| Finn Azaz 12:18 - Dec 27 with 2582 views | Bellevue_Blue |
Given the similarities/ association between Carrick & McKenna and the success that Azaz has had in that AM/ shadow striker role I am surprised he's not a player we've been linked to more ...
What a recruitment team they have by the way. Signed Morgan Rodgers for £1M in July 2023, sold him for 15M Jan 2024, signed Azaz for £2.5M in Jan 2024 .. now worth similar? Will likely be similar for Latte-Lath & Conway! |  | | |  |
| Finn Azaz on 12:42 - Dec 27 with 2457 views | monty_radio |
But, as my Boro-supporting mate attests, it's not yet produced anything like a credible challenge.
As to Azaz, when were being outclassed by Newcastle, fans near me were touting the relative effectiveness of our attackers and likely subs. The conclusion seemed to be that, in terms of potential to create and unlock, at least at present, Burns, Szmodics, Chaplin, Clarke, Broadhead, and even Omari, were much of a muchness. We have loved them all, but Azaz would just be one more of the same who has learned his Championship trade better than most, but would likely not provide the step-up urgently required. | |
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| Finn Azaz on 13:17 - Dec 27 with 2306 views | bournemouthblue |
| Finn Azaz on 12:42 - Dec 27 by monty_radio |
But, as my Boro-supporting mate attests, it's not yet produced anything like a credible challenge.
As to Azaz, when were being outclassed by Newcastle, fans near me were touting the relative effectiveness of our attackers and likely subs. The conclusion seemed to be that, in terms of potential to create and unlock, at least at present, Burns, Szmodics, Chaplin, Clarke, Broadhead, and even Omari, were much of a muchness. We have loved them all, but Azaz would just be one more of the same who has learned his Championship trade better than most, but would likely not provide the step-up urgently required. |
That's the problem, we need PL ready players in Jan
Azaz maybe quality but it's a gamble |  |
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| Finn Azaz on 13:20 - Dec 27 with 2279 views | Sarge |
We bought Championship players in the summer and it hasn’t worked well. Buying more would just be giving up and preparing for next season when we already have a very Championship capable squad. | | | |
| Finn Azaz on 13:32 - Dec 27 with 2205 views | Bellevue_Blue |
| Finn Azaz on 13:17 - Dec 27 by bournemouthblue |
That's the problem, we need PL ready players in Jan
Azaz maybe quality but it's a gamble |
I just don't get this ... where are we getting these mysterious PL ready players?!
You're presumably talking about fringe players from competing teams who aren't currently getting into those competing teams?
Give me a young hungry player who has done it with a good championship team over a PL cast off every day of the week. | | | |
| Finn Azaz on 13:35 - Dec 27 with 2176 views | MK1 |
Would rather have Charlton Morris from Luton. Reckon he would be cheaper as well. |  |
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| Finn Azaz on 13:37 - Dec 27 with 2164 views | Bellevue_Blue |
| Finn Azaz on 13:20 - Dec 27 by Sarge |
We bought Championship players in the summer and it hasn’t worked well. Buying more would just be giving up and preparing for next season when we already have a very Championship capable squad. |
But neither has getting in Phillips, Johnson or Muric who have played plenty of minutes at Premier League level ...
Our financial level was always going to be taking punts on players like Delap/ Hutch/ Greaves and hoping they would step up.
Yes we need more quality and more importantly depth, but I don't think that should rule out great Championship players. [Post edited 27 Dec 2024 13:44]
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| Finn Azaz on 13:50 - Dec 27 with 2062 views | ParisBlue |
Their recruitment team of Kieran Scott (now head of football) and Chris Jones are ex Norwich and responsible for recruiting the likes of Buendia and Pukki etc. |  |
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| Finn Azaz on 15:38 - Dec 27 with 1710 views | Sarge |
| Finn Azaz on 13:37 - Dec 27 by Bellevue_Blue |
But neither has getting in Phillips, Johnson or Muric who have played plenty of minutes at Premier League level ...
Our financial level was always going to be taking punts on players like Delap/ Hutch/ Greaves and hoping they would step up.
Yes we need more quality and more importantly depth, but I don't think that should rule out great Championship players. [Post edited 27 Dec 2024 13:44]
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No but Phillips and Muric were odd signings in the first place. Phillips who has had several awful years after leaving Leeds and Muric who was ditched by Burnley at the beginning of their PL season.
Johnson made sense on a free but whilst Phillips and Muric both have PL experience I think there’s question marks over them as to whether they were actually ‘PL-ready”.
If we can flog Muric and J Clarke in January to recover some of the funds wasted on them then moving for Azaz may make a bit more sense. | | | |
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| Finn Azaz on 16:37 - Dec 27 with 1485 views | Swansea_Blue |
| Finn Azaz on 15:38 - Dec 27 by Sarge |
No but Phillips and Muric were odd signings in the first place. Phillips who has had several awful years after leaving Leeds and Muric who was ditched by Burnley at the beginning of their PL season.
