I'd like to see an LB come in who can also cover LWB. It's a long old season. Still not sure we'll stick with 3 in central defence. If we start a winning run, and teams sit back I'm not sure we would need 3 CBs.
I think we may go for a LB/LWB but Sema’s emergence, doubts over Femenia leaving and Masina back in a month or so means it’s not really a position of serious problems. I think if Femenia leaves then it’s a priority. But if he stays, unless we can get someone better than Sema, I’d leave it personally and focus on other areas like CDM, CB and a more orthodox winger. With Pereyra going, and still doubts over Deulofeu and Sarr, we don’t have much proper width should we change to a different formation.
In terms of CB - we will have Troost-Ekong, Cathcart, Kabasele, Wilmot, Dawson, Sierralta and Janmaat. I'd love a left footed centre back, but I don't see centre back as an area of high priority now unless there are any departures. In terms of midfield - I think we need to get a bit more of a look at Garner and find out what the situation is with Hughes. I think we probably have enough there at the moment but another defensive minded midfielder wouldn't go amiss. We are desperately short of attacking players to play behind the striker - it is basically Sarr, JP and Sema (at a push) who are all expected to start.
I'd still like a physically dominant DM in the squad. Obviously Caps and Doucs were so much more than just their physicality, but I do think its something that will be missing from the squad now they're gone
If we are to continue the majority of the season playing 3 at the back, a left-footer is a must. But if we are only playing this formation due to the players we have available and plan to switch to a back 4, then it’s not so critical I don’t think. I think a lot will rest on who stays obviously. If somehow Deulofeu stays along with Sarr, I don’t conceive a way that we won’t switch from this current formation. Those 2, along with Joao Pedro, will all really likely need to play if available. I don’t think Deulofeu will stay - but he won’t be going to Napoli anymore if their sporting directors comments are to be believed.
I don't think for one minute he will stay but there would be no reason we couldn't play a 343 with those three in it a bit like the systems Spurs and Chelsea used to use. Agree about the left sided centre back, although having Garner and Chalobah back there did make the lack of a left sided centre back far less noticeable. I will be interested to see how it fares against a better side as Luton didn't really press the centre backs.
Agreed, you noticed it when we lost Chalobah yesterday. TDB and Garner did well, but they didn't have a tough opposition. Against the better teams in this league we could do with a better ball winner in CM (especially with Chalobah's injury history).
I know it was only the scum yesterday, but that was the most encouraging we've seen of Chalobah for a long time, maybe even since his initial burst under Silva. Hopefully that injury isn't too serious, at least it wasn't a knee injury I guess. I definitely wouldn't say it's the position we need to strengthen most urgently, I'd sooner bring a left sided defender/wing-back, but I would of course like to see us sign a new midfielder
QPR have accepted a bid for defender Ryan Manning from Swansea. He is now in talks over a permanent move.
We signed Stevenson who looks good enough. We didn't really need him. Let Swansea waste their money. They won't be a threat to us.
Really thought he'd be an excellent fit for us and am disappointed we couldn't make it work. Signing a top player from mid-table side in the division is a signal of intent from Swansea but don't really see how he fits in - rotation with Bidwell? A lot of money (assuming 3-5m) for a team like Swansea to pay for a rotational option, even if it is them splashing the Rodon cash. Pleased that Swansea didn't get Wilson because I think that would have strengthened them much more.
Swansea spending the Grimes money I see Swansea are signing Ryan Bennett too - so they might actually have some money coming in.
QPR quoted 5m to prem clubs earlier in the summer so I assume it will be somewhere approaching that. QPR don't really need to sell as they made a lot of money from Eze - so it's just a question of whether fee made it worth their while to part with Manning now as opposed to in a year's time. Swansea about to sell Rodon to Spurs too.
A journalist close to Swansea has said Swansea will be paying just £250k for Manning and that it’ll be confirmed tonight or tomorrow morning. Don’t know if there’s lots of add ons or future payments but that’s an unbelievable fee and can’t believe we didn’t make more of an effort. A bit shocked that QPR caved. Surely a season of him in their side is worth more than that, even if he has thrown a bit of a stinker.
Phew. Thank goodness the Pozzos didn't ger suckered into a bidding war for him. Money is better in our account.
I did think the £3m-£5m ball park was waaaay too big. But I expected £1.5m or so... Not as sold as others are on him but £250k is a no-brainer and I just fail to believe we could not have found that kind of money.
