| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? 01:10 - May 6 with 2855 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
Might sound crazy but both have one rather big flaw in the PL and that’s physicality. If we are allowed to spend 80% or whatever it is of our revenue there could be an argument that selling one and look spending on a more physical athletic player in the position. Jaden would command the higher fee based on talent levels alone but I’d imagine but sure every Town fan would expect to be seeing him play for us next year.
While I really like them both I think it’s a pretty un robust left hand side in the PL if it’s purely those two that are sharing minutes. It might not be about making a big profit on what was paid in terms of player trading but more allowing a little more room for expenditure in the summer. We have investment and the new TV to come in but there are still rules and are wage bill must be much higher than last time.
The more I look at our business since 2024 and look across the league it’s very clear there is much better value in Europe than the EFL. [Post edited 6 May 1:11]
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| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? on 10:16 - May 6 with 438 views | E_I_E_I_E_I_O |
This is all very well but on the assumption these are not PL players they won’t get a move to another prem club. To get the required price they also wouldn’t go to a championship team. That then leaves abroad. So purely from the fact no one would pay the asking price alone fully expect both to be competing for us next season. [Post edited 6 May 11:44]
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| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? (n/t) on 10:24 - May 6 with 413 views | Bellevue_Blue |
| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? (n/t) on 09:50 - May 6 by mrfixit426 |
People have taken the "physicality" buzzword and are just repeating it like it's some kind of magic solution.
Not every player needs to be a monster. Look at Man City for example. They have their share of beasts, but would you call Barnardo Silva, David Silva, Phil Foden, Mahrez heavyweights? Lightweight players can succeed in the Premier League. It depends on how they are deployed, and also their ability.
Alexander Isak looks like he's made out of tissue paper, but he tore us a new one last season. [Post edited 6 May 9:55]
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You are talking about the most technically gifted players on the entire planet here .... we are a million miles from these types of players.
Man City's squad should have zero influence on the way we build our squad. Ours should be built on trends set by Sunderland/ Leeds then Brentford/ Brighton/ Bournemouth etc |  | | |
| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? (n/t) on 10:29 - May 6 with 396 views | Bellevue_Blue |
| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? (n/t) on 09:59 - May 6 by BiGDonnie |
Yup.
Continuity is a big thing too. All this 12 or so new signings. We'll start the season with at least 6 of the current squad as starters and I'm happy with that.
Walton, O'Shea, Greaves, Davies, Matusiwa, Philogene/Clarke. |
I'd personally be staggered if it was as many as 6. I can see 4 max if our transfer business goes as planned and it wouldn't surprise me if we signed a new LW.
Davis, O'Shea, Matusiwa & Clarke/ Philo.
I would have thought a new GK and a new LCB would be towards the very top of the recruitment list. | | | |
| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? (n/t) on 10:32 - May 6 with 386 views | mrfixit426 |
| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? (n/t) on 10:24 - May 6 by Bellevue_Blue |
You are talking about the most technically gifted players on the entire planet here .... we are a million miles from these types of players.
Man City's squad should have zero influence on the way we build our squad. Ours should be built on trends set by Sunderland/ Leeds then Brentford/ Brighton/ Bournemouth etc |
I named them to make a point. Those clubs you reference are also littered with "lighter" weight players. Mitoma, Alex Scott, David Brooks. Damsgaard etc.
I never suggested we use Manchester City as an influence on how we build our squad LOL. |  | | |
| Have we been doing anything.... on 10:39 - May 6 with 372 views | Marshalls_Mullet |
....to improve their strength and physicality over the past 12 months to prepare for life in the Prem?
Seems like we could have used the time to bulk them up a little. |  |
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| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? on 10:40 - May 6 with 369 views | Guthrum |
Both Philogene and Clarke are more robust than a casual glance might suggest. Plus they will have the protection of VAR against the sometimes agricultural treatment they get in the Champ (I doubt Mbengue would have gone unpenalised in the Prem).
This season has gone a long way to toughening up those two, in any case.
We're not going to be able to acquire supreme athletes in every position, nor are those with the physicality necessarily going to have the skill and dexterity to perform like Jaden and Jack (within our price range). Especially so if we're looking for a high-grade striker as well. |  |
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| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? on 10:42 - May 6 with 363 views | BlueOura |
| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? on 06:08 - May 6 by coote |
I don’t think either are good enough for the premier league. I’d sell Jaden and keep Clarke to bring off the bench.
