25/26 Recruitment

[Salvatore Matrecano]

Errr. Cunha looks very promising. Luiz when fit is a terrific player. Savona has been good. Jesus - excellent. The only fails so far have been Zinchenko because he isn't a defender. Kali because he obviously had a problem because no-one wanted to play him ahead of Taiwo and McAtwee because he needs to bulk up a bit and hasn't so far.

Bakwa just came back from an injury. N"Doye has been disappointing but cannot help think that is to do with confidence and Gunn is an emergency GK. Cuiabano hasn't even played for us. Victor was fine until he suddenly turned into Matt Turner at Villa and then injured or pretended to injure himself which is very bruce grobbelaar. MIxed bag I would say.

It takes time. Of course being football we don't really have any but it takes a brave manager to slowly work these people in.

I will say none of these players are particularly robust. That is an issue... Get em in the gym Dychey.


Chicago: Ready made for action.

Jesus is a very hard working player with some skill but isn’t excellent and doubt he starts for most PL teams. Luiz when fit is a Rolls Royce but did we do our homework on his injury before agreeing to the obligation? Savona I like but I think is a Right CB seemed a random buy. Cunha as you say a good prospect should be ahead of Morato.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

Hutchinson - OK
Ndoye - Fail
Bakwa - Fail
Kali - Fail
McAtee - Fail
Jesus - Good
Savona - OK
Cunha - Fail
Victor - Fail
Cuiabano - Fail
Luiz - Fail
Gunn - Fail
Zinchenko - Fail

How the hell is Edu still in a job? This list is an absolute disaster.

He is still in a job because he recently assembled the best squad in Europe at Arsenal. Like it or lump it but that is a fact.

I am not writing anyone off until they have had a full pre season next summer under a new coach (probably).

[Username]

Bit harsh on Cunha and N’Doye in my opinion

[wassy04]

The idea is to improve the team. None have improved the team, Jesus wouldn’t have got in last seasons team if Wood was fit. We have improved the squad depth (back ups is a terrible phrase), have one or two for the future that’s about it.

Which positions do you think we needed to improve out of the first 11?

Personally felt like a CM (Luiz) and a CF were priorities in the summer, plus replacing Elanga obviously. Should we have gone harder at a more established winger? Or more established CF? Luiz seemed like a decent signing that didn't work out after the injury. 

The wingers could easily still be hits, all young and have shown flashes.

[Salvatore Matrecano]

The idea is to improve the team. None have improved the team, Jesus wouldn’t have got in last seasons team if Wood was fit. We have improved the squad depth (back ups is a terrible phrase), have one or two for the future that’s about it.

Which positions do you think we needed to improve out of the first 11?

Personally felt like a CM (Luiz) and a CF were priorities in the summer, plus replacing Elanga obviously. Should we have gone harder at a more established winger? Or more established CF? Luiz seemed like a decent signing that didn't work out after the injury. 

The wingers could easily still be hits, all young and have shown flashes.

Priorities were
1. a proper CF to compete and eventually replace Wood. We took a punt on a Brazilian from our “trading partners” and Kali who we clearly didn’t do homework on.
2. We needed 2 wide players and possibly someone who could play across the line. We spent a lot but I expected better. Im not writing any off yet but did we really need all 3? Im going to accept manager changes and poor tactics haven’t helped any of them.
3. Someone to replace MGW long term, McAtee on paper fitted that bill but did anyone actually watch him?
4. Left back. we got another random from our trading partners and a terrible deadline day loan that we’ve had to cancel
5. Right back. We got Savona, I like him but Im still sure he isn’t a right back
6. Centre Mid. Someone to control the game. DL is perfect but we have clearly decided his injuries mean we don’t want to activate the buy clause with the result we can’t start him in PL games. Did anyone look at this beforehand? Why not because nothing has changed?. Its a sackable offence by itself.
7. Centre Back. We knew Morato wasn’t good enough but if Jair Cunha wasn’t seen as ready yet we needed another as Boly is shot. Jair himself one for the future and a big tick.
8. Goalkeeper. We needed 2. We got one who has openly said he isnt happy to be 3rd pick and Carlos Miguels identical twin with half a brain.

Edu was appointed to lead global football strategy not just recruitment. Yet again my point is where is the strategy in all of this? How much research was done and how much was decided over an expenses paid lunch with our agent mates?

[Trailer Park Tom]

The idea is to improve the team. None have improved the team, Jesus wouldn’t have got in last seasons team if Wood was fit. We have improved the squad depth (back ups is a terrible phrase), have one or two for the future that’s about it.

Which positions do you think we needed to improve out of the first 11?

Personally felt like a CM (Luiz) and a CF were priorities in the summer, plus replacing Elanga obviously. Should we have gone harder at a more established winger? Or more established CF? Luiz seemed like a decent signing that didn't work out after the injury. 

The wingers could easily still be hits, all young and have shown flashes.

