2022/23 - Set up and squad

[WolfLing]

It's clear from all the comments written in interviews, hinted by people in the press and said by Bruno in press conferences, that plans are afoot to change how we play next season. Specifically, how we attack, as that is the bit that's bost.

Bruno has said he wants a different kind of forward, more of a target man, which gives us a lot of options.

I'd suspect based on how Bruno has set teams up in the past, we will see a sort of 4-4-2/4-3-3 hybrid, very similar to how Crystal Palace have set up across this season.

Something like this.....

Attacking.....



Defending.....



This will give us an extra man when going forward, but gives us a very similar structure to our current shape when defending, which basically sees our wider forwards tuck in to make 3-4-3 become 5-4-1, with the DM dropping to CM, and so on.

To do this, we need a DM that is naturally defensive first and foremost - a version of Rodri or Fabinho for our level. One that can sit, hold, break up play and tuck in as a third centre back when defending.

We then need another CM player that can progress the ball. Probably a box to box player similar to Bruno Guimaraes.

It's been argued elsewhere about what kind of defensive midfield player Neves is or isn't, or whether he's a defensive midfield player at all! For me, with all his strengths and quality, he will never be that holding, truly defensive screen type. He would be more suited to the position further forward for me, more of an all-round CM.

There are some decisions to be made about who is kept, who is sold and who is loaned, but most of that will sort itself out with players we either have already, or have out on loan. What happens to our midfield personnel is the only major issue.

• GK - Sa clear first choice + Ruddy if he signs, or Sarkic or a cheap/free transfer backup if he doesn't + one younger keeper
• Fullbacks/Wingbacks - Semedo, Jonny, Ait Nouri + one or two from Hoever, Giles, Bolla + youngsters
• Centre backs - Coady, Kilman, Boly + Saiss if he signs + one or two of Mosquera, Sanderson, Gomes, Marques
• Attacking midfield/Wide forwards - Neto, Podence + Gibbs-White and a new signing + Campbell
• Forwards - Any two of a new target man signing, Raul, Silva or Hwang depending on the game

• Centre Mid - Moutinho has a role here, just probably not as a guaranteed starter. What happens elsewhere will depend on Neves, the jewel in the crown. There was an article from Spiers last week about signing Joao Palhinha and Matheus Nunes if we sell Neves. Those two players would fit perfectly into the system above, Palhinha holding and Nunes as the box to box player. Donk and Moutinho would offer good backup, with Cundle maybe going out on loan. But signing those players (and also keeping Neves) maybe relies on qualifying for some level of European competition? So where does that leave us without Europe? Losing Neves, but only getting sub-standard replacements?

If we don't sell Neves, I think as a minimum, we would need a DM, an AM (to replace Trincao, who probably won't be signed permanently) and a CF (target man). 3 players on a shoestring budget? One bigger money signing and a couple of free transfers maybe? Completely unrealistic, but Belotti (CF) and Kamara (DM) on frees, plus Rafa Silva, would be the best possible outcome IMO. But we will probably end up with one bigger signing like Rafa Silva and a couple of youngsters with potential!

If we do sell Neves, I can see two new central midfield players (a DM and a box to box type), plus an AM and a CF. It won't be Palhinha and Nunes, but I would be very happy if it were. Those pair wouldn't leave us much left over for an AM or a CF though!

In short, if Neves goes, revolution, if he doesn't, evolution! Either way, if he stays or leaves, he will be crucial to what our team looks like next season.

But something needs to change, how big those changes are will revolve around whatever Ruben and the club decide, or whatever other clubs offer.

 

[Jefe]

It's clear from all the comments written in interviews, hinted by people in the press and said by Bruno in press conferences, that plans are afoot to change how we play next season. Specifically, how we attack, as that is the bit that's bost.

Bruno has said he wants a different kind of forward, more of a target man, which gives us a lot of options.