If we adopt the 3 at the back I’d unleash Leif again on the left with Memehti inside left 10. |
Jaden isn't good enough for the Champ according to you, and yet he got another two important goals in the run in taking his tally for the season 12. Still tipping him to drop to league 1 or have you changed your mind yet? |  | | |
| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? on 10:43 - May 6 with 360 views | BlueOura |
| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? on 06:28 - May 6 by LegendofthePhoenix |
I'd sooner keep them both than Mehmeti. They've grown into this team really well, Omari is smaller and less physical than either but he's adapted to the PL. For me, Mehmeti gives the ball away far too much. |
Omari has more pace than Clarke and Philogene, that makes a big difference. | | | |
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| Have we been doing anything.... on 10:49 - May 6 with 341 views | Guthrum |
| Have we been doing anything.... on 10:39 - May 6 by Marshalls_Mullet |
....to improve their strength and physicality over the past 12 months to prepare for life in the Prem?
Seems like we could have used the time to bulk them up a little. |
They don't necessarily need 'bulking up'. Indeed, that can work against the dexterity and speed which are important components of their effectiveness.
From what I've seen, both are noticeably tougher in challenges than when they first arrived. | |
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| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? (n/t) on 11:09 - May 6 with 282 views | Bellevue_Blue |
| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? (n/t) on 10:32 - May 6 by mrfixit426 |
I named them to make a point. Those clubs you reference are also littered with "lighter" weight players. Mitoma, Alex Scott, David Brooks. Damsgaard etc.
I never suggested we use Manchester City as an influence on how we build our squad LOL. |
I understand what you are saying but these are still established PL teams who have moved with the times and have real athletes across the pitch. Each of those three teams are in the top 12 of the division for possession and all of them are in the top 10 for xG.
My personal opinion is they are able to carry those players because they've built the physicality around them that allows them to win back possession quickly, be a more ball dominant team and create better chances.
I agree you can carry the more technical players but unless we build the physicality around them, I don't think we will get anywhere. | | | |
| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? (n/t) on 11:10 - May 6 with 282 views | _CliveBaker_ |
| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? (n/t) on 09:50 - May 6 by mrfixit426 |
People have taken the "physicality" buzzword and are just repeating it like it's some kind of magic solution.
Not every player needs to be a monster. Look at Man City for example. They have their share of beasts, but would you call Barnardo Silva, David Silva, Phil Foden, Mahrez heavyweights? Lightweight players can succeed in the Premier League. It depends on how they are deployed, and also their ability.
Alexander Isak looks like he's made out of tissue paper, but he tore us a new one last season. [Post edited 6 May 9:55]
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I think there seems a bit of a misconception that 'physical' = 6ft plus, which really isn't the case. Look at players like Bowen or Gibbs-White, they're attacking players who are both about 5ft 8 but they're both highly, highly physical. Gibbs-White is a beast. I do think its an area Clarke & Philogene both fall short tbh.
Agree with your point though, its not a deal breaker you just need a side with the right blend. Issue last time was we had J. Clarke / Philogene, Chaplin, Omari, Davis, Szmodics to a lesser extent on the pitch together at times. |  | | |
| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? on 11:19 - May 6 with 262 views | grow_our_own |
| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? on 10:04 - May 6 by Vaughan8 |
This. People seem to forget how much of a step up the PL is.
As you say, that defence is nowhere near good enough unfortunately. You need to start with that being good. If you look at both Leeds and Sunderland, they're both not too bad defensively.
However Burnley are poor at the back, but were so good in the Championship. |
You're right to cite Burnley, but for the opposite reason. They bought almost a whole new backline and goalkeeper when they went up.
GK: Trafford 24/25 --> Dúbravka 25/26
RB: Roberts 24/25 --> Kyle Walker 25/26
CB: Egan-Riley 24/25 --> Ekdal / Tuanzebe / Worrall / Humphreys 25/26
LB: mostly Pires 24/25 --> Ekdal/Humphreys 25/26.
Only Estève remained consistent at CB after promotion. They binned their excellent, settled defence from 2024/25, and it became porous. I suggest we learn Burnley's lesson and keep our excellent defence and keeper, which was second best in the Championship this season and spend our money where we've been struggling vs last time: creating/scoring goals. | | | |
| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? on 11:24 - May 6 with 225 views | Bellevue_Blue |
| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? on 11:19 - May 6 by grow_our_own |
You're right to cite Burnley, but for the opposite reason. They bought almost a whole new backline and goalkeeper when they went up.
