| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. 13:30 - Jul 21 with 4587 views | Westcountryblue |
3–4 weeks ago, if you had said Delap, Tuanzebe, Morsy, Hutchinson would be leaving and incoming would be Button (36), Young (40), Matusiwa (good on paper, but with no experience in English football), I think there would be some concerned faces.
While I understand the logic behind signing Young, the Championship is a different beast. The relentless Saturday–Tuesday fixtures and 40–50 game schedule are completely different to playing in the Premiership, where you benefit from 7 days of rest and recovery (if you're not involved in Europe) and regular international breaks.
I think we've lost a few vital components in our squad. Losing the likes of Luongo, Morsy, Tuanzebe is a big loss in terms of leadership and voice on the pitch. Importantly, this leadership has been backed up on the pitch, largely by Morsy, who leads by example and isn't just a presence/voice in the changing room. I'm not sure the likes of Matusiwa will be able to turn around to Davis and Clarke and give them an earful for not tracking back etc.
Another thing we've lost is that searing pace that the likes of Hutchinson and Delap gave us. There are big, big questions about whether Ogbene can return after a very serious Achilles injury and Burns (30) an ACL, where players never quite reach the same levels of movement and explosiveness they previous had.
For me, we should be good enough to be around the play offs, but I'm highly doubtful we're top 2 quality at the moment. We don't have the physicality in midfield, have lost leadership across the pitch, and we lack the pace to really hurt teams—that's essential against teams that will come up to PR and set up for a point.
Huge amount of work ahead for MA and KMac. [Post edited 21 Jul 13:39]
|  | | |  |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 13:33 - Jul 21 with 3385 views | J2BLUE |
People keep making posts like this as if it's news.
Every summer every club wants their business done early. It almost never happens. We need to concentrate on getting the right players in for the length of their contracts so we are not going to panic in July.
People need to relax a little. |  |
| |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 13:34 - Jul 21 with 3371 views | tractorboy1978 |
We've lost lots of leadership on the pitch but you ignore the experience/leadership that Young brings if he signs?
Hutchinson hasn't gone anywhere yet. [Post edited 21 Jul 13:35]
| | | |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 13:36 - Jul 21 with 3285 views | Westcountryblue |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 13:33 - Jul 21 by J2BLUE |
People keep making posts like this as if it's news.
Every summer every club wants their business done early. It almost never happens. We need to concentrate on getting the right players in for the length of their contracts so we are not going to panic in July.
People need to relax a little. |
I think it just summarises where we are at the moment. Reasonably well equiped, but with significant work still ahead of us.
As you mention, no need to panic yet, but we do need 4-5 players to come in and address some of these shortages present within our squad. | | | |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 13:37 - Jul 21 with 3251 views | Kieran_Knows |
You have to take the Young signing for what it is though... I highly doubt we'd be looking at him to play 46 games next season. He's an experienced head in the group, a Prem winner, Serie A winner, cup winner and given we're losing Morsy, we desperately need someone like him in the squad. I'd go as far as saying its 12 months too late, we needed someone of his ilk last summer ahead of our Prem campaign. |  |
| |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 13:39 - Jul 21 with 3214 views | boysof1981 |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 13:34 - Jul 21 by tractorboy1978 |
We've lost lots of leadership on the pitch but you ignore the experience/leadership that Young brings if he signs?
Hutchinson hasn't gone anywhere yet. [Post edited 21 Jul 13:35]
|
We bought in Phillips for experience last season and barely saw him due to injury. Plus his experience/leadership didn’t help one iota as we were down realistically by February | | | |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 13:41 - Jul 21 with 3160 views | Swansea_Blue |
That third paragraph, where you talk about us losing leaders on and off the pitch. That’s probably why KM is interested in Ashley Young.
I think most people knew we’d lose our better performers. If anyone is surprised by it, they can’t have paid much attention to other clubs (or indeed ourselves when we’ve been relegated before). |  |
| |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 13:43 - Jul 21 with 3130 views | tractorboy1978 |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 13:39 - Jul 21 by boysof1981 |
We bought in Phillips for experience last season and barely saw him due to injury. Plus his experience/leadership didn’t help one iota as we were down realistically by February |
What's that got to do with the price of milk? | | | |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 13:46 - Jul 21 with 3063 views | Westcountryblue |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 13:41 - Jul 21 by Swansea_Blue |
That third paragraph, where you talk about us losing leaders on and off the pitch. That’s probably why KM is interested in Ashley Young.
