MarkSFC

I think this post pretty much sums it up for me too. I am slightly more optimistic in how the season might go because of the "potential" within the group. Perraud, Salisu, Livramento, Broja, Armstrong (A), Diallo, KWP, and even Adams, have room for development. Whether they do, and how fast they do is obviously what will determine our season in the main. I am very mystified by Ralph's apparent lack of self development (use of subs mainly) given his reputation for developing others. The major concern for me is CB. This Serbian-Brazilian is underwhelming but we should give him a chance if it actually happens. I would still prefer another as Stephens is a liability in waiting all the time and Bednarek needs to get back to his best quickly. I believe Salisu will be an excellent player for us but will need better next to him so that he is not taking the bulk of responsibility. This last 9 days of the window are vital to our season.

Perfect summary.

This player seems very underwhelming indeed. Of all the names listed on this forum as options he clearly wasn't one. This does not mean of course that he will not be any good. We have signed others who most might of thought were going ro be good but we're not. BUT the issue I have is that we have enough money to purchase (in theory) better and or more suited. Who really knows until he arrives and plays but right now it's deflating. I'm just praying we have another coming too even though all the noises have suggested just one.

But he is 18...totally different🤣🤣🤣

IF...JWP wanted to go (to Villa or Spurs) as suggested by the media, there is no way he would sign this new deal. This is great news.

Playing tonight for Fulham so not imminent.

Why does he need to? Its irrelevant to the question he asked.

Well...my definition of up and coming is like another Salisu, not someone who will be in the U23s for a season. Maybe Simeu is going to be in tbe first team quicker in which case, that's great! My issue is I don't think Stephens is good enough (nor will he get any better) which doesn't help progress the team. I think he could be an extremely good addition to a promotion chasing championship team.

In an ideal scenario we sign a youthful up and coming CB plus the CB we need more, which is one that goes straight in tbe team and ups the level, hopefully helping to raise the levels of Bednarek and Salisu at the same time. I'm not expecting the ideal scenario to pan out and nor do I expect the later player to turn up.😒😒 On that basis, I worry for our goals against number this season, especially as Romeu will most likely get injured or suspended and or just not be as effective.

Oh dear.

Hes clueless.

You can basically discount Stephens as a centre back so we really need two new ones

Not sure Chambers would. Not been a fan of Dier for England at CB but perhaps he might just be the right choice (IF actually possible) given his ability to play CM too. He might just be a good option as might stay for a few years. But not seen any links....wondering where the link has come from. Or has someone just suggested him?

No goals. No assists. Terrible player.

Precisely. I'm excited by the combination of Armstrong, Broja, Adams, and Tella.

Very strong. 45m for two players who were going to leave for nothing in 11 months. Progress is difficult to see for the short-sighted.

Unless.....he knows we've already signed "others"!!!!! (Clutching at straws!!)

Me too....

15m for the Vestergaard in 2020 is maybe a bit too little. 15m for the Vestergaard at any other time here is waaaaaaay too much🤣🤣🤣 Am intrigued to see who we replace him with.

Ralph addressed that question in the forum yesterday, explains that the squad we have is set up for 4222, and that 5 at the back is not his preferred system because it is more defensive and slower in the build up (we all saw that with England this summer😴😴😴). He gave a comparison that Chelsea can do it because of the players they have. He also made the point that this does not mean we won't be flexible if needed.

Just bought a ticket, going on my own (from Leeds), first time to Goodison, needed to knock it off the list before it's knocked down!! Any advice on where is best to park?!!

Yeah I'm not really seeing a "stopper" in Diallo, yet. Much more a distributor. We need another Romeu type for sure.

Yeah it might cost too much to improve directly on Romeu. But the fact that Ralph has stated he wanted to keep Lemina suggests he wants someone else there. We were horribly exposed without Romeu last season and although Diallo will improve I'm not convinced another sustained period of his absence will be suitably coveted again. We should be looking at someone who will essentially takeover by the end of next season.

Not that I've seen. Like Vestergaard he can't be many days back from his holidays so perhaps that's why. Who knows but I really hope we get another strong DCM.

Thomas Delaney fits the bill but more CM than CB and if Vestergaard goes I'd assume it will be a CB who can do the CM role.