Our Iberians

[Tricky]

^ +2 ^

My only rider to that is that if we have to sell - I would jettison Carvalho if that meant retaining Cash & Worrall.

I agree with that TPL, although I would be happier if he went regardless of Cash and Wozza being retained. He may be skilful, he may have that moment of magic, but we have only very, very rarely seen it happen. He may be better in the PL, I don't know. But I do know he isnt cut out for the rough and tumble Championship. He is too squeamish!

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

We've got a long and dismal history of disposing of skilful p!ayers ( Hinton, Cormack Mckenzie, Storey Moore, Hinton, Robertson, Woodcock, Francis, Birtles, Webb, Hodge, etc etc etc) rather than managing them with skill and understanding. Let's not carry on.

The difference is that all the players mentioned above were great players all established in the team at the time and in some cases our star players. Carvalho is none of those things unfortunately. He is at best a substitute who actually brings very little to the table.

I have nothing against the lad and I am not criticising him but I am just being honest and saying how I see things.

[Ciscokid]

It's well documented that both the great John Robertson and the brilliant Tony Woodcock struggled to make an impression amongst fans and their managers. Woody went on loan to teams like Lincoln whilst Robbo struggled in central midfield until our joint supremos saw their talents and worked with their strengths to develop them and others to become great players. I suspect that we don't disagree much about Jao mostly we seem to have different feelings about timing. We all agree that he is very talented, that he can turn a game and that he can't tackle well or that he hasn't "done enough". I simply believe that he can still make it with us and hope that our Coaches and Msr Lamouchi can develop him. Also I think that the players around him are vital too. I remember how good Jao was with Colback alongside. Give him until halfway through next season whenever that might be before rejecting him because if I'm wrong then it will be proven by then and I will humbly admit my error.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

Fair enough Cisko, you make some very good points.

I suppose time will tell. Hand on heart I really hope that Carvalho makes it with us. It's going to be interesting when we return after this break to see how he performs.

[zicorice]

It's well documented that both the great John Robertson and the brilliant Tony Woodcock struggled to make an impression amongst fans and their managers. Woody went on loan to teams like Lincoln whilst Robbo struggled in central midfield until our joint supremos saw their  talents and worked with their strengths to develop them and others to become great players. I suspect that we don't disagree much about Jao mostly we seem to have different feelings about timing. We all agree that he is very talented, that he can turn a game and that he can't tackle well or that he hasn't "done enough". I simply believe that he can still make it with us and hope that our Coaches and Msr Lamouchi can develop him. Also I think that the players around him are vital too. I remember how good Jao was with Colback alongside. Give him until halfway through next season whenever that might be before rejecting him because if I'm wrong then it will be proven by then and I will humbly admit my error.

100%.  I remember games like Villa away and Swansea away where he was very very good. I dont actually care that his tackling is ropey, I just want him on the ball as much as possible. Plus, when he is on the pitch his running stats and work rate are excellent, so it's not like he is lazy.

[ThePromisedLand]

^ yup ^

[Frochy1977]

^ +2 ^

My only rider to that is that if we have to sell - I would jettison Carvalho if that meant retaining Cash & Worrall.

100% agree with that.

[Derby My Arse]

Looks like Semedo is going back, no great surprise.

Silva and Riberio both been excellent signings though in my view.

[ThePromisedLand]

We tend - fortunately - to buy permanent better than loans.

[Camms]

Looks like Semedo is going back, no great surprise.

Silva and Riberio both been excellent signings though in my view.

We tend - fortunately - to buy permanent better than loans.

Exactly what I was thinking. Figs was a good permanent signing too.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

Looks like Semedo is going back, no great surprise.

Silva and Riberio both been excellent signings though in my view.

We tend - fortunately - to buy permanent better than loans.

Exactly what I was thinking. Figs was a good permanent signing too.

Yes this is true. Figs, Silva, Ribeiro all excellent, Carvalho so and so. 

The loans from Portugal have been poor. I think this needs to be looked at. It's something that we can improve on.

[Salvatore Matrecano]

Point of order, Figs originally signed on loan which to me is still a more sensible way of doing things for overseas players, you never know how they will adapt.
Its the overall scouting of the player and his suitability for the club and style of play that is more important. As said overall we have been moving in a better direction recently.