GK: Trafford 24/25 --> Dúbravka 25/26
RB: Roberts 24/25 --> Kyle Walker 25/26
CB: Egan-Riley 24/25 --> Ekdal / Tuanzebe / Worrall / Humphreys 25/26
LB: mostly Pires 24/25 --> Ekdal/Humphreys 25/26.
Only Estève remained consistent at CB after promotion. They binned their excellent, settled defence from 2024/25, and it became porous. I suggest we learn Burnley's lesson and keep our excellent defence and keeper, which was second best in the Championship this season and spend our money where we've been struggling vs last time: creating/scoring goals. |
They conceded 31 goals less than our defence last season and far more qualified people than us still saw it fit to bring in 3 new starters.
That is the simple reality of the Premier League. | | | |
| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? on 11:25 - May 6 with 224 views | burnbudgiesburn |
I wouldn't even be contemplating selling either until we see where we are in January.
1. Because they are insurance champ 'cheat codes' incase of relegation.
We could get our transfer dealings spot on, do 90% of things right and still get relegated - the PL is that brutal.
2. I'd also like to see them in the Prem after 2 seasons working with McKenna as opposed to coming in very green and being with team/teammates for 5 minutes! I hope they both step up. | | | |
| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? on 11:27 - May 6 with 215 views | ITFC_Essex |
If you HAD to sell one (I don't think we will) it would be Jayden purely because he is injury prone and we're going to need full a season out of our best players. |  |
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| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? (n/t) on 11:28 - May 6 with 206 views | tractorboy1978 |
| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? (n/t) on 11:10 - May 6 by _CliveBaker_ |
I think there seems a bit of a misconception that 'physical' = 6ft plus, which really isn't the case. Look at players like Bowen or Gibbs-White, they're attacking players who are both about 5ft 8 but they're both highly, highly physical. Gibbs-White is a beast. I do think its an area Clarke & Philogene both fall short tbh.
Agree with your point though, its not a deal breaker you just need a side with the right blend. Issue last time was we had J. Clarke / Philogene, Chaplin, Omari, Davis, Szmodics to a lesser extent on the pitch together at times. |
It's more athleticism than anything else. Which may be hard to define but when you see it, you see it. I think Everton at home was an eye opener for me when we looked like school boys at times against a front 6 of:
Doucoure-Gueye
Harrison-McNeil-N'Diaye
Calvert Lewin
All of which are just solid, capable, no frills players that have that 'athleticism'. | | | |
| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? (n/t) on 11:31 - May 6 with 192 views | cressi |
| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? (n/t) on 10:29 - May 6 by Bellevue_Blue |
I'd personally be staggered if it was as many as 6. I can see 4 max if our transfer business goes as planned and it wouldn't surprise me if we signed a new LW.
Davis, O'Shea, Matusiwa & Clarke/ Philo.
I would have thought a new GK and a new LCB would be towards the very top of the recruitment list. |
Agree 4 maximum we aren't good enough | | | |
| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? on 11:32 - May 6 with 193 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? on 11:19 - May 6 by grow_our_own |
You're right to cite Burnley, but for the opposite reason. They bought almost a whole new backline and goalkeeper when they went up.
GK: Trafford 24/25 --> Dúbravka 25/26
RB: Roberts 24/25 --> Kyle Walker 25/26
CB: Egan-Riley 24/25 --> Ekdal / Tuanzebe / Worrall / Humphreys 25/26
LB: mostly Pires 24/25 --> Ekdal/Humphreys 25/26.
Only Estève remained consistent at CB after promotion. They binned their excellent, settled defence from 2024/25, and it became porous. I suggest we learn Burnley's lesson and keep our excellent defence and keeper, which was second best in the Championship this season and spend our money where we've been struggling vs last time: creating/scoring goals. |
Our defence is hardly comparable to Burnley.
if we conceded 14 goals you might have a point. |  |
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| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? (n/t) on 11:34 - May 6 with 179 views | _CliveBaker_ |
| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? (n/t) on 11:28 - May 6 by tractorboy1978 |
It's more athleticism than anything else. Which may be hard to define but when you see it, you see it. I think Everton at home was an eye opener for me when we looked like school boys at times against a front 6 of:
Doucoure-Gueye
Harrison-McNeil-N'Diaye
Calvert Lewin
All of which are just solid, capable, no frills players that have that 'athleticism'. |
Yeah, Forest are the same. Awoniyi, Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White, Anderson, Sangare (beast). Omari can slot in there alongside that blend. They don't lack creativity but they're all highly athletic.
