I reckon Pedro will be played more central than out wide. But in all honesty it's a squad that has potential but is still light especially defensive wise.
We’ve just snapped up some 20 year old full back that you released to add to our incredible array of crap B team players who we pay for three years to do nothing. Why do clubs do this? It’s such a waste of money.
Wow that's an odd decision from your lot. Couldn't be that good if he couldn't challenge the supposed rearguard here.
We would know to be fair. It's how it works for our first team. 9 duds to keep the couple of good'uns company.
It's highly unfair on the youngsters who you know 100% won't make it, stringing them along until their eventual, inevitable release, but sadly not every academy team can be filled with superb youngsters who all have a shot like City/Chelsea so sadly there doesn't seem to be an alternative.
It must be a fantastic gig to get if you’re a 21 year old lad, released and staring down the barrel of a year without a club or dropping down to league 2 or the National League. The money, the facilities and what I imagine is a pretty low pressure environment. Almost like being a third choice keeper but even better.
Actually I think it would be the opposite! There'd be the initial jubilation of getting the contract (which would be decent money for us commoners but nothing amazing in football terms, I'd imagine probably about £750 a week tops) but then every day is a battle, trying to prove yourself whilst knowing that you only have a 2 year deal or whatever. I think most players are realistic about the fact there'll be a very strong chance that you'll be released and as you say, either go clubless or drop down the leagues (where the money will probably be less initially). Especially if you're not even a starter for the U23 team, you know you're there essentially making up the numbers and will get canned when your deal is up. As much as I love football it's a very depressing industry, there's an estimated 1.5m boys playing youth football up to U18 level in this country - only 180 of them will go on to play in the Premier League, meanwhile the media hypes up wonderkids left, right and centre (see the story about the 5-year old who's apparently going to win Arsenal the league being peddled by the BBC and The Times today for a good example of this) which must definitely take it's toll on these kids mentally.
Did I dream it or wasn't there a thread about the way a lot of youngsters who don't make it in their dream career aren't properly counselled and can suffer from mental health problems when the realization that they have to find an everyday job (and likely one that pays poorly if they don't have the brains, personality or looks or any of the above to get a high-paying one) hits starkly home? It's not far removed from the depressing situation some in the armed forces find themselves in when they can't get far up the career ladder and have to retire in their 30s/40s and think for themselves while finding another job, which can lead to some of them even becoming homeless.
It's definitely been talked about on here before, probably when we signed someone with an equally miniscule chance of making it
There’s also a failure (not just in football) to appreciate that young people develop at different rates. So the likes of Freddie Adu or Rod Thomas are touted as the next big thing, but they’re not - they’re just early developers compared to their peers. Then, as you say, they are later faced with an unexpected harsh reality.
Even our Cukur has felt that this season - was dominant and bullied defenders at U23/U18 level (as you'd expect for a 6"3 17 year old), to the point that some Watford fans wanted to give him a crack in our first team - but as he's finding out at Doncaster this season, adult football is completely different.
Always thought the loan straight to League 1 was a weird one, he's 18 years old, as you say, relied on his size a lot at U18 level (don't think he even played that much at U23 level last season), whereas someone like Sonny-Blu is a year older, has had a taste of men's football, but still got loaned two leagues below
You'd like to think a lot of our lads are realistic about their chances of making it here (do we still have that lad Ochieng who I believe is 22 years old and was knocking around non-league?), although certainly the better ones would probably have that confidence/arrogance to back themselves despite all the evidence against them
So I’m doing this scouting course and it’s got me lurking around sites like transfermarkt and I searched free agents, came across Gaston Ramirez 43 caps for Uruguay last club sampdoria. He was there with Ranieri perfect Pozzo signing. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Surprised to find he's still only 30 but, even better, he was born in Fray Bentos so it's a yes from me.
Can see a few people being pretty happy if this happens! https://twitter.com/VoicesOfTheVic/status/1508691696086880259
Have we actually signed anyone yet? The season starts in about 3 weeks and, at this stage, our squad looks pretty thin to me.
It has been, but I’m hoping any day now Sarr and/or Dennis will be sold and we’ll be able to make some moves.
Sarr and Dennis aren't going anywhere. We'll be stuck with two unhappy players, no money for decent players but we will manage to sneak in a couple of Mogi's clients before the window slams shut. So not all bad news.
You're mad if you think those two want to be playing in the Championship. They couldn't even be bothered to play towards the end of last season in the PL. It'll be another Capoue situation if they stay, a few half-hearted performances here and there before being sold on the cheap in January.
They would be a lot better than who we’ll replace them with. If we can use them, even for a few matches, they’ll be an asset. We’ll score goals and carry a threat going forward. We’ve seen what it’s like without them. Absolutely nothing of concern for anyone to worry about when they play us.
A half-hearted Capoue had the 3rd most tackles per game of anyone in the squad, and the most interceptions by far (2.8 per game, 2nd was Masina with 1.5). Dennis could play while on the phone to his agent and still get a hat-trick against Birmingham
What'll most likely happen is they'll be sold very late in the window without sufficient time to sign anyone to replace them.
Danjuma seems to have turned down West Ham placing a number of clubs (including us) on high alert. I’ve heard that Gino is putting together a £3.5m take it or leave it offer for the lad. Watch this space.
Isn’t this OTT? I understand the financial position is bad, but are we really likely to disappear altogether when the likes of Oldham, Bolton, Derby and even Luton have not done so?
