Tzolis has arrived.

[TheGunnShow 5,207]

Well, he's finally signed. Could well end up getting a bench spot straight away here. Very much interested in seeing how the younger ones we've signed, so him and Sargent in particular, develop under Farke's coaching. Definitely looks like a way of being a bit speedier in moving the ball around and not being caught in front of an organised defence.

Norwich City sign Christos Tzolis from PAOK | Eastern Daily Press (edp24.co.uk)

[Google Bot 2,725]

Also nice to get someone in from a team who's had a bit of success in their domestic competitions (Even though Cup was a bit of a joke with so few teams involved).  My worry with the Werder Bremen lads is the poor seasons they've endured, it's not an easy league to turn your fortunes around.

I know Brentford has the youngest average age squad, but we can't be far off them now.  Tzolis is younger than Gilmour.

[TheGunnShow 5,207]

19 minutes ago, Google Bot said:

Also nice to get someone in from a team who's had a bit of success in their domestic competitions (Even though Cup was a bit of a joke with so few teams involved).  My worry with the Werder Bremen lads is the poor seasons they've endured, it's not an easy league to turn your fortunes around.

I know Brentford has the youngest average age squad, but we can't be far off them now.  Tzolis is younger than Gilmour.

Can work both ways to be fair, Rashica and Sargent will have experience of a dysfunctional team in a relegation battle, as opposed to a well-run team that made a step up. Could motivate them to fight even harder.

Those Kosovans look a really spiky and spirited set. Impressed me when they faced England even though in the grand scheme of things, the team was fairly average. Made quite a fight of it in the 5-3, particularly in the second half, and the 0-4 in Prishtina was a strange game where Kosovo were causing quite a lot of trouble and didn't deserve to lose by 4.

[Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man 3,412]

2 minutes ago, TheGunnShow said:

Can work both ways to be fair, Rashica and Sargent will have experience of a dysfunctional team in a relegation battle, as opposed to a well-run team that made a step up. Could motivate them to fight even harder.

Agreed, it could be argued that signing players who impressed in a relegation battle is probably more relevant than signing players who scored goals for a top team in a slightly weaker league like van Wolfswinkel.

[Google Bot 2,725]

40 minutes ago, Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man said:

Agreed, it could be argued that signing players who impressed in a relegation battle is probably more relevant than signing players who scored goals for a top team in a slightly weaker league like van Wolfswinkel.

While that can be argued, it's equally applicable that they were part of a team who barely survived the previous year on away goals, and got relegated the next season.

If they're expecting to come here for a fresh start and to find form on our upward trajectory... Then that isn't happening, it falls on them to perform and be willing to lose possession/take risks as attacking players.

You need to be a very strong character, and have great self belief to take those risks - especially moving countries and into top tier league.  Two relegation battles isn't exactly the best mental preparation.

Take Todd, he's willing to look a **** on the field to advance his game and pull off some magic.  But then he's comfortable with his surroundings as he's been here so long - but even then, gets **** from supporters.

[TheGunnShow 5,207]

Just now, Google Bot said:

While that can be argued, it's equally applicable that they were part of a team who barely survived the previous year on away goals, and got relegated the next season.

If they're expecting to come here for a fresh start and to find form on our upward trajectory... Then that isn't happening, it falls on them to perform and be willing to lose possession/take risks as attacking players.

You need to be a very strong character, and have great self belief to take those risks - especially moving countries and into top tier league.  Two relegation battles isn't exactly the best mental preparation.

Take Todd, he's willing to look a **** on the field to advance his game and pull off some magic.  But then he's comfortable with his surroundings as he's been here so long - but even then, gets **** from supporters.

Feasible, certainly - but I think it's fair to say a dysfunctional environment / poorly run club is likely to be a very unsettling factor. Bremen were/are apparently in serious financial straits and also with some issues behind the scenes, and have lost several good players over the last few seasons - ever since they just missed out on Europe - without their being adequately replaced.

Compare that sort of crisis-ridden environment with the calmness we have here, and it's not hard to see jittery players suddenly come along and really show what they have. But it could work in many different ways, that's part of the fun of sport.

[Uncle Fred 526]

Sounds like we may have an Emi replacement 

[Kenny Foggo 1,038]

Farke seems very excited by his arrival so really looking forward to seeing him in a City shirt.

[Yelloow Since 72 53]

4 hours ago, Uncle Fred said:

Sounds like we may have an Emi replacement 

More than one maybe. Rashica and Tzolis are the obvious ones, but Sargent can also play as an AM and has a similar defensive tenacity to Buendia when the ball is lost, but without the hotheaded over reactions. Increasing the number of goals from midfield could be the key this season.

Edited August 12, 2021 by Yelloow Since 72

[Google Bot 2,725]

1 hour ago, TheGunnShow said:

Compare that sort of crisis-ridden environment with the calmness we have here, and it's not hard to see jittery players suddenly come along and really show what they have. But it could work in many different ways, that's part of the fun of sport.

Yeah, that fun is what excites me.  Pondering that we could be anywhere from rock bottom to pushing up middle table positions - purely based on what reality these players bring is why I'm so excited for the season.

I really like how we've got pockets of players sharing national, and previous league/club links too.  And also, the players we've got in just seem really decent hard working players without any kind of ego, i noted Gilmour interview yesterday talking about how 'we' got promoted and last time 'we' were in the prem - There's a very definite sense of inclusion and personal investment from these players.

 

[Yelloow Since 72 53]

4 hours ago, Google Bot said:

Yeah, that fun is what excites me.  Pondering that we could be anywhere from rock bottom to pushing up middle table positions - purely based on what reality these players bring is why I'm so excited for the season.

I really like how we've got pockets of players sharing national, and previous league/club links too.  And also, the players we've got in just seem really decent hard working players without any kind of ego, i noted Gilmour interview yesterday talking about how 'we' got promoted and last time 'we' were in the prem - There's a very definite sense of inclusion and personal investment from these players.

 

It's also the range of options the new players bring. We could play 3 at the back and still have a lethal attack perming any three from Pukki, Sargent, Cantwell, Rashica or Tzolis, with 4 of those 5 able to play as a striker or AM.