Assessing our squad
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JoelfuckingGlazer
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It's still early days and he's still young, but I have to say I'm massively underwhelmed by Sesko. What did we pay, 70m? Questionable first touch, seems very easily knocked off the ball for a big lad, and has no real goal threat about him. He could very well be another big money flop. We should've gone for a more sure thing in this position, given how little depth and quality we have/had.
He's useless. It's easy to see.JoelfuckingGlazer wrote: ↑1 month ago It's still early days and he's still young, but I have to say I'm massively underwhelmed by Sesko. What did we pay, 70m? Questionable first touch, seems very easily knocked off the ball for a big lad, and has no real goal threat about him. He could very well be another big money flop. We should've gone for a more sure thing in this position, given how little depth and quality we have/had.
He's big, strong, great leap, tall and yet he might as well not be there. He has close to zero presence.
Disclaimer: This post is likely to be WUMming. Irritate yourself with it at your own risk
I know I'll get pelters from Dozey for giving Sesko too much of a chance and not writing him off after 10 games, but I think this season was going to be all about adapting. Amorim is overly cautious with bringing players in so the amount of times he subs him etc. isn't helping him IMO. How many full 90s has he actually had ffs?
I think that Aussie lad on the podcast summed it up for me perfectly. He has more about him than Hojlund as he is actually getting on the end of chances, as opposed to being nowhere near. That gives us more to work with, but whether it will be enough is obviously up in the air. These are the risks you take and we are the WORST club for strikers and keepers as perfection is demanded almost instantly. Amorim's shite system also makes it even more demanding as we get fuck all players forward and create either low quality chances or none at all.
As for the price, as discussed in the summer, the amortisation and wages makes it almost a straight swap on the books with Hojlund (presuming Napoli activate the clause by finishing in the CL spots). Obviously cash flow-wise not great but who else would we have signed for a better price? And before anyone starts reeling off strikers for other clubs that cost less, do you really think that price doesn't instantly go up once we're interested? And do we really think those players succeed for us as they have for others? Hypothetical I know, but unfortunately that's reality lads, there isn't a magic striker on the market who would just come in and perform in these circumstances - and if they did, all it takes is 2-3 bad games for people to write him off.
All that said... obviously we can't make excuses for Sesko forever, but I think he deserves the grace of a season to adjust and if it doesn't work out, then we cash in and throw the next lamb to the slaughter, hoping he swims and doesn't sink like the rest of them.
I think that Aussie lad on the podcast summed it up for me perfectly. He has more about him than Hojlund as he is actually getting on the end of chances, as opposed to being nowhere near. That gives us more to work with, but whether it will be enough is obviously up in the air. These are the risks you take and we are the WORST club for strikers and keepers as perfection is demanded almost instantly. Amorim's shite system also makes it even more demanding as we get fuck all players forward and create either low quality chances or none at all.
As for the price, as discussed in the summer, the amortisation and wages makes it almost a straight swap on the books with Hojlund (presuming Napoli activate the clause by finishing in the CL spots). Obviously cash flow-wise not great but who else would we have signed for a better price? And before anyone starts reeling off strikers for other clubs that cost less, do you really think that price doesn't instantly go up once we're interested? And do we really think those players succeed for us as they have for others? Hypothetical I know, but unfortunately that's reality lads, there isn't a magic striker on the market who would just come in and perform in these circumstances - and if they did, all it takes is 2-3 bad games for people to write him off.
All that said... obviously we can't make excuses for Sesko forever, but I think he deserves the grace of a season to adjust and if it doesn't work out, then we cash in and throw the next lamb to the slaughter, hoping he swims and doesn't sink like the rest of them.
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JoelfuckingGlazer
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Yeah I'm certainly not writing him off. He's only 22, new to the league, at a club in transition/turmoil, and in a system that doesn't really work. Not exactly a platform for success. And I see bits that give me encouragement - he's just a way short of what's needed.
I do think that in some variation of a 433, with Cunha, Bruno and Mbuemo in around him, and 2 orthodox full backs on the overlap getting crosses in, he'd have a chance. But that's probably too sensible for Amorim.
What's clear though, is that Zirkzee is as much use as a chocolate teapot when it comes to competing for a striker spot. And Obi isn't ready. And no club can go through a season with a single striker on the books. No excuses, some sort of sensible short term deal for a striker is essential. Welbeck keeps getting mentioned - that sort of signing would be ideal.
