(07-02-2021, 06:59 PM)zicorice Wrote:

(07-02-2021, 06:21 PM)wassy04 Wrote:

(07-02-2021, 05:24 PM)zicorice Wrote:

(07-02-2021, 12:20 PM)wassy04 Wrote:

(07-02-2021, 11:16 AM)zicorice Wrote: An in form Colback and Lolley would add to that too?

I think on reasonable form that team isnt far off. Clearly the RB situation would need sorting -  Christie on a permanent would do me. After a few awful games early on he has settled down and been a decent Championship RB.

If more go out the door (Arter especially) and CH gets one or two in (who knows a year deal for Murray might be what people are clamouring for if he gets 6 or 7 more goals this season) that's a team that could challenge. 

As always luck with injuries and players getting in a good rhythm matters. 

However, the biggest factor is Hughton getting the culture he wants embedded. Sounds like he is on his way with that.

Ha I think you missed my point, that team without the loan players is nowhere near good enough to challenge. Hence our current league position.

I also think we can do better than Christie, why target mediocrity? 

I think we'll know more in the next few months, if we do improve and go on a good run then it will make the current loanees very appealing and would be great if we could have a similar team to next season.

Sign Krov, Garner and Knockaert again and although would be 3 new signings, they would be consistent. Obviously a lot depends on their availability too

I think I did understand and I don't think we need a big overhaul. Just a few key signings and those in the current squad to show some form. RB will need sorting -though who we might realistically sign is another matter. Christie has been better than Mediocre since he found his rhythm, but thats not the point. If not Christie then someone as Jenkinson not likely to be the answer.
At left back, Ribs needs to rediscover his form as last season he was excellent. Preseason can do that. Lolley too if his medical issues are behind him.

In short, a few CH signings added to what we will have in the summer and we could challenge-not another big player overhaul of ridiculous numbers.

Sorry I completely disagree. The squad have already proven they are not good enough up until this point, feels like your strategy is just willing players to improve.

The three loan players in midfield have already shown how much we were lacking there. (Admittedly against weak opposition)

I'm not saying we need a huge overhaul though, bringing back the loan players would be my strategy.

Bringing back the loan players doesn't constitute a big overhaul either does it?

There are many reasons why this season has been disappointing. One is the loss of form of a number of players. Samba, Figs, Ribeiro, Lolley and Grabban. That's 5 of last seasons starting XI. Of course there are other factors (Cash/Watson, no preseason, 150 new players), but 4 of those 5 are still in their prime so it is reasonable to assume that there is every chance they will pick up again. Form is temporary after all.

I get that in this day and age of instant expectations, comments like he is finished or his legs are gone or he should be gone will appear on social media when someone has few under par games, but every time a player loses form, we cant go out and sign a new player. Equally, to have so many drop off at the same time was a nightmare in the early months of this season from which we are still trying to recover.

I would bring back 4 of the loan players IF the terms work for us and renew contracts of Sami, Sow (on a low basic, but appearances related) and Murray. That's not an overhaul in my book. Add in a couple more CH signings and we are good to go.

Either way, I support whichever direction Hughton thinks we should go in. Major overhaul, slight freshening up or whatever.

(08-02-2021, 02:06 PM)Sniffer Dog Wrote: He's been very very good these last two games but I am not getting carried away. Hopefully the newish GK coach is working on him and he'll continue with his excellent form that he's showed in the last 2 games.

(08-02-2021, 02:39 PM)Strawberry Avenger Wrote:

(08-02-2021, 02:06 PM)Sniffer Dog Wrote: He's been very very good these last two games but I am not getting carried away. Hopefully the newish GK coach is working on him and he'll continue with his excellent form that he's showed in the last 2 games.

I think the January signings have been transformative.  And this has lifted the whole team from Worrall to the keeper and even the fullbacks.

Better football, applying the pressure to the opposing team rather than relentless pressure being soaked up.

The confidence is of course higher when you're playing good passing football and players will perform better.

Eg.  That pearler from Garner to Lolley.

Then Lolley (looks like the player we used to have...) takes his man on to pass to an on rushing MoM Knocker who buries it.

SA.

(11-02-2021, 09:54 AM)ThePromisedLand Wrote: But zero for Ahmedhodzic - who is tipped to leave Malmö for circa £10m.

You can’t win em all...

(11-02-2021, 08:34 AM)Sniffer Dog Wrote: That 8M we got for Appiah is looking like a great bit of business, he's now been sent out on loan.

15M for Appiah and Brereton. That should be applauded.