I think most people knew we’d lose our better performers. If anyone is surprised by it, they can’t have paid much attention to other clubs (or indeed ourselves when we’ve been relegated before). |
I think the good thing about Luongo, Morsy, Tuanzebe is that they were able to show leadership both on and off the pitch, where they led by example.
Different for example to say Dom Ball, who by all accounts was a good voice and leader around the club, but rarely contributed on the pitch.
My concern with someone like Young is that A. it displaces potentially Johnson/Clarke and B. His leadership is only useful to an extent if he's not on the pitch playing week in, week out. | | | |
Login to get fewer ads
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 13:48 - Jul 21 with 3019 views | LeoMuff |
Good back up to Johnson is the way I see it and cover until Wes is back, with added experience and hopefully leadership.
Business has been slow but as others have said the level we need to recruit is not easy they will have options, many possibly in the prem.
I like what we have done so far quality Morsy replacement and quality Burgess replacement, we need 2 more CMs and a striker at a high level. |  |
| |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 13:52 - Jul 21 with 2966 views | homer_123 |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 13:46 - Jul 21 by Westcountryblue |
I think the good thing about Luongo, Morsy, Tuanzebe is that they were able to show leadership both on and off the pitch, where they led by example.
Different for example to say Dom Ball, who by all accounts was a good voice and leader around the club, but rarely contributed on the pitch.
My concern with someone like Young is that A. it displaces potentially Johnson/Clarke and B. His leadership is only useful to an extent if he's not on the pitch playing week in, week out. |
I refer the good gentleman to Aluko in terms of leadership, inspiration etc. when not always player. |  |
| |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 13:52 - Jul 21 with 2970 views | Bellevue_Blue |
I understand that you might feel underwhelmed by our business so far, but the way you've structured your argument doesn't quite hold up.
As another poster pointed out, you mention losing leadership but don’t acknowledge the experience and leadership Ashley Young brings to the squad.
You also raise concerns about a lack of physicality in midfield, yet don’t mention that we've just signed a midfielder who significantly strengthens us in that area.
Doing business at the top end of the Championship is notoriously tough. Just last year, Leeds lost their best striker, winger, and midfielder. Burnley lost their top winger, midfielder, and defender.
Notably, Burnley signed nine players in August alone. Leeds completed half of their six signings in the final 10 days of the window. Sheffield United also made five summer signings in August.
History tells us there is no need to be concerned. What we need is quality—not just players who happen to be available in June or July. | | | |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 14:01 - Jul 21 with 2854 views | Rorschach |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 13:36 - Jul 21 by Westcountryblue |
I think it just summarises where we are at the moment. Reasonably well equiped, but with significant work still ahead of us.
As you mention, no need to panic yet, but we do need 4-5 players to come in and address some of these shortages present within our squad. |
if you were on Mastermind would your specialist subject be 'The Completely Obvious' |  |
| I'm not locked in here with you...you're locked in here with me. |
| |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 14:19 - Jul 21 with 2671 views | Guthrum |
Don't forget Kipre. Good age, experience of English football. |  |
| |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 14:24 - Jul 21 with 2643 views | blueasfook |
If we sign Young (irony!), then that's honestly a fookin joke. The guy is 40 years old FFS. |  |
| |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 14:31 - Jul 21 with 2493 views | BlueandTruesince82 |
I think you're undermining your own argument.
1. We have lost leadership but say you dont want a player that has won PL titles, played 39 times for Engalnd, played consistently for a PL club last season and would bring exactly the kind of leadership you worry we have lost.
2. You express concerns over his age, yet worry over the loss of Morsy, Massimo, both of whom are certainly in the latter part of their careers.
Young player plenty for Everton last season and is incredibly fit. The fact that his able to play on at 40 is testament to his dedication, professionalism and fitness. Luka Modric has just moved from Real to AC Milan at 39. Age is just a number if you maintain your standards and fitness.
I note some other posts have drawn comparison to Phillips. Kalvin Phillips fitness last year has absolutely nothing to do with Youngs fitness for the year ahead.
Matusiwa, you're rather writing him off before he's started. Something fans love to do. None of us know how he will get on but he has a hod pedigree and the manager, in whom we all trust wants him here. Someone has to replace Morsy, who would you prefer?
