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Re: Graham Potter
Posted: 16 Feb 2025, 10:28
by southbankbornnbred
southbankbornnbred wrote: ↑16 Feb 2025, 10:14
Sir Alf" wrote: ↑16 Feb 2025, 09:44
Good summary Nutsin. Potter reverted to a back 4 and got central midfield wrong relying on the slowest double pivot central midfield in the Premiership. A back 3 seems a better fit but also when Paqueta dropped deeper we had 3 in the central mid and stopped Brentford having so much space to run into when they countered. As u say, Paqueta has to play deeper with the game ahead of him.
Not writing Potter off yet but he has to learn we cannot play a 2 person central midfield of Alvarez and Soucek and that Mavro in a 4 man back 4 us going to be risky. Hopefully wont see either mistakes repeated? Main other thing we need is Ferguson and Todibo to get and stay fit
Yeah, interesting summaries, Alf and Nutsin.
I also think it’s far too early to judge Potter. These are not his players and there’s just no way he’d have signed most of them. I’m not saying he’ll rip it up at West Ham (who knows), but his teams don’t generally look like us right now.
This old, slow and tired squad has a LOT of problems. But by far the biggest problem I can see is in central defence.
Nutsin summed it up nicely: “Mavrapanos still getting in the side as a starter makes you wonder just how good he must show at practice all week because on match day he is always one of the worse players on the field.”
Its not that Mavrapanos is any good - he’s fucking terrible. A mistake waiting to happen. It’s just that we don’t have any depth, and the other centre halves are also woeful - or injury prone.
We’ve spent (or agreed to spend) a small fortune on some absolute dross. Kilman is the worst £40m footballer I’ve ever seen. He has the turning circle of an oil tanker and regularly gets destroyed for pace over ten yards - let alone 20+. It means we can’t really play, or get, high up the pitch quickly enough. So he forces us to play a way that Potter probably doesn’t want. Absolute waste of that huge outlay. Slow, off the pace mentally, and too easily exposed because of it. His saving grace is that he doesn’t really make “mistakes” like Mavrapanos - and he is a battler. It’s just that his physical attributes are poor for the modern Premier League, where opponents are often athletes more than footballers.
Mavrapanos was in excess of £20m. We've agreed to spend £34m on Todibo, who is a good player but injury prone - and clearly nursing his way through the season. And we spent £30m on Aguerd who started well, deteriorated under Moyes and then got loaned out by a hopeless manager who had no idea what he was doing.
Thats £125m worth of “talent” and we’re catastrophically poor at the back.
Fixing that will take some doing. Who, for example, will want to sign Kilman at his fee/wages - unless it’s a move like a return to Wolves for half the money?
Moyes and Lopetegui royally lumped us in it.
I also have to say that Sullivan - and the departed (and largely over-rated) Steidten should hang his head in shame over the Kilman deal. How a chairman and technical director could let a new manager sign somebody so obviously limited for £40m and then put him on astronomical wages and a seven-year contract, is beyond me.
Club chairman rightly and wrongly get blamed for a lot of things - some within their control, some not. But that Kilman deal was akin to falling asleep at the wheel.
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 07 Apr 2025, 17:00
by Steady
Ramsdale supposedly going to Leeds …. Hopefully
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 07 Apr 2025, 16:48
by Eerie Decent
Getting relegated with a team does not make someone a bad player.
Ramsdale is just a bad player.
Arsenal paid a lot of dough for him, and sharply had him out the door once they realised he was pony.
He's not just getting relegated btw, he's the keeper for what will go down as the 2nd worst team the Premier League has ever seen. Normally mainstay keepers is relegated teams over perform, seeing as they normally have a lot more to do. He's still shit.
I'm happy to bet you good dough he will not end up at Newcastle.
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 07 Apr 2025, 16:22
by fraser
I can't believe anyone thinks Soucek has been fantastic and I also can't believe it was followed by again...
