Cos if we are losing Etienne & Wil as the statement suggested we def need Grimsey. Mid is toooo lightweight with just Tom and Nath imo.
Agreed. @NathWFC is also a miserable bleeder who will just bring team morale down and end up in a fight with Troy.
I may be reading too much into it, but in both the injury update and Ivic's first presser it sounds like Hughes is not in the same category as Capoue. He has had a specific problem which has been fixed by surgery and is expected back in two weeks. Capoue is listed with certain to leaves like Welbeck and Pereyra and it is just suggested they are not fit enough for first team training for a few weeks.
I don't think it's a lack of fitness but certainly due to their likelihood to be sold. It's no coincidence those 3 have been given special mention.
I remember putting a copy of your username magazine in my School teachers bag many moons ago. Funnily enough he never mentioned anything about it.
They are likely not fit enough because they aren’t involved in matchday preparation I bet. A ‘few weeks’ will see them to the end of the window when they will likely be gone - or they will then step into the matchday scene I bet and the fitness issues won’t be spoken of. The real worry is Capoue in that context. I suspect he, along with the other 2, have made it clear they have no intention of playing Championship football whilst the window remains open.
Any player that has made it clear they will not play, should have it made clear they will be fined their weekly wage every time they refuse.
My guess is Ivic made 3 lists - will have, may have, won’t have, and focussed pre season on building a team from will haves. It means less disruption and it doesn’t disrespect those that will stay (Quina, Chalobah, JP etc) and will put the club before their own immediate wants. If so I’m 100% behind him. I don’t want players in the side who no longer want to be here and will only put in 7/10 effort either. I’d much rather a motivated Quina who runs through walls for this club this year than a can’t be bothered Pereyra strolling about.
Oh I agree. Worded badly on my part - what I meant was they likely have that agreement with the club that they won't be considered whilst their agents try and seek a move for them.
I think most of us know who the best players are at the club, and Ivic will have a similar impression of players as the majority of us. He wants a big squad, so that will mean retaining as many good quality players as possible. Now the next thing, and the most important thing, is the attitude of players at the club. If those wanting to go, do not change their mindset, then they wont be part of it. I'm hoping once reality hits home and these players realise they'll not be getting a Premier League move, they'll knuckled down and be professional by playing for the club that pays their wages. Who knows they may actually enjoy winning (hopefully) every week with all the positive feeling that brings. The thing that's impressed me, is Ivic has quickly created a very coherent team already, without the star players. When you think we beat a strong Spurs side without Foster, Hughes, Deeney, Capoue, Pereyra, Welbeck, Deulofeu or Sarr......that bodes very well indeed.
I must admit, your post did make me laugh out loud. You'll be pleased to know that I've just been made redundant so will have more time on my hands for the above shenanigans
Sorry - I suppose that is kind of the point i was trying to make, but it maybe wasn't clear. I had taken it as a sort of confirmation that Hughes is not in that group with Capoue, Welbeck and Pereyra who will 100% not be with us. He is in a group with the likes of Estupinan, Suarez, Sarr and Gray who the club expect to be here unless an above market value offer is made which we ultimately have consider by virtue of our current status.
I think there is a lot of clubs enquiring about players, baulking at the fee, and then planning to revisit the situation later in the window. I'd imagine we are in a similar position in terms of selling Deeney, Welbeck, Deulofeu, Pereyra, etc. Hoping this is the case with Grimes - Swansea asked for too much and we will come back to them when they reduce their price.
I disagree. Gray cupping his ear triggered our fans well enough, I personally look forward to seeing Nath stick one in the top bins from 30 yards before running over to the Hive camera, high fiving Tommy Mooney then giving the fans the finger.
Makes sense to hold tight on this one. Club would kick themselves if they splashed out early on Grimes, only for a similar target to become available later on in the window for less £. Not guaranteed that Capoue will be leaving either.
Always feel like the later you sign a player, the less effective they are / playing catch-up for fitness and tactics. Would have stayed up had we signed Sarr when we were first chasing him, I'm sure.
Also the longer you wait, unless the selling team really want rid, the more they have you over a barrel with your pants down, and a tub of vaseline in their hands.
Sarr had been playing in the AFCON that summer though so would have been match-fit at least. I'd say the bigger problem was giving him to a manager who didn't play wingers and then employing a manager who still wouldn't play him because he was tactically inept. Inexcusable how didn't use him for that first bunch of games.
Also the fact that they miss several, important games. It seems as if people assume we can spurn 3 or 4 matches and then play our best eleven for some of the games and be fine. That ‘plenty more games to come’ attitude was part of what got us relegated.
According to SSN, Grimes is playing in an advanced role today behind the strikers...so maybe he was enquired about as a Doucoure replacement.
