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We have let 14 players go - most of them on loan - but there has been a few 1st team players such as Sol, Mowatt, Chaplin and of course Dike who was only here on loan.
We have brought 5 players in:
Cole - who looks short of confidence but the bit I’ve seen of him - especially his speed - he’s going to be a good acquisition.
Benson - a fabulous signing. A player in the Danny Drinkwater and Ben Pearson mould - a player only a few years ago we would only get on loan.
Leya - video clips of him look impressive - not very tall but a strong quick striker - but we will have to wait and see.
Gomes - (loan) again video clips of him look impressive. A young midfield player that covers every inch of grass - very much reminds me of a young Kante.
Obbi - video clips of him look great. A 6’5” striker. IMO this is the most important and exciting signing of this window. If the backroom staff can get this guy up to speed then he will transform the team.
Conclusion.
We didn’t get the experience in midfield that Schopp has spoken about - and neither did we get the left wing back.
But IMO - other than the absence of experience in the squad we now have strong cover in every other position - except one - target striker.
We have only 2 tall strong strikers at the club and if one is out injured or suspended ie Morris then that leaves us with just one - Obbi.
Fingers crossed Obbi can fill the boots left by Dike.
The club needs to recognise that this is an important part of the squad and as such there should be an adequate number of players (3?) that are able to do that job.
In saying that about the target strikers - the club has held on to its priced assets of Styles and Helik etc etc.
The club (Paul Conway) said they weren’t going to sell - and they haven’t !!!
We have also paid out decent money for players brought in (compare that with other clubs like Birmingham that have brought in a shed load - and all of them on loan.
IMO it’s been a fabulous transfer window and as a consequence of that we now have ….
THE STRONGEST SQUAD IN MY LIFETIME.
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I have been more impressed by the--
late 70's/ early 80's Glavin squad
the 1997 to 2000 promotion and Hignett squads
the 2016 Wembley squad
This present squad must be nailed on for big things this season then Nudge.
Last edited by SBRed48; 01-09-2021 at 09:26 AM.
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I see where you are coming from Nudger and appreciate your optimism mate but I see it as a massive gamble from the owners?
Mowatt’s replacement is Benson who in snatches has shown real quality but he is a young lad who is still learning and hasn’t had a full season behind him so only time will tell.
Gomes is another kid who has more experience but in Holland and the Championship is a different animal if he turns out to be good he will go somewhere else just like Dike.
Obi has a history of injuries I think we will be lucky to get 20 games out of him, seems to me like it will be play 2 rest 2 so we don’t risk a long term injury as the amount of games they play in a season now is borderline stupid.
Iseka looks good on video but again will the Championship find him out, only time will tell.
I’m glad we kept Helik, Andersen and Styles however we can all see that this won’t be for long and a mediocre season will only hasten their departures.
We have definitely missed a trick in this window, it’s clear to me now that Styles will continue at LWB with Palmer, Benson and Gomes revolving in Midfield, with any injury to Styles leaving us with a massive headache.
If Obi does struggle at the moment our only option as a replacement is Victor!
Once again the manager has said give me experience and again they haven’t listened, opting to go for a young player on loan to back up young players.
Personally I can see this all going wrong with a couple of key injuries.
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No were near as good as the 97 boys.. im sorry but there just not.... I do like the look of the team though.
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A decent transfer market by the reds imo.
Id like to know just how the non parachute teams have been splashing cash on big wages and so on... ie qpr.... hmmmm FFP my arse.
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My assessment is that it could have been better but it could have been a whole lot worse , I'd have liked a left back and another midfield player but not at the cost of having to sell Helik , Andersen or Styles .
We've a group of young talented championship footballers , it would be harsh to suggest they aren't .
What needs to happen now is to set these lads up correctly , formation , style of play and get them well drilled to produce good enough results .
Over to you Markus and your team to get the best tune you can out of the group .
Nice two weeks on that training ground to start this process .
My target is 30 points on January 2nd and 50 points as soon as possible in the new year .
I don't see any reason why that's not achievable .
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Those are teams - not the squad.Originally Posted by SBRed48
That’s why I said squad.
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The squad will look a lot stronger after the break.Anderson,the 2 Belgium lads and Morris not far off.
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Schopp and Laumann were seen in Manchester Airport departures early Sunday morning legging it home so not sure they will get the full two weeks on the training ground.
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I think Animal is right in what he's saying. It's early days but the players may take a bit more time to acclimatise to the football Schopp wants to play. Ittull come in time.
I don't think the squad is the strongest in my time as a reds fan by any means. In fact nowhere near imo. The lack of options that can make a difference off the bench in recent games tells its own story. The Belgium lads will obviously give us more options after the international break and Gomez coming in too.
The 99/00 squad would be the strongest I've seen in my time. We had 4 very good strikers in Shipperley, Sheron, Hristov and Bruce Dyer- all quality at championship level. We had the best wing back in the division in Darren Barnard. Hignett was the best goalscoring midfielder in the championship too. Thy ed likes o Robin Van de Laan, Tinkler, Geoff Thomas, Eaden, Appleby, Moses, Bullock, Morgan, Chettle, Curtis. A very experienced squad of proven Championship players and they provided us with one of the most entertaining seasons a can remember
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