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Aggy

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Everything posted by Aggy

  1. Scoring in 43 out of 46 and only losing two away all season are excellent stats. McLean is one of those I think does go a bit unnoticed. He seems to go under the radar a little bit but is tidy enough. Stiepermann did get quite a bit of credit on here throughout the season - I think when he’s having an off day though it can be very off, and he sometimes looks a bit lazy with possession, which is why he attracted some criticism at times.
  2. A Sky sports article mentioned a couple of weeks ago that Webber was one of the best candidates in the UK with actual experience and success. Presumably the tabloid journalists have just got round to reading that.... It doesn’t seem the right fit for me. He’s not done it at a big club before or even taken a club like us to say, Europe/continuous relative success in the Prem. He has (as far as I’m aware) no links to Utd (which Utd seem to be keen on - “knows the ‘United way’”). He wouldn’t have the same level of control there as he has here. Utd are a mess. I expect he’ll stay with us for another season or two. Then, if we are successful, he might go to a top top side. If we stagnate/get relegated, I’d guess he’ll go abroad.
  3. Seems like sour grapes to me and can’t see it going anywhere. How have Boro lost out? Finishing 7th instead of 6th? They can’t guarantee they would have won in the playoffs so we’re talking a couple of hundred thousand in TV rights money for finishing one place higher? A quick google search this morning suggests Boro’s wage bill is probably higher than Derby’s, which rather flies in the face of any argument Boro might have that “more money guarantees success”. And they’d have to actually prove Derby have breached FFP (no idea whether they have or haven’t).
  4. Probably a fair point MW. “Kick the ball” would have probably sufficed.
  5. Isn’t your penultimate sentence there though sort of the point.....we can’t afford to have three or four proven prem strikers. So, would we prefer two new out and out strikers (one being Rhodes who offers little by way of flexibility in covering other positions) with less money available to strengthen elsewhere, or one new striker plus one attacking midfielder who can play upfront if needs be? I suppose if that attacking midfielder/forward IS the second choice striker and Rhodes is the third choice, then that could work. However, it then again all comes down to money. The majority seem to think if he is cheap enough then we wouldn’t mind him being here next season. I wouldn’t want us to pull out all the stops to get him though if that means we can’t afford who we want in their positions - I don’t think he’ll be important enough next season for us to do that. Either way - it will be interesting to see how we do approach his transfer window, and whether we can find any more gems from abroad.
  6. When you think a pitch is 90-120m in length and 45-90m wide, an 18m pass is equivalent to somewhere between half and a third of the width of the pitch, or looking at it length-ways it is equivalent to just under the size of the box. When you think about a long cross field ball, goal kicks (even short goal kicks are probably over 18metres) corners, freekicks, crosses, defenders playing it across the backline without pressure, it’s not hard to see how the average ends up that high.
  7. Bethnal makes a fair point though.... do we want a third choice who is a fairly one dimensional “poacher” type striker (especially one who would be on fairly high wages)? If he’s going to be third choice, we might be better saving the money and getting a 2nd choice out and out striker plus a second choice/rotation attacking midfielder who can fill in up top if Pukki and second choice get injured.
  8. I think the problem for Rhodes was always going to be financial. I think he’d be a decent third choice option next season. He isn’t a like for like swap for Pukki, but useful to have to bring on last twenty minutes when chasing games and need to go two up top or need something different. However, he is probably going to be too expensive (fee and salary) for a third choice striker when we’re going to need to bring in a second as well. I would have no problem whatsoever with him being here again next season - but only (as the article says) if the price is right.
  9. Really interesting stats. Comparing Godfrey and Zimmerman you really see the difference. Godfrey passing percentage (in both halves) is far superior. He has made fewer interceptions, clearances and blocks than Zimmerman but has made more tackles. He has also won a lower percentage of duels and aerial duels than Zimmerman. Godfrey and Klose is similar to Godfrey vs Zimmerman. Klose has even higher duels and aerial duels won percentage than Zimmerman. Godfrey also has fewer blocks, interceptions and clearances than Klose. I would say a natural defender is likely to make more blocks and interceptions than they probably would tackles - tackles often mean (especially in the middle of the park rather than a full back who is more likely to get taken on down the wing) that you’re slightly out of position and have to tackle to make up for it. Interestingly, Godfrey’s duels won percentage, aerial duels won percentage, and successful passing percentage are all almost identical to Trybull. The only real difference between the two on percentages is tackle success (Godfrey’s significantly higher). Also very similar when comparing Godfrey and McLean and Godfrey and Tettey. Obviously these are just stats, and the way we play we need one centre half with good passing skills. But from an individual point of view, I think the stats suggest he would be equally (if not more) at home in midfield as he would at the back. Wouldnt be surprised if in some games next year we play Klose and Zimmerman cb, push Godfrey into a floating dm/cb type role.
