Transfer Rumours Thread - NO FINANCIAL DISCUSSION

[arise_sir_charge]

just what we need - a prima Donna with no residual loyalty.

[Zlatan]

just what we need - a prima Donna with no residual loyalty.

I know right… wouldn’t want another Tarkowski at the back

[clarethomer]

I can’t believe that Nixon has put that on Patreon when he printed that story last week?

[PremierLeagueClass]

Residual loyalty - that’s a new one.

[Boxy]

Hes just doing what tarky did to join us... and he worked out

[RVclaret]

I can’t believe that Nixon has put that on Patreon when he printed that story last week?

Definitely a new update.

[123EasyasBFC]

Too me if we sign kouyate we should still keep Taylor and then have a back 3 of THB Kouyate Taylor, that would allow roberts and maatsen to go even more further forward and then have cullen holding with Brownhill next to him box to box. 2 wingers/attacking mids supporting our number 9

[Belgianclaret]

I hope Charlie stays with us

[Boxy]

Too me if we sign kouyate we should still keep Taylor and then have a back 3 of THB Kouyate Taylor, that would allow roberts and maatsen to go even more further forward and then have cullen holding with Brownhill next to him box to box. 2 wingers/attacking mids supporting our number 9

This!

[Newcastleclaret93]

Too me if we sign kouyate we should still keep Taylor and then have a back 3 of THB Kouyate Taylor, that would allow roberts and maatsen to go even more further forward and then have cullen holding with Brownhill next to him box to box. 2 wingers/attacking mids supporting our number 9

Why?

We already can’t score enough, so let’s add another defender take an attacker out.

Surely the logic here, is Kompany seems to be going all out for wingers and attacking midfielders. His plan is quite clearly to play a three behind the striker.

[BigChaCha]

To me if we sign Kouyate we should still keep Taylor

I think there's still a very good chance that we lose at least one of Taylor, Brownhill and Roberts if not two of them...

Out of those 3 saleable assets we have left, we can cope with losing Taylor, especially if we sign Kouyate and maybe Roberts but there is absolutely no chance that we will replace Brownhill with the same or superior quality at this moment in time...

Keeping Brownhill is vital to have a chance of promotion and even the vacuous side of the crowd in here who said we could do better has gone quiet, which shows how important he is to this team.

[Newcastleclaret93]

I think there's still a very good chance that we lose at least one of Taylor, Brownhill and Roberts if not two of them...

Out of those 3 saleable assets we have left, we can cope with losing Taylor, especially if we sign Kouyate and maybe Roberts but there is absolutely no chance that we will replace Brownhill with the same or superior quality at this moment in time...

Keeping Brownhill is vital to have a chance of promotion and even the vacuous side of the crowd in here who said we could do better has gone quiet, which shows how important he is to this team.

I think most have just given up getting abused for that certain view

[CoolClaret]

Selling proven players for random ‘maybes’ is never a good idea imo.

There’s no point getting rid of Charlie what so ever

[RVclaret]

Selling proven players for random ‘maybes’ is never a good idea imo.

There’s no point getting rid of Charlie what so ever

Where would you play CT if Kouyate signs?

[123EasyasBFC]

Why?

We already can’t score enough, so let’s add another defender take an attacker out.

Surely the logic here, is Kompany seems to be going all out for wingers and attacking midfielders. His plan is quite clearly to play a three behind the striker.

Why? Because it would add even more attacking threat with roberts and maatsen, the issue isn’t the amount of a attackers we have on the pitch it’s the quality of the attackers and quality of chances

Watford wouldn’t of scored their goal on Friday with a back 3

[taio]

Selling proven players for random ‘maybes’ is never a good idea imo.

There’s no point getting rid of Charlie what so ever

Agree - need to keep Taylor unless an offer comes in that's just too good refuse.

[claretandy]

Where would you play CT if Kouyate signs?

I'd play him left back and push Maatsen further forward.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Why? Because it would add even more attacking threat with roberts and maatsen, the issue isn’t the amount of a attackers we have on the pitch it’s the quality of the attackers and quality of chances

Watford wouldn’t of scored their goal on Friday with a back 3

Sorry but it’s a completely pointless move.

