Transfer in's and out's rumours etc.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

I'm suggesting that despite his unquestioned coaching capabilities (look at what he did with a middling squad in both 2018/19 and 19/20), he isn't entirely successful in terms of either loan players or permanent signings, the record would support that.

You mention just about the only successes achieved since he arrived at the club since June 2018 (although how you can put Casilla in that list is beyond me). There are literally scores of players that have been brought in never to be seen again before being transferred out, or played once/twice and then discarded (go to TransferMarkt, they are all there).

As always, when I post something critical of the club (in whatever area of its operations) I am accused of suggesting all is "doom and gloom", rather than voicing scepticism about the ability of our DoF to identify and acquire real quality additions to the 1st team squad, and of the coach to either challenge what Orta proposes, or identify the weaknesses in those proposed, the record in that area simply doesn't come close to the magic that Bielsa has worked with the squad he has.

We need better than Casilla for the prem and Meslier looks to have jumped ahead of him. For all his faults he was better than what we had BPF was more of a liability. I still don’t think Casilla is a shocker he is just prone to random lapses which can cost us but also has moments of brilliance. The point being that at the time we signed him he improved the squad albeit not as much as you may have liked.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Confirmation from his agent that White will not be moving this summer TO LEEDS.

Clearly he'll be moving somewhere, probably Man City or Liverpool, so i guess the John Stones option might come back on the table. Speaking to a work colleague Arsenal fan, Holding is more of a stopper than a ballplaying defender, so if we get him perhaps we are going to get a second CB, because two Coopers aren't going to stop two thirds of the strikers in the PL.

Looks like we will have Koch penetrating from the rear this season instead.

[Jezleeds]

Looks like we will have Koch penetrating from the rear this season instead.

I'd rather have Cooper Koch than be left with Holding Koch.

[WTF11]

We need better than Casilla for the prem and Meslier looks to have jumped ahead of him. For all his faults he was better than what we had BPF was more of a liability. I still don’t think Casilla is a shocker he is just prone to random lapses which can cost us but also has moments of brilliance. The point being that at the time we signed him he improved the squad albeit not as much as you may have liked.

No, he didnt. Statistics dont lie (although I know their interpretation can be challenging).

Team performance while BPF was between the sticks was better that when he was replaced by Casilla, stats on all areas apart from distribution show that. Now we have Meslier, that issue has been addressed.

Doesnt change the fact that Casilla was not an improvement to the keeper we had. "Moments if brilliance" dont win you promotion and it's just as well he got himself banned or we might be facing another season in the Championship (just as we were following his performances that would have been comical if not for their consequences, at the end of last season).

[Jezleeds]

Asturian I've been waiting on you posting about Rodrigo before drawing any conclusions on the transfer.

Great to hear that you're so positive with your local knowledge.

Looking forward to seeing him play now after reading what you've said - I did read a suggestion as well that the way he plays would enable link up with Bamford and free the latter from some of the hold up responsibility and let him concentrate on being a striker - wonder if he's a Pablo replacement, with Pablo coming from the bench?

[asturianblanco]

yeah, id say long term replacement for Pablo, though seeing them in the same team will be mental, they will tear some of the cr@p defenses a new one!
used to have a season ticket at Valencia, so i still watch a few games now and then, they were aweful last year but in most games Rodrigo was the stand out player on the pitch irrespective of the opposition.
Make no mistake Valencia are a financial clusterF, as we were a few years back, and would not be contemplating selling him otherwise, all the spanish press saying this is massive for LUFC!

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Even more excited by Rodrigo now. I almost feel like a kid again yearning for the new season to begin.

So looks like Koch next and then maybe Kent and if not him possibly Watkins. Young lad from Arsenal Sam Greenwood and they seem to be looking at another midfielder.

Heady times!

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

No, he didnt. Statistics dont lie (although I know their interpretation can be challenging).

Team performance while BPF was between the sticks was better that when he was replaced by Casilla, stats on all areas apart from distribution show that. Now we have Meslier, that issue has been addressed.

Doesnt change the fact that Casilla was not an improvement to the keeper we had. "Moments if brilliance" dont win you promotion and it's just as well he got himself banned or we might be facing another season in the Championship (just as we were following his performances that would have been comical if not for their consequences, at the end of last season).

I know you seemed to like him but BPF was imho crap and remains crap but seems to have developed an over inflated ego.

I would prefer Casilla any day as he can stop shots. Not to say we can’t do better and he has served his purpose now so can move on.

That said looks like his game time will limited as we have a far better keeper who can stop shots, catch crosses and play it out - viva Meslier the cat.

[ozleeds]

Why cant you just wait and see what happens before passing your judgements, and if he passes his medical then he cant be crocked can he..

He and others can say what they think it's not harmful if proven right or wrong so be it. To me, it is a lot of money to spend 1 the age of player 2 his fitness 3 he was younger when he played in the premier league and failed. So we think now that he is older we can improve him?
The way people are talking about him is another Messi FFS.
Anyway, the club made a choice and we should all respect that and hope all comes off.
We need to strengthen the defense as that is what keeps you in games the rest can work out itself. I think the wigan kid is going to blow all of us out of the water as he is build like a tank and ready to go.

[pete1967b]

He and others can say what they think it's not harmful if proven right or wrong so be it. To me, it is a lot of money to spend 1 the age of player 2 his fitness 3 he was younger when he played in the premier league and failed. So we think now that he is older we can improve him?
The way people are talking about him is another Messi FFS.
Anyway, the club made a choice and we should all respect that and hope all comes off.
We need to strengthen the defense as that is what keeps you in games the rest can work out itself. I think the wigan kid is going to blow all of us out of the water as he is build like a tank and ready to go.

Wow, Seen as you have the hall of fame title, then you know why i said it, if not then read it again...