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 07 Apr 2025, 16:09
by dealcanvey
players being at a club that’s relegated doesn’t make them a bad player regardless of how many times it is. When you play for the likes of Southampton you will be in a relegation battle and odds on to be relegated.
we should turn our noses up at the likes of Walker Peters and Delap on that basis aswell then? I think there is a good chance we go for him.
im certain he’ll end up back in the premier league straight away. Wouldn’t surprise me if he ends up at Newcastle. Fits the type of player Howe aims to have in his squad. Time on his side and home grown.
you don’t play for England on the basis you are shocking.
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 07 Apr 2025, 14:29
by Eerie Decent
Ramsdale
Mind you, he loves a relegation battle, so could come in handy.
Geezer is fucking shocking, have a word with yourself.
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 07 Apr 2025, 12:59
by Rossal
Don't want Ramsdale anywhere near us next season. Got relegated for the 4th time yesterday and only 26 years old.
Very overated and seems to have a clanger in him regularly.
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 07 Apr 2025, 12:49
by dealcanvey
Hopefully this summer the club will have come to its senses in regard to hanging on to older players whose best days are behind them.
Fabianski has been a fantastic keeper and servant to this club but Areola needs serious competition next season. Same goes for Coufal who again has been brilliant but serious competition needed. See we were linked with KWP from Southampton whos is available on a free I also think we could do alot worse than Ramsdale as a goalie to come in.
Mavrapanos sell and keep Aguerd. Dare I say out of all the old guard, it is Cresswell that could maybe still do a job next season especially if Potter opts for a back 3 in certain games.
CM needs the biggest overhaul. Soucek has again been fantastic but if we want to improve and a big money offer comes in from Moyes (which it will) he is now 30, he wont be getting any quicker and I think it would be right for the club to say goodbye. Also think if an offer comes in for Alvarez he will be off and as for Rodriguez what a waste of time he has been.
Young Freddie Potts has had a great season in the Championship so maybe Potter will give him the nod as well as bringing in a couple more players to add some much needed youth and energy to our midfield.
Ings will definitely be off. Antonio? His form was worsening year on year before his accident, I think the club will feel obliged to hand him the year extension but i'm not sure it would be a good idea. Marshall has had a good season in League 1 but the club may feel he needs one more season out on loan before being ready.
Would be great if we could get Delap from Ipswich. He always looks busy when I have seen him play plus he has managed a decent return in a poor side.
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 07 Apr 2025, 05:50
by Sir Alf
Based solely on the last 2 games and to solve the biggest problems we have whilst also being able to raise funds for another rebuild, the following should all be either replaced, sold, let go or “available” imo
They wont all go but most will need to in order to get funds and create a young, athletic squad. Kilman is listed as for me Im not sure he’s good enough unless we play 3 central defenders. So we keep him in a back 4 as a bench option. JWP gets kept purely to get the best from forward players like Fullkrug. Soucek stays if he is happy to be on the bench a lot.
Fabianski( let go end of contact )
Areola ( replaced as first choice )
Coufal ( let go EOC)
Cresswell ( let go EOC)
Mavro ( sold )
Kilman ( replaced as first choice )
Emerson ( sold )
Alvarez ( sold )
Irvine ( sold )
Rodruigez ( sold )
Soucek ( sold or replaced as first 11 starter )
Ferguson ( back to Brighton)
Kudus ( if anywhere near his release clause met)
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 07 Apr 2025, 03:25
by Manuel
SurfaceAgentX2Zero wrote: ↑06 Apr 2025, 23:35
Ings, is out of contract and will certainly be gone. Coufal, Antonio, Fabianski and Cresswell's contracts are also up - but I'd argue that they aren't the main problem and some of them might get another year. They are now all squad players and mostly do an OK job as cover. And all, even Antonio, are relatively cheap. I don't know if Antonio will ever be fit, though.
It's the utter clag we have in defence and midfield holding down first choice places at very fancy salaries that are the problem.
Emerson has a year left at £97k p/w
Areola 2 years at £120k
Ward-Prowse 2 years at £100k
Rodriguez 2 years at £100k
Soucek 2 years at £87k
Mavropanos 3 years at £80k
They'll all be nigh-on impossible to shift. I actually like Soucek as a squad player, but the rest all need to go. But it ain't happening.
