Smirking_Saint

Smallbone is like a carbon copy of an early JWP for me, technically proficient but isn’t particularly great in an attacking or defending POV He is effectively only really suitable to a 3 man midfield, so hopefully he’ll add to his game like a matured JWP did but all in all, he’ll do well this year in our system

What a performance, of course there were a couple of negatives but who cares.. after the crap we’ve been through last two seasons its refreshing to see a real identity and a team on the front foot We nullified Wednesday to essentially long balls and set pieces, unfortunately got done by a very well worked corner but overall, defensively and in possession we were excellent… we passed and moved exceptionally well, and out of possession we hunted brilliantly Edozie and Tella were excellent at stretching play and running at their back line.. their final ball was a bit off, but its going to be like that against packed defences Arma I thought tried hard but I just dont think it’ll work for him, he can’t hold the ball up and he just won’t be able to utilise his pace if we build up this slowly, Adams, or a player like him occupies/disrupts defenders better, and that creates opportunities The back line was excellent, both Manning and KWP look brilliant and JS/JB didn’t really look troubled much, they should be comfortably one of the better partnerships this year, a defensive addition for me would be welcome but not completely necessary The midfield is where we will win the majority of games, Smallbone and JWP are insanely classy players at this level. Alcaraz was quiet but pops up in some great positions… as I said previously we may need a solid ball winner against tougher opponents but from a passing unit, this is exceptional To finish… im excited again, its been a long time coming, there will be ups and downs, but I have so many reasons to be optimistic

I really like Smallbone, he really is silky on the ball, and fits almost perfectly in RMs system But thats what I was talking about.. a couple of times the ball broke and we’d of benefited by having a steely ball winner in there.. against better sides we could of been caught out

We look dominant, reallh dominant The only things that worry me are JS/JB passing is dodgy at times and Smallbone just isn’t a DM, we need some steel in there

Would imagine Charles but JB is available

I doubt he was helped by the fact we probably had one of the worst records for allowing high value shots on goal in the league, it will make his stats look significantly worse With all that said, having AM as his back up isn’t doing anyone any favours

I think it just proves that you need correct analytics now, the teams that really punch above their weight (old us), Ajax, Brighton, Brentford etc all utilitise data models… in fact most big companies in business or sport utilise data modelling.. but it’s important to understand it and not take it at face value.. or.. as you point out, you can make vastly incorrect conclusions.. be it trees, where to reinforce bomber armour or signing Paul Onuachu From a sport perspective it has to be backed by actual opinion on performances too..

Im actually genuinely excited for tonight, and I think we can start off with a win baz KWP Bednerak Stephens Manning JWP Smallbone Alcaraz Tella Arma Edozie 2-0 win… Arma brace

Of the players currently at the club Id be inclined to pick Bednerak over Stephens but can understand why RM would pivot to JS Veteran player, loyal, vocal The issue for me is I don’t think he is particularly good, atleast on previous showings, and so the most replaceable of our back line

Im not going to rewrite my posting history, Im not Jacks biggest fan from a defending POV, and I sincerely hope he makes me eat my words in that sense RM see’s something in him, I expect him to start most games and probably will be captain after JWP leaves I remain concerned about his ability as a forward thinking defender, but ultimately he should be more than capable at this level

Jealousy will get you nowhere mate

Yeah possible too, Im not reading a huge amount into squad numbers tbh, just found it interesting I suspect numbers weren’t finalised that long ago though

I think his chances have been improved slightly due to his injury and the fact that we want a minimum of 25m Past that though I do agree, he is a significant talent and coveted by many of Europes top clubs

Id say thats a strong indication that we’re looking to recruit another CB then

There are some absolute whopper posts on here today Fuck me

I think we’ll end up with 23-25m after Chelseas cut, but thats 18-20m of profit on a kid thats played about 25 games Not really worth sniffing at that tbh

Tino has an ACLr, its a fair comparison

Leicester only got £39m for Maddison… which makes this deal even more outstanding

He was but so far Ive not seen anything I wouldn’t describe as average He’s more than ok for a championship squad player though to be fair

Yup… but Im certainly encouraged that SR have a bigger backbone than the Gao regimes We’re largely powerless when the big clubs come calling, but glad we dug in and got what looks like a great fee Someone had to leave, be it KWP or Tino (or both) we’re more than able to cover the RB position Its a shame, but also, realistically, a good bit of business

To confirm, they don’t tend to pay off contracts, the new team effectively just takes on or adjusts the terms of the existing contract If you look at end of year accounts its very clear we aren’t liable for the remaining term if a transfer is successfully negotiated

So like you stated he wasn’t clear about Tino, if, like you suggest, Tino’s head isn’t in it (would be a weird turn around from pre season tbh) My issue with Matt is he gets more info then he makes out, so embellishes the negatives to drive engagement, which of course us fine, but does do my head in

I very much doubt there is that much in it to be honest, this Matt seems a bit of a prick, he gets early info but only really divulges the stuff that gets him engagement. I called him out about JWP (who was rested with 10 others) and Bednarek (who was rehabbing at home) its just as likely that Tino will travel later Like you say I see no reason for Martin to omit info regarding Tino really

He isn’t injured I don’t think

He definitely has contacts, but he tends to sensationalise and leave out key facts