- Dec 28, 2017
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People want to slag off Toby after his world cup (which I don't fully understand) and yet the same people are probably all in on Moose.Maybe the buying team saw him play at the world cup.
People want to slag off Toby after his world cup (which I don't fully understand) and yet the same people are probably all in on Moose.Maybe the buying team saw him play at the world cup.
How long can this search last? It's not been going on for 2 summer windows, while Dembeles fitness continues to deteriorate.Well we’ve seen a not fit Dembele before and he was a shadow of himself. When he got back into match shape he was dominating midfields again. I’d like to give Alderweireld the same benefit and see him come back to form because on form he is the best defender in the league (including Jan).
I don’t think we have an option that can play at Dembele’s level. We all know it’s something we need to add so I’m happy if Dembele stays and gets fit while we search for suitable additions.
Pure insanity that there is a perfect replacement in Kovacic literally asking to leave Real Madrid and we're doing nothing to try to bring him in? Of course we could be doing it behind the scenes but not even trying would be foolish.We seem to have been drastically under prepared for him leaving so I suspect he’ll stay now.
So much for our scouting department if they can’t find a single central midfielder good enough to replace him or provide something different to him
To be fair it's not easy to replace Dembele. Who really is there that is as good as Dembele, available and not likely to get snapped up by the top clubs? Maybe our best hope is to develop the likes of Winks and Onomah some more. It just seems to be a bit too soon for them (the injury to Winks didn't help his progress) so maybe another season with Dembele is necessary. We may even sell him when the window in China opens again if one of our youngsters steps up this season.How long can this search last? It's not been going on for 2 summer windows, while Dembeles fitness continues to deteriorate.
It was obvious to everyone and their mother that this was the most glaring position of need.
To be fair it's not easy to replace Dembele. Who really is there that is as good as Dembele, available and not likely to get snapped up by the top clubs? Maybe our best hope is to develop the likes of Winks and Onomah some more. It just seems to be a bit too soon for them (the injury to Winks didn't help his progress) so maybe another season with Dembele is necessary. We may even sell him when the window in China opens again if one of our youngsters steps up this season.
Another season with that crop is going to be another season that ultimately ends in disappointment and having this same conversation for the 3rd year in a row.To be fair it's not easy to replace Dembele. Who really is there that is as good as Dembele, available and not likely to get snapped up by the top clubs? Maybe our best hope is to develop the likes of Winks and Onomah some more. It just seems to be a bit too soon for them (the injury to Winks didn't help his progress) so maybe another season with Dembele is necessary. We may even sell him when the window in China opens again if one of our youngsters steps up this season.
I'm not even talking like for like but anyone on the level of Dembele is not easy to replace.It’s not about replacing like for like though is it? Another top draw midfielder will be just as good, if not better, but just in a different way with a different set of skills.
I'm not sure how you could be so sure that one of our youngsters won't break through this season. If Winks can get over his injury I fully expect him to push on this season and be a first team regular. That's not to say we shouldn't get another central midfielder still to add depth and competition.Another season with that crop is going to be another season that ultimately ends in disappointment and having this same conversation for the 3rd year in a row.
If we want to win something we need to bring in a good CM, anything less is unacceptable. It is the most important position on the field and is by far our biggest weakness. I'm not ready to hand over the keys to Winks who can seemingly only play half a season before his ankle gives out and Onomah who has not once looked like a player suitable for this level we are at.I'm not sure how you could be so sure that one of our youngsters won't break through this season. If Winks can get over his injury I fully expect him to push on this season and be a first team regular. That's not to say we shouldn't get another central midfielder still to add depth and competition.
I disagree. Noone has been beating down our door for Dembele over the last few years, as far as I know. I doubt we can get a like for like replacement, but that's OK, because we don't need one.I'm not even talking like for like but anyone on the level of Dembele is not easy to replace.
We have great forwards. We lack a Modric-esque CM to knit everything together. Dembele is strong and skilful but he slows down our attack and has no vision with passing.If we want to win something we need to bring in a good CM, anything less is unacceptable. It is the most important position on the field and is by far our biggest weakness. I'm not ready to hand over the keys to Winks who can seemingly only play half a season before his ankle gives out and Onomah who has not once looked like a player suitable for this level we are at.
So disappointed it seems we're going to roll out the same group at CM this year.
I don't think so. Winks is the only one that offers anything going forward, and it looks like he's made of the same material as Dembele.slight exaggeration do you think?
Not at all, that group stalled and disappointed us when it mattered most. Dembele provides little offensive assistance and we need to grow as an offensive team. I'm tired of lining up 2 defensive minded midfielders against freaking Southampton at home.slight exaggeration do you think?