ARTICLE: Humphreys permanent signing confirmed

[RVclaret]

I'm presuming you didn't go to Wolves to watch him at right back? It was an awful performance.
At what points of his pro career has he spent the majority at right back? He played a couple of games for Hibs and PSV at right back the rest of his career has been at centre back.

He wasn’t great but it’s best not to go off 1 performance in a patched up team, as that would be very daft.

From what I can see he played more games at right back than centre back in his Hibs spell. I also recall reading fan reviews of how he looked a lot better at right back, interestingly.

[ClaretTony]

I know CT, just not for the reasons stated above that we were skint etc…

I don't think it was financial but it wasn't because it was last minute either

[bumba]

He wasn’t great but it’s best not to go off 1 performance in a patched up team, as that would be very daft.

From what I can see he played more games at right back than centre back in his Hibs spell. I also recall reading fan reviews of how he looked a lot better at right back, interestingly.

Somebody looking good in a few games at right back at Hibs is a completely different ball game to him looking comfortable at right back in the premier league.
He isn't a better right back than Connor Roberts

[Targetman]

If anybody needs help on the spelling, I'm free.

You are going to have to put aside an awful lot of hours going by some of the posts on here!

[Conroy92]

A back 4 of…

Egan-Riley NEW* Esteve Humphreys

*must be aerially dominant and threat from set pieces

…next season looks quite nice. Two capable ‘defenders’ as full backs (also adding physicality), but also both decent on the ball for progression.

I had to check it wasn't DA.

God no.

[Goliath]

Some, not all, will have the obligation triggered by various things (number of appearances, league position, promotion, etc) so there's a try before you buy element.

In terms of FFP and the accounts, if it is a straight obligation to buy after the loan then the transfer hits the accounts when the loan starts.
https://viewpoint.pwc.com/dt/uk/en/pwc/ ... ation.html

If it is a loan with a conditional obligation then you have to assess how likely that it is those conditions will be hit as to how it is treated.

Obviously cashflow may not follow this treatment.

The big flop in this scenario was Tresor and the conditions for that deal were absolutely daft. Wasn't it 5 appearances made it an obligation? Maybe that was to get around the accounting regs you mention, I've no idea on tht one but it seemed odd at the time.

[xxmunkyennuixx]

I like both LB. Pires performed well in the second half of the season. His defending improved enormously. He's got a great attitude and gets us. High ceiling and good coaching. Think eventually a bit like Mee that Humphreys will play CB and be outstanding. He was fantastic prior to injury and added to his defensive prowess with some improved passing and great crossing. Hope both lads get a fair go next season to continue improving.

[aggi]

The big flop in this scenario was Tresor and the conditions for that deal were absolutely daft. Wasn't it 5 appearances made it an obligation? Maybe that was to get around the accounting regs you mention, I've no idea on tht one but it seemed odd at the time.

Obligations can often be a low bar (for Sancho's to be triggered I think Chelsea had to finish higher than 14th for instance). Potentially to adjust the treatment as you say.

[summitclaret]

The big flop in this scenario was Tresor and the conditions for that deal were absolutely daft. Wasn't it 5 appearances made it an obligation? Maybe that was to get around the accounting regs you mention, I've no idea on tht one but it seemed odd at the time.

Ridiculous signing. We already had about 12 wingers. No need for another luxury signing. We were desperate for a left back and had to start Roberts and then Al Dakhil at left back. Absolutely dreadful start and we never recovered.

The sort of signing that could have and still could bankrupt us.

[Claret53]

Great interview on the club website. Articulate and charming. Focussed. I spy a future captain.

[Jakubs Tash]

Fair enough. It's not for me, I'd much prefer Pires there who is far more progressive, in both his passing and running. He's also a big lad with pace so don't think there's a physicality issue there.

A big lad? No physicality issue for Premier League football? Pires??!

[Goliath]

A big lad? No physicality issue for Premier League football? Pires??!

About 6 foot 1, strong and fast and doesn't seem to pick up a lot of injuries so no. People look at his nationality not his actual skillset

[jdrobbo]

Excellent to have it confirmed. Great talent.

[RVclaret]

About 6 foot 1, strong and fast and doesn't seem to pick up a lot of injuries so no. People look at his nationality not his actual skillset

The stats don’t back you up unfortunately (as well as what we see). He won 50% of duels, which is bottom 25% in the league vs other full backs, 40% of aerial duels, bottom 15% vs other full backs and 55% of tackles, bottom 18% vs other full backs and that’s the Championship, not against the PL giants. (For comparison, Humphreys was top 40% for % of duels won, top 20% for % of headers won and top 14% for % of tackles won).