All this talk of the club being 'relaxed' when it comes to January business and that we'd only go for deals on targets that we have lined up for the summer- well I'm glad they're so fucking relaxed. They can stay relaxed as we keep falling further and further away.
I do think that in some variation of a 433, with Cunha, Bruno and Mbuemo in around him, and 2 orthodox full backs on the overlap getting crosses in, he'd have a chance. But that's probably too sensible for Amorim.
What's clear though, is that Zirkzee is as much use as a chocolate teapot when it comes to competing for a striker spot. And Obi isn't ready. And no club can go through a season with a single striker on the books. No excuses, some sort of sensible short term deal for a striker is essential. Welbeck keeps getting mentioned - that sort of signing would be ideal.
All this talk of the club being 'relaxed' when it comes to January business and that we'd only go for deals on targets that we have lined up for the summer- well I'm glad they're so fucking relaxed. They can stay relaxed as we keep falling further and further away.
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JoelfuckingGlazer
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So, we're clearly going to be playing a 433 variant for the rest of the season. Which means we have Mainoo, Casemiro, Ugarte and Bruno for 3 positions. It's not nearly enough. Even with the manager situation, there's zero excuse for the club not at least getting in a loan to provide some help. Even a Sabitzer type loan would be better than nothing.
Number 10 is covered.JoelfuckingGlazer wrote: ↑1 month ago So, we're clearly going to be playing a 433 variant for the rest of the season. Which means we have Mainoo, Casemiro, Ugarte and Bruno for 3 positions. It's not nearly enough. Even with the manager situation, there's zero excuse for the club not at least getting in a loan to provide some help. Even a Sabitzer type loan would be better than nothing.
For the midfield 2, we have Mainoo, Case, Ugarte and... Fletcher? Bruno can continue playing deep and Mount can start as a 10.
Or I wonder if one of the defenders will move up - Lisandro perhaps.
Disclaimer: This post is likely to be WUMming. Irritate yourself with it at your own risk
If it's Ole, Bruno at 10, Mount/Mainoo at 8 and Case/Ugarte at 6. Mount can fill in at 10 in an injury crisis. Fletcher at 6/8.
If it's a Pep-style 3, then Case at the base, Ugarte/Mainoo and Bruno/Mount. There we might need another player as the profiles are less clear. Plus if Casemiro has to come off after an hour to stay fit, it could go to shit as none of the others can sit in.
If it's a Pep-style 3, then Case at the base, Ugarte/Mainoo and Bruno/Mount. There we might need another player as the profiles are less clear. Plus if Casemiro has to come off after an hour to stay fit, it could go to shit as none of the others can sit in.
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JoelfuckingGlazer
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If we don't add more into the midfield it'll get exposed, and we'll face more games with square pegs and kids who aren't ready yet.
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Fuck the Glazers
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I reckon this squad would be where it is in the league without Amorim. I don't think he added anything special. If anything his bullshit - mainly the formation, rigid passing routines and shit subs - held us back a bit.
His man management was shit, and his inability to keep his shit together was a real issue.
I can't think of a time where I thought Amorim (his ideas, tactics etc) won us a game, or really made a difference.
The squad is decent. The attack is much better and we're scoring more goals. Midfield has a gaping hole between Mainoo & Bruno. But those two are world class. And the defence has quality too like Martinez and De Ligt. Keeper is sorted.
In this league, in this season, it's probably where it should be. Maybe it should be higher.
I just don't think we'll miss the cunt. I suppose we'll find out over the next few months.
His man management was shit, and his inability to keep his shit together was a real issue.
I can't think of a time where I thought Amorim (his ideas, tactics etc) won us a game, or really made a difference.
The squad is decent. The attack is much better and we're scoring more goals. Midfield has a gaping hole between Mainoo & Bruno. But those two are world class. And the defence has quality too like Martinez and De Ligt. Keeper is sorted.
In this league, in this season, it's probably where it should be. Maybe it should be higher.
I just don't think we'll miss the cunt. I suppose we'll find out over the next few months.
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JoelfuckingGlazer
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I've given Dorgu plenty of stick, but fairs fair - he's been excellent since moving into a forward position. Watching him as a wide forward, you can see that there's a real player there. Him, Lammens, Mbuemo, Cunha. Heaven as a young prospect for 1m. The recruitment has been much better under INEOS, we just need to do more of it. Massive summer coming up as we need to rebuild the midfield. European qualification is crucial.