Haddock
Captain
- Oct 16, 2017
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Interesting 11. Bold move playing without a GK.
Jack Grealish
- Thread starter Hoddle&Waddle
- Start date
Interesting 11. Bold move playing without a GK.
Atomic Flea
AtomicFlea
- Jan 9, 2014
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We're close to signing Grealish whilst Liverpool agree a £53 million deal for Fekir. Personally I am not against us signing Grealish but the idea that Poch wanted us to be brave and sign players to take that next step, Grealish doesn't exactly fall in that category. Whilst Liverpool are being brave.
I know spending obscene amounts of money isn't guaranteed success but they're making a real effort!
I know spending obscene amounts of money isn't guaranteed success but they're making a real effort!
Hercules
Well-Known Member
- Jul 23, 2014
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And you then argue with Poch!
JayB
Well-Known Member
- Aug 24, 2011
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We just have the live with the fact that Liverpool's recruitment is miles ahead of our own. They can afford to go out into the market and bring in players who will slot directly into the first XI like Mane, Salah, VVD, Keita, Fabinho, and Fekir whereas we have to be more shrewd and bring in young talents in the Dele/Dier mould.
If we can manage to properly replace Dembele within the constraints of our transfer model and round out the rest of the squad by bringing in players who can effectively rotate for the likes of Kane, Eriksen, and Dele -- keeping them fresh and at their best for the whole season -- we will have every chance to challenge for trophies IMO. We don't need much.
Atomic Flea
AtomicFlea
- Jan 9, 2014
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I 100% trust Poch and what style of coach he wants to be to develop players rather than buying the finished article, however I don't think there would be much argument come the end of next season when comparing the overall goals and assists that both Grealish and Fekir have contributed (if both signings come off that is). Fekir reportedly is a cracking player and with Liverpools free flowing attacking football that they've grown accustomed to recently, it wouldn't be surprising to see him in double figures for both.
Just because Poch feels he wants a certain player doesn't necessarily result in automatic approval from fans but what does that mean today? Nothing. Personally I feel Grealish will be a GOOD signing, not amazing or awful but just good.
All I feel is that there are better players but appreciate that the market today is mental and with the new stadium we can't be spending crazy money.
jurgen
Busy ****
- Jul 5, 2008
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Maybe Grealish is Poch’s dream signing, who knows. Surely he wasn’t naive enough to think we’d actually follow through with the huge signings.
Maybe he will be decent, and he fits our MO, however we were led to believe we were gonna change it up to try and really compete for titles. It seems we’re doing very much the same things as before which has served us well generally in getting to where we have but left us ever so short at squeaky bum time.
mill
Well-Known Member
- May 21, 2007
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I agree with the sentiment but I’m sure grealish won’t be our only signing and if we can get him martial is of a similar caliber what they’re doing imo
WiganSpur
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- Aug 31, 2012
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It's usually ages after the media leak before we make the signing. Pretty sure the only exceptions being Son and deadline day deals. Hopefully official this time next month but I reckon even that is optimistic.
WiganSpur
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- Aug 31, 2012
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To be fair, he might only be a small part of our whole transfer business. The bigger picture could well be overwhelmingly positive.
However, from the ITK rumblings we've had I am very concerned that CM seems to have taken a back seat. I just think Poch is a bit blind to our problems moving the ball in midfield effectively.
Why are people acting as if Grealish will be our only signing this summer?
Poch clearly has his targets (Martial, De Ligt) these players aren't always attainable, due to the selling clubs. Why is it that are our fans always so angsty, that lower-profile signings are easier to complete?
Poch clearly has his targets (Martial, De Ligt) these players aren't always attainable, due to the selling clubs. Why is it that are our fans always so angsty, that lower-profile signings are easier to complete?
Ekmek
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- Jan 29, 2014
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I agree a hundred percent on this. The CM situation is the most acute together with a CB if Toby leaves. When Dembele did not play this season we were really struggling. This is were we need to buy quality. Maybe Grealish is viewed to be versatile and can play booth in Dembeles role and Eriksens? But for me I think we need something much much better in the CM position.
