January 2020 transfer window

[Wilf Wolf]

Quite why people are so fixated on Raul getting injured as if it's an inevitability is a mystery.

Of course we do need a forward.

I think it is simpler than that - Raul has been below par recently and the number of games he has played seem to be impacting on his performances of late. It would be nice to be able to substitute him for 30 minutes or so in some games with someone better than BAS.

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

Yep, if Raul got injured and Jota were still out, we would almost certainly go with a front two of Neto and Traore for now and play three in midfield.

Quite why people are so fixated on Raul getting injured as if it's an inevitability is a mystery.

Of course we do need a forward.

So one of the "options" is to revert to a formation that earlier in the season did not serve us well at all, and also would mean that we hinder our best current attacking threat in Adama by moving him from RF.

 

[Norman Deeley]

Thread's rumbling on nicely. I predict first new signing is announced on page 64...

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

So one of the "options" is to revert to a formation that earlier in the season did not serve us well at all, and also would mean that we hinder our best current attacking threat in Adama by moving him from RF.

I didn't say it was ideal! I'm saying that's what we'd probably do, just to quell the growing sense that Benny Ashley-Seal is going to start 10 Premier League games in a row.

 

[b3h]

On BAS. I essentially watched the game online and didn't listen to the stuff at HT or FT. Was BAS injured in the 1st half or ill? I was concerned for him on his first run with the ball as it looked like his legs had gone. He is way quicker than he showed in that game

Have mentioned this twice (watched but didn't listen) and Alan says on USA tele they said he was ill. Clearly something was up as he wasn't even closing people down. Not saying he is or isn't good enough but I don't think we should base it on that game...

 

[Johnny75]

Yep, if Raul got injured and Jota were still out, we would almost certainly go with a front two of Neto and Traore for now and play three in midfield.

Quite why people are so fixated on Raul getting injured as if it's an inevitability is a mystery.

Of course we do need a forward.

So do you expect Raul to play every minute of every game?

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

I think it is simpler than that - Raul has been below par recently and the number of games he has played seem to be impacting on his performances of late. It would be nice to be able to substitute him for 30 minutes or so in some games with someone better than BAS.

We almost never take him off though in a live game, whether there's an option on the bench or not.

 

[Johnny75]

Have mentioned this twice (watched but didn't listen) and Alan says on USA tele they said he was ill. Clearly something was up as he wasn't even closing people down. Not saying he is or isn't good enough but I don't think we should base it on that game...

I've seen him a few times in the reserves and it's fair to say he didn't stand out as a player you would say would get a first team contract.

I'm sure he's a lovely lad but at best he's Lg1.

 

[Sniffer]

So one of the "options" is to revert to a formation that earlier in the season did not serve us well at all, and also would mean that we hinder our best current attacking threat in Adama by moving him from RF.

Did OK at Liverpool and City with it. Not ideal however Jimenez isn't injured.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

So do you expect Raul to play every minute of every game?

As good as, given that's what the manager continually chooses to do.

He has the same status for us as Kane has for Spurs and indeed England.

 

[Johnny75]

We almost never take him off though in a live game, whether there's an option on the bench or not.

Is that because we don't have an option Nuno likes?

 

[Johnny75]

As good as, given that's what the manager continually chooses to do.

He has the same status for us as Kane has for Spurs and indeed England.

I don't think Kane's a good example though given Spurs have Son who's a more than adequate replacement.

 

[Kenny]

Have mentioned this twice (watched but didn't listen) and Alan says on USA tele they said he was ill. Clearly something was up as he wasn't even closing people down. Not saying he is or isn't good enough but I don't think we should base it on that game...

I haven't read much of the forum since the game so missed this being talked about so cheers for the post. I don't think BAS is the answer for us but good to see there seems to be genuine reason why he looked so poor. He is certainly better than he showed in that 45 mins

 

[Norman Deeley]

From two or three accounts on Twitter: Wolves are now leading the race to sign Gedson Fernandes according to O Jogo. Fernandes has been linked with an 18 month loan but its understood that benfica president Luis Felipe Vieira would rather sell the player now and is avalable for €40M

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

I don't think Kane's a good example though given Spurs have Son who's a more than adequate replacement.

Moving Son up front creates a gap elsewhere that they can't fill (and as brilliant as he is, he isn't Harry Kane). Other clubs have squad problems, who knew!

I won't be happy if we don't end up bringing a forward in, however Cutrone was rapidly becoming a non-factor for whatever reason and that aspect of it doesn't bother me. He wants to go, he can go.

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

Maybe we should move away from whether the club is right or wrong to have let this run and run and look at potential forward signings that would work instead?

It is hard to persuade an established forward to come here and play 2nd fiddle to Raul, but both Batshuayi and Giroud would be good signings though i'm sure they'd want 1st team football as they have the Euros coming. Llorente is struggling to play much for Napoli and would offer us something different, particularly with all the crosses going in the box. Marega perhaps?

How about looking for a more flexibile player where maybe looking for someone to compete with Neto, Jota, Traore and Raul across the front 3 is a better idea.

Might someone like Leon Bailey be a good idea, Neres at Ajax has found himself out of favour? Bowen has been linked, Danny Olmo hasn't moved on and looks outstanding.

Who is out there?

 

[Johnny75]

Moving Son up front creates a gap elsewhere that they can't fill (and as brilliant as he is, he isn't Harry Kane). Other clubs have squad problems, who knew!

I won't be happy if we don't end up bringing a forward in, however Cutrone was rapidly becoming a non-factor for whatever reason and that aspect of it doesn't bother me. He wants to go, he can go.

I think that's what most people are saying.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Chelsea want €10m for Giroud! They can fuck off tbf. Inter are on the verge of cancelling a deal for him.

I would rather go with the second option, a versatile player who will get minutes whatever happens. Like Cav, but actually good enough.

 

[Johnny75]

With Minamino having gone to Liverpool could be cheeky and ask about Origi. Can play wide or up top.

Somebody mentioned Ryan Babel earlier in the thread and I think that's a good shout too.

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

Did Nuno mention the Jota injury in his PC at all? The length of his injury exacerbates the need for another forward.