| Philogene 08:33 - Feb 27 with 4428 views | FrimleyBlue |
Not a question based on performances as we've not seen enough yet.
But... is anyone else really baffled on why we actually targeted and signed him in the Jan window.
It just didn't then or feel now that he was what we needed and with Burns and ogbene out it seemed we needed a proper right sided runner.
I thought when we got him. KM really wanted him for the left hand side.
Interested to know others thoughts. |  |
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| Philogene on 15:48 - Feb 27 with 1269 views | itfcsuth |
Just looks another really bad bit of business.
We had 3 already left sided operators, then we bring an expensive 4th, who is then shoehorned in to right, with Hutchinson who can't play as 10 in there when he is at his best off the right.
Also strange that KMc rightfully spoke about physical profiles in recruitment, and the need for it at highest level where the intensity is just relentless.
And then we go and sign players who are built like featherweights.
Just really strange. |  | | |
| Philogene on 16:03 - Feb 27 with 1258 views | itfcjoe |
We signed him because he’s one we’ve targeted for a long time who became available - timeline hurt us though….we signed Philogene prior to Man City game, then Enciso prior to Liverpool, and then Burns was injured…..I think fair to say had Burns been injured earlier in window we may have changed things but we tried to get players in early and maybe back fired.
It surprises, and saddens, me to see how much stick he is getting today when he was probably our best performer last night. He seems to be being judged incredibly harshly by some - he scored a couple of goals, pressed really hard, worked back really hard, but was maybe a bit too timid on the ball at times in the second half but took up good positions and stretched the game well.
He’s definitely a marked man (not by you Frimmers) |  |
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| Philogene on 16:04 - Feb 27 with 1245 views | portmanking |
| Philogene on 16:03 - Feb 27 by itfcjoe |
We signed him because he’s one we’ve targeted for a long time who became available - timeline hurt us though….we signed Philogene prior to Man City game, then Enciso prior to Liverpool, and then Burns was injured…..I think fair to say had Burns been injured earlier in window we may have changed things but we tried to get players in early and maybe back fired.
It surprises, and saddens, me to see how much stick he is getting today when he was probably our best performer last night. He seems to be being judged incredibly harshly by some - he scored a couple of goals, pressed really hard, worked back really hard, but was maybe a bit too timid on the ball at times in the second half but took up good positions and stretched the game well.
He’s definitely a marked man (not by you Frimmers) |
Yep, really poor to see the stick he's getting. He ticks so many boxes of a McKenna inside forward. Wait until he gets a full pre-season under his belt. If we can keep him, Omari and Clarke for next season in the Champ we'll be well set in the final third. |  | | |
| Philogene on 16:06 - Feb 27 with 1227 views | NeedhamChris |
| Philogene on 16:03 - Feb 27 by itfcjoe |
We signed him because he’s one we’ve targeted for a long time who became available - timeline hurt us though….we signed Philogene prior to Man City game, then Enciso prior to Liverpool, and then Burns was injured…..I think fair to say had Burns been injured earlier in window we may have changed things but we tried to get players in early and maybe back fired.
It surprises, and saddens, me to see how much stick he is getting today when he was probably our best performer last night. He seems to be being judged incredibly harshly by some - he scored a couple of goals, pressed really hard, worked back really hard, but was maybe a bit too timid on the ball at times in the second half but took up good positions and stretched the game well.
He’s definitely a marked man (not by you Frimmers) |
The guy near me in SBRL screams abuse at him all game because he joined Villa over us in the summer.
Agree with you - he's become a target but he is by no way the reason we lost yesterday. I thought it was a solid performance. | |
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| Philogene on 16:41 - Feb 27 with 1169 views | TractorWood |
| Philogene on 14:44 - Feb 27 by portmanking |
It's not bad business if you can go down and bounce back with a team that's confident and truly gelled. Then in 2026/27 you could look to take a quality over quantity approach to supplement what's already there.
Many Champ fans had described our squad as being a 'Championship all-stars'. Providing we live up to that next year, the players will have retained or even enhanced their asset values and we'll have better depth for the PL. |
That's a good scenario. I'm more sceptical around the HMS p1ss the league next year narrative.