The transfer window isnt shut yet, you're judging the meal whilst the chef is still cooking it. [Post edited 21 Jul 15:52]
|  |
| |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 14:33 - Jul 21 with 2475 views | blueasfook |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 13:34 - Jul 21 by tractorboy1978 |
We've lost lots of leadership on the pitch but you ignore the experience/leadership that Young brings if he signs?
Hutchinson hasn't gone anywhere yet. [Post edited 21 Jul 13:35]
|
Where's he captained? Just because the guy is 40 doesn't mean he brings leadership qualities. | |
| |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 14:34 - Jul 21 with 2458 views | blueoutlook |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 13:37 - Jul 21 by Kieran_Knows |
You have to take the Young signing for what it is though... I highly doubt we'd be looking at him to play 46 games next season. He's an experienced head in the group, a Prem winner, Serie A winner, cup winner and given we're losing Morsy, we desperately need someone like him in the squad. I'd go as far as saying its 12 months too late, we needed someone of his ilk last summer ahead of our Prem campaign. |
Does he have to be 40 though ? There are experienced players out there who have a few years left in them. I see it as a waste of a squad place. If he was here as a coach then fair enough. But not a registered player. |  | | |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 14:36 - Jul 21 with 2407 views | only_one_sir_bobby |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 14:33 - Jul 21 by blueasfook |
Where's he captained? Just because the guy is 40 doesn't mean he brings leadership qualities. |
He's captained Everton, Man Utd and Aston Villa. Your statement that just because he's 40 doesn't guarantee he brings leadership is fair, except in this instance, he absolutey would.
Having longevity like that at the highest level only comes with top professionalism [Post edited 21 Jul 14:37]
| | | |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 14:37 - Jul 21 with 2387 views | BlueandTruesince82 |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 14:33 - Jul 21 by blueasfook |
Where's he captained? Just because the guy is 40 doesn't mean he brings leadership qualities. |
So if you haven't been a captain somewhere you won't bring any leadership? Experience of playing at Man Utd, when they still good, Inter and Englad over a career of 20 plus tears doesn't count for anything because you weren't captain? | |
| |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 14:38 - Jul 21 with 2360 views | tractorboy1978 |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 14:33 - Jul 21 by blueasfook |
Where's he captained? Just because the guy is 40 doesn't mean he brings leadership qualities. |
He's been captain of both Villa and Man Utd. | | | |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 14:38 - Jul 21 with 2365 views | blueasfook |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 14:36 - Jul 21 by only_one_sir_bobby |
He's captained Everton, Man Utd and Aston Villa. Your statement that just because he's 40 doesn't guarantee he brings leadership is fair, except in this instance, he absolutey would.
Having longevity like that at the highest level only comes with top professionalism [Post edited 21 Jul 14:37]
|
40 though. We should get on the phone to Gazza too. | |
| |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 14:42 - Jul 21 with 2280 views | Herbivore |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 14:34 - Jul 21 by blueoutlook |
Does he have to be 40 though ? There are experienced players out there who have a few years left in them. I see it as a waste of a squad place. If he was here as a coach then fair enough. But not a registered player. |
He can't help being 40, mate. It's not his choice. |  |
| |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 14:44 - Jul 21 with 2257 views | SavageITFC |
I am not overly convinced by the signing of Ashley Young, but as people have pointed out helps us to fill a clear leadership void. Am not sure he is needed with 2 capable full backs already at the club for rb/lb. Feels as if people are overreacting to our summer so far, yes we need bodies in a few areas CM/ST urgently, but other than that we already have the core of a squad more than good enough to challenge for top 2. | | | |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 14:53 - Jul 21 with 2142 views | homer_123 |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 14:24 - Jul 21 by blueasfook |
If we sign Young (irony!), then that's honestly a fookin joke. The guy is 40 years old FFS. |
That Usyk at 38 is rubbish as well. | |
| |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 14:54 - Jul 21 with 2135 views | LeoMuff |
| Ashley Young - not convinced, or by our business so far. on 14:24 - Jul 21 by blueasfook |
If we sign Young (irony!), then that's honestly a fookin joke. The guy is 40 years old FFS. |
Wasn’t there a quote somewhere that Mck thought Young would become a top manager someday, I would imagine this is the plan. 1 year of quality back up then move into coaching. | |
| |
| |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
