Let's talk about Nuno....

[Haggstone]

I think we all, and I include Nuno in this, just need to hang on in there until the summer when hopefully the world will be a better place. Nuno has put a lot into this job, parting company now just wouldn’t seem right.

I’d take season void and forget this season ever happened right now, although I appreciate others see things differently there. I see Villa game at the weekend is off, does make me seriously wonder?

 

[GLASGOWOLF]

What worries me, is everywhere you look news has Nuno looking for a new job.

This scares the shit out a me

 

[Wolvensam]

I haven't seen it anywhere reputable: only The Sun and The Metro.

 

[Tony Towner]

On the subject of Nuno. The written reasons for his conviction re Mason have come out.

We complained about him after the Newcastle game
He was demoted to the Championship for a bit because of it
Nuno went into the Burnley game with a premeditated grievance which was reflected in his opportunistic comments which were humiliating
Fine was lenient as seen to have apologised genuinely afterwards and admitted charge

 

[Tony Towner]

I haven't seen it anywhere reputable: only The Sun and The Metro.

It came from The Sun which I posted this morning. All the rest just quote that one article

 

[Wolvensam]

I think we all, and I include Nuno in this, just need to hang on in there until the summer when hopefully the world will be a better place. Nuno has put a lot into this job, parting company now just wouldn’t seem right.

I’d take season void and forget this season ever happened right now, although I appreciate others see things differently there. I see Villa game at the weekend is off, does make me seriously wonder?

Absolutely. This is his project as much as Fosun's, and to be honest I can't see Fosun getting rid of him: promotion at the first attempt and two consecutive 7th placed finishes (with Europa League football and an FA Cup semi-final) has bought him some serious time. Any player sales we make will be because the players themselves want to leave, just like Jota and Doherty did.

 

[AndyWolves]

If Nuno wants to leave so be it, I'll be incredibly disappointed but nothing lasts forever and if it's want he wants to do then you can't really begrudge him that.

It'll be with a "thanks for the memories" from me

 

[malta mick]

I sincerely hope that Nuno decides to go having read that he's not being given any more money this transfer window. If he's been 'forced' to take Cutrone and MGW instead of new signings, then that might not bode well considering his current family problems too.
Lets hope for a good performance and result on saturday and put the matter to bed.

 

[PuntsWolf]

Yes, it was a gamble. As you have correctly identified Silva isn't quite ready for the role we're asking him to perform. I think the club knew we needed a backup but didn't want a repeat of Cutrone so went a different path.

It's important to remain objective with expectations, no club gets it right 100% of the time in the transfer market.

Cutrone wasn’t really signed as a backup. He was signed when we were playing 5-3-2. But then we were dreadful as a team in this set up the start of that season and Cutrone didn’t do anything himself so we then went to 3-4-3 and had success. He was then obsolete as he doesn’t have the attributes to play that role.

The second part of your post is the important bit. Appears you are accepting the club over estimated Silva and/or underestimated the need for a more reliable backup. This is all it is. It always appears as if people are saying “the club had no choice”, “they tried and failed”, “impossible task to find a backup”. Difficult, maybe. Impossible, certainly not.

 

[AndyWolves]

Cutrone wasn’t really signed as a backup. He was signed when we were playing 5-3-2. But then we were dreadful as a team in this set up the start of that season and Cutrone didn’t do anything himself so we then went to 3-4-3 and had success. He was then obsolete as he doesn’t have the attributes to play that role.

The second part of your post is the important bit. Appears you are accepting the club over estimated Silva and/or underestimated the need for a more reliable backup. This is all it is. It always appears as if people are saying “the club had no choice”, “they tried and failed”, “impossible task to find a backup”. Difficult, maybe. Impossible, certainly not.

Nevertheless, Cutrone would have had that role of being Rauls backup.

I don't think the club underestimated the need, I think they found it a hard position to fill and went for a different approach. I think Rauls injury caught us out a bit and they probably expected a little more from Silva.

Edit. We could have got a low grade forward who would be happy to sit on the bench but that's not the ethos of the new culture. Personally, buying someone as a squad player or a backup isn't the best use of resources, id much rather we use our resources on players with futures and resale values

 

[YoungWolf]

Think part of the mistake was not having a wide player who can also effectively play there. We had Jota before, and even Cav too in previous years if Raul/Leo were not available etc. I think that's an area we need to put right soon.

Not worried by those Nuno articles in the Sun/Mail. He often talks about his contract when asked about speculation and how he will fulfil it etc. I know the landscape has changed in a pandemic but I think that will be resolve eventually

 

[prawnking]

Personally, buying someone as a squad player or a backup isn't the best use of resources, id much rather we use our resources on players with futures and resale values

We did that with Marcal though, and squad players like Donk and Saiss, while maybe not being top 6 level starters, have been very useful

 

[AndyWolves]

We did that with Marcal though, and squad players like Donk and Saiss, while maybe not being top 6 level starters, have been very useful

Marcal cost circa £1.5m. If we could have found a forward for that kind of money who was as good as Marcal I'm sure we'd have gone for it. If Jonny wasn't injured we wouldn't have bought him anyway. Donk and Saiss tend to play if they're fit.

 

[Tony Towner]

I think Rauls injury caught us out a bit

Of everything that's the bit I struggle with, not specific to you Andy just in general.

 

[slink]

We did that with Marcal though, and squad players like Donk and Saiss, while maybe not being top 6 level starters, have been very useful

Donk was not bought as a squad player, he took a while to get in the team but he's been important since. It's also not his fault he's used in a role that doesn't really suit him 100%. Saiss definitely wasn't signed as backup as we were in the championship and once Zenga had gone Lambert all but refused to play him. He's definitely proved his worth though.

 

[Wolvensam]

The one thing you can say about our squad is that, one or two players aside (Raul being one of them), we don't really notice a huge gulf in class when somebody steps in.

 

[AndyWolves]

Of everything that's the bit I struggle with, not specific to you Andy just in general.

Agreed, that's why I think it was a calculated gamble.

 

[prawnking]

Marcal cost circa £1.5m. If we could have found a forward for that kind of money who was as good as Marcal I'm sure we'd have gone for it. If Jonny wasn't injured we wouldn't have bought him anyway. Donk and Saiss tend to play if they're fit.

I'm talking about Marcal's status as a squad player more than money. If we can splash £35m on future talent then I can't see that being much of a factor.

I'd still class Donk and Saiss as squad players, they've only really had so many chances this season due to injury and formation changes.

 

[Johnny75]

The one thing you can say about our squad is that, one or two players aside (Raul being one of them), we don't really notice a huge gulf in class when somebody steps in.

I understand where you're coming from Sam but I would say there's a huge drop off in the front players if we play 4-2-3-1 if two of them are out (or all 3 on Saturday )

I'd agree with YW that we certainly need a wide forward that can play sporadically up front like Josh King.

 

[Wilf Wolf]

I'm talking about Marcal's status as a squad player more than money. If we can splash £35m on future talent then I can't see that being much of a factor.

I'd still class Donk and Saiss as squad players, they've only really had so many chances this season due to injury and formation changes.

Donk plays more than he doesn't when fit. He's a very important part of the team and if he could finish he would be in the top three.