Replying to Docky91   19:07, Mon 4 May
Docky91
Rab C Nesbitt
Maybe. But the lack of a big 9 and Solis type definitely harmed us

But again, as we’ve established, even when he had them they weren’t playing regularly under the old system. Not until after Blackburn when there was a clear shift did they appear.

I mean I’m sorry, but if you’re not playing a big bodied midfielder vs John Eustace, then you don’t want one.

Because we signed two young players from abroad who needed to settle into a new league / environment. They needed time to settle here.

The Solis role is important yes, but the lack of any foresight last Summer whether that be the coach or recruitment team to not think that signing a focal point 9 wasnt needed was baffling and worrying and I feel it was a major reason why we ended up inconsistent and finishing mid-table.
Docky91   -3
Replying to Alfvoy   19:17, Mon 4 May
Alfvoy
Docky91
Thrillhouse
The summer window was clearly botched; on paper a lot of it seemed exciting, but I think - in hindsight - an emphasis on building on what worked in league one, coupled with committing big wages on Dimi and Kyogo, left us on the back foot, particularly from a physical point of view and at that back end of the window when we were scratching around the plug gaps.

January was a course correction, and if this summer follows a similar trajectory, I’m willing to suggest lessons have been learned and we don’t necessarily need to rip up the entire recruitment department.

So was January actually a better window? Or is it the change in system. Because if we go back 6 games, Solis wasn’t playing in favour of Doyle signed in the summer, Priske wasn’t playing in favour of Duksch signed in the summer, Vicente wasn’t playing in favour Roberts signed in the summer, then in the flip you had Panzo playing in favour of Neumann.

Vicente was looking pretty poor often just staying outside and having no one pass to him, Solis was getting worse imo.

So it’s interesting we talk about January so positively when 6 games ago most weren’t playing. I think it’s more to do with a change in system than the players being duds.

Honestly if we’re calling signing a starting centre back, our joint top goal scorer, our best consistent attacking threat (Roberts imo) our best assister from midfield and statistically best defensive midfielder (Doyle), and also Dimi Gray who at times
Looks a step above the division when he’s on his game, a crap window, then my friends you have many more to come.

This is before I even add BOS who someone looks incredible for Nigeria and trash for us, and also Osman who has been electric recently,

I'd love to know which statistic makes Doyle our best defensive midfielder?

Wins the ball back more than any of our other midfielders (significantly) and just shy of 2nd in tackles per 90 (outside of Solis)
Gavlaaa40   1
Replying to BlueSteve   19:18, Mon 4 May
BlueSteve
Theres not enough goals in our best XI. I'd use a large part of our budget on recruiting a prolific striker.

We need to create chances first
Docky91   0
Replying to BigBarryBoozer   19:19, Mon 4 May
BigBarryBoozer
Docky91
Rab C Nesbitt
Maybe. But the lack of a big 9 and Solis type definitely harmed us

But again, as we’ve established, even when he had them they weren’t playing regularly under the old system. Not until after Blackburn when there was a clear shift did they appear.

I mean I’m sorry, but if you’re not playing a big bodied midfielder vs John Eustace, then you don’t want one.

Because we signed two young players from abroad who needed to settle into a new league / environment. They needed time to settle here.

The Solis role is important yes, but the lack of any foresight last Summer whether that be the coach or recruitment team to not think that signing a focal point 9 wasnt needed was baffling and worrying and I feel it was a major reason why we ended up inconsistent and finishing mid-table.

I said this at the end of the window and I’ll say it again, and again it’s only my opinion but I think as I’ve previously pointed out this thread with them not all playing it’s vindicated.

The summer window was Gardner signing what Davies wanted, the January window was the recruitment team signing what they thought we needed
Gavlaaa40   0
Replying to Docky91   19:19, Mon 4 May
Docky91
Alfvoy
Docky91
Thrillhouse
The summer window was clearly botched; on paper a lot of it seemed exciting, but I think - in hindsight - an emphasis on building on what worked in league one, coupled with committing big wages on Dimi and Kyogo, left us on the back foot, particularly from a physical point of view and at that back end of the window when we were scratching around the plug gaps.

January was a course correction, and if this summer follows a similar trajectory, I’m willing to suggest lessons have been learned and we don’t necessarily need to rip up the entire recruitment department.

So was January actually a better window? Or is it the change in system. Because if we go back 6 games, Solis wasn’t playing in favour of Doyle signed in the summer, Priske wasn’t playing in favour of Duksch signed in the summer, Vicente wasn’t playing in favour Roberts signed in the summer, then in the flip you had Panzo playing in favour of Neumann.

Vicente was looking pretty poor often just staying outside and having no one pass to him, Solis was getting worse imo.

So it’s interesting we talk about January so positively when 6 games ago most weren’t playing. I think it’s more to do with a change in system than the players being duds.

Honestly if we’re calling signing a starting centre back, our joint top goal scorer, our best consistent attacking threat (Roberts imo) our best assister from midfield and statistically best defensive midfielder (Doyle), and also Dimi Gray who at times
Looks a step above the division when he’s on his game, a crap window, then my friends you have many more to come.

This is before I even add BOS who someone looks incredible for Nigeria and trash for us, and also Osman who has been electric recently,

I'd love to know which statistic makes Doyle our best defensive midfielder?