I'd suspect based on how Bruno has set teams up in the past, we will see a sort of 4-4-2/4-3-3 hybrid, very similar to how Crystal Palace have set up across this season.

Something like this.....

Attacking.....

View attachment 27691

Defending.....

View attachment 27692

This will give us an extra man when going forward, but gives us a very similar structure to our current shape when defending, which basically sees our wider forwards tuck in to make 3-4-3 become 5-4-1, with the DM dropping to CM, and so on.

To do this, we need a DM that is naturally defensive first and foremost - a version of Rodri or Fabinho for our level. One that can sit, hold, break up play and tuck in as a third centre back when defending.

We then need another CM player that can progress the ball. Probably a box to box player similar to Bruno Guimaraes.

It's been argued elsewhere about what kind of defensive midfield player Neves is or isn't, or whether he's a defensive midfield player at all! For me, with all his strengths and quality, he will never be that holding, truly defensive screen type. He would be more suited to the position further forward for me, more of an all-round CM.

There are some decisions to be made about who is kept, who is sold and who is loaned, but most of that will sort itself out with players we either have already, or have out on loan. What happens to our midfield personnel is the only major issue.

• GK - Sa clear first choice + Ruddy if he signs, or Sarkic or a cheap/free transfer backup if he doesn't + one younger keeper
• Fullbacks/Wingbacks - Semedo, Jonny, Ait Nouri + one or two from Hoever, Giles, Bolla + youngsters
• Centre backs - Coady, Kilman, Boly + Saiss if he signs + one or two of Mosquera, Sanderson, Gomes, Marques
• Attacking midfield/Wide forwards - Neto, Podence + Gibbs-White and a new signing + Campbell
• Forwards - Any two of a new target man signing, Raul, Silva or Hwang depending on the game
• Centre Mid - Moutinho has a role here, just probably not as a guaranteed starter. What happens elsewhere will depend on Neves, the jewel in the crown. There was an article from Spiers last week about signing Joao Palhinha and Matheus Nunes if we sell Neves. Those two players would fit perfectly into the system above, Palhinha holding and Nunes as the box to box player. Donk and Moutinho would offer good backup, with Cundle maybe going out on loan. But signing those players (and also keeping Neves) maybe relies on qualifying for some level of European competition? So where does that leave us without Europe? Losing Neves, but only getting sub-standard replacements?

If we don't sell Neves, I think as a minimum, we would need a DM, an AM (to replace Trincao, who probably won't be signed permanently) and a CF (target man). 3 players on a shoestring budget? One bigger money signing and a couple of free transfers maybe? Completely unrealistic, but Belotti (CF) and Kamara (DM) on frees, plus Rafa Silva, would be the best possible outcome IMO. But we will probably end up with one bigger signing like Rafa Silva and a couple of youngsters with potential!

If we do sell Neves, I can see two new central midfield players (a DM and a box to box type), plus an AM and a CF. It won't be Palhinha and Nunes, but I would be very happy if it were. Those pair wouldn't leave us much left over for an AM or a CF though!

In short, if Neves goes, revolution, if he doesn't, evolution! Either way, if he stays or leaves, he will be crucial to what our team looks like next season.

But something needs to change, how big those changes are will revolve around whatever Ruben and the club decide, or whatever other clubs offer.

The elephant in the room is the skipper. He can't play in a two-man centre back position, and I think this has been the biggest spanner in the works in our efforts to transition to a four. Looking at your system, we would have to sweep Coady into an advanced defensive / holding midfield position when we have the ball, which would allow Neves / Moutinho to advance, and have him drop into the middle of the defence when we defend, making a back five as we have currently.

 

[Bawtry Wolf]

We need greater attacking threat. If we go behind we can’t break teams down. We struggle enough when the games open. I am still unsure what Bruno’s style of play is or how he is going to impose that in the Premier League. We seem to react to others, I would prefer if he sets out what he wants to do and how he wants to play and get/select player who can do that.