Newcastle at home was a stark example as well. I think our 'front 4' was Burns, Omari, Chaplin, Szmodics. With Cajuste and Morsy chasing shadows in the middle. No shade on any of them but we made Jacob Murphy (good player) look like Ronaldo. | | | |
| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? (n/t) on 11:36 - May 6 with 162 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? (n/t) on 10:32 - May 6 by mrfixit426 |
I named them to make a point. Those clubs you reference are also littered with "lighter" weight players. Mitoma, Alex Scott, David Brooks. Damsgaard etc.
I never suggested we use Manchester City as an influence on how we build our squad LOL. |
I think some people do get the definition of physicality wrong though. Physicality doesnt mean they have to be 6ft+ and built like Sherman tanks.
You listed Bernardo Silva. He is one of the hardest working footballers in the world a truly elite presser who just happens to be technically a bit of a magician. Same for Damsgaard and Mitoma.
We really do need some height and speed in this team but some of those players you listed are also an upgrade on what we have physically in terms of their off the ball work. | |
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| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? (n/t) on 11:38 - May 6 with 154 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? (n/t) on 11:28 - May 6 by tractorboy1978 |
It's more athleticism than anything else. Which may be hard to define but when you see it, you see it. I think Everton at home was an eye opener for me when we looked like school boys at times against a front 6 of:
Doucoure-Gueye
Harrison-McNeil-N'Diaye
Calvert Lewin
All of which are just solid, capable, no frills players that have that 'athleticism'. |
Harsh on Ndiaye.... | |
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| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? (n/t) on 11:54 - May 6 with 113 views | mrfixit426 |
| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? (n/t) on 11:36 - May 6 by TRUE_BLUE123 |
I think some people do get the definition of physicality wrong though. Physicality doesnt mean they have to be 6ft+ and built like Sherman tanks.
You listed Bernardo Silva. He is one of the hardest working footballers in the world a truly elite presser who just happens to be technically a bit of a magician. Same for Damsgaard and Mitoma.
We really do need some height and speed in this team but some of those players you listed are also an upgrade on what we have physically in terms of their off the ball work. |
I think you're doing our off the ball work a bit of a disservice there tbf. | | | |
| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? (n/t) on 12:03 - May 6 with 88 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? (n/t) on 11:54 - May 6 by mrfixit426 |
I think you're doing our off the ball work a bit of a disservice there tbf. |
I think our off the ball work has been really good this season ? Not sure where I have said otherwise tbh.
That doesn't mean it cant massively improve and will need to massively improve. Our off the ball work in 23/24 was absolutely exceptional but probably subpar in the prem. Got to keep upgrading. | |
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| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? (n/t) on 12:30 - May 6 with 46 views | Guthrum |
| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? (n/t) on 10:29 - May 6 by Bellevue_Blue |
I'd personally be staggered if it was as many as 6. I can see 4 max if our transfer business goes as planned and it wouldn't surprise me if we signed a new LW.
Davis, O'Shea, Matusiwa & Clarke/ Philo.
I would have thought a new GK and a new LCB would be towards the very top of the recruitment list. |
Question is whether we go for a few, top-quality additions to leaven the existing squad, or if we attempt a wholesale replacement, but at an overall lower level of recruit and with the attendant issues of forging them into a team.
Personally, I think we will lean more towards the former. Especially given quite a number do have Prem experience (albeit perhaps not very successful) on top of being "pre-gelled". Which wasn't the case in May 2024, most of whom had come up from lower divisions. | |
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| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? on 12:46 - May 6 with 16 views | thorpedo |
| Is selling one of Clarke or Philogene a consideration? on 09:42 - May 6 by LeightonBuzzardBlue |
I have a feeling we'll see Clarke converted to a 10 over pre-season. He's the best ball carrier at the club by some distance and we saw the same conversion with Hutch last time out in the Prem. |
I'd really like to se this. I think he has all the attributes to be an effective No10. |  |
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