  10. The figures (in OP) aren’t massively different, but Klose is imo better defensively than Godfrey. However, Godfrey probably offers more with the ball at his feet. I expect we will see plenty of both next season as there will be times when we will I am sure set up slightly more “solidly” than we have done for the large part this season. With Godfrey, I’m not sure if it is a case of switching off, or whether it is a lack of natural positional sense and awareness at the back. Centre half and defensive midfield is very different positionally and there have been a number of times this season when Godfrey has been caught out of position. Sometimes it is almost as though he thinks about going for the ball, then thinks he should stay with his man and gets caught in between (all within a split second decision). I’ve said on other threads that I think Godfrey will make a good centre half, but I think he would probably have made / will make a better midfielder for this reason - he has the attributes to succeed in both positions, but I think he probably has more natural awareness and positional sense in the midfield role.
  11. In some ways Solskjaer seems to more fit what they want for the sporting director role (the main criteria seemingly being that they played for Ferguson). He hasn’t had much by way of managerial success but does know the club, does know the sort of players they need and has (presumably as manager) had dealings with directors etc on a fairly regular basis. The comparison between Woodward/Utd and us with Webber is interesting. What we’ve had with Webber is a clearly defined plan - a structure to the club, a style of play, style of player we want to recruit, focus on youth etc. Utd had that with Ferguson (whose role by many accounts covered what nowadays would be he roles of manager and “sporting director”). They haven’t had it since. Lots of people could have a plan but it’s about implementing it (well). That Webber has implemented his plan so well and so quickly shows how good he is.
  12. I didn’t see this mentioned anywhere on here, but SSN did an article a week or so ago about Man Utd’s search for a director of football. They didn’t say that Man Utd were interested in Webber, but in their article they had a category of “experts in the field”. Webber was the first name mentioned. (There were other categories, with Ferdinand in particular mentioned as a result of him being a recent-ish ex-Utd player with some sort of football related business background from his recruitment agency.) I think it’s perhaps too soon for the likes of ManUtd to be coming in for him, but if in two or three years time we are an “established” premier league club finishing mid table or above then it wouldn’t be surprising if that sort of club go after him. Interestingly, another name mentioned for Man Utd was Paul Mitchell. He was at MK Dons, then Southampton, got them up, went to Spurs (now at Leipzig). Could see Webber making similar moves.
  13. ...And Leicester spent c.£35-45 million (depending on source) on transfer fees alone the season they went on to win the league and had spent over £20 million on transfer fees the season before, their first season up. When you factor in wages and agents fees etc. as well, those figures are a pretty big chunk out of what you’ll get from one season of TV money. I will be very surprised if we spend £20 million just in transfer fees this summer.
  14. Personally I think it’s fair enough. I’d agree (and I’m sure the players would) that it’s better for the players to play the nations league games early and then have all summer off. Most clubs have a wide range of nationalities playing for them, so it doesn’t really prejudice one particular nation. Nations league really is not important and it’s basically a friendly competition - if a few English players are a bit tired or don’t play because they’ve played in a champions league final then so be it.
  15. If we have five in the champions league, how many are in the Europa league? Does it become 5 plus 3 or 5 plus 2? Normally it’s 4 plus 3 isn’t it.. ? top 4 - champs league, FA cup winner plus 5th and 6th - europa league. If FA cup winner is in champs league, then 5, 6 and 7 Europa league? (Different qualification stages.)
  16. If you read the article without the comments from the author, her comments are pretty fair really. The bits in bold and underlined below are really the crux of what she is saying - and fair comment if you ask me. Article with just Brady’s quotes: “If I can offer promoted Norwich and Sheffield United one piece of advice — don't try to survive in the Premier League on the cheap. "Yes, Bournemouth managed it four years ago, magnificently in the light of average attendances. But in Eddie Howe, they had a manager of remarkable ability who had no other way than to build gradually and hope for the best. "Norwich's Daniel Farke and Chris Wilder of Sheffield United have proved outstanding in the Championship — arguably the most competitive league in the country. “My clubs have been there a few times, nervously edging our way back up through the play-offs. "It is not true that Delia feeds the squad on bratwurst. "She and co-owner husband Michael Wynn Jones became the major shareholders no less than 23 years ago and have plenty of Premier League experience. "They know Farke needs all the support they can give and, although this amounts to much more than cash for transfers and contracts, these are of critical importance. "Yes, Bournemouth have stayed up on a relatively small budget while Fulham spent £113million last summer after coming up and lasted a season. "But generally, you must concentrate on trying to buy the best players you can afford — as Wolves did last season. "West Ham have done well because we have rich Hammers supporters as owners and a 60,000 capacity stadium. That is roughly twice what Carrow Road or Bramall Lane can hold. There is little chance they will be so prolific next season and the clubs' scouts will join every other side in Europe in scouring the globe for strikers capable of scoring a dozen and more a season. "The price of one alone can blow a decent hole in £100m. And then there is the challenge keeping out Sergio Aguero, Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and Co. "Welcome to the toughest league in the world.