 

[northnorfolkwolf]

Excellent summary, as usual WolfLing. I can't see Neves staying, and why should he, if we can't offer him Europe; he's CL material in the same league as Jota and see how he's come on with top players around him at Liverpool. I also can't see the quality players we need coming here if we aren't in Europe tbh. No points v Leeds, Toon and Burnley is pretty disastrous as no Europe could mean Wolves struggle to build a stronger side for next season in what looks like being a much tougher Premier League. As things stand achieving 8th this year may be as good as it gets?

 

[WolfLing]

The elephant in the room is the skipper. He can't play in a two-man centre back position, and I think this has been the biggest spanner in the works in our efforts to transition to a four. Looking at your system, we would have to sweep Coady into an advanced defensive / holding midfield position when we have the ball, which would allow Neves / Moutinho to advance, and have him drop into the middle of the defence when we defend, making a back five as we have currently.

I don't think it's as big an issue as you think.

I've seen him play in a 4 for England and look fine. Against a decent , physical Swiss side too.

We have conceded the 4th lowest number of goals because of our rigid defensive system. But are the likes of Coady and Kilman and worse than Dawson and Diop, or Burn and Lascelles, or even the £100m+ pairing of Maguire and Lindelof?!

I think the lack of the type of central defensive midfielder needed to play a back 4 successfully is the biggest issue.

We don't have one, so 3 centre backs works best for the players we do have, as Bruno quickly realised.

 

[Mile End Wanderer]

Neves is going I reckon

Lage to play 442 also

Complete overhaul Palhinha & Pedrinho incoming

Pointless trying to guess the rest

Here’s a line up with what we’ve been linked

Sa
Jonny Kilman Boly RAN
Pedrinho Palhinha MGW Neto
R.Silva
Guedes

Sell Coady 30m, Traore 20m, Neves 70m, Vinagre 10m, Cutrone 5m, Marcal free, Moutinho free, Ruddy free, Saiss free, Ronan 1m, Jordao 1m, Dendoncker 20m, Hoever 6m, Campana 2m, Dadashov free, Bonatini 1m

List of players I wouldn’t mind signing (choose 4-6)

R.Dickie, K.Laimer, G.Guedes, R.Silva, Palhinha, I.Louza, E.Dennis, Pukki, Xeka, L.O’Brien, Mbemba, Pedrinho, S.Roberto, M.Neto, A.Franco, Doekhi, A.Brooks, M.Camara, N,Seiwald, Adebayo, Felipe, Amartey, J.Stephens, J.Swift, D.Mertens, G.Berterame

Don’t go forgetting we need a back up keeper with Sarkic wanted by Birmingham & target man striker also!

 

[Sketchead]

The elephant in the room is the skipper. He can't play in a two-man centre back position, and I think this has been the biggest spanner in the works in our efforts to transition to a four. Looking at your system, we would have to sweep Coady into an advanced defensive / holding midfield position when we have the ball, which would allow Neves / Moutinho to advance, and have him drop into the middle of the defence when we defend, making a back five as we have currently.

I'd put good money on him being better in a two-man centre half partnership than Boly, Saiss or Kilman.

We need a new centre half either way.

 

[WolfLing]

We need a new centre half either way.

Maybe. But with Boly being back to close to his best, I think there's far bigger priorities now, especially if we need a complete midfield revolution!

 

[TheConcourse]

I don't think it's as big an issue as you think.

I've seen him play in a 4 for England and look fine. Against a decent , physical Swiss side too.

We have conceded the 4th lowest number of goals because of our rigid defensive system. But are the likes of Coady and Kilman and worse than Dawson and Diop, or Burn and Lascelles, or even the £100m+ pairing of Maguire and Lindelof?!

I think the lack of the type of central defensive midfielder needed to play a back 4 successfully is the biggest issue.

