He had played in every game up until that Liverpool game and we were still in the relegation zone, which is why I'm always baffled as to why people think we would have stayed up if he had stayed fit. Four goals and five assists in 28 games doesn't lead me to think he would have made a huge difference for the remaining games of that season.
It's all hypothetical from both sides of an opinion. But he won't be here for long so it doesn't really matter either way. He frustrated me because he doesn't do what he's so good at. He can and did leave any player for dead when he used his pace but declined for reasons I can't explain.
For me it'd be about the shape of the team rather than Geri's individual output. Under Pearson we'd just about got to a point where we had a clear threat down both the left and right wings and opponents were struggling to cover both without leavings gaps elsewhere. Either Sarr had room or if they locked down both wings suddenly Doucoure and Capoue were given more freedom to roam. We were getting points on the board. Obviously loads went on after that and we'll never know for sure, but I'd be in the camp thinking we'd have eeked out another point or two from somewhere if we'd been full strength.
We were, but that ignores how far adrift we were when Pearson took over and his PPG, which was comfortable survival.
As much as Geri was a great player that relegation season he sulked. So did Doucoure and Capoue. Whether we ever find out the truth about the non bonus payment after the Cup final it amazes me how our best players that didn't perform when we went down almost get a free pass on criticism.
Exactly right. This is what has been so, so frustrating about Sarr. I also think it doesn’t reflect well on all the managers he has played under that they haven’t been able to get him to play to his strengths.
Would the club risk playing them and risking losing a £20m sale through injury ? If the club chooses to play them, will the players risk any 50/50 challenge that might result in injury losing them a move to a prem club or other major league ? Certainly one to watch.
Additionally, we went down by a single point. I can't believe anyone thinks Deulofeu (our best player) wouldn't be worth a single point out of the remaining 8 or so games. If our best player isn't worth a single point then none of our players are. Which means we should have had zero points! I think this logic holds...
I think there is every chance they are both still here for the season opener. They’re both inconsistent players from a team that was relegated in humiliating fashion, neither of them are also that young that anyone is worried about getting in early, they won’t be at the top of anyones list based on what Gino wants for them. I’m sure there are clubs who would sign them for the right price, but that will mean waiting until right before the window closes to try and get that price.
Tbh I can't believe he's still here, I thought he would of been snapped up by atleast half the Premier league clubs at 20m. But again I can't see him or Sarr here come the Sheff Utd game.
Gray and Ellington were expensive and more ****, but not so expensive they hampered improvement in every other area of the team for almost 4 years. I wouldn't say Sarr's contributions are much more significant than Gray's either - even his 'promotion impact' was relatively mediocre in comparison to even Adam Johnson (lol) where the wheels fell of entirely after the loan ended mid-way.
Dennis maybe seen as a risk. He had done very little prior to us buying him, and there are questions about his previous attitude. His form also tailed off at towards the end of last yr. I think he will go for around £15m.
Gray kind of did - had we not wasted so much of him then the club might have been more able and willing to sign another striker in the few seasons after when one was still desperately needed.
Sarr 23 goals plus assists in 89 games Gray 19 goals in 113 games plus assists I think it's fair to say that Sarr will have more assists. The difference is we didn't need a player for Sarrs position as we didn't play wingers which is why it's not a good signing We needed a striker but paid £18m for one who was poor at Burnley. Without Sarr we probably wouldn't have gone up or if we did it wouldn't have been as comfortable. Without Gray we would have scored more goals Both poor signings but for different reasons
It's also not a good signing because he is terrible at almost all parts of football except (short distance) running. The club should take whatever double-digit number some club offers because it is only going to get worse, but they won't as they're arrogant.
Without Sarr we might not have been relegated in the first place. Gray didn’t need or have the opportunity to get us promoted because his purchase didn’t lead to our relegation.
Don't forget Sarr scored 13 goals for us the last time we were in the Championship and was key to the club's promotion. If he decides to roll his sleeves up again then you will be eating your current words.
We spent £32 million on him and neglected areas that needed strengthening. Just weeks before we gave a four year deal to a manager who didn’t want him, and didn’t play a system that utilised him. Nobody, you included, could possibly say that if we’d exercised bit of joined up thinking instead, and spent the money more wisely then we couldn’t have stayed up.
How did you diagnose the problem out of interest ignoring Sarr? Pretty sure around that time when people complained about our defense you attacked them about being entitled and that the players we had there were fine. So what did you consider the issue? I'm not being an idiot here, just find it strange people re-writing history who were massively defensive of the club's strategy that summer.
Are we supposed to be grateful we spent £40m (revised down to £27m to save face) for a player to produce almost half the goals of Andreas Weimann and less than Billy Sharp who is 36? Even his wikipedia page is most heavily edited by a user called 'Mediocre Legacy' https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ismaila_Sarr&action=history
I have absolutely no idea what I said three years ago! Maybe I have changed my outlook but hindsight is a wonderful thing. Maybe I was wrong and now I think differently. I would be very surprised if you can remember what I posted three years ago about the Sarr signing. Judging from what Deeney has said it appears there were other issues outside of new signings
I don’t remember you saying anything about Sarr, but I do remember getting a good telling off for wanting to upgrade the defence!
Gino & Duxberry can be accused of many things, but joined up thinking most defiantly isnt one of them
https://mobile.twitter.com/LivEchoEFC/status/1547916320556994568 Everton not after Dennis anymore. edit: I will add that I’m reading that as they were interested but something has stopped them from pursuing the move. Probably priced them out. With all their financial issues, wouldn’t be surprised if they offered £5mil upfront and £10mil in add ons.
