Summer transfer window

[Longsider]

Like Roberts but I've had a few doubts about his relu tance to deal with high balls coming in. I noticed it in a Wales game and the commentator said that teams had found him out in this area..

[Tricky Trevor]

Kompany got slated for not starting players in the premier league who had won promotion
Looking at our signings so far it looks like several of last seasons team could be missing out this season. I wonder how that'll go down.

I would expect Walker and Hartman to start. Tuanzebe in a training ground battle with Humphreys. Tchaouna on the bench behind Edwards. Weiss, no idea what the goalkeeper situation will be come August.

[CoolClaret]

Kompany got slated for not starting players in the premier league who had won promotion
Looking at our signings so far it looks like several of last seasons team could be missing out this season. I wonder how that'll go down.

A touch different.

We lined up on opening night with just six players in the XI that played the season prior - some of which weren't even key members of the promotion side.

The only ones that heavily featured the season prior were Beyer, Cullen, Vitinho and Roberts, the other two were Al-Dakhil & Foster.

Having three changes (one of which is beyond our control with CJ leaving) is a bit different.

[ollieclarets8]

I would expect Walker and Hartman to start. Tuanzebe in a training ground battle with Humphreys. Tchaouna on the bench behind Edwards. Weiss, no idea what the goalkeeper situation will be come August.

Yeah would go along with that. Unless Parker fancies Tchaouna in the 10 role, which I think he could easily do.

[gandhisflipflop]

Yeah would go along with that. Unless Parker fancies Tchaouna in the 10 role, which I think he could easily do.

I can see edwards in that number 10 role

[billyhamilton82]

Walker will be the first choice right back.

Axel Tuanzebe will be the first choice right sided centre back as a direct replacement for CJER.

[ollieclarets8]

I can see edwards in that number 10 role

I can see where you're coming from and I agree.

When you look at our attacking players, I think they could operate across the entire attack. I mean, could Koleosho do a 10 role? I think he could.

[Tricky Trevor]

I can see edwards in that number 10 role

I would have no problem with that suggestion.

[boatshed bill]

Would you immediately replace Roberts with Walker? Or would you start next season with Roberts and make Walker earn his starting place?

It's a good question. If I were manager I would watch their relative performances in preseason training and friendlies before making that decision.
But there is also the possibility that we could play 5-3-2 with both starting.

[KRBFC]

A touch different.

We lined up on opening night with just six players in the XI that played the season prior - some of which weren't even key members of the promotion side.

The only ones that heavily featured the season prior were Beyer, Cullen, Vitinho and Roberts, the other two were Al-Dakhil & Foster.

Having three changes (one of which is beyond our control with CJ leaving) is a bit different.

I mean use your brain a little.

Maatsen, Tella and THB weren't signed by the club, that's not VK's fault.

Barnes was never gonna cut it in the PL, he should've been retained though.

Brownhill and Benson were injured.

Muric wasn't good enough.

Any manager who gains promotion tries to replace some of the players from the Championship, it's called attempting to strengthen.

[ClaretAL]

I can see 5 at the back this season and the ability of LB and RB we have recruited to bomb on when needed makes sense

[blatherwickstattoos]

The thing I’ve noticed with the signings are that they are all more athletic. In size and speed than the last time we went up.

Another big midfielder to replace Brownhill and a striker who we can use as a target man and we’ll be doing ok.

Be very interesting to see what formation we go for come the start of the season. We can’t afford any luxury players this time round

[Goliath]

Like Roberts but I've had a few doubts about his relu tance to deal with high balls coming in. I noticed it in a Wales game and the commentator said that teams had found him out in this area..

Yep. It's been a weakness of his since he joined. Also don't trust him 1v1 at PL level. We needed to upgrade in that position and have done. Parker seems to just do the sensible and logical thing, he doesn't overcomplicate it.

[ollieclarets8]

I can see 5 at the back this season and the ability of LB and RB we have recruited to bomb on when needed makes sense

Like I say though this surely depends on the opposition. Are we going to play this at home to Sunderland and Leeds, where we fancy our chances? I don't think we will. I think if we do go with this it'll be some games but not all.

[CoolClaret]

I mean use your brain a little.

Maatsen, Tella and THB weren't signed by the club, that's not VK's fault.

Barnes was never gonna cut it in the PL, he should've been retained though.

Brownhill and Benson were injured.

Muric wasn't good enough.

Any manager who gains promotion tries to replace some of the players from the Championship, it's called attempting to strengthen.