Johnson made sense on a free but whilst Phillips and Muric both have PL experience I think there’s question marks over them as to whether they were actually ‘PL-ready”.
If we can flog Muric and J Clarke in January to recover some of the funds wasted on them then moving for Azaz may make a bit more sense. |
Flog Muric and Jack Clarke in January? No chance. Muric is our number 1 and Clarke has already played for two clubs this season. Plus we’re looking to add to the new additions, not reduce them. |  |
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| Finn Azaz on 16:45 - Dec 27 with 1445 views | ITFCSG |
| Finn Azaz on 16:37 - Dec 27 by Swansea_Blue |
Flog Muric and Jack Clarke in January? No chance. Muric is our number 1 and Clarke has already played for two clubs this season. Plus we’re looking to add to the new additions, not reduce them. |
I wonder how many more c0ck ups Muric must make before he gets dropped. Better still, sold. He has played for SEVEN clubs (mostly on loan ) and has failed to be a regular for ALL of them. Sabri Lamouchi at Forest sent him back to City after just FOUR games. I guess its clear by now the reason why. | | | |
| Finn Azaz on 17:00 - Dec 27 with 1368 views | Bellevue_Blue |
| Finn Azaz on 16:45 - Dec 27 by ITFCSG |
I wonder how many more c0ck ups Muric must make before he gets dropped. Better still, sold. He has played for SEVEN clubs (mostly on loan ) and has failed to be a regular for ALL of them. Sabri Lamouchi at Forest sent him back to City after just FOUR games. I guess its clear by now the reason why. |
The deep deep irony of this way of thinking is that if we acted this way previously, Hdlacky would have been out of the door In Jan 2022 and last season might not have been ...
He's 26 and has shown that he's got real quality in certain areas. Like anyone else, he's got things to improve but McKenna has never been a manager to give up on players after a few games.
I think some decent competition in January would help but Ashton isn't going to sell him or loan him out in January, not a chance. He needs to settle, not be pushed out the door! | | | |
| Finn Azaz on 18:12 - Dec 27 with 1186 views | farkenhell |
| Finn Azaz on 15:38 - Dec 27 by Sarge |
No but Phillips and Muric were odd signings in the first place. Phillips who has had several awful years after leaving Leeds and Muric who was ditched by Burnley at the beginning of their PL season.
Johnson made sense on a free but whilst Phillips and Muric both have PL experience I think there’s question marks over them as to whether they were actually ‘PL-ready”.
If we can flog Muric and J Clarke in January to recover some of the funds wasted on them then moving for Azaz may make a bit more sense. |
...and play Azaz in goal or on the wing? | | | |
| Finn Azaz on 18:20 - Dec 27 with 1146 views | ITFCSG |
| Finn Azaz on 17:00 - Dec 27 by Bellevue_Blue |
The deep deep irony of this way of thinking is that if we acted this way previously, Hdlacky would have been out of the door In Jan 2022 and last season might not have been ...
He's 26 and has shown that he's got real quality in certain areas. Like anyone else, he's got things to improve but McKenna has never been a manager to give up on players after a few games.
I think some decent competition in January would help but Ashton isn't going to sell him or loan him out in January, not a chance. He needs to settle, not be pushed out the door! |
Fair enough, problem is we don't have much time left and every single point counts in the race for Prem survival. This is not the season to bed players in or train them - and it shows, too many of our players are not "Prem ready"
My first choice would have been Kelleher but probably too expensive, but Soton paid roughly the same amount for Ramsdale who, given their rubbish defence is superb. Watched the Sheff Utd v Burnley match yesterday, should have gone for Cooper at Plymouth in the summer. Much more confident in organising the defence, is a decent shot stopper and knows how to read the game without defenders shouting or pointing at.
IMHO we do need to try different GK options, fast. | | | |
| Finn Azaz on 18:39 - Dec 27 with 1049 views | bournemouthblue |
| Finn Azaz on 13:32 - Dec 27 by Bellevue_Blue |
I just don't get this ... where are we getting these mysterious PL ready players?!
You're presumably talking about fringe players from competing teams who aren't currently getting into those competing teams?
Give me a young hungry player who has done it with a good championship team over a PL cast off every day of the week. |
I'm all for the trading model but at some stage, we do need some PL quality players
Phillips should be one of those and hopefully if he does play tonight, he will step up
Cajuste looks alright too and has a bit of pedigree, showing he should be able to play this level but there isn't a lot outside that
Clearly we wanted another striker who would have been the main striker ahead of Delap but we didn't get them sadly, we have paid for that a little bit. I suspect we would be a few points better off, had we have got them | |
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