[Jakubs Tash]

About 6 foot 1, strong and fast and doesn't seem to pick up a lot of injuries so no. People look at his nationality not his actual skillset

Pires is not strong - he’s physically weak. This season he often lost the ball through his weak upper-body strength and a few times this led to him being booked trying to rectify the situation. Personally, I don’t think he’s physical enough for the Premier League where players are just bigger, quicker and physically stronger as a norm.

[ClaretTony]

Great interview on the club website. Articulate and charming. Focussed. I spy a future captain.

I know my hearing isn’t what it was but I really struggle to understand the woman who does the interviews.

Totally agree that Bashir came across really well.

Simon Crabtree, who did the new player interviews, has left the club.

[Goliath]

The stats don’t back you up unfortunately (as well as what we see). He won 50% of duels, which is bottom 25% in the league vs other full backs, 40% of aerial duels, bottom 15% vs other full backs and 55% of tackles, bottom 18% vs other full backs and that’s the Championship, not against the PL giants. (For comparison, Humphreys was top 40% for % of duels won, top 20% for % of headers won and top 14% for % of tackles won).

I don't see how this is relevant to what I said.

[RVclaret]

I don't see how this is relevant to what I said.

You said he is a big lad and physicality isn’t an issue. Being so low on duels, tackling and headers won suggests not.

[Rowls]

The stats don’t back you up unfortunately (as well as what we see). He won 50% of duels, which is bottom 25% in the league vs other full backs, 40% of aerial duels, bottom 15% vs other full backs and 55% of tackles, bottom 18% vs other full backs and that’s the Championship, not against the PL giants. (For comparison, Humphreys was top 40% for % of duels won, top 20% for % of headers won and top 14% for % of tackles won).

The stats also show both were part of the record breaking defence.

[RVclaret]

The stats also show both were part of the record breaking defence.

Agree - but still not relevant to the specific point of discussion.

[Rowls]

That’s fine. It was posted for context.

[Goliath]

You said he is a big lad and physicality isn’t an issue. Being so low on duels, tackling and headers won suggests not.

A more relevant stat would be height...and maybe sprints/distance ran per 90. I doubt he's going to be targeted in the air at Premier league level so I don't really see how it's relevant

[Socrates]

One of the most truly boring evolutions in football discourse is stats nerds exclusively quoting numbers in lieu of an opinion, completely misunderstanding stats, subjectivity and how they should be used ….. and in doing so thinking they are super intelligent.

[RVclaret]

A more relevant stat would be height...and maybe sprints/distance ran per 90. I doubt he's going to be targeted in the air at Premier league level so I don't really see how it's relevant

It wouldn’t, because that wouldn’t represent anything relevant for ‘will be fine physically’ or ‘he’s strong’- mine and JakubsTash’s point is he isn’t the most physical player, and despite being over 6 foot isn’t very good in the air, this is backed up by the data I have provided. Sprints/distance ran per 90 is also not relevant. If you don’t think our defence will be tested aerially / physically in the Prem, I can’t imagine what you’ve been watching in that league! Leif Davis was unbelievable for Ipswich in the Champ, 16 assists, got destroyed defensively in the Prem and McKenne went with centre halves at full back… by the way, I thought Pires was superb in the last third of the season and added a lot to our attacking play, so I do like him!

[Goliath]

It wouldn’t, because that wouldn’t represent anything relevant for ‘will be fine physically’ or ‘he’s strong’- mine and JakubsTash’s point is he isn’t the most physical player, and despite being over 6 foot isn’t very good in the air, this is backed up by the data I have provided. Sprints/distance ran per 90 is also not relevant. If you don’t think our defence will be tested aerially / physically in the Prem, I can’t imagine what you’ve been watching in that league! Leif Davis was unbelievable for Ipswich in the Champ, 16 assists, got destroyed defensively in the Prem and McKenne went with centre halves at full back… by the way, I thought Pires was superb in the last third of the season and added a lot to our attacking play, so I do like him!

They will be tested in terms of raw speed and stamina in every game, it's a different level to the Chamoionship in that regard. Pires has shown the attributes to Co with that, he gets up and down for fun and is pretty rapid when doing so.

Height is less of an issue, he's not the best in the air by any means but he's absolute fine for the Premier League. It's the one area where there's not a huge difference, championship teams love to exploit a full back weak in the air more than Premier league teams, with long balls up to big forwards.
I don't remember it being a problem at Championship level and our defensive record demonstrates that it wasn't a big issue at all.

Where he may need to improve is 1v1 defending and his positioning to ensure teams aren't exploiting the space between himself and centre back.

Ps how Leif Davis performed is irrelevant