A bad scenario is where McKenna goes, Delap goes (feels very likely and he's actually scored the majority of our goals this seson) and we are left with expensive players and start the season badly in the championship. [Post edited 27 Feb 16:42]
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| Philogene on 17:04 - Feb 27 with 1111 views | portmanking |
| Philogene on 16:41 - Feb 27 by TractorWood |
That's a good scenario. I'm more sceptical around the HMS p1ss the league next year narrative.
A bad scenario is where McKenna goes, Delap goes (feels very likely and he's actually scored the majority of our goals this seson) and we are left with expensive players and start the season badly in the championship. [Post edited 27 Feb 16:42]
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Is it a bad scenario if Delap goes? I'm increasingly of the opinion that he's more disruptive to the cohesion of the team. He's an exceptional talent but he tries to take on the world. If we can recruit another Hirst-style replacement for Delap i.e. someone with great ball retention and pressing ability, I don't actually think we'd miss Delap in the Championship.
If anything, I view Delap's meteoric rise as a chance for us to flog him and give us the headroom to retain the rest of our squad and rebuild our central midfield. | | | |
| Philogene on 17:05 - Feb 27 with 1109 views | ITFCSG |
| Philogene on 16:41 - Feb 27 by TractorWood |
That's a good scenario. I'm more sceptical around the HMS p1ss the league next year narrative.
A bad scenario is where McKenna goes, Delap goes (feels very likely and he's actually scored the majority of our goals this seson) and we are left with expensive players and start the season badly in the championship. [Post edited 27 Feb 16:42]
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I don't buy the HMS Pi$$ the League hype one bit.
Last time people said it when we went down to League One see what happened in the end?
Our current XI will very likely struggle to beat the current Leeds team, how to pi$$ the League? | | | |
| Philogene on 17:07 - Feb 27 with 1093 views | portmanking |
| Philogene on 17:05 - Feb 27 by ITFCSG |
I don't buy the HMS Pi$$ the League hype one bit.
Last time people said it when we went down to League One see what happened in the end?
Our current XI will very likely struggle to beat the current Leeds team, how to pi$$ the League? |
I don't see anyone saying HMS P*ss the League?
There's nothing wrong with having a sense of confidence/expectation in your squad to bounce back. In fact, given the talent we do have for Championship level, I'd be alarmed if fans weren't expectant.
We crushed Coventry without getting out of second gear, remember. | | | |
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| Philogene on 17:15 - Feb 27 with 1051 views | ITFCSG |
| Philogene on 17:07 - Feb 27 by portmanking |
I don't see anyone saying HMS P*ss the League?
There's nothing wrong with having a sense of confidence/expectation in your squad to bounce back. In fact, given the talent we do have for Championship level, I'd be alarmed if fans weren't expectant.
We crushed Coventry without getting out of second gear, remember. |
Read between the lines, many people both on TWTD, X, Facebook etc. are saying things like "promotion push", "coming straight back up". "top 2" etc. which pretty much alludes to pi$$ing the league.
Coventry blow hot and cold, and the Championship is a long slog of a season, there is no guarantee.
I'd rather tamper my expectations and see where we can improve the squad for the next season. Regardless of division the striker situation needs to be addressed. So are the midfield and RB issues. The higher you aim, the harder you'' fall. I won't count my chickens before they are hatched. | | | |
| Philogene on 17:21 - Feb 27 with 1035 views | Blue_Heath |
Wea appear to be wanting to be the Chelsea of the Championship, stockpile players we don't really need and stop others having them. | | | |
| Philogene on 17:35 - Feb 27 with 997 views | TractorWood |
| Philogene on 17:07 - Feb 27 by portmanking |
I don't see anyone saying HMS P*ss the League?
There's nothing wrong with having a sense of confidence/expectation in your squad to bounce back. In fact, given the talent we do have for Championship level, I'd be alarmed if fans weren't expectant.
We crushed Coventry without getting out of second gear, remember. |
You said bounce back. That means immediate promotion right?
We've been away from the Prem for 20+ years and took 4/5 years to get out of the league one with a massive budget and the best squad.