Kilman's got 6 years at £51k, so there a chance to shift him.
We're fucked, though we can probably shift Paqueta, Kudus or Alvarez at a loss, if that's what Potter wants.
I see Jarrod outgoing if someone offers £100m plus for him, which seems to be the going rate for any half-decent attacker these days. And that would be crazy.
Not sure if you're fishing but there will be takers for Rodney and Emerson in Spain/Italy, probably for Dinos too (all not for much though) and Soucek will have interested parties.
I doubt we'd be able to give JWP away.
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 07 Apr 2025, 00:28
by Steady
If Moyes is targeting Soucek, I’d try a swap plus give them some cash for Pickford
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 06 Apr 2025, 23:35
by SurfaceAgentX2Zero
Ings, is out of contract and will certainly be gone. Coufal, Antonio, Fabianski and Cresswell's contracts are also up - but I'd argue that they aren't the main problem and some of them might get another year. They are now all squad players and mostly do an OK job as cover. And all, even Antonio, are relatively cheap. I don't know if Antonio will ever be fit, though.
It's the utter clag we have in defence and midfield holding down first choice places at very fancy salaries that are the problem.
Emerson has a year left at £97k p/w
Areola 2 years at £120k
Ward-Prowse 2 years at £100k
Rodriguez 2 years at £100k
Soucek 2 years at £87k
Mavropanos 3 years at £80k
They'll all be nigh-on impossible to shift. I actually like Soucek as a squad player, but the rest all need to go. But it ain't happening.
Kilman's got 6 years at £51k, so there a chance to shift him.
We're fucked, though we can probably shift Paqueta, Kudus or Alvarez at a loss, if that's what Potter wants.
I see Jarrod outgoing if someone offers £100m plus for him, which seems to be the going rate for any half-decent attacker these days. And that would be crazy.
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 06 Apr 2025, 17:33
by Manuel
twoleftfeet wrote: ↑06 Apr 2025, 17:30
Monsieur merde de cheval" wrote: ↑01 Apr 2025, 00:40
Manuel wrote: ↑30 Mar 2025, 02:31
Yep, ship the lot out, then there's Antonio and Cresswell too.
It seems that we need a massive clear out every summer!
its always been an issue for us .
To much loyalty to players .?
Brooking ...Bonds...Dev ...Stretch...Parkes...tonka
All LEGENDS
..but all played WAY beyond their prime...
It's still endemic throughout the club now
What a wanker you are, feet. Can't you just fuck off and stay fucked off, not one cսnt would miss you.
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 06 Apr 2025, 17:30
by twoleftfeet
Monsieur merde de cheval" wrote: ↑01 Apr 2025, 00:40
Manuel wrote: ↑30 Mar 2025, 02:31
Mex Martillo" wrote: ↑29 Mar 2025, 17:02
Good piece on this from the Athletic in Alan's Thursday news.
viewtopic.php?t=6104
They say, Fabianski, Zouma, Movropanos, Coufal, Alvarez, Rodriguez, Soler, Irving and Ings will be on their way out.
Yep, ship the lot out, then there's Antonio and Cresswell too.
It seems that we need a massive clear out every summer!
its always been an issue for us .
To much loyalty to players .?
Brooking ...Bonds...Dev ...Stretch...Parkes...tonka
All LEGENDS
..but all played WAY beyond their prime...
It's still endemic throughout the club now
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 06 Apr 2025, 17:02
by eusebiovic
Let's see what pre-season brings. We can't expect the new manager to play open expansive football because our midfield are as slow as slugs. So he has to keep it tight to avoid another load of brutal thrashings.
We desperately need players young players in the middle with pace, stamina and quick feet...A solid block with mobility.
A striker, a central defender and a pair of reserve fullbacks with pace to complete with the first choice ones.