I don't wish to thrash this arg out for the 10,00000000th time that's been done on here,

Brownhill and Benson were on the bench, as was Ekdal, Cork, JBG & Zaroury.

There wasn't an obvious candidate, perhaps Berge aside that was worthy of coming in and displacing a player from the previous season - completely different scenario here where we are quite literally signing one of the best fullbacks of all time, who's what, 12 months removed from being a key player in a title winning team?

[123EasyasBFC]

The players will have to perform in training to get picked for the first game, if Walker means what he said in his interview he’s just another player so will earn the shirt with high standards

[blatherwickstattoos]

The players will have to perform in training to get picked for the first game, if Walker means what he said in his interview he’s just another player so will earn the shirt with high standards

Exactly this

[123EasyasBFC]

Exactly this

That’s what kompany didn’t seem to do, random starting 11s. The one time he said he picked a player based on performance in training was when Ramsey randomly started in the 10 at home to United, played very well for 60-70minutes. Game after away to Newcastle then starts Ramsey wide left

[colne-claret]

Like I say though this surely depends on the opposition. Are we going to play this at home to Sunderland and Leeds, where we fancy our chances? I don't think we will. I think if we do go with this it'll be some games but not all.

5 at the back can still be offensive. In transition it can be very dangerous and provide extra attacking outlets.

[KRBFC]

I don't wish to thrash this arg out for the 10,00000000th time that's been done on here,

Brownhill and Benson were on the bench, as was Ekdal, Cork, JBG & Zaroury.

There wasn't an obvious candidate, perhaps Berge aside that was worthy of coming in and displacing a player from the previous season - completely different scenario here where we are quite literally signing one of the best fullbacks of all time, who's what, 12 months removed from being a key player in a title winning team?

I mean you're blaming VK for not picking the same side that won the Championship title when the 3 best players in that side were loan players who the club did not sign.

Benson missed all of preseason injured, Brownhill's brother came out and told us all Josh wasn't fit. Anass also missed the final part of pre-season

Cork wasn't a regular either, he barely played at all in the last 6 months of the Championship season.

The circumstances were just unfortunate, we got promoted with 3 excellent loan players who would've cost the club 70m+ to keep (if we could've signed them is a different story).

[ollieclarets8]

5 at the back can still be offensive. In transition it can be very dangerous and provide extra attacking outlets.

It can, but it's also not an offensive starting spot. In my opinion it tells the opposing players, "We're afraid of you". I don't think we need to do that.

What I'd prefer is 5 across midfield.

[blatherwickstattoos]

5 at the back can still be offensive. In transition it can be very dangerous and provide extra attacking outlets.

He’s used this formation a lot before I’m led to believe. We looked dangerous on the counter at Southampton in the cup when he did this too.

The thing is with this. We potentially lose Edwards and Anthony in the starting 11.

[123EasyasBFC]

He’s used this formation a lot before I’m led to believe. We looked dangerous on the counter at Southampton in the cup when he did this too.

The thing is with this. We potentially lose Edwards and Anthony in the starting 11.

I’m not saying we are anything like contes Chelsea team but I remember them playing a back 5 and also two out and out wingers with Costa in Pedro and hazard. So if we are to play a back 5 there’s no reason Anthony and Edward’s couldn’t start.

I actually think Edwards might even be better more central.

The key thing is having options

[colne-claret]

He’s used this formation a lot before I’m led to believe. We looked dangerous on the counter at Southampton in the cup when he did this too.

The thing is with this. We potentially lose Edwards and Anthony in the starting 11.

Could go 523 with Anthony and Edwards playing a bit more inverted but I’d worry that the 2 in the middle would be over run.

[Duffer_]

He’s used this formation a lot before I’m led to believe. We looked dangerous on the counter at Southampton in the cup when he did this too.

The thing is with this. We potentially lose Edwards and Anthony in the starting 11.

Not sure we do in a 5-2-3. Personally, I see Anthony as a starter in that formation and Edwards as an impact sub. You could play both either side of Flemming/A N Other but I wouldn't.

[123EasyasBFC]

One of the big differences is, under kompany in the championship we completely dominated and wanted to see if the team could do it in the prem.

Last season we didn’t totally dominate and many of us fans throughout the season probably thought we will need changes to have a chance at surviving, so throwing new players like Walker for example straight into the team won’t seem as bad

[jedi_master]

Current side, in my eyes:

———————————-—-Trafford
—-—————Tuanzebe—Esteve—-Humphreys
Walker—————Cullen———-—Hannibal————-Hartman
———————Edwards——Flemming——-Anthony

I like the idea of a five but it’s dependent on the central midfield getting beefed up. I think it’s a system we could choose to play against the bigger teams both home and away, whereas against like Sunderland at home you could perhaps take a centre back out and drop someone like Ramsey in ahead of Cullen and Hannibal. At least we appear to have options, and that’s with a promise for improvements still to come in midfield and up front. You can see a plan.