Look at Leeds every season. The assumption we get promoted again is just ridiculous. Particularly when a new acquisitions (bar Delap) have massively flattered to deceive. | |
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| Philogene on 17:44 - Feb 27 with 958 views | portmanking |
| Philogene on 17:15 - Feb 27 by ITFCSG |
Read between the lines, many people both on TWTD, X, Facebook etc. are saying things like "promotion push", "coming straight back up". "top 2" etc. which pretty much alludes to pi$$ing the league.
Coventry blow hot and cold, and the Championship is a long slog of a season, there is no guarantee.
I'd rather tamper my expectations and see where we can improve the squad for the next season. Regardless of division the striker situation needs to be addressed. So are the midfield and RB issues. The higher you aim, the harder you'' fall. I won't count my chickens before they are hatched. |
Coventry are a point off fifth place...
Who's saying there is a guarantee?! No-one.
Also, "the higher you aim, the harder you fall" slogan is an immense dose of copium, if ever I've seen it. | | | |
| Philogene on 17:46 - Feb 27 with 948 views | portmanking |
| Philogene on 17:35 - Feb 27 by TractorWood |
You said bounce back. That means immediate promotion right?
We've been away from the Prem for 20+ years and took 4/5 years to get out of the league one with a massive budget and the best squad.
Look at Leeds every season. The assumption we get promoted again is just ridiculous. Particularly when a new acquisitions (bar Delap) have massively flattered to deceive. |
For every Luton, there's multiple teams that have come down and been in and around the top 3-4 of the division every year.
I'm not saying it's guaranteed. But, with careful recruitment and using our parachute payment advantage, we *should* be in and around the top 2. That's not assumption. That's just probability. | | | |
| Philogene on 17:53 - Feb 27 with 934 views | Steve_M |
| Philogene on 16:03 - Feb 27 by itfcjoe |
We signed him because he’s one we’ve targeted for a long time who became available - timeline hurt us though….we signed Philogene prior to Man City game, then Enciso prior to Liverpool, and then Burns was injured…..I think fair to say had Burns been injured earlier in window we may have changed things but we tried to get players in early and maybe back fired.
It surprises, and saddens, me to see how much stick he is getting today when he was probably our best performer last night. He seems to be being judged incredibly harshly by some - he scored a couple of goals, pressed really hard, worked back really hard, but was maybe a bit too timid on the ball at times in the second half but took up good positions and stretched the game well.
He’s definitely a marked man (not by you Frimmers) |
I thought he was linking up well with Hutchinson in particular too, something which added to Dorgus frustrations down that side. It really does feel like people have made up their minds on Philogene based on Villa's actions last Summer.
Actually thought Jack Clarke contributed at times and looked stronger and more confident than for much of the season. |  |
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| Philogene on 18:45 - Feb 27 with 869 views | Vaughan8 |
| Philogene on 16:03 - Feb 27 by itfcjoe |
We signed him because he’s one we’ve targeted for a long time who became available - timeline hurt us though….we signed Philogene prior to Man City game, then Enciso prior to Liverpool, and then Burns was injured…..I think fair to say had Burns been injured earlier in window we may have changed things but we tried to get players in early and maybe back fired.
It surprises, and saddens, me to see how much stick he is getting today when he was probably our best performer last night. He seems to be being judged incredibly harshly by some - he scored a couple of goals, pressed really hard, worked back really hard, but was maybe a bit too timid on the ball at times in the second half but took up good positions and stretched the game well.
He’s definitely a marked man (not by you Frimmers) |
I can only go off what I saw on the TV tonight and i'd say he wasn't our best performer in a very bad performance. I thought Cajuste again looked good.
Jaden just kept passing it back to Axel or whoever was there. However, that might be our poor tactics and he's told to do tht as he did it a lot on Saturday too.
However, went to the Spurs game and the "lads" behind me were giving Clarke stick for everything, and Jaden would do exactly the same (if not worse) and they'd stay quiet. | | | |
| Philogene on 18:55 - Feb 27 with 842 views | Blue_Heath |
| Philogene on 17:04 - Feb 27 by portmanking |
Is it a bad scenario if Delap goes? I'm increasingly of the opinion that he's more disruptive to the cohesion of the team. He's an exceptional talent but he tries to take on the world. If we can recruit another Hirst-style replacement for Delap i.e. someone with great ball retention and pressing ability, I don't actually think we'd miss Delap in the Championship.
