10 Aug 2025 17:13:35
We need to be totally clear on this, it must be 2 players for every position across the pitch, no room for sentiment, no worrying about players not getting game time, no sulking.
We have quality throughout the squad and young players who won't be as demanding as maybe older players would be, certainly not just yet anyway. The injury to Levi and now to Trev highlights all of the above.
The SD's have addressed the balance of the squad and we now have top cover at right back, left back, across the midfield, right wing and up front (striker) . Now we must sign a left winger, a centre back and a keeper in order to push the very best. On the positive side I really like Hato, Santos, Essugo, Josh, Estevao, Delap, Gittens and Pedro. George needs a loan. The recruitment has been top so far but please now sign those 3 players we need. Still top 4 at the moment but by the time the window slams shut I want to be predicting top 2 as a minimum.
10 Aug 2025 21:45:07
Well put RPD we do absolutely need thst quality cover for every position.
10 Aug 2025 22:45:23
JBS, It is so important to have a big squad, this is high level football and the big squads will come through, the amount of games now is off the scale and we need a top centre back now. Maybe even 2. Grab a left winger and a keeper and maybe even another 10?
11 Aug 2025 07:40:57
Agree squad depth is vital, think we are fairly well covered in forward and midfield areas especially if Simons arrives don't think we need Garnacho, it's in central defence and keeper where we need strengthening if we are going to challenge in the league,
11 Aug 2025 08:08:57
I would love us to sign Simmons but if we don’t I think we have all seen at the weekend that we have a new talent who can cover for Palmer and play wide right.
If we don’t sign a LW then I’m more than happy to stick with George.
Finding yet another CH of top quality would not be easy. Of course it’s sad that we have lost LC for the majority of this season but we already have enough players who can cover. We don’t have to sell Veiga and we have both Fofana and BB almost ready to return. If we also have Trev, Josh, Tosin and Hato as well.
My guess is we will play over sixth games this season and yes we need a quality squad but I think this season will be more about player rotation after becoming Club World Cup Champions. I can’t see any player playing more than 45 games.
11 Aug 2025 09:32:32
Veiga has aaked to leave Tom so that is one option gone as the club won't keep unhappy players. BB and Fofana can't be relied upon and Hato is needed as Cucu cover (yes, he can play in that role but we would then need to buy another LB), that leaves Tosin and Trev and then young Josh and Anselimo. A top class CB who can direct things from the back takes us to another level. I saw the game yesterday on C5 and all 3 of wee Pat, Jimmy Floyd and Carlton Cole all said the same, another top level CB takes us up to title challengers. BTW I thought the C5 coverage was brilliant and so much better than Sky Sports, MOTD and TNT. Can we please have all our games shown on C5?.
11 Aug 2025 11:27:47
Greenaway, as I understand the Veiga situation, he asked to leave because he wasn’t being asked to play in his preferred position of CH. we can now give him that opportunity, at least for this season. Also if he plays well and we then want to sell him it will have increased his value.
As far as I’m concerned ex player and pundits views are not much better than fans and certainly not better than our current manager or SD’s.
I was ok with the C5 coverage but will someone please tell Pat Nevis to shut up. I loved him for lots of reasons but he loves the sound of his own voice.
11 Aug 2025 12:15:54
Im not sure whether Veiga would reconsifder coming back to Bridge Tom but I reckon he has mentally moved on and is looking for a move away. If so I am in ten camp that think we should be getting an additional experienced left sided CB for reason Greenaway gives. Hato is sutrely there primarily to offer rotation possi bility for Cucurella plus cover in case of injury to him. Josh and Aneselimo could offer cover fro Tosin and Trev (if anbkle injury not too bad?! and the scare emphasises need for cover) to be the only relatively reliable (less injury prone than WF and BB) first choice experienced CBs for most EPL games.
I don't know that Guehi will be available or if so at anything like a reasonable price. We have also been linked with Giogino Scalvini the Stalanta CB of course and reckon he might fit the bill - full Italy international plus seemingly sought after by numerpus other EPL clkubs - though wihout the EPL expetrience and generally played on the right side.
If neith come it will have be Anselmino and Josh as cover with Ansel mino perhaps more used to playing in either position at the back. He looked very comfortable on the ball versus Leverkusen and was playing in front of me in second half. He looks quite a formidable physocal unit too, Kosh had the one stumble on the ball that almost led to a BL goal but yes we know he has great promise though perhaps also more used to playing right side.
11 Aug 2025 13:08:36
JBS, I think the chances of Veiga getting back into our squad are slim but if we were just signing this season after his performances at Juve, we would all be happy. Sometimes there is no need to reinvent the wheel.
I am a massive fan of Hato but I believed he would need some time to adjust to premiership football but sometimes needs must.
If we play Hato on the left and big Trev on the right Tosin can play in the middle quite comfortably. Cucarella, with all of his experience can talk Hato through the games and Tosin is supposedly a leader.
11 Aug 2025 15:11:10
I agree Tom that Hato has a heck of a lot to him and masses of potential but is also v young and with no EPL exoerience so a big gamble to depend on him as left cxentre back. Also if Hato at left CB what happens when Cucurella is injured or needs a rest via rotation? Anyway we will obviously have to see what happens and if an addition brought in or not.
11 Aug 2025 15:30:41
Veiga is 100% not part of the plans, the minute his national team boss got involved telling him to demand to start at CB was the minute he was off. Taxi for Veiga. Maresca wants another CB and the SD's will back him. Question is who will it be?
11 Aug 2025 16:53:56
JBS, we also have Badiashile getting closer to fitness along with Fofana. If Cucarella does get injured we could just ask Trev to play LCH and move Hato to LB.
Of course we could just keep Veiga.