We don't have one, so 3 centre backs works best for the players we do have, as Bruno quickly realised.

Personally think the defensive record is as much on the structure of the team as the CB’s.

Feels like it’s been 5 at the back with two DM’s on their toes.

 

[Minimalist]

Wonder why we’ve never gone down the 433 route if wanting to evolve?
With 3 fairly defensive minded midfielders . Would seem like a compromise between 343 and 424.
You’d only really need a proper defending midfielder.

Sa
Jonny Coady killman RAN
Palhinha
Neves. Moutinho
Podence Jimenez Neto​

 

[WolfLing]

Wonder why we’ve never gone down the 433 route if wanting to evolve?

You’d only really need a proper defending midfielder.

I think you might have answered your own question!!

We've never really had one.

 

[Minimalist]

I think you might have answered your own question!!

We've never really had one.

I’ve always thought Saiss could of done it?
Even Donk maybe.
Or just set up with the midfield 3 that we use when playing 352.

 

[WolfLing]

I’ve always thought Saiss could of done it?
Even Donk maybe.
Or just set up with the midfield 3 that we use when playing 352.

I just think being an effective DM for a top half Premier League team operating with a back 4 isn't very easy!

Man United have found that out. They've had players trying to do it, but even by spending over £150m on all their centre backs, they can't get it right because their midfield blend is completely off for how they are trying to play.

Man City and Liverpool have the best in Rodri (previously Fernandinho) and Fabinho. Chelsea have Kante.

Arsenal got Partey and are doing better now. Rice doing well at West Ham. Leicester are missing Ndidi now he's injured.

So I think you need a specialist in there. Saiss could play there in the Championship, but he's nowhere near mobile enough to do it in the Premier League. Donk could potentially do it, but is he disciplined enough? I don't think so.

When we set up 3-5-2, Neves was often the deepest of our 3. I think you get away with that with 3 centre backs, as the third centre back takes on some of the defensive duties. But it wouldn't work for me with a back 4, as he's not the right type of DM.

The best blend for a midfield 3 when playing a back 4 is destroyer, creator, workhorse - Fabinho, Thiago, Henderson. Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan. If Chelsea played a back 4 they might go with Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic.

IMO we've never had that defensive, destroyer type to go alongside Neves as the creator and Moutinho or Donk as the workhorse.

 

[WolfLing]

Of all the candidates to fill that defensive screen DM position, there's probably only a handful good enough for where we want to be.

There's also going to be a lot of competition for those players, with the likes of Man United, Villa and Newcastle all potentially looking to strengthen that position too.

Denis Zakaria (Juve) is a Swiss international and has been linked to United. He will likely cost a lot.

Boubacar Kamara is out of contract his summer. There will be a few clubs in for him, reportedly including us as recently as January. Man United and Villa more recently been linked.

Edson Alvarez is a player we were linked with before he went to, and excelled, at Ajax. I think Ten Hag might want him at United and he will cost a fair bit.

Joao Palhinha we all know about. Again, he won't come cheap.

Julien Weigl (Benfica) is a player who Bruno Lage has signed and worked with before, albeit in his last 6 months at Benfica.

Any of those players would be a coup for us, especially without European football.

We could do a lot worse than William Carvalho! Also Austrian International Florian Grillitsch is out of contract and another that could prove to be a real bargain for someone.

Outside of that, you're into younger players with potential, who might take longer to get to where we need them.

 

[Deleted member drgr12429]

1-1-8 and let em have it....
And **** me, we ought to call this thread "The manager interview".

