| Recruitment so far... 13:26 - Jul 24 with 1866 views | _CliveBaker_ |
What are we thinking?
The positive spin: We've signed a young keeper to develop, looks like a new #1 is also close and joining off the back of a good season and at a good age. Diop brings vast PL experience coming in off the world cup where he's a regular starter for the 6th ranked nation. Record fee on a young Brazilian forward, another international forward coming in Maeda, off the back of an excellent spell at Celtic. We've also dropped £20m on Fatawu, a young and promising winger with some PL experience.
Perhaps the less positive spin, we've spent £7m on Akpom who did nothing last season, £3m on Kipre who, while solid, is unlikely to be much more than 4th of 5th choice in his position. Van Ovelen isn't one to make an immediate impact, so while promising perhaps won't add value in the short term. Fatawu is coming in off the back of relegation to L1, Emersonn has < 10 career league goals to his name and everything to prove, we'll need to be patient. Maeda's best work is in a farmer league, he wouldn't be the first to look like a world beater north of the border and panel beater in the premier league. Diop is the only 1 you can confidently say is proven at PL level.
Its been a good week or 2 IMO, but still feels like an awful lot of work to do and money to be spent when you consider the lack of quality & depth in the middle, lack of a 9 other than Hirst, question marks over others at PL level. No doubt another 4 or 5 out and the same in I imagine, even after Scherpen & Maeda. Some big deals to get right. |  | | |  |
| Recruitment so far... on 13:34 - Jul 24 with 1757 views | BseaBlue |
Happy with the business to date and seems a good balance of experience and prospects.
The main concern has to be central midfield. It feels as though we have a lot of work to do to get that right. Also quite suprised that it has been so quiet on the departures front so a lot of work to do there as well. Maybe we just didnt want to leave ourselves short with pre season and awaiting the new arrivals.
I'm not too fussed with the Akpom and Kipre situations. In the grand scheme of things we achieved our goal last season, so there was always going to be a price to that success, but shouln't damage the coffers too much with the amortisation.
As you say, plenty of work to get through yet! |  | | |
| Recruitment so far... on 13:39 - Jul 24 with 1695 views | Bellevue_Blue |
I'd broadly agree with most of what you said. Some good signing's, probably in line with what most were expecting. We are never going to be big enough to shoot the lights out like Leeds but we are certainly showcasing a much more diverse and wide-ranging strategy vs last time.
Still a huge amount to do even with Scherpen and Maeda hopefully coming in.
CM is where the close games are won and lost in the PL. We have to get two high-quality starting players that can keep us in games for the full 90.
Equally, we have to improve our depth defensively. Furlong can't be seen as a starting RB, Johnson can't be seen as a starting RWB and Leif desperately needs someone to push him hard this season. |  | | |
| Recruitment so far... on 13:46 - Jul 24 with 1590 views | andyblue231 |
we have a lot of players to shift out in the next month. would like to have cleared the decks a bit more as there are players who obviously won't play. but they probably want to get folks in first. | | | |
| Recruitment so far... on 13:50 - Jul 24 with 1538 views | tractorboy1978 |
IMO after Maeda and Scherpen, at a minimum we need:
LB
RB - starter
CM x 2 (starter x 2)
10 - starter
ST - starter
But I'd be amazed if we don't try and be aggressive in the attacking areas and try to add more than two more bodies across the 10/ST positions. And another LCB wouldn't surprise me either. [Post edited 24 Jul 14:04]
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| Recruitment so far... on 13:51 - Jul 24 with 1494 views | Metal_Hacker |
Once I see who we've purchased in relation to CM and a No 9 I'll feel a little happier
To date I think we've done Ok , some unproven and some quality
Big issue for me is as above - CM and a quality ( as best as we can get ) No 9
Sort those out and I think we've had a decent window |  |
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| Recruitment so far... on 13:51 - Jul 24 with 1493 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
Decent start. Haven't got an issue with any of the signings made so far.
But as you say there is so much do that I'm reserving full judgement until we get closer to the big Kickoff.
Need at least 7 more in and need to shift a fair few as well |  |
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| Recruitment so far... on 13:53 - Jul 24 with 1466 views | blueoutlook |
What have we got ? In actual fact not a a lot. Think people are getting over excited over very little.
A goalkeeper who maybe our number 2 or is going out on loan. A Brazilian youngster who isn’t likely to set the world on fire as he is a project(see Egeli, he didn’t exactly achieve much last season). A winger who maybe or may not be good enough for the Prem, we really don’t know,he made very few appearances for Leicester in the PL. And finally Diop, who is actually what we need.
There is speculation over the Japanese guy, but again Scottish Prem isn’t English Prem and then maybe the Switzerland striker, who wouldn’t be a bad shout. The Dutch goalie we are interested in could well be a good signing.