Roberts and Maatsen are not goal scorers and there assist returns arnt exactly amazing.

Kompany wants to play a back four with 3 interchangeable attacking midfielders behind a striker.

This is a completely null point

[Big Vinny K]

Watford wouldn’t of scored their goal on Friday with a back 3

How you working that one out ? Are you putting the 3rd defender right in front of Cleverley so he blocks it ? Or are you putting him on the line so he clears it ?
This isn’t Subbuteo

[ksrclaret]

Why?

We already can’t score enough, so let’s add another defender take an attacker out.

Surely the logic here, is Kompany seems to be going all out for wingers and attacking midfielders. His plan is quite clearly to play a three behind the striker.

Or take a defender out. 3 at the back rather 4. 3 is less than 4.

It depends on how you choose to look at it.

[CoolClaret]

Where would you play CT if Kouyate signs?

I’d flip the asymmetry of our current formation and have Chaz at Left back with Maatsen ahead of him.

Chaz dropping in forming a back three when in possession

[Newchurch Claret]

Taylor and Roberts are Dyche-type players. Roberts in particular has been guilty of giving the ball away on several occasions already this season (he’s not the player he thinks he is), whilst Taylor is yet to be tested but also isn’t the best ball-playing footballer but has been great in the Dyche system. Both won’t be missed in the current set up if they go and can go with our blessing. We have able replacements, who’ve most likely been signed in anticipation of one or both of Taylor and Roberts moving on. Even if they stay, an experienced, dominant centre back is absolutely crucial before the window closes.

Brownhill, though, is another matter, as others have said. Not just going off Friday, but I think VK sees him as our captain and it would be a big blow to lose him.

[Woodleyclaret]

Josh Brownhill is playing better every game and really unlucky not to add to his goals tally at Watford there is no way him or Charlie should be sold

[123EasyasBFC]

Sorry but it’s a completely pointless move.

Roberts and Maatsen are not goal scorers and there assist returns arnt exactly amazing.

Kompany wants to play a back four with 3 interchangeable attacking midfielders behind a striker.

This is a completely null point

That’s your opinion and that was my opinion, extremely rude to call it a null point.

Maatsen has scored 1 of the 2 goals we have scored this season and has looked more of a threat than anyone in the team the first 3 games

Kompany started off with a back 3 at anderlect, having the option to move to a back 3 if needed in my opinion would be valued

[123EasyasBFC]

How you working that one out ? Are you putting the 3rd defender right in front of Cleverley so he blocks it ? Or are you putting him on the line so he clears it ?
This isn’t Subbuteo

If we had a back 3 the ball doesn’t get to the line to cross it in, in my opinion

[Woodleyclaret]

Josh Brownhill is playing better every game and really unlucky not to add to his goals tally at Watford there is no way him or Charlie should be sold

[warksclaret]

Maatsen could turn out to be our best player this season. He is a full back that likes to attack from deep, and a good defender. No point playing him further up the field. The decision for Charlie is does he stay as No 2 LB, and occasional stand in CB. But in 3 games you can see he is not the authoritative ball playing CH you need for challenging in this Division. He will be exposed at defending from corners (just like Man Utd were yesterday v Brentford), and also exposed where sides play 2 strong front men who are given good aerial service. Sounds like Kouyate is perfect for our team

[Big Vinny K]

If we had a back 3 the ball doesn’t get to the line to cross it in, in my opinion

The best player on the pitch by a mile and probably the best player in the Championship in Sarr would have still very likely did what he did as would the rest of the players involved in their goal.

[123EasyasBFC]

The best player on the pitch by a mile and probably the best player in the Championship in Sarr would have still very likely did what he did as would the rest of the players involved in their goal.

Sarr was very quiet, best player on the pitch was Pedro. It was errors positionally that cost us the goal.

Taylor on the left of a back 3 would allow maatsen go in effect become a left winger

[Newcastleclaret93]

That’s your opinion and that was my opinion, extremely rude to call it a null point.

Maatsen has scored 1 of the 2 goals we have scored this season and has looked more of a threat than anyone in the team the first 3 games

Kompany started off with a back 3 at anderlect, having the option to move to a back 3 if needed in my opinion would be valued

It’s a null point as Kompany has made it very clear we will not be playing with three at the back.