Vital we get some physicality in central midfield now.

[blatherwickstattoos]

I’m not saying we are anything like contes Chelsea team but I remember them playing a back 5 and also two out and out wingers with Costa in Pedro and hazard. So if we are to play a back 5 there’s no reason Anthony and Edward’s couldn’t start.

I actually think Edwards might even be better more central.

The key thing is having options

I’ve said this about Edwards he could easily adapt to a number 10 role off the striker but defensively I’d worry if we played wing backs with him.

It’s a good option to have though. We didn’t have the strength under VK or the players to change it much.

I think parker is a bit wiser in that respect and will realise other teams strengths whereas VK just persisted in his same playing out from the back with players no way near good enough or too inexperienced to do so.

[CoolClaret]

I mean you're blaming VK for not picking the same side that won the Championship title when the 3 best players in that side were loan players who the club did not sign.

Benson missed all of preseason injured, Brownhill's brother came out and told us all Josh wasn't fit. Anass also missed the final part of pre-season

Cork wasn't a regular either, he barely played at all in the last 6 months of the Championship season.

The circumstances were just unfortunate, we got promoted with 3 excellent loan players who would've cost the club 70m+ to keep (if we could've signed them is a different story).

Cork played 39 games that year, completely shut Adam Wharton down when he came on away at deadwood when Blackburn were on top, and we then went on to win the game and consequently the league.

Some players could've signed that he chose not to - VK absolutely got players that he wanted/prioritised (well, those that would sign that is).

It's been and gone anyway, it was a monumental failure of a season and we're still lumbered with a ton of players VK signed to fairly long contracts, no doubt on decent money that are surplus to requirements.

[123EasyasBFC]

I’ve said this about Edwards he could easily adapt to a number 10 role off the striker but defensively I’d worry if we played wing backs with him.

It’s a good option to have though. We didn’t have the strength under VK or the players to change it much.

I think parker is a bit wiser in that respect and will realise other teams strengths whereas VK just persisted in his same playing out from the back with players no way near good enough or too inexperienced to do so.

After the last prem campaign it’s hard to get to excited about our prospects but there feels more of a plan in place

[123EasyasBFC]

Cork played 39 games that year, completely shut Adam Wharton down when he came on away at deadwood when Blackburn were on top, and we then went on to win the game and consequently the league.

Some players could've signed that he chose not to - VK absolutely got players that he wanted/prioritised (well, those that would sign that is).

It's been and gone anyway, it was a monumental failure of a season and we're still lumbered with a ton of players VK signed to fairly long contracts, no doubt on decent money that are surplus to requirements.

The biggest monumental failure was how little game time Jack Cork received in the 23/24 prem season, had we of gone with cork and Cullen sitting like they did in the champ with Berge roaming in front of them, we would of given ourselves a much bigger chance of being competitive before January

[ArmchairDetective]

Current side, in my eyes:

———————————-—-Trafford
—-—————Tuanzebe—Esteve—-Humphreys
Walker—————Cullen———-—Hannibal————-Hartman
———————Edwards——Flemming——-Anthony

I like the idea of a five but it’s dependent on the central midfield getting beefed up. I think it’s a system we could choose to play against the bigger teams both home and away, whereas against like Sunderland at home you could perhaps take a centre back out and drop someone like Ramsey in ahead of Cullen and Hannibal. At least we appear to have options, and that’s with a promise for improvements still to come in midfield and up front. You can see a plan.

Vital we get some physicality in central midfield now.

I like the look of that.

[Hedontplayforyou]

We pretty much went 5-2-3 against Southampton with Benson right and Sarmiento left form the beginning. I thought Hannibal was superb in that game.

Adding two much better wingbacks into that system would make it quite effective, although as stated again by others we may get hammered in central midfield .

Obviously it all depends on whether we then invert a wingback at times to beef up the midfield or not. Of course this could all be nonsense and we never see it once this season but I believe Parker tested the system for a reason last year.

[ollieclarets8]

I think the friendlies will give us an idea. Looking forward to us playing again.

[blatherwickstattoos]

After the last prem campaign it’s hard to get to excited about our prospects but there feels more of a plan in place

100 percent more of a plan. Parker seems really switched on and unlike VK has played in teams that had to battle to stay up in the prem.

