this transfer window

[tinostongue]

It’s hard to criticise, but am gonna ;-), as this is massively different to windows past as we are coming into it after a very successful season with Champions League footy guaranteed.

Tonali has been the highlight of the window… he looks like a massive upgrade on Longstaff and gives us a bit of depth in the middle.

Barnes felt like a bit of a compromise, doesn’t feel like a first choice target… don’t get me wrong his stats in a struggling Leicester make me think he could be a very good player, but just think it is him or Gordon up front on the left… so not sure if he is seen by Howe as a starter in his strongest 11 or is bringing very good strength in depth.

Livramento… not seen him play much, and he’s still got to prove it… I guess we see a future with this lad and Ashby as our RB’s after Tripps leaves… but again I get the feeling this might be a signing that isn’t in Howe’s strongest 11

All 3 senior players signed are the right ages, with their very best to come.

What I struggle with…

We are relying on Miggy performing… and it’s only been half a season out of four and half seasons where he has done that… I thought a right winger was a no brainer.

We really need some cover for Schar… who it sounds like is not yet available, and we knew that going into the window… so we’ll likely be starting the season with Lascelles or Dummett starting with Botman.

Left back… while not a massive priority, if Botman were to get injured we’d have to play Burn in that spot and have to pray Targett stays injury free.

If, as Howe has said, we didn’t have to sell to bring in Barnes then it feels like it has taken a very long time to bring in 3 players, only one of which is likely to be in the managers strongest 11.

We need to move on Fraser, Hayden and Hendrick… they are on big wages so we’ll likely only get a nominal fee for them but freeing them up will release wages and overall spend for FFP come the end of the year… they won’t get a game, or even appear on the bench unless we really get his by injuries.

A concern I have with Howe and his selection of players… and it’s not an issue for us now, but could be… his selections are players who will not rock the boat or cause any issues whatsoever… and that’s great… but assuming we progress as a club then we might have to bring in players that HAVE to be managed, as the pool of players will shrink and we can’t rely on the players being perfect, but will need the manager to bring them together. Maybe Howe will have established himself better before then, have won something, and be more secure in his position… but it’s all been very safe, and maybe that has limited our pool of players, left us over paying and slowed us down.

Sorry, a very long post and am sure there’s a bunch people will have very valid arguments against… but that’s just my take and some of the sh!t I’ve been thinking 😁

I agree about Miggy, he’s got to be the most frustrating player to watch, for me anyway, would have loved Diaby, watching Livaramento on tube, he’s very attack minded and quick, maybe we might see him playing further up, in front of Trippier. Don’t forget Murphy, another frustrating player, but has come on last season,capable of the unexpected, and at least will try a shot!

[ex_pat_magpie]

The time for assessment will be when the window closes and we see who has come in and compare them, both ability and value wise, with what the other half dozen clubs around us have achieved.

[ex_pat_magpie]

I agree about Miggy, he’s got to be the most frustrating player to watch, for me anyway, would have loved Diaby, watching Livaramento on tube, he’s very attack minded and quick, maybe we might see him playing further up, in front of Trippier. Don’t forget Murphy, another frustrating player, but has come on last season,capable of the unexpected, and at least will try a shot!

No doubt there are a few who have improved much more than expected under the new regime and those are ones who would have been turfed out in the past, e.g. Joelinton, Murphy and Longstaff.

I think if we can move on the three who aren't going to be involved, even virtually at any cost, releasing the wages and places for a couple or three to come in then the squad will be almost watertight.

[Nufcian]

I agree about Miggy, he’s got to be the most frustrating player to watch, for me anyway, would have loved Diaby, watching Livaramento on tube, he’s very attack minded and quick, maybe we might see him playing further up, in front of Trippier. Don’t forget Murphy, another frustrating player, but has come on last season,capable of the unexpected, and at least will try a shot!

I’d play Murphy ahead of Miggy… he’s got more bite about his game and isn’t afraid to shoot.

Not seen enough about Tino mk.II to really know, but I did wonder if he could play further up the pitch… everything I’ve seen about him has people saying something along the lines of ‘if he comes back as he was before his ACL then he could be a future England RB’… so no site if he’d end up further up the field… saying that TAA looked a lot better further up after playing RB for England so maybe that’s a thing 🤣

[Sclox]

Miggy scored today again. Hasn't had a bad pre season so far. Isak also on the score sheet.

[Sclox]

Gordon looked dangerous today as well I would like to say.

[Jammy89]

I think it's been a good window.

I would like to see a couple more come in though and I think they will.

I also think that as others have said we'll get in one we don't see coming and I think it might be a defender.

However, having said that we seem to be looking at Alex Murphy as filling in at CB he's played there a lot with both Botman and Lascelles this pre-season.

[Nufcian]

Miggy scored today again. Hasn't had a bad pre season so far. Isak also on the score sheet.

Well I’m taking credit for him scoring, because after being criticised he was bound to… I’m just like Grealish, with the footballing talent, money or accent 😉

He also got played through into acres of space earlier, had a great chance but in typical fashion he stopped, tried to set himself, then by the time he was ready to take a shot he’s lost the chance.

He’s only ever really any good in front of goal when he doesn’t have time to think I would say, and I don’t think that is really enough.

Also, looking good in pre season isn’t that hard for players that try as hard as Miggy every game… no one disputes he gives 100% in terms of effort, that’s the same.

If he comes good then I’ll be chuffed, the odds are against it though is what I am saying.

[Nufcian]

Well I’m taking credit for him scoring, because after being criticised he was bound to… I’m just like Grealish, with the footballing talent, money or accent 😉

He also got played through into acres of space earlier, had a great chance but in typical fashion he stopped, tried to set himself, then by the time he was ready to take a shot he’s lost the chance.

He’s only ever really any good in front of goal when he doesn’t have time to think I would say, and I don’t think that is really enough.

Also, looking good in pre season isn’t that hard for players that try as hard as Miggy every game… no one disputes he gives 100% in terms of effort, that’s the same.

If he comes good then I’ll be chuffed, the odds are against it though is what I am saying.

That Grealish comment should have said without… 2 of which I’d be happy with, the other not so much 🤣

[toonozandy]

With our competitors such as CHELSEA, VILLA and LIVERPOOL all strengthening considerably, I am underwhelmed by what we've done.
I was hoping we'd make a huge statement signing, but none of the names make me faint with excitement, SORRY