Maatsen looks great but his best season was 2 goals (I can’t see him suddenly notching over 10 goals)

[Silkyskills1]

Surely the logic here, is Kompany seems to be going all out for wingers and attacking midfielders. His plan is quite clearly to play a three behind the striker.

You can see a plan? I've been watching football for a long time( too long might be more appropriate) but I'm struggling to see anything remotely resembling a plan.
Not necessarily a criticism.on my part, I hasten to add. This has been a turnover of incredible numbers with more comings and goings looking very likely. Top two and top six look a 'long shot' to me already. Again, not a criticism of anyone but merely the stark, harsh reality of trying to put together a team whilst new faces keep on appearing at the training ground regularly.
Is VK a good coach/manager? Only time will answer that but I suspect that the 'ins and outs' of the last few weeks has been exhausting and would test the mettle of the most experienced managers around never mind a novice. Hope to be there on Tuesday where a goal or two would be most welcome, certainly more so than a 'plan' evolving.

[CrosspoolClarets]

Can’t believe a full page pf the transfer rumours thread is discussing a back three when we know we have a manager who played in a four and wants his team to play in a four. Apart from maybe a Plan C late in a game it isn’t going to happen.

Of more relevance, Kompany will know this but we don’t, is whether players will be happy being backup after starting for their previous club (or this club)? We are getting fairly stacked in certain positions if we sign the two players discussed this weekend so that is a different type of challenge.

[123EasyasBFC]

It’s a null point as Kompany has made it very clear we will not be playing with three at the back.

Maatsen looks great but his best season was 2 goals (I can’t see him suddenly notching over 10 goals)

Kompany has never once said in any interview the formation he will be playing, he purely said he likes to score goals, in a back 3 maatsen would then almost be playing as a left winger, majority of good play in first 3 games has come from maatsen.

It’s all opinion but it’s rude to say someone else’s opinion is incorrect, only time will tell but I’m sure Kompany would lose to have an option to mix to formation up to catch teams of guard

[DCWat]

Too me if we sign kouyate we should still keep Taylor and then have a back 3 of THB Kouyate Taylor, that would allow roberts and maatsen to go even more further forward and then have cullen holding with Brownhill next to him box to box. 2 wingers/attacking mids supporting our number 9

Leaving Cork out?

The Cork Cullen partnership is one that needs to be built on, in my view.

As good as Brownhill may be in this division, I’d rather have a proper number ten in his place. Someone that can operate in tight spaces, contribute goals and bring others into play.

Brownhill has done well so far but I’m not convinced he’s the right answer to the question of what we need, from a more offensive perspective.

[123EasyasBFC]

Leaving Cork out?

The Cork Cullen partnership is one that needs to be built on, in my view.

As good as Brownhill may be in this division, I’d rather have a proper number ten in his place. Someone that can operate in tight spaces, contribute goals and bring others into play.

Brownhill has done well so far but I’m not convinced he’s the right answer to the question of what we need, from a more offensive perspective.

There’s going to be times this season regardless of formation that cork doesn’t play, Kompany has already mentioned it when it becomes 3 games a week, no way cork plays all 3 which is frustrating because he did make a difference on Friday

[Big Vinny K]

2 or 3 more players in plus Twine and Jay hopefully fit and we then have a number of options.
From what I have seen of Kompany’s press conferences and talks to the players he is pretty sure about how he wants to play and whilst formation is definitely a part of that thinking I’m sure he is aware that in certain situations he will need to adapt / change things.

The one thing, however, that will 100% take time for him to understand and get right with all these new players in a league that is new to him and his coaching team is what his best team will be……and the only way he will find that out is by trying different players as and when they come in and are fit too. Could be months before he finds that out as he will not want to give players he thinks are good enough only 1 or 2 games.
Luckily for us it’s a long long season in championship and look at what we have done in the past after Christmas and also the likes of Palace and Forest have done after shaky starts (and ours isn’t even that shaky !!)