  17. Does it? If the right player(s) come(s) along who would be a good fit for the club, fit into Farke’s way of playing and would take us to an extra level, then I would agree that it would be better to spend on them than deliberately withhold money as a “savings fund” instead. I wouldn’t be happy if we failed to sign a perfect player because they wanted an extra 5k a week but that extra would dig into a “savings fund”. However, Fulham spent all available resource and that got them nowhere. Far more important than how much we spend is who we bring in. I won’t be disappointed if we don’t spend all of our money because the right players don’t come along and I don’t think that we need to spend everything possible to stay up.
  18. So are lots of others who already have experience of and have proven they can cut it in European football.
  19. I don’t see it this year. Utd won’t spend 15 mil on youngsters with no premier league experience - their defence is a shambles and they’ll spend big on proven players with European experience or at least top level experience - they need Van Dijk type signings, not someone who has had one good season in the championship. Whilst Godfrey’s passing might make him attractive, there have been a few question marks over his defensive ability, and I can’t see a top 6 side gambling on him. Buy and loan back does happen, but not all that often and not usually for players who are going to command 15-20 million quid transfer fees. If anything, I see Aarons as being the most likely to leave - Spurs, Liverpool and Man City all use attacking full backs, the workload on those full backs is immense and I imagine they’d all be on the look out for a young English full back with attacking ability. Godfrey needs to prove that he’s defensively good enough in the prem before top sides will be interested in him. They’re more likely to “take a punt” on Aarons imo (although I don’t see that happening this year either).
  20. I don’t see Godfrey or Aarons leaving this year. We don’t need to sell after promotion, so will hold out for big money. I’m not sure clubs will spend huge sums on defenders who have no premier league experience (and in the case of Aarons, no experience at all before this season). And let’s remember that Maddison, one of the best players in the championship last season, went to Leicester - not a top 6 big boy - and we had to sell for financial reasons. I can’t see a Leicester type side paying big money on a defender and I can’t see our lads forcing a move to someone else in the mid table/relegation melee. I also can’t see a top 6 side coming in for them this season - not until they’ve proven they’re good enough for the prem. I’d be more worried about losing them next summer.
  21. Agree with this. Tettey will play a part next season, but at his age he isn’t going to be playing 90 mins week in week out in the prem - and I don’t think we’ve got anyone else who offers us the same defensive protection. If we can find someone who offers Tettey level defensive protection with decent ball playing ability too, I think that’s one area we can upgrade. Depending on money and targets, we might “combine” the winger and striker so we have a tidy player who can play either wing, up front or in the Stiepermann role. We do need some additions there though however we go about strengthening. I think Krul will likely be number 1 at the start of next season, but if the right keeper came along at the right price, I imagine we would try to get them.
  22. I would take survival every time personally. However, with this squad, if we tried to play the Pulis/Allardyce way we’d get stuffed every week. We will have to play how we have done this year (maybe with minor tweaks occasionally to add a bit more defensive cover) and we’ll either stay up or not. But it’s the only way this squad should and will play.
  23. Would largely agree with that (Pinto confirmed to be leaving). I would expect Cantwell to stay and to be a part of our squad next season, although depending on who we bring in he might be loaned out for a year of experience (rather than sitting on the bench with us). Tettey has to stay for next year - prem experience, still probably our best holding midfielder in terms of out and out defensive ability. Isn’t going to play 90 minutes all that often in the prem but useful to have around. Can’t really see anyone else major leaving this year. We’ve got no reason to sell, so the only way I could see the likes of Aarons, Godfrey, Lewis leaving is if they wanted to force a move through (and we would then hold out for big big money). I can’t see why any of them would want to move to another mid table/relegation fighting side. And I think the top 6 are unlikely to offer the sort of money we would demand until they’ve seen whether those players can cut it in the prem.
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