[Tricky Trevor]

I can see 5 at the back this season and the ability of LB and RB we have recruited to bomb on when needed makes sense

The problem with 5 at the back is in front of them. Your options are 3-2 which means no need at all for all our wingers OR 2-3 Which gets the wingers back but puts a lot of pressure on our 2 against PL midfields and also eliminates the #10 role.
I can only imagine we will play last seasons formation but with a bit more quality.

[Goliath]

The biggest monumental failure was how little game time Jack Cork received in the 23/24 prem season, had we of gone with cork and Cullen sitting like they did in the champ with Berge roaming in front of them, we would of given ourselves a much bigger chance of being competitive before January

We'd have been harsh to get the ball off that's for sure. It's a shame we never saw those 3 together. All brilliant technician's.

[Longsider]

Have we signed a new striker yet?

[Vegas Claret]

If Henderson goes anywhere it’ll be back to Sunderland

yeah I suspect so

[Djs254]

Even though still early in the window, it seems that central midfield is looking the hardest to sign for us at present. The uncertainty with brownhill, cajuste off to besiktas, onjeka maybe to Valencia, warren bondo potentially staying at Milan, diouf going quiet.

It will be interesting if any of our other targets come out of the blue like Tuenzabe and walker did the days they signed.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Have we signed a new striker yet?

Flemming

[jojomk1]

Have we signed a new striker yet?

Young lad called Barnes signed

[Dark Cloud]

Whilst not condoning the unadulterated pessimism of "Brexit" there is some truth to be found in some areas of his (her?) argument. Hartman and Tuanazebe have both had injury issues which is kind of why they've become available to the likes of us and Walker has been one of the best right backs in Europe for a good few years, but he's 35 and for someone who's pace has always been his strongest suit that COULD be telling. At that age he COULD be one injury away from a long spell on the sidelines like Redmond for example. I'm actually personally happy with all our signings up to now and if they work out it's a far better approach than last time, but there's definitely an increased element of gamble in there I feel.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Whilst not condoning the unadulterated pessimism of "Brexit" there is some truth to be found in some areas of his (her?) argument. Hartman and Tuanazebe have both had injury issues which is kind of why they've become available to the likes of us and Walker has been one of the best right backs in Europe for a good few years, but he's 35 and for someone who's pace has always been his strongest suit that COULD be telling. At that age he COULD be one injury away from a long spell on the sidelines like Redmond for example. I'm actually personally happy with all our signings up to now and if they work out it's a far better approach than last time, but there's definitely an increased element of gamble in there I feel.

Very strange people keep saying his legs have gone.

He recorded a top speed of 37.31 KMH in the premier league last season which made him the 7th fastest player in the league.

[Jakubclaret]

Whilst not condoning the unadulterated pessimism of "Brexit" there is some truth to be found in some areas of his (her?) argument. Hartman and Tuanazebe have both had injury issues which is kind of why they've become available to the likes of us and Walker has been one of the best right backs in Europe for a good few years, but he's 35 and for someone who's pace has always been his strongest suit that COULD be telling. At that age he COULD be one injury away from a long spell on the sidelines like Redmond for example. I'm actually personally happy with all our signings up to now and if they work out it's a far better approach than last time, but there's definitely an increased element of gamble in there I feel.

With some of the recent signings it's difficult to not have the impression that we aren't some sort of a sick bed bay institute compounded by the targets we seem to identify. I understand that footballers get injured it's part & parcel of the game from time to time but our bunch seem to at the drop of a hat & far too frequent in my view.

[RVclaret]

Very strange people keep saying his legs have gone.

He recorded a top speed of 37.31 KMH in the premier league last season which made him the 7th fastest player in the league.

He’ll probably be alongside Luca Koleosho as the fastest player in our squad.

[123EasyasBFC]

https://youtu.be/ld9fA6j-djE?si=XzoqOYDjDtD4Ms5W - player cam for Walker in the Milan Derby.

I know things like this only show bits worth seeing but doesn’t look like a player past it to me

[Jakubclaret]

Very strange people keep saying his legs have gone.

He recorded a top speed of 37.31 KMH in the premier league last season which made him the 7th fastest player in the league.

https://share.google/45gdP0K5UqNoMoAzg

[Newcastleclaret93]

https://share.google/45gdP0K5UqNoMoAzg

Tbf that link is from the start of the season after only a handful of games.

His top speed for the season was what I posted

[gandhisflipflop]

Anyway, any links to any further incomings? I like the look of that striker in Belgium.