Priorities were
1. a proper CF to compete and eventually replace Wood. We took a punt on a Brazilian from our “trading partners” and Kali who we clearly didn’t do homework on.
2. We needed 2 wide players and possibly someone who could play across the line. We spent a lot but I expected better. Im not writing any off yet but did we really need all 3? Im going to accept manager changes and poor tactics haven’t helped any of them.
3. Someone to replace MGW long term, McAtee on paper fitted that bill but did anyone actually watch him?
4. Left back. we got another random from our trading partners and a terrible deadline day loan that we’ve had to cancel
5. Right back. We got Savona, I like him but Im still sure he isn’t a right back
6. Centre Mid. Someone to control the game. DL is perfect but we have clearly decided his injuries mean we don’t want to activate the buy clause with the result we can’t start him in PL games. Did anyone look at this beforehand? Why not because nothing has changed?. Its a sackable offence by itself.
7. Centre Back. We knew Morato wasn’t good enough but if Jair Cunha wasn’t seen as ready yet we needed another as Boly is shot. Jair himself one for the future and a big tick.
8. Goalkeeper. We needed 2. We got one who has openly said he isnt happy to be 3rd pick and Carlos Miguels identical twin with half a brain.

Edu was appointed to lead global football strategy not just recruitment. Yet again my point is where is the strategy in all of this? How much research was done and how much was decided over an expenses paid lunch with our agent mates?

Solid analysis.

As much as I don't approve of  Edu's  influence, it's unlikely he had much choice with doing Botafogo business.

[wassy04]

The idea is to improve the team. None have improved the team, Jesus wouldn’t have got in last seasons team if Wood was fit. We have improved the squad depth (back ups is a terrible phrase), have one or two for the future that’s about it.

Which positions do you think we needed to improve out of the first 11?

Personally felt like a CM (Luiz) and a CF were priorities in the summer, plus replacing Elanga obviously. Should we have gone harder at a more established winger? Or more established CF? Luiz seemed like a decent signing that didn't work out after the injury. 

The wingers could easily still be hits, all young and have shown flashes.

Priorities were
1. a proper CF to compete and eventually replace Wood. We took a punt on a Brazilian from our “trading partners” and Kali who we clearly didn’t do homework on.
2. We needed 2 wide players and possibly someone who could play across the line. We spent a lot but I expected better. Im not writing any off yet but did we really need all 3? Im going to accept manager changes and poor tactics haven’t helped any of them.
3. Someone to replace MGW long term, McAtee on paper fitted that bill but did anyone actually watch him?
4. Left back. we got another random from our trading partners and a terrible deadline day loan that we’ve had to cancel
5. Right back. We got Savona, I like him but Im still sure he isn’t a right back
6. Centre Mid. Someone to control the game. DL is perfect but we have clearly decided his injuries mean we don’t want to activate the buy clause with the result we can’t start him in PL games. Did anyone look at this beforehand? Why not because nothing has changed?. Its a sackable offence by itself.
7. Centre Back. We knew Morato wasn’t good enough but if Jair Cunha wasn’t seen as ready yet we needed another as Boly is shot. Jair himself one for the future and a big tick.
8. Goalkeeper. We needed 2. We got one who has openly said he isnt happy to be 3rd pick and Carlos Miguels identical twin with half a brain.

Edu was appointed to lead global football strategy not just recruitment. Yet again my point is where is the strategy in all of this? How much research was done and how much was decided over an expenses paid lunch with our agent mates?

Solid analysis.

As much as I don't approve of  Edu's  influence, it's unlikely he had much choice with doing Botafogo business.

It really feels like Kalimuendo was the big miss thats hurt us. Maybe the mistake was not getting someone more similar to Wood's style instead of Kali. 

Luiz looked good to start but Sangare looks fine there anyway so that one doesn't matter as much.

I'm not ruling out any of the wingers, I'd say actually the issue there was not signing one of these young guys last summer/January. If we had, then when Elanga left we'd have had a young players ready to go that was acclimatised to the league and the system.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

We are PL and Europa League.

With a squad valuation of half a billion plus.

Reading some if these posts you would think that we were in League 1 with a fiver in the bank.

[Trailer Park Tom]

We are PL and Europa League.

With a squad valuation of half a billion plus.

Reading some if these posts you would think that we were in League 1 with a fiver in the bank.

I know mate we've come a long way and I've had some mint experiences with my pals on the journey but our recruitment is frustrating and right in the mixer of all the manager/squad disruption ect.

[McDurban]

We are PL and Europa League.

With a squad valuation of half a billion plus.

Reading some if these posts you would think that we were in League 1 with a fiver in the bank.

It is a fine line and we are never far away.

[ozzyten10]

Our recruitment so far looks poor but when you look at most clubs who do this well with younger talent season 1 is a bedding in period. Now with a consistent manager at the beginning of the season and less injuries to key players - their bedding in could have been handled so much better. I’m optimistic that some of our signings will prove to be very good over the medium and long term…

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

We are PL and Europa League.

With a squad valuation of half a billion plus.

Reading some if these posts you would think that we were in League 1 with a fiver in the bank.

It is a fine line and we are never far away.

Yes it is a fine line.

Elanga to newcastle - Shit
Sesko to Man Utd - Shit
Wissa to Newcastle - Shit
Woltemade to Newcastle - Shit
Simons to Tottenham - Shit
Elliott to Villa - Shit
Sancho to Villa - Shit
Wirtz to Liverpool - Shit
Isac to Liverpool - Shit
Gittens to Chelsea - Shit
Dibling to Everton - Shit
Hato to Chelsea - Shit
Doak to Bournemouth - Shit
Essugo to Chelsea - Shit
Leoni to Liverpool - Shit
Hermansen to West Ham - Shit
Kerkez to Liverpool - Shit
Delap to Chelsea - Shit