 

[Wolves Heathen]

For sure we need an alternative way to break down teams, as its pretty obvious the way we currently set up doesnt work when we need to break teams down, the way we are at the moment relies on getting down the side of teams but falls down because we simply dont get enough men into the box, usually its Raul/Fabio with the opposite full back arriving late, Joao and Ruben very very rarely Joao in fact I cant ever recall get into the box to support forward runs, another option we rarely see is the ball played inside the opposition full back, whilst this gives us a good defensive shape it limits our attacking options.
Im not saying abandon the current style but for goodness sake lets have a more adventurous way of playing for and during games, I see some people are calling for a defensive midfielder, why not instead have an old style No10 which would give us something like a 3-5-1-1 whatever the formation set up is, be it 4-4-2 the 4-3-3 or any formation you care to name the game is all about scoring goals something which we are not very good at, we have some very talented players here at Wolves probably the best in my lifetime since the 70,s, but we are not getting the best out of them with the system that we play, it simply has to change and that will hopefully be next season.

 

[Dan G WWFC]

I have no idea with keeping Coady in the team I'm sick of 5 at the back.

If we want to go for some werid, creative tatics maybe go for my 442 inverted full backs high press that I use on Fm


Fullbacks move inside to cover the middle and play as defensive midfielders in possession.
Allows the CMs to play with more freedom and join the attack, maybe even get in the box consistently. Wide players stay wide and add the natural width which would be perfect for Neto and Chiquinho. Have two up top, maybe a big man and a little man, or sombody that drops deeper and can run with the ball.

Player I think we should be looking at is mady camara, looked a fantastic player against us, type of midfielder are lacking

 

[steve vena]

Of all the candidates to fill that defensive screen DM position, there's probably only a handful good enough for where we want to be.

There's also going to be a lot of competition for those players, with the likes of Man United, Villa and Newcastle all potentially looking to strengthen that position too.

Denis Zakaria (Juve) is a Swiss international and has been linked to United. He will likely cost a lot.

Boubacar Kamara is out of contract his summer. There will be a few clubs in for him, reportedly including us as recently as January. Man United and Villa more recently been linked.

Edson Alvarez is a player we were linked with before he went to, and excelled, at Ajax. I think Ten Hag might want him at United and he will cost a fair bit.

Joao Palhinha we all know about. Again, he won't come cheap.

Julien Weigl (Benfica) is a player who Bruno Lage has signed and worked with before, albeit in his last 6 months at Benfica.

Any of those players would be a coup for us, especially without European football.

We could do a lot worse than William Carvalho! Also Austrian International Florian Grillitsch is out of contract and another that could prove to be a real bargain for someone.

Outside of that, you're into younger players with potential, who might take longer to get to where we need them.

William carvhalo is slower than my grandad.

 

[WeAreTheWolvesII]

Personally think the defensive record is as much on the structure of the team as the CB’s.

Feels like it’s been 5 at the back with two DM’s on their toes.

I still think this is the case.

On paper, we have attacking players that are excellent - and we don't score any goals.
On paper, we have defensive players that are not that good - and we don't really concede many goals.

Now, it could be that many of the fans are wrong but I'm not really having it.

I've said before that Jota opened my eyes to it. Klopp commented on how the Wolves wingers do more defensive work than anyone else, which is why Jota struggled for goals here.

It's not right that we couldn't score goals but we have attacking players that join Liverpool and Barcelona.
If Podence, Neto and even Jimenez were on the market I'm sure they'd get Champions League level moves (not necessarily English teams)

Would Coady? Would Saiss? Boly? Kilman might but it would be a punt.

We have sacrificed our good attacking players to suit the likes of Coady and Saiss.

I still firmly believe a quick centre-back or two needs to be the priority in the summer, then a mobile defensive midfielder.

Get higher up the pitch, press more and try and take the game to the opposition.

If Coady has to be a squad player, he has to be a squad player. If he wants to leave because he might not play, he leaves. He is one of one or two who benefit from a back five formation, when we have about 8/9 who would surely benefit from playing in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1.

We need to be ruthless this summer but I don't expect us to be.

 

[TheConcourse]

I still think this is the case.

On paper, we have attacking players that are excellent - and we don't score any goals.
On paper, we have defensive players that are not that good - and we don't really concede many goals.