So overall we have an awful lot of business to do as yet to make us competitive [Post edited 24 Jul 13:55]
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| Recruitment so far... on 13:56 - Jul 24 with 1366 views | Gary_Knows |
Scherpen (when he signs) and Diop are the standouts for me, but other than that I think it’s a bit meh.
Scherpen and Maeda aside, I still think we need the following as a minimum.
Right back/RWB
Centre back
Left back cover
Centre mid x2
Winger/10
Striker x2
Maeda may be viewed as one of those strikers though. |  |
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| Recruitment so far... on 13:56 - Jul 24 with 1363 views | ElderGrizzly |
| Recruitment so far... on 13:39 - Jul 24 by Bellevue_Blue |
I'd broadly agree with most of what you said. Some good signing's, probably in line with what most were expecting. We are never going to be big enough to shoot the lights out like Leeds but we are certainly showcasing a much more diverse and wide-ranging strategy vs last time.
Still a huge amount to do even with Scherpen and Maeda hopefully coming in.
CM is where the close games are won and lost in the PL. We have to get two high-quality starting players that can keep us in games for the full 90.
Equally, we have to improve our depth defensively. Furlong can't be seen as a starting RB, Johnson can't be seen as a starting RWB and Leif desperately needs someone to push him hard this season. |
They were talking of Leeds paying £50m for Trafford from Man City earlier today.
That is insane and I'd rather our approach for a GK (or any player) tbh |  | | |
| Recruitment so far... on 14:01 - Jul 24 with 1295 views | Steve_M |
We've got some big gaps and unproven players, central midfield and striker are probably still well below what we need. Feels like a reasonable start but a long way to go in the next month. |  |
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| Recruitment so far... on 14:04 - Jul 24 with 1265 views | tractorboy1978 |
| Recruitment so far... on 13:56 - Jul 24 by Gary_Knows |
Scherpen (when he signs) and Diop are the standouts for me, but other than that I think it’s a bit meh.
Scherpen and Maeda aside, I still think we need the following as a minimum.
Right back/RWB
Centre back
Left back cover
Centre mid x2
Winger/10
Striker x2
Maeda may be viewed as one of those strikers though. |
Scherpen/Diop are the two nailed on starters. I think we've made a decent start but our business is ultimately going to be judged by the quality of the recruits we get in the following 5 starting positions for me - RB/CM/CM/10/ST. | | | |
| Recruitment so far... on 14:07 - Jul 24 with 1202 views | SomethingBlue |
Akpom and Kipre are priced in from promotion for me, it is what it is.
As for the rest – a good start. We've taken a very hefty bet on Emersonn so hopefully we can harness that raw ability and use him sensibly. A lot to like about all the others. If we can add the right central midfielders and centre-forward to the mix then we might look competitive, but these positions are essential to get sorted now. | |
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| Recruitment so far... on 14:09 - Jul 24 with 1160 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
Feels like it’s only just getting started and with only one week after the season starts to the close of the window, it’s going to have to ramp up a lot over the next few weeks.
Think we need to aim for easily 7-8 more after the keeper and the Celtic lad come in. |  |
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| Recruitment so far... on 14:11 - Jul 24 with 1145 views | J2BLUE |
| Recruitment so far... on 14:07 - Jul 24 by SomethingBlue |
Akpom and Kipre are priced in from promotion for me, it is what it is.
As for the rest – a good start. We've taken a very hefty bet on Emersonn so hopefully we can harness that raw ability and use him sensibly. A lot to like about all the others. If we can add the right central midfielders and centre-forward to the mix then we might look competitive, but these positions are essential to get sorted now. |
Agree with this.
I am actually very excited about Maeda. Seen a lot of him for Celtic and he has always impressed me.
It feels like we are building towards being a high pressing counter-attacking team which is going to hopefully give us much more chance to stay up. I like the business we have done so far. |  | | |
| Recruitment so far... on 14:11 - Jul 24 with 1125 views | Wallingford_Boy |
Not sure including Kipre and Akpom is fair, they were part of the deal that got us promoted and our hands were tied in signing them. Expect one or maybe both to leave, neither will add much to the squad.
The others, all good. Fatawu I'm particularly excited about, definitely a starter on the right in my books. |  |
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| Recruitment so far... on 14:19 - Jul 24 with 1047 views | WolfieAtTheBack |
| Recruitment so far... on 13:34 - Jul 24 by BseaBlue |
Happy with the business to date and seems a good balance of experience and prospects.
The main concern has to be central midfield. It feels as though we have a lot of work to do to get that right. Also quite suprised that it has been so quiet on the departures front so a lot of work to do there as well. Maybe we just didnt want to leave ourselves short with pre season and awaiting the new arrivals.
I'm not too fussed with the Akpom and Kipre situations. In the grand scheme of things we achieved our goal last season, so there was always going to be a price to that success, but shouln't damage the coffers too much with the amortisation.
