• 28 Aug 2023, 10:18 a.m.

    The question is, if they don't work out, do we have enough to stay up comfortably sans Brennan? With the state of Luton, SheffU, Wolves, Everton...maybe we do?

  • 28 Aug 2023, 10:22 a.m.

    Possibly; but we may need to demonstrate a bit more conviction to get the deal done? He’s starting for Leicester, who’ve won 4/4 although looks like he’s getting subbed after 60-70 mins. Fitness or not performing?

  • 28 Aug 2023, 10:24 a.m.

    I'm not trying to prove a fact, google it if you want to check yourself and you will see there's a lot of speculation about it. Like all speculation it could be shite, but I didn't personally make it up. There's a lot of German reporting which makes the link and multiple other sources. Could be bollocks and all based on same source, or agent planting seeds or could be something in it. I have no idea.

  • 28 Aug 2023, 10:26 a.m.

    I think we have a better attacking threat, albeit with little back up. If we sign Murillo and Felipe, Niakhate, Boly stay fit, we should have an acceptable defence. The 6 is the most important position for us. Every option we’ve tried has not worked.

  • 28 Aug 2023, 10:29 a.m.

    If he was not performing he wouldn't get picked 4/4 would he? That strongly suggests he is not quite fit and can't handle 90+ minutes, or they are being very cautious with him.

  • 28 Aug 2023, 10:30 a.m.

    Even in his prime, I don't think Ndidi was what I was hoping for in that position. He's a 'win it and pass 10 yards to someone who can play (Tielemans)' player - we seem to have spent the summer trying to get someone who can do both but maybe they aren't prepared to come to a team that are expected to be fighting relegation.

  • 28 Aug 2023, 10:33 a.m.

    I just did, thanks. I might have gone with “There are multiple sources in Germany and Nigeria suggesting a loan move for Ndidi to Bayern Munich.” Winky thing…

    (BTW: I’m not doubting you, or calling you a troll…I just like to know if it’s Percy/Romano/official site vs Teamtalk/Derekfromthepub/HannahonTwitter)

  • 28 Aug 2023, 10:36 a.m.

    “Win it and pass to someone who can play” won us two European Cups, young man. A 6 who would give it to Danilo/Mangala/MGW is fine by me. Unlike Russ, I’m a big fan of a 10 yard pass if it retains the ball.

  • 28 Aug 2023, 10:49 a.m.

    I'm a big fan of 'get involved and try to stop the opposition from doing whatever the fuck they want'. Which is why Yates has been important to us, despite a clear case from other numbers.

    You play with what you have.....personally I would be in favour, if he can do what he did to a reasonable level. The setup would be to get the likes of Danilo and MGW close enough to him, for him to give those short passes, and them go on to carry or hit the longer passes. Pass completion rates are largely a function of pass availability. Last season not even glen hoddle would have put up decent pass completion numbers for us. A secure ten yard passer is not a bad thing...the problem with Freuler was that he wasn't a notable ball winner or close presser. Ndidi is (if he is what he was).

    He doesn't currently seem to be a 100% appearance kind of a player...so alternating with a Yates-a-like would be a sensible way forward.

  • 28 Aug 2023, 11:57 a.m.

    Taiwo has never completed 90 minutes for us in 21 starts (+ 14 subs) across his two seasons. He seems to be doing all right for us, on the whole...

  • 28 Aug 2023, 2:12 p.m.

    Absolutely. I'm all for us getting talented players with fitness issues that require careful management, if we are prepared to provide said careful management (and particularly if they are on the right side of 28). It beats signing a fit player who is shite.

  • 28 Aug 2023, 2:20 p.m.

    I think our fitness record last year was pretty poor. We’ve managed to start this season without our two first choice CB’s. So we need to confident that this years medical set up is better

    In other news, we’ve bid for a keeper. Odysseas Vlachodimos from Befica, according to Fabrizio (as Russ just said).

  • 28 Aug 2023, 2:21 p.m.

    Romano also saying it (there you go guru). Yes please. He is good. And like us he's half Greek. Cheaper than Hendo, but many years top level experience in the Bundesleiga, Portuguese league, champions league and internationally and he's far cheaper.

  • 28 Aug 2023, 2:29 p.m.

    Never seen him play but with a name like that I would love him here just to see if we could make up a legible song for him.

    Sorry I am funny that way… (see Ingo).

    Chicago: In it to sing it!

  • 28 Aug 2023, 2:36 p.m.

    We managed with Keinan ok.