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.
Shows how much I've watched him. As I say, I keep reading our fans saying how brilliant he's been, so interested to know how much they've been watching him at SOCIEDAD.
It was just a suggestion of someone younger/more mobile who may suit the new manager's system, rather than handing out further contracts to OAPs. I've watched a couple of league games via a betting firm as they stream most european league matches. I obviously don't possess your footballing expertise, I bow to your superior knowledge you annoying fucking cսnt
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 05 Mar 2025, 11:02
by Mad Ferret
Real Madrid are in for him.
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 05 Mar 2025, 10:54
by Takashi Miike
so brilliant? no, I've not seen anyone say that
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 05 Mar 2025, 10:49
by Rossal
I don't think its our fans, more the Spanish media have been raving about him apparently
Shows how much I've watched him. As I say, I keep reading our fans saying how brilliant he's been, so interested to know how much they've been watching him at SOCIEDAD.
How many times have you watched him play for Santander this season, Miike?
It's likely to be none, as he playing for Sociedad out there
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 05 Mar 2025, 10:21
by Eerie Decent
Takashi Miike" wrote: ↑05 Mar 2025, 09:46
we should be talking to aguerd about coming back for that LCB position, or even promoting young mayers to the first team squad who is perfect for that role. I want all these older legacy players gone
How many times have you watched him play for Santander this season, Miike?
I keep reading on here how amazing he's been, admittedly I haven't watched him once, so I'm interested in those that have obviously been watching him. All I've seen is recent highlights against Real Madrid, and he looked as pony as he did for us.
Sir Alf" wrote: ↑04 Mar 2025, 13:59
Cresswell’s inclusion seems to have been a positive for the team. He’s a talker and the only one. Makes a big difference in any team at any level, someone who is keeping everyone sware of what’s going on around them as well as demanding the ball to give options.
Agreed. Cresswell looks very comfortable on the left of a back three. Especially with Scarles to the left of him who can pick up any pacy players on the right and can do all the overlapping work as we saw against Leicester.
I also noted against Leicester that Emerson came on for Scarles. So we now know that he is back fit and ready. So in the short term that does leave Potter with a nice headache. Personally, I think he will continue with Cresswell and Scarles as it has looked so solid.
Long term, its a dilemma, both Cresswell and Emerson are wrong side of 30 for a footballer and so will Potter look to replace Creswell with a more central defender to play on the left of a central three and then let Scarles and Emerson fight it out for the wing back role. Or does he extend Cresswell for a year and go into next year with him and Scarles?
Whilst I'm pleased for Creswell that he's enjoying a bit of a renaissance under Potter, he is 35 years old and is the same player that got sent off twice for the same offence 3 years ago when he was caught for both speed and positioning. I would be amazed and worried should he be given an extension
Exactly this. Nice bloke, great servant, wonderful hair. Give him a testimonial. But no thanks, for next season.
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 05 Mar 2025, 09:46
by Takashi Miike
we should be talking to aguerd about coming back for that LCB position, or even promoting young mayers to the first team squad who is perfect for that role. I want all these older legacy players gone
Sir Alf" wrote: ↑04 Mar 2025, 13:59
Cresswell’s inclusion seems to have been a positive for the team. He’s a talker and the only one. Makes a big difference in any team at any level, someone who is keeping everyone sware of what’s going on around them as well as demanding the ball to give options.
Agreed. Cresswell looks very comfortable on the left of a back three. Especially with Scarles to the left of him who can pick up any pacy players on the right and can do all the overlapping work as we saw against Leicester.
I also noted against Leicester that Emerson came on for Scarles. So we now know that he is back fit and ready. So in the short term that does leave Potter with a nice headache. Personally, I think he will continue with Cresswell and Scarles as it has looked so solid.
Long term, its a dilemma, both Cresswell and Emerson are wrong side of 30 for a footballer and so will Potter look to replace Creswell with a more central defender to play on the left of a central three and then let Scarles and Emerson fight it out for the wing back role. Or does he extend Cresswell for a year and go into next year with him and Scarles?
Whilst I'm pleased for Creswell that he's enjoying a bit of a renaissance under Potter, he is 35 years old and is the same player that got sent off twice for the same offence 3 years ago when he was caught for both speed and positioning. I would be amazed and worried should he be given an extension
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 05 Mar 2025, 08:29
by Rossal
All good points below regarding Antonio and think I have been convinced to let him retire to stud.
Cresswell has done well the last two games but remember the circumstances. He played well against Arsenal where he just had to defend the box......there are only a handful of games like that all season. The Leicester game I think any of us could of played.
See how he does against Newcastle Everton and Wolves. I'd rather let Casey develop into that role than give him another year.
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 05 Mar 2025, 07:54
by Russ of the BML
Sir Alf" wrote: ↑04 Mar 2025, 13:59
Cresswell’s inclusion seems to have been a positive for the team. He’s a talker and the only one. Makes a big difference in any team at any level, someone who is keeping everyone sware of what’s going on around them as well as demanding the ball to give options.
Agreed. Cresswell looks very comfortable on the left of a back three. Especially with Scarles to the left of him who can pick up any pacy players on the right and can do all the overlapping work as we saw against Leicester.
I also noted against Leicester that Emerson came on for Scarles. So we now know that he is back fit and ready. So in the short term that does leave Potter with a nice headache. Personally, I think he will continue with Cresswell and Scarles as it has looked so solid.