WiganSpur
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- Aug 31, 2012
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Yeah, the only exception being some kind of masterstroke in tactical innovation by Poch. Or perhaps he's finally willing to give Onomah a chance. I highly doubt the latter though.
JayB
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- Aug 24, 2011
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One of Herc's bits from yesterday seemed to suggest that Grealish was seen as an option in CM. I'm holding out hope that, if that's true, he's being viewed as a rotation option for that position and that we'll still be targeting a first-choice quality player as well.
For me there's a strong argument to be made that we really need to bring in two CMs if Dembele and Sissoko, who between them took up the vast majority of minutes at that position over the course of the season, are both sold. Winks' injury woes mean that we shouldn't be reliant on him as the only alternative to whoever comes in and takes up the Dembele role in the squad IMO. If Grealish is seen as something of a utility player who can fulfill a number of different roles as a squad player then I'm all for it, just so long as we do also get that first-choice CM that we're crying out for.
seppo
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- Feb 5, 2018
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I'm not as negative to Jack as some people seem to be here. We've said for atleast 2 years now that if something happens to Eriksen we're fucked. Luckily he seems to be made out of granite because he plays week in week out. We were in for Barkley last summer and with hindsight we're lucky we missed out on him. Now this window of opportunity has opened up for Jack and he's honestly a slight step above Barkley in my eyes - and he's one that finally can work as a compliment to Eriksen. He might not be as creative as Eriksen but that's hard to be, seeing that Eriksen is basically one of the very few world class players out there that basically do as much going forward as he does tracking back, and Jack seems to be coming out of the same type of mold as that. Creative going forward, can produce goals and most importantly assists, but also has no problem taking that painstakingly long run to track back. Just as an example, we would honestly collapse if we had someone like Özil in our 11 - great going forward and very creative with the ball, but basically provides nothing in the defensive half or in the pressing.
WiganSpur
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- Aug 31, 2012
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I can't see Grealish being part of a CM2 and I really wouldn't want him to be. If he's coming as a CM then we have to be looking at a three man midfield. That's maybe not a bad thing, as with our current crop of players I believe that is the system we're currently most suited to, with Alli and Eriksen as 8s. I suppose Grealish could fill one of those roles too.
If we're talking 4-2-3-1 though then we really do need a CM. Dier, Sissoko, half cooked Dembele just doesn't cut it anymore.
SpartanSpur
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- Jan 27, 2011
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Its hard to argue that Liverpool have done some incredible and fast business. Surprised they've even tamed Aulas so quickly. Can't knock their ambition at all.
Thing is we haven't even started yet, so it's hard to compare!
We could end up with De Ligt, Martial/Zaha, Grealish and someone like Ndombele, and fingers crossed seem to be retaining all but Toby in terms of key players. That would leave us with a very strong squad. Even more so if we got a better CM than expected.
Thing is we haven't even started yet, so it's hard to compare!
We could end up with De Ligt, Martial/Zaha, Grealish and someone like Ndombele, and fingers crossed seem to be retaining all but Toby in terms of key players. That would leave us with a very strong squad. Even more so if we got a better CM than expected.
JayB
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- Aug 24, 2011
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I think all of Lamela, Winks, Onomah, and Grealish would be well suited to play as 8s in a CM3 in addition to Eriksen and Dele so wouldn't be surprised to see us move in that direction.
That being said I have a hard time believing that Poch would completely abandon the 4-2-3-1 and 3-4-3 systems which we have played exclusively for the past two seasons. If we want to set up in either of those formations, and again I'm sure we will, we really need a player who can play in CM2. Surely we are working on it and the names just haven't been out there in the media yet.
whitelanefever
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- Aug 21, 2012
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IF he has stopped been a prat with his partying..wasted years of his career imo..then his ability is unquestionable..if we want sone one who's not afraid to get on the ball & can know where he's going to pass before he gets the ball.. will work tracking pressing & tackling.. then he ticks all lot of boxes as a rotation for Eriksen. .he has an eye for a pass *not a great passing range over distance imo) however as a sub to take burden off Eriksen & free him up then if it's under 30 Mil. .I think if he behaves himself it is a good deal..