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 02 Apr 2025, 14:01
by Fauxstralian
Don’t know the player but see that Brighton have agreed a £10m fee with Sunderland for a winger called Tommy Watson to join in the summer
We seem to have been ‘linked’ with a bunch of Sunderland players but no more
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 01 Apr 2025, 00:40
by Monsieur merde de cheval
Manuel wrote: ↑30 Mar 2025, 02:31
Mex Martillo" wrote: ↑29 Mar 2025, 17:02
Good piece on this from the Athletic in Alan's Thursday news.
viewtopic.php?t=6104
They say, Fabianski, Zouma, Movropanos, Coufal, Alvarez, Rodriguez, Soler, Irving and Ings will be on their way out.
Yep, ship the lot out, then there's Antonio and Cresswell too.
It seems that we need a massive clear out every summer!
its always been an issue for us .
To much loyalty to players .?
Brooking ...Bonds...Dev ...Stretch...Parkes...tonka
All LEGENDS
..but all played WAY beyond their prime...
It's still endemic throughout the club now
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 01 Apr 2025, 00:17
by Monsieur merde de cheval
ragingbull wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025, 22:03
So according to the Athletic
Guilherme is shit in training hence no game time.
I couldn't a monkeys what some journo rag says.
WE can judge for ourselves given the chance .
we're pretty clued up on that kind of fing
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 31 Mar 2025, 22:03
by ragingbull
So according to the Athletic Guilherme is shit in training hence no game time.
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 31 Mar 2025, 21:21
by eusebiovic
I'd be happy with Kyle Walker Peters from Southampton and Tyrick Mitchell from Palace at left back. that would sort out our full back issues. Both are available on Free Transfer.
The two ex- Palace boys and Scarles/Walker-Peters. Perfect! We also know our Ollie can cover midfield too.
I don't think we'd get the two boys from Lille but Jonathan David would be an awesome signing if they could convince him. Gomes too but he's probably got better offers on the table.
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 30 Mar 2025, 11:44
by eusebiovic
As anybody who truly understands football knows - If you don't have a midfield then you don't have a team. They protect the defence and create chances for the forwards.
Pundits are largely redundant - or they should be
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 30 Mar 2025, 11:22
by Fauxstralian
If Moyes makes a decent offer for Soucek (£30m?) I’d let him go
Need a major rebuild in midfield with some pace, athleticism, strength & players who can control the game
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 30 Mar 2025, 02:31
by Manuel
Mex Martillo" wrote: ↑29 Mar 2025, 17:02
Good piece on this from the Athletic in Alan's Thursday news.
viewtopic.php?t=6104
They say, Fabianski, Zouma, Movropanos, Coufal, Alvarez, Rodriguez, Soler, Irving and Ings will be on their way out.
Yep, ship the lot out, then there's Antonio and Cresswell too.
It seems that we need a massive clear out every summer!
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 29 Mar 2025, 17:02
by Mex Martillo
Good piece on this from the Athletic in Alan's Thursday news.
viewtopic.php?t=6104
They say, Fabianski, Zouma, Movropanos, Coufal, Alvarez, Rodriguez, Soler, Irving and Ings will be on their way out.
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 29 Mar 2025, 16:12
by LJC
Being reported in a lot of places mate. Apparently they came in on the last day of January transfer window and we knocked them back. He’s happy to move for the money. I guess he realised none of the big guns are coming in for him so he might as well be quids in.
We seem to be getting linked with a lot of 22 year olds and younger which is great but i think we need some old heads in the team as well to help them out. Need to get the mix right. There’s a place for the likes of Webster and brownhill.
I quite like the 5 Sunderland players we have been linked with.. Bellingham, Neil, Mundle, Rigg and Mayenda - whats that £50/60m. Kudus out and that lot in with money in our pocket.
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 29 Mar 2025, 14:16
by Mike Oxsaw
LJC wrote: ↑27 Mar 2025, 20:16
£84m from Saudi incoming for Kudus apparently and he is open to it.
Blimey! If that's a real possibility I'd marry 4 women and put up with 4 mothers-in-law just to help see it across the line.