Long term, its a dilemma, both Cresswell and Emerson are wrong side of 30 for a footballer and so will Potter look to replace Creswell with a more central defender to play on the left of a central three and then let Scarles and Emerson fight it out for the wing back role. Or does he extend Cresswell for a year and go into next year with him and Scarles?
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 04 Mar 2025, 14:25
by Jaan Kenbrovin
Sir Alf" wrote: ↑04 Mar 2025, 13:59
Cresswell’s inclusion seems to have been a positive for the team. He’s a talker and the only one. Makes a big difference in any team at any level, someone who is keeping everyone sware of what’s going on around them as well as demanding the ball to give options.
And JWP too. Both have leadership qualities the team lacked but also have both been ideal to play in the system Potter has used. So we look more assured and compact as a result.
Personally I’d like to see us have a greater number of English players in the squad, whether it’s buying or through the youth system. I think it’s better for the character/ identity of the overall squad.
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 04 Mar 2025, 13:59
by Sir Alf
Cresswell’s inclusion seems to have been a positive for the team. He’s a talker and the only one. Makes a big difference in any team at any level, someone who is keeping everyone sware of what’s going on around them as well as demanding the ball to give options.
LJC wrote: ↑03 Mar 2025, 11:03
So I read last night that there was going to be around £100m worth of sales for Potter to use and obviously the wages from the players out of contract.
Also read this morning that the club have done a U-turn and are prepared to back the manager this summer.
So we should have bundles to spend this summer!
Haven't been following this, bit worried it involved a u turn though!! Why in hell would they not support him in the summer
It’s all a load of old twaddle. None of the media outlets know what is going on. I think it will be somewhere in the middle with selling quite a few and the club topping up the pot with a half decent amount.
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 03 Mar 2025, 15:01
by Mr Anon
LJC wrote: ↑03 Mar 2025, 11:03
So I read last night that there was going to be around £100m worth of sales for Potter to use and obviously the wages from the players out of contract.
Also read this morning that the club have done a U-turn and are prepared to back the manager this summer.
So we should have bundles to spend this summer!
Haven't been following this, bit worried it involved a u turn though!! Why in hell would they not support him in the summer
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 03 Mar 2025, 11:03
by LJC
So I read last night that there was going to be around £100m worth of sales for Potter to use and obviously the wages from the players out of contract.
Also read this morning that the club have done a U-turn and are prepared to back the manager this summer.
I actually started to Eddie b the list and then gave up.
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 26 Feb 2025, 10:25
by Rossal
Yeah the story was the first team needed bodies to help out with first team training. AWB was a winger who got sent over and played RB against Zaha. Did so well they continued with him there and he flourished into a £50m RB
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 25 Feb 2025, 22:18
by Sir Alf
He started out as a winger apparently? But switched to a full back at Palace? Perhaps thats why he is such an excellent ball carrier. He held Calafiouri up a couple of times before crossing for the goal just like a regular winger would. He defends really well and good going forward too it seems?
Eerie Decent" wrote: ↑24 Feb 2025, 18:15
...so AWB can play as a RCB, his best position, and cover wing back in emergencies...
What evidence do you have that RCB is his best position, or is that just your opinion based on a hunch? Intrigued to know
It's based on what I've seen with my eyes, live. There have been a good few occasions when I've seen him strolling back when we're under the pump at home.
Everyone is going well over the top on him as a wing back. He's been good, but he is and always will be a better defender than attacker. Summerville on the flank, with AWB behind him would be much better for the team long term, IN MY OPINION.
Fair enough. All about opinions. He's been a very good signing but for me he's a full back, plain and simple, who can perform in a more advanced position. I haven't seen anything to suggest he has the discipline or the requisite aerial ability to be a centre back. Just my opinion
Eerie Decent" wrote: ↑24 Feb 2025, 18:15
...so AWB can play as a RCB, his best position, and cover wing back in emergencies...
What evidence do you have that RCB is his best position, or is that just your opinion based on a hunch? Intrigued to know
It's based on what I've seen with my eyes, live. There have been a good few occasions when I've seen him strolling back when we're under the pump at home.
Everyone is going well over the top on him as a wing back. He's been good, but he is and always will be a better defender than attacker. Summerville on the flank, with AWB behind him would be much better for the team long term, IN MY OPINION.
Re: Squad Building for 25/26
Posted: 25 Feb 2025, 08:19
by scott_d
I don't mind talking about squad development in general but things can quickly change in the next few months.
I really hope for once the club are already deep in discussion with players and clubs in order to get some early deals done. I know it's not quite the case but we often look like we're starting our transfer activity and negotiations the day the window opens and players are coming in after pre-season or even the actual season has started.
I also really hope, and to some degree expect Potter will be keeping a keen eye on youth players who are at the club and out on loan.
Far too often we've brought in average, overpaid players who've spent very little time on the pitch actually earning their money, when we could have given that opportunity to a youngster.
Nothing against Ings as a person, but in the time he's been here he's offered very little and we have had a couple of young strikers who we would have learned allot more about and probably not offered any less.
Potter is obviously a little more willing to give the youth a chance and that's a great message to the current crop of youngsters - I bet if gives them allot more motivation seeing that there is a pathway into the first team now.