Now, it could be that many of the fans are wrong but I'm not really having it.

I've said before that Jota opened my eyes to it. Klopp commented on how the Wolves wingers do more defensive work than anyone else, which is why Jota struggled for goals here.

It's not right that we couldn't score goals but we have attacking players that join Liverpool and Barcelona.
If Podence, Neto and even Jimenez were on the market I'm sure they'd get Champions League level moves (not necessarily English teams)

Would Coady? Would Saiss? Boly? Kilman might but it would be a punt.

We have sacrificed our good attacking players to suit the likes of Coady and Saiss.

I still firmly believe a quick centre-back or two needs to be the priority in the summer, then a mobile defensive midfielder.

Get higher up the pitch, press more and try and take the game to the opposition.

If Coady has to be a squad player, he has to be a squad player. If he wants to leave because he might not play, he leaves. He is one of one or two who benefit from a back five formation, when we have about 8/9 who would surely benefit from playing in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1.

We need to be ruthless this summer but I don't expect us to be.

Spot on.

We don’t trust our defenders enough to get out of this mindset.

Fans can talk about leadership all they want, but two things are holding this team back.

1. Defenders who are capable in 1v1 situations, of which I think we probably have Boly and Kilman.

2. The blend of attributes in central midfield.

We’ve been two players away from challenging now for about 3 years. I expect that’ll become 3 this summer and will probably increase the more Jeff and Scott **** around trying to find a gem in the bargain basement. Sometimes you’ve just got to go big.

 

[steve vena]

I still think this is the case.

On paper, we have attacking players that are excellent - and we don't score any goals.
On paper, we have defensive players that are not that good - and we don't really concede many goals.

Now, it could be that many of the fans are wrong but I'm not really having it.

I've said before that Jota opened my eyes to it. Klopp commented on how the Wolves wingers do more defensive work than anyone else, which is why Jota struggled for goals here.

It's not right that we couldn't score goals but we have attacking players that join Liverpool and Barcelona.
If Podence, Neto and even Jimenez were on the market I'm sure they'd get Champions League level moves (not necessarily English teams)

Would Coady? Would Saiss? Boly? Kilman might but it would be a punt.

We have sacrificed our good attacking players to suit the likes of Coady and Saiss.

I still firmly believe a quick centre-back or two needs to be the priority in the summer, then a mobile defensive midfielder.

Get higher up the pitch, press more and try and take the game to the opposition.

If Coady has to be a squad player, he has to be a squad player. If he wants to leave because he might not play, he leaves. He is one of one or two who benefit from a back five formation, when we have about 8/9 who would surely benefit from playing in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1.

We need to be ruthless this summer but I don't expect us to be.

I agree. There only one player I'll be totally gutted at leaving and that is Ruben. We can't sit on coadys toes for ever, or saiss .

 

[AlexWolvesHD]

When Nuno joined and we had the likes of Jota and Costa etc he realised we had the best attacking players in the league but our defenders were not so he formed the back 5 to keep us tight at the back and hope the individual brilliance of the attackers would be enough to win us games.

We have continued with the same philosophy ever since but the quality of our attackers is slowly getting worse. Jota, Pre-Injury Raul and Adama & Neves carried us in an attacking sense.

The club should have focused on bringing the defenders individual quality up to par with our attackers so we didn't have to rely on a back 5 system and individual brilliance to win games and could start to form an attacking identity, because they haven't we look toothless and are now stuck in a position where our players aren't worth what they should be worth and we are 1 or 2 players leaving away from being in real trouble.

We will have to be ruthless with players that we can perhaps squeeze an okay-ish fee for and smartly use it to improve the squad with players of a good quality who are going to be low valued this summer due to contract or not playing situations.

I agree that the club needs to look at moving to a 4231/442 sort of formation to get the best out of our attackers because if we are scoring goals our players values will sky rocket and then the club can be smarter in its recruitment approach.