Wins the ball back more than any of our other midfielders (significantly) and just shy of 2nd in tackles per 90 (outside of Solis)

Surprisingly poor at receiving the ball on the half turn though.
Docky91   0
Replying to Gavlaaa40   19:22, Mon 4 May
Gavlaaa40
Docky91
Alfvoy
Docky91
Thrillhouse
The summer window was clearly botched; on paper a lot of it seemed exciting, but I think - in hindsight - an emphasis on building on what worked in league one, coupled with committing big wages on Dimi and Kyogo, left us on the back foot, particularly from a physical point of view and at that back end of the window when we were scratching around the plug gaps.

January was a course correction, and if this summer follows a similar trajectory, I’m willing to suggest lessons have been learned and we don’t necessarily need to rip up the entire recruitment department.

So was January actually a better window? Or is it the change in system. Because if we go back 6 games, Solis wasn’t playing in favour of Doyle signed in the summer, Priske wasn’t playing in favour of Duksch signed in the summer, Vicente wasn’t playing in favour Roberts signed in the summer, then in the flip you had Panzo playing in favour of Neumann.

Vicente was looking pretty poor often just staying outside and having no one pass to him, Solis was getting worse imo.

So it’s interesting we talk about January so positively when 6 games ago most weren’t playing. I think it’s more to do with a change in system than the players being duds.

Honestly if we’re calling signing a starting centre back, our joint top goal scorer, our best consistent attacking threat (Roberts imo) our best assister from midfield and statistically best defensive midfielder (Doyle), and also Dimi Gray who at times
Looks a step above the division when he’s on his game, a crap window, then my friends you have many more to come.

This is before I even add BOS who someone looks incredible for Nigeria and trash for us, and also Osman who has been electric recently,

I'd love to know which statistic makes Doyle our best defensive midfielder?

Wins the ball back more than any of our other midfielders (significantly) and just shy of 2nd in tackles per 90 (outside of Solis)

Surprisingly poor at receiving the ball on the half turn though.

Agree. However on a side note if you haven’t checked out Kyle Walkers interview talking about Pep and players receiving the ball on the half turn it’s very interesting. (Spoiler, he hates it)
Replying to Rab C Nesbitt   19:22, Mon 4 May
Yeah, clearly focused recruitment now. No need to over think things and try and reinvent the wheel. A true Prike type as your Kyogo replacement and then a Stanno alternative as the Ducksch replacement, maybe more of a 10. Both younger, in 20's.

These guys are out of contract I believe. The type we need to be looking at.

Ransford Königsdörffer


Frank Magri

Replying to ThekombiChronicles   19:22, Mon 4 May
ThekombiChronicles
What's needed to push this team on?

We have a strong foundation now and it will be great going into the start of the new season with 3 recognised left backs in the club.

We're going to need a new first choice GK. Ideally, I'd prefer one with more experience. I'd wouldn't mind Patterson from Sunderland if he was available?

If we were going to invest heavily, I'd like us to try and sign Ethan Pye from Stockport if they don't go up. Young English left footed centre back who is highly rated. I think Neumann and Klarer have shown recently that they can be our starting partnership at the back and then it would be good to slowly develop someone around them.

I'd love us to sign someone in the middle of the park with some serious pedigree and understanding of the championship. I would mind someone like a Ross Barkley type signing. We jlcannot be heading into next season with Paik and Iwata being serious starters together.

I'd love to see Osman back, but he does worry with me about his consistency and end product at times.

Assuming Ducksch is moved on, that would leave us with another position to fill. As much as I love Stanno, I wouldn't want to be solely relying on him and August to lead the line next season. I think we need a bit of experience in the top half of the field as well. There's going to be high expectations again and we've seen effect it has had on Jay at times this season.

With months to kill now until the start of the next season, may as well fill that time with talk of potential signings. Personally can't bare another thread about whether the manager should stay or go.

New #1 GK
left sided CB
CM - Solis permanent deal and another midfielder to replace Doyle for depth, assuming if Iwata is still being utilised as a RB and Marc Leonard not feature next season
Left Winger - Osman back on loan if possible
no 10
Striker - assuming Kyogo and Ducksch departs.

Departures:
all the loans players barring Solis and Osman
Fujimoto - feel sorry for him, he needs gametime
Kyogo - hasn't worked out
Panzo (contract expiration)
Ducksch - won't be surprised if the club moves him on for profit / getting a more suited player to the style of football blues have, especially with the situation off field regarding him.
B47blues   -1
Replying to Leithblues   19:22, Mon 4 May
Leithblues
Doyle hasn't been a successful signing, but comparing him to Olly Lee completely detracts from the point your making

The lad played for Sheffield United last year as they racked up 90+ points and came third. He can clearly play

I didn’t compare him to Olly Lee. I compared his performances at Southampton to Olly Lee at Leeds
Gavlaaa40   -1
Replying to Docky91   20:09, Mon 4 May
Docky91
Gavlaaa40
Docky91
Agree. However on a side note if you haven’t checked out Kyle Walkers interview talking about Pep and players receiving the ball on the half turn it’s very interesting. (Spoiler, he hates it)

I haven’t but I will definitely check it out. On one hand it’s a surprise he doesn’t like it as it feels as if all his teams expect players to be able to take the ball on the half turn, regularly but when i actually think about the skill set required to take the ball like that and play is so rare that it makes sense for Pep to be completely against it as it’s just asking for trouble
Los Azules   1
Replying to Leithblues   21:01, Mon 4 May
Leithblues
Doyle hasn't been a successful signing, but comparing him to Olly Lee completely detracts from the point your making

You’re right, Olly Lee scored a goal for us. Comparing him to Doyle isn’t fair on our Olly.