The Summer 2025 Transfer Window Thread

[Tony Towner]

I was thinking the same when people were discussing how to get Cuhna into the starting eleven for the next game. Simple, drop Doc and go 4 atb.

Need a new lcb to play a 4 - at least this season

 

[Lycan]

I was thinking the same when people were discussing how to get Cuhna into the starting eleven for the next game. Simple, drop Doc and go 4 atb.

It's not simple though is it. Vítor's success is built on coaching 1 system and making sure his players are well drilled and confident in it.

Constantly switching between systems is why Gary O'Neil was such a failure and why we always looked like we had no clue what we were doing at any moment.

Like Vítor said on MOTD on Saturday, we're a team now. There's no sense in ripping that all up.

 

[Kenny]

It's not simple though is it. Vítor's success is built on coaching 1 system and making sure his players are well drilled and confident in it.

Constantly switching between systems is who Gary O'Neil was such a failure and why we always looked like we had no clue what we were doing at any moment.

It would be similar to GO trying to force Lemina, Andre and Gomes in to the starting 11

 

[Tony Towner]

It wasn't the changing of systems that did for GON, it was the failure to know how to play any of them with the personnel he had that was the issue

 

[Lycan]

It wasn't the changing of systems that did for GON, it was the failure to know how to play any of them with the personnel he had that was the issue

They were both issues.

O'Neil trying to come up with a new tactical plan for every opponent was the worst of them though. It's why everyone always looked so panicked and confused and why every game descended into the same crap basketball match.

 

[Jinky]

They were both issues.

O'Neil trying to come up with a new tactical plan for every opponent was the worst of them though. It's why everyone always looked so panicked and confused and why every game descended into the same crap basketball match.

100%. Seen it mentioned in a few articles now but O’Neil used to micro-analyse every single freeze frame/clip of a match, dissecting it within an inch of its life. Hence the constant iPad action.

Vitor has given them some freedom back to just go out and express themselves, but done so within a well oiled and well drilled system. Because he’s an actual football manager.

 

[Templeton Peck]

I just think we need more rebuilding if we go 4 at the back. Our full backs are more suited to wing back roles. We'd probably need 2-3 '10s' as well.

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

I just think we need more rebuilding if we go 4 at the back. Our full backs are more suited to wing back roles. We'd probably need 2-3 '10s' as well.

Yep. It's a lot of work/money.

And if it's not broken.

 

[NicholasG1973]

I just think we need more rebuilding if we go 4 at the back. Our full backs are more suited to wing back roles. We'd probably need 2-3 '10s' as well.

4 at the back seems the better way to go, moving forward.

Perfect time to do it if our two wing backs leave, too.

Not that many successful sides play a back five any more - we’ve had to up until now because of the incompetence of our central defenders.

 

[sycophantia]

4 at the back seems the better way to go, moving forward.

Perfect time to do it if our two wing backs leave, too.

Not that many successful sides play a back five any more - we’ve had to up until now because of the incompetence of our central defenders.

If both our first team full/wing backs leave, I'd expect Rodrigo and Bueno to replace them and they're more wing backy than Semedo or even RAN.
I'd love to see us 4 atb but we don't want to be ripping up what Vitor has achieved so far. Let him evolve the team/style how wants to with players that become available for him.
We may move to more of a 4 atb but it will take time, more than a season surely?

 

[Alan]

The 4 v 5 ATB thing feels like such a red herring to me.

Shape obviously has a big effect on how you play with the ball, but it doesn’t unilaterally change the quality or quantity of threat generated. Football is much too fluid these days.

Game state > Game shape

 

[Wellen Wolf]

They were both issues.

O'Neil trying to come up with a new tactical plan for every opponent was the worst of them though. It's why everyone always looked so panicked and confused and why every game descended into the same crap basketball match.

Complete joke especially as the charlatan clearly didn't want to show his face very much at Compton.

 

[Kenny]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1909983900861976702

 

[pavlosmacwolf]

According to the beeb, Chelsea have offered to pay Man U, £5,000,000 so they don't have to buy Jadon Sancho.
5 zeros too many in my book.

 

[Wilf Wolf]

According to the beeb, Chelsea have offered to pay Man U, £5,000,000 so they don't have to buy Jadon Sancho.
5 zeros too many in my book.

It’s £5m or sign him for a hell of a lot more. Given he’s not that good it would be £5m well spent.

 

[Alan]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1909983900861976702

The Angers pipeline is real

 

[Bigbadwulf07]

Is it really that hard for people to believe that Cunha can really like it here and yet still have bigger ambitions?

He’s made some stupid mistakes but not once (that I can recall) has he directly disrespected the club or supporters. Without him, we’re not in the PL this season in the first place.

He deserves better treatment than he’s getting, IMV.

He maybe could open, reopen some options by saying with us for another season, staying out of trouble and clean up his behavioural reputation. people soon forget if they see him banging in a few goals and assists

 

[Jinky]

Yeah, there’s absolutely no way he’s still here come the start of next season.

 

[Alan]

He maybe could open, reopen some options by saying with us for another season, staying out of trouble and clean up his behavioural reputation. people soon forget if they see him banging in a few goals and assists

No way. Sport is fickle as Hell. When an opportunity comes, you have to take it.

Top managers have dealt with far worse than Matheus as far as his “behavioral reputation” goes. I don’t think they’ll care about that at all.

If he goes he goes. But he’s earned our respect, IMO.

 

[NicholasG1973]

No way. Sport is fickle as Hell. When an opportunity comes, you have to take it.

Top managers have dealt with far worse than Matheus as far as his “behavioral reputation” goes. I don’t think they’ll care about that at all.

If he goes he goes. But he’s earned our respect, IMO.

He hasn’t necessarily earned any respect from me.

As a player, absolutely.

As a person, absolutely not.