lot hinges on us filling the void left by MGW. We will still be a very good side without him, but his goal and assist contribution was the extra 10% that made us better than almost every other team in the league on our day.

The lad was truly special and I haven't got a clue how we replace that. It might need to be a couple of players who can share the burden.

Some more energy in central midfield and another striker wouldn't go amiss either.

Agreed for me if we play with Ndiaye and Berge in the diamond with a striker Brewster/Sharp whoever is fit I can see that formation continuing to work wonders. Although the workload will need to be shared especially if we are relying on a 36 year old Billy and an injury recovering Brewster. It does heavily rely on fitness and solid defence but the counter attack gives you so many options as shown in the 2nd game against Forest without any strikers the goals weren't wonder goals but played to perfection, crisp quick and smooth passing with purpose and an end product. We aren't going to score with every move as we know but if we have the "Since Hecky" defence we will definitely win more than we lose.

 

[blade too long]

cant we be this seasons Fulham
brewster taking mitrovics record

 

[Snowflake]

I wouldn't say we are favourites, pragmatic head says play-offs at best for us next season.

It must depend on who comes and and how they play.
With a great window we are top two, but with what we have left we are mid table at best.
My guess is some quality in and 4th place