[arise_sir_charge]

You can see a plan? I've been watching football for a long time( too long might be more appropriate) but I'm struggling to see anything remotely resembling a plan.
Not necessarily a criticism.on my part, I hasten to add. This has been a turnover of incredible numbers with more comings and goings looking very likely. Top two and top six look a 'long shot' to me already. Again, not a criticism of anyone but merely the stark, harsh reality of trying to put together a team whilst new faces keep on appearing at the training ground regularly.
Is VK a good coach/manager? Only time will answer that but I suspect that the 'ins and outs' of the last few weeks has been exhausting and would test the mettle of the most experienced managers around never mind a novice. Hope to be there on Tuesday where a goal or two would be most welcome, certainly more so than a 'plan' evolving.

Are you seriously suggesting you can’t see a plan in the way we are playing.

Regardless of how long you’ve been watching football I’d suggest if you can’t see what we are trying to do then you’ve not taken enough notice.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Kompany has never once said in any interview the formation he will be playing, he purely said he likes to score goals, in a back 3 maatsen would then almost be playing as a left winger, majority of good play in first 3 games has come from maatsen.

It’s all opinion but it’s rude to say someone else’s opinion is incorrect, only time will tell but I’m sure Kompany would lose to have an option to mix to formation up to catch teams of guard

I’m not saying it’s incorrect. I’m saying it’s a null point as it’s very clear we are only going to play with a four at the back

[Duffer_]

...it’s very clear we are only going to play with a four at the back

That's a bold claim based on 3 games and an evolving squad.

[Newcastleclaret93]

That's a bold claim based on 3 games and an evolving squad.

Not exactly bold. We might change but I highly doubt it. His recruitment to date and planned (that we are aware of) all suggests we are planning to play 4 at the back

[Duffer_]

We might change but I highly doubt it.

That is less bold.

[Oldparkwood]

Can someone remind me what the topic of this thread is?

[123EasyasBFC]

Not exactly bold. We might change but I highly doubt it. His recruitment to date and planned (that we are aware of) all suggests we are planning to play 4 at the back

So you have gone from its very clear to ‘we might change’ so it’s not very clear then

[kaptin1]

Charlie for me does not look comfortable at CH in the new set up. I watched the Watford game again and he looked in no mans land-was he playing LB or CH. He has limitations to his game and lacks experience at CH. We have been spoiled with Tarks/Mee/Collins. All very dominant in both penalty areas. I think a big experienced CH playing along TBH ( who is starting to look very composed), would benefit us. We have McNally as back plus Egan Riley, both have more experience at CH than Charlie

Don’t agree with this. Think that is how he’s being told to play. When out of possession, Maatsen comes back to form a back four but when in possession, Maatsen basically plays as a left winger and we move to a back three formation of Roberts, THB and Taylor. That’s why it looks odd, but I think it’s a deliberate strategy.

[burnley007]

More self-important people taking over the thread again I see.

[BleedingClaret]

Don’t agree with this. Think that is how he’s being told to play. When out of possession, Maatsen comes back to form a back four but when in possession, Maatsen basically plays as a left winger and we move to a back three formation of Roberts, THB and Taylor. That’s why it looks odd, but I think it’s a deliberate strategy.

I agree that this is exactly how we’re playing
But to me it was odd that Roberts seems not as free to push up the same on the right and as a result Benson got very little support and turned back a lot.

I think Taylor is a little lost in this set up and I’d play 2 proper centre backs and free Roberts and Mattsen equally

[BurnleyFC]

Where would you play CT if Kouyate signs?

I’d continue to play Taylor and Harwood-Bellis at centre half unless Kouyate proves to be an upgrade on either of those.

[willsclarets]

If we get churlinov, kouyate and the Ukrainian striker done, I actually hope we don’t sign anyone else. Important to have options, but also important for the squad to feel included and with a chance of games. Getting those 3 in would be great though

[Zlatan]

Where would you play CT if Kouyate signs?

I’d keep him writing the articles on here, he’s a fantastic wordsmith

[willsclarets]

I’d continue to play Taylor and Harwood-Bellis at centre half unless Kouyate proves to be an upgrade on either of those.

I think given our lack of height he’d go straight in or at least after a game or two observing. I think it unlikely we’d spend that much on a back up when Charlie is basically playing his second best position.