birchfest

Its one thing to drop points against top 6 teams, but home to Everton etc its a case of not only trying to pick up points but also deny your relegation rivals points too. Southampton are nailed on for relegation at the moment, so really their triumphant last ditch point away there is an underachievement and only helped the others around them. Too much overhaul and still a relatively inexperienced manager at that level, they need to get smart quick or they will be back down with half the squad wanting out.

I wonder how often Celtic fans looked at us and said the same when Pukki was in his pomp, you have to factor in that he is also older know and no doubt matured.

I think the biggest drama for us will be the Kamara saga today, personally talent or not we need shot of him. I understand he hasn’t been happy but we have a new regime from 12 months ago; new SD, new Manger and effectively new owners. He should have been looking to return to Norwich and prepared to fight to get his place in the squad. On a broader note this comes down to buy in, we can have players who aren’t behind playing the new style and being part of the project. Talent is irrelevant then if it isn’t prepared to work hard. Personally I’m hoping Hull come in this afternoon with 3 million and sell on clause we probably want and we still have 6/7 hours to get whoever is on the list to try and replace him.

Sarg won’t be leaving today, we’ve not once let a player go cheap so far this window and the lateness of a any bid adds a premium. Knapper knows he will like have to sell Sargent next summer if we don’t go up, however if that’s off the back of another 20+ goal season and more pundits etc describing him as the best striker in the division, we would be in a position to really push for 30 million +.

I mean they also signed Suarez that window so six of one and half a dozen of the other

I feel very relaxed about Sarg to be honest, generally teams that have a top target and big funds go in early to secure their player, abit like Buendia and Villa being at the very start of that window. You leave it to the last minute and you know you’ll have to pay well over the odds to compensate not just the player but also for the teams inability to likely get a replacement. For that exact reason the valuation we have will likely be 5- 10 million more than clubs currently would be willing to go in for him with. I think, and it’s fairly realistic to say, when we don’t go up he will be off in the summer. But thankfully he’s on a long contract and if he pushes on and gets 20+ we could be in a position to play hardball for a club record of 40 million or so.

Going to have to respectfully file this with the Aboh upfront approach. Not going to play Hernandez the winger up front ahead of a 8 million striker we’ve just signed. They need him to show he’s the long term option upfront, Sargent will be gone if don’t go up in the summer and the rebuild for that can already start now.

Respectfully you guys putting Aboh upfront ahead of a lad we’ve just signed for 8 million quid are dreaming, he didn’t even make it off the bench against Stevenage! Loan move for him, and rightly so after the mistake made with Idah whilst he was here. I think it will be something along the lines of: Long fisher Hanley Cordoba Chrisene Gibbs McLean Hernandez Schwartau Forsythe Crnac

Back from the game and largely encouraged, Shef have looked strong already this season and historically we’ve had a hard time of it. For effectively game 3 of the new project to largely go toe to toe with them was encouraging. I know there is a clamour for the CDM but we know we aren’t in for one. I do however think in terms of unlocking that next level of chance creation depends on the Rowe replacement. The ability to stretch the game with a bit more pace and also have threats on both wings will make us a far more tricky side to pen in and will also likely open up the space that Sainz needs to thrive. I think the new lad did ok, but he’s going to want to be in the number 9 slot I’d imagine and pacy winger he’s is not. Im encouraged, little improvements and a young squad learning to play with each other each week that goes by. A lot more fun than knowing there was litterally no additional progress to be made with last years squad when they were playing to the best of their ability. With all the 18-21 year olds there is the potentially for them to get better, which hopefully week in week out will make it more and more fun going along to the games.

People seem to not be understanding the loan with obligation to buy bit, that means he is effectively sold, it just seems they want to differ payment for whatever reason till next summer. In the past that might have been an issue, however with the Americans we have people with pockets deep enough to front the money we will get next summer for now.

Anyway, back on topic I think when looking at players from a different or lower league there are certain skills you can see that are transferable and come down to the individuals skill level rather than quality of opposition. From what I’ve seen from the video so far he seems big and strong on the ball, he appears to be quite skilled with the ball in tight places and has an instinct to bring others into play. His finishing looks ok and a few with his head, but I’m encouraged that he’s not just shining because of the league he is in. Statistically he must be doing things that have got the attention of the recruitment team, we know that’s going to be the first thing that flagged him to our attention. 8 million for a striker who could get much better having just made 8 million could be a great bit of buisness.

What has Borja done to warrant a 30 million price tag? Have you seen he’s horrendous stats for Fulham… to ask the question you posed in the next post if he’s so good why didn’t Fulham snap him up or Chelsea keep him? We also don’t know the exact price, the pinkun lads seem to think it’s closer to 8 million, strikers aren’t cheap but can also hugely increase their value, seeing as Idah cost us nothing and we are likely about to make another 15-20 million off Rowe and Kamara, I think this is an astute bit of business. tell me what was your reaction when we signed Pukki? Or chucked a 1.5 at some minefield from Getafe, oh what was his name again Buendia or something? I mean that’s a crazy fee we payed as I think Getafe got him on a free! Crazy signing

Improvement from the complete no show at Oxford. Whilst I know the whole patience things rubs some up the wrong way, I’d also have to counter those already complaining how far along exactly they expected us to be after 2 games. You listen to the current coaching team, and they talk of this being an up to 3 year project, and I don’t doubt that this will take several transfer windows to move players on and bring others in capable of playing this system. The positives for me were largely that second half spell where we started to move the ball quickly and with purpose. That was how we created both goals and likely what Thorup wants us to do. I think at the moment he is also trying settle on a back four and if he can solve this issue we will play with the pace and freedom to compliment a fairly strong front line by championship standards. It was also great to have manager who was happy to make subs on 55 minutes, Wagner, Smith and Farke all were terrible for waiting too long. He seems tactically astute but needs the players for the system. The negatives for me were the obvious CB issue. Duffy slows our play by not releasing the ball fast enough and is a liability against a fast counter attack. I’m also not sure about the left back situation and frankly would like to see Doyle and Cordoba as a CB pairing as you’ve then got speed and the ability to pass out.

Well, I’ve just about shaken off the spectacle of last night. Ultimately our form stinks, our defence is a liability, we can’t dominate the midfield and there was a lacking of spark in the final 3rd. Feel free to point out if I’ve left anyone out. With the defence now is the time to shake it up. No giving the the back four ‘a chance to put it right’. Batth will be up for it agains this old club and know what they are all about, a perfect game to run him out on and Warner in alongside to grab the opportunity and show some pace and effort. Same with Fisher for right back who I thought shower real promise against Fulham. If this system doesn’t require a CDM (bloody looks like it does) can we not have our most creative and talented player picking up the ball on the edge of our own area and instead give him the freedom of the number 10 role. Forshaw as a partner for McLean who will be more suited for the duel responsibilities required of the middle two. Finally, Sainz has to start with Rowe. We need some players to actually threaten and worry the opposition, Hernandez last night wasn’t that. Long Fisher Batth Warner Giannoulis Forshaw Mclean Row Sara Sainz Idah vent over. Change it… or don’t be surprised when trying the same thing causes that same result.

Yeah, I have to admit I was at the game and wasn’t exactly impressed with chant ‘1-0 to the **** boys’ and so on as the score went up. Not big or clever, not overly surprised it was reported.