If anything, I view Delap's meteoric rise as a chance for us to flog him and give us the headroom to retain the rest of our squad and rebuild our central midfield. |
I see your point re Delap, he doesn't pass enough when he should. | | | |
| Potential financial gain…. on 19:23 - Feb 27 with 806 views | lazyblue |
| Potential financial gain…. on 08:50 - Feb 27 by Reuser_is_God |
Odd character isn’t he?
2 premier league goals at Old Trafford for your new club & he didn’t even muster a smile. |
Yes he did | | | |
| Philogene on 19:40 - Feb 27 with 783 views | Smoresy |
| Philogene on 17:35 - Feb 27 by TractorWood |
You said bounce back. That means immediate promotion right?
We've been away from the Prem for 20+ years and took 4/5 years to get out of the league one with a massive budget and the best squad.
Look at Leeds every season. The assumption we get promoted again is just ridiculous. Particularly when a new acquisitions (bar Delap) have massively flattered to deceive. |
It isn't an assumption but we should be in with a good shout. That's realistic thinking. Have you had your eyes on the Championship this season? It's totally followed the pattern of last.
The clubs that have seriously invested their parachute payments are much too good for nearly everyone else. Southampton was the worst of them last year but cleared the playoffs threshold with over 10 games to spare. Burnley, Sheff Utd and Leeds will do the same this season; they may well have all guaranteed top 6 already. We shouldn't ignore that Sheff Utd managed 16 points and conceded 104 goals in the PL: levels.
Luton weren't close to automatic promotion in 22/23 and then spent a comparative pittance in this league. Their plight provides caution but they travelled a very different road to us and the others. | | | |
| Philogene on 19:51 - Feb 27 with 767 views | TractorWood |
| Philogene on 19:40 - Feb 27 by Smoresy |
It isn't an assumption but we should be in with a good shout. That's realistic thinking. Have you had your eyes on the Championship this season? It's totally followed the pattern of last.
The clubs that have seriously invested their parachute payments are much too good for nearly everyone else. Southampton was the worst of them last year but cleared the playoffs threshold with over 10 games to spare. Burnley, Sheff Utd and Leeds will do the same this season; they may well have all guaranteed top 6 already. We shouldn't ignore that Sheff Utd managed 16 points and conceded 104 goals in the PL: levels.
Luton weren't close to automatic promotion in 22/23 and then spent a comparative pittance in this league. Their plight provides caution but they travelled a very different road to us and the others. |
I see your logic but I've followed ITFC for far too long to believe in it. | |
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| Philogene on 20:16 - Feb 27 with 745 views | Smoresy |
| Philogene on 19:51 - Feb 27 by TractorWood |
I see your logic but I've followed ITFC for far too long to believe in it. |
Respect that and I may well be less confident come August; lineup and coaching staff could be very different by then, hopefully not too much.
Last offering of positivity by me today: Coventry have leapt up to 7th since we coasted past them in the FA Cup. 7 of that starting 11 started in their last league game, a win against QPR, and 2 more came off the bench, including the scorer. 8 started in the previous win against Sheff Weds. We snuck to victory at Coventry with the 96-point heroes but that was a million miles from coasting. | | | |
| Philogene on 20:41 - Feb 27 with 713 views | southnorfolkblue |
I am. It would appear that he was first choice for the left side before we signed Clarke. Hull fans are fairly consistent in saying that his best performances were on the left. It feels like an expensive square peg for a round hole unless there is a longer term plan to move him back to the left at the expense of either Clarke or Broadhead. | |
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| Philogene on 22:34 - Feb 27 with 641 views | reusersfreekicks |
| Philogene on 14:48 - Feb 27 by tractorboy1978 |
That is how I see it. If we can rebuild our midfield and replace Delap we will be in a great position to come up again with a far stronger squad than we did last summer. Then you can add 6/7 to the mix rather than the numbers we had to this season. |
Don't underestimate how difficult it is to get promoted from the championship |  | | |
| Philogene on 23:57 - Feb 27 with 597 views | bournemouthblue |
The Wimmer guy we were linked with presumably as alternative looked more that sort of player in fairness
Philogene clearly is talented but it's going to be a slow burner I fear |  |
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