When I look at Bournemouth's squad, it's a bit of a puzzle as to why they are performing so badly. There are plenty of players I would 'cherry' pick from them and they would be a great addition or improvement on what we have. Calum Wilson has had a poor season for sure, but he's still a quality player that maybe just needs a change of scene. King I'd take, along with Ake, Brooks & Fraser. Even Billing and Lerma were on our radar at one point. Where we're stronger than them is in midfield, and they don't have that quality on the wings as we do when Deulofeu and Sarr play. Apart from that the two squads are comparable. They would be a good team to raid if they were to go down and we stayed up of course. This is a pipe dream though, as the price for players like Wilson, Ake and Brooks would be beyond us. Only King, Fraser (out of contract), Lerma and Billing would realistically be players we could get, and I'm not too sure I'd want Lerma and Billing anyway as we are strong in midfield already.
Very true. But if we stay up and if Sir Nige gets a new contract I for one hope him and Craig get a little input into the comings and goings. If the powers in charge can't see the errors of their ways from this season and former we will once again be battling relegation.
Agreed in principle. Brooks is one to keep an eye on. Out for ages plus two operations during that time, he looked the part for them before that though. Has he got the mentality to regain his former performances? King played and plays better when Wilson is out of the team imo. He has constantly said his best position is centrally. Ake would be my signing from them, was gutted when Bournemouth picked him up. Surely everyone involved in this club knew his ability and that he would just keep improving. Lerma cost a small fortune and Billing are without doubt nothing compared to Hughes, Doucs and Capoue.
We could have doubled the price on Ake. Shame. I would take King to replace Deeney. Brooks is exceptional but I expect despite his injury someone as rumoured in the past like Tottenham would want him. Technically able, quick thinking and can create a moment of magic. His run down the right to the byeline was superb. Fraser is overrated. Decent enough but not an improvement on what we have. Pussetto is just as capable if not more so.
Remember this well. What's worse is that a pen was given. Hated playing Bournemouth for it back then. I think they got a pen earlier in the game, too, when Angella was sent off following a dubious foul
On Ake absolutely no doubt ,that's why I couldn't understand why we didn't make a move for him. Fraser I believe would still be some shrewd business. If, and it's a big if ,that you get one or a couple of good seasons you have a £20+ player on your hands. Nothing to be sniffed at. Yes big wages but for instance what are we paying Gray? Plus we had a former record fee to dish out for him. Gray imo was a massive gamble that failed miserably.
It's obviously not true, he's looked lost every time he's featured. Smudger just massively overrates pretty much any player that's an Argie.
He does like a South American certainly! No offence Smudger! What it looks like Pusetto might bring to the team in the short time I've seen him play is energy and that is one thing we are definitely short of
No not really. That is your opinion. I've watched Pussetto plenty of times to know he has plenty of ability. Both at Huracan and Udinese. I've also dismissed plenty of young players from Argentina being touted as the next Passarella or Redondo in forums dedicated to South American football.
I would welcome Fraser for next season and I'd welcome seeing more of Pussetto more this season. Of course, either of those is irrelevant if we continue to use the same tactics we currently do - Messi would struggle to have an impact in our team at this moment in time.
Compared to some of the strikers that have turned out for the u20 he still is and was at the time a notch below. He still has a lot to learn in playing up front and his technical ability although improved is not the best I've seen in other Argentine strikers of his age in the past.