As you say, plenty of work to get through yet! |
Agree, we need two really good centre mids and a starting number 10.
Getting those 3 players of that quality I imagine would be a tough task 4 weeks out from the opening game. |  | | |
| Recruitment so far... on 14:19 - Jul 24 with 1045 views | BseaBlue |
| Recruitment so far... on 14:11 - Jul 24 by J2BLUE |
Agree with this.
I am actually very excited about Maeda. Seen a lot of him for Celtic and he has always impressed me.
It feels like we are building towards being a high pressing counter-attacking team which is going to hopefully give us much more chance to stay up. I like the business we have done so far. |
Can't say I have seen much of him but one thing which seems apparent is how many Celtic fans mention his pace and energy. Considering we lacked the physicality in the Prem last time out, it sounds like he will be a good fit on that basis. | | | |
| Recruitment so far... on 14:38 - Jul 24 with 814 views | _CliveBaker_ |
| Recruitment so far... on 14:11 - Jul 24 by Wallingford_Boy |
Not sure including Kipre and Akpom is fair, they were part of the deal that got us promoted and our hands were tied in signing them. Expect one or maybe both to leave, neither will add much to the squad.
The others, all good. Fatawu I'm particularly excited about, definitely a starter on the right in my books. |
I don't disagree, personally I consider them in last seasons activity. However on that basis we're currently on 4 deals this summer, which includes 1 young keeper who isn't expected to make an impact this season. Lots to do, even once Maeda's confirmed. | | | |
| Recruitment so far... on 14:41 - Jul 24 with 775 views | hype313 |
I know Fatawu is coming off a relegation, but when you look at his stats from last season, they were still excellent, more a case of other downing tools, think he'll be a real threat for us.
Agree on others, quite a lot of unknowns in the PL, and potential.
I'd like us to get 2 real midfield powerhouses, spend big on those and we'll have a solid spine. |  |
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| Recruitment so far... on 14:53 - Jul 24 with 665 views | _CliveBaker_ |
| Recruitment so far... on 14:41 - Jul 24 by hype313 |
I know Fatawu is coming off a relegation, but when you look at his stats from last season, they were still excellent, more a case of other downing tools, think he'll be a real threat for us.
Agree on others, quite a lot of unknowns in the PL, and potential.
I'd like us to get 2 real midfield powerhouses, spend big on those and we'll have a solid spine. |
I like Fatawu FWIW, I think there's a good player in there, not helped by being in a circus of a club for the past couple of years.
Agree. re CM, vital to get those additions right. | | | |
| Recruitment so far... on 15:10 - Jul 24 with 509 views | SuperKieranMcKenna |
Pleased with the fact we’ve been able to attract higher profile players this time round, and a bit more physicality in Diop.
Agree with the consensus that CM is now the most pressing need. | | | |
| Recruitment so far... on 15:28 - Jul 24 with 368 views | Mullet |
Probably want to sign a few more.
I dunno if it’s O’Neil or the club who makes us more attractive this time but it feels like we can attract a higher calibre of player.
I’m not unhappy with anyone we’ve bought. I also think Akpom might surprise us this season it felt like he got chucked in the bin a bit too quickly for me.
Also not sure where Egeli fits now. That might help a few decisions being made. I hope Emersonn and Diop signal to their friends and countryman we are a serious choice now. |  |
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| Recruitment so far... on 15:39 - Jul 24 with 300 views | jayessess |
I think we've managed more business in this pre-season first wave than I was expecting. I was certainly worried that we'd be waiting until Late August for a lot of players.
Still trying to find my bearings with this current phase of squad planning and recruitment because it's still not clear how things will shake out tactically and what we'll need to make that work. Did my Blue Monday blog on it this week https://bluemondaypodcast.word |  |
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| Recruitment so far... on 15:40 - Jul 24 with 291 views | Kropotkin123 |
My thoughts:
Van Oevelen: Good development option
Diop: An excellent transfer. Part of a top 10 nation in the world. A mid table EPL CB at the minimum.
Fatawu: Arguably Leicester's best performer in the Premiership. Didn't look out of place. Limited in game time due to injury that season. Lots of promise, but still one for now.
Maeda: Focusing on the Scottish league quality is unfair. He's looked decent in more competitive games. Eg, at the world cup.
Emersonn: I know nothing about them.
I think the Akpom and Kipre are the price of promotion. I wouldn't include them here
Kipre: 2600 mins, good enough for our objective. 3m is a fair price
Akpom: For whatever reason Akpom didn't work out last season. It's an odd one. He's looked good in the past and you'd have expected him to be a key part of our promotion campaign. I don't think the deal was bad. 7m had the potential. But I think there should have been a greater minutes played threshold to trigger the deal.
This is how I see the state of the squad: https://script.google.com/macr
9 more players needed. |  |
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