 

[Bawtry Wolf]

When Nuno joined and we had the likes of Jota and Costa etc he realised we had the best attacking players in the league but our defenders were not so he formed the back 5 to keep us tight at the back and hope the individual brilliance of the attackers would be enough to win us games.

We have continued with the same philosophy ever since but the quality of our attackers is slowly getting worse. Jota, Pre-Injury Raul and Adama & Neves carried us in an attacking sense.

The club should have focused on bringing the defenders individual quality up to par with our attackers so we didn't have to rely on a back 5 system and individual brilliance to win games and could start to form an attacking identity, because they haven't we look toothless and are now stuck in a position where our players aren't worth what they should be worth and we are 1 or 2 players leaving away from being in real trouble.

We will have to be ruthless with players that we can perhaps squeeze an okay-ish fee for and smartly use it to improve the squad with players of a good quality who are going to be low valued this summer due to contract or not playing situations.

I agree that the club needs to look at moving to a 4231/442 sort of formation to get the best out of our attackers because if we are scoring goals our players values will sky rocket and then the club can be smarter in its recruitment approach.

To be fair he set us up to play 3-4-3 prior to Jota joining and Costa was injured. If I remember rightly we had Cavaleiro, Dicko and Bright as our initial forward players, Jota joined in late July/early August but after the Swiss training camp which set up the system. Bonatini only joined a week before the boro game.

I agree that I think we could have a turnover of players this summer, either through their or our choice. I still think we may continue with 3 at the back but we need more dynamism in midfield and better up front, players who can hold the ball and SCORE. We have wing backs who can provide the width. Many teams successfully play 3-4-3 but they are better than us at holding the ball up the pitch and have quicker and more dynamic midfielders. Moutinho and Neves are great but they have got the speed to cover, they’re better when we’re penning a team in but then our forwards can’t break packed defences and neither Moutinho or Neves run beyond the front line. Gallagher at Palace demonstrated at Molineux what we need, he was everywhere in midfield and was happy to be furthest forward but had the engine and speed to get back.

 

[Derbywolf85]

With Percy (Very reliable) stating we are in for a Striker, Wide player and CB in this window and that Fosun ARE willing to spend money, I think that more or less shores up the idea that a change in system is coming. We are absolutely screaming out for a CM as well, weather Ruben stays or not.

I think Neves has it in him to be a more ball carrying midfielder, maybe not the pace element, but certainly the technical side is exemplary.

If we could sign say (and don't take these names as writ, I expect that some will likely be out of our reach now):

Botman
Palhinha
Guedes
and then a striker similar to Bas Dost (6ft 5in, physical, good in the air but also good on the deck) then that would give us a big shuffle towards a new system without the 8 or 9 players some people are potentially expecting.

Keepers
Sa
Ruddy
Sarkic

Wingbacks
Semedo
Bolla (Who has apparently had a very good season in Switzerland - not necessarily the greatest league, but a solid dev season for him)
Jonny
RAN

Centre Backs
Coady
Boly
Saiss
Kilman
Toti/Mosquera
Botman

Central Midfielders
Neves
Dendoncker
Moutinho
MGW
Palhinha

Wide Players
Neto
Podence
Hwang
Guedes

Centre Forwards
Raul
Fabio
Bas Dost type player
Chem Campbell

That's a squad of 26 - Marcal, Adama, Trincao gone.

 

[WolfLing]

With Percy (Very reliable) stating we are in for a Striker, Wide player and CB in this window and that Fosun ARE willing to spend money, I think that more or less shores up the idea that a change in system is coming. We are absolutely screaming out for a CM as well, weather Ruben stays or not.

I think Neves has it in him to be a more ball carrying midfielder, maybe not the pace element, but certainly the technical side is exemplary.

If we could sign say (and don't take these names as writ, I expect that some will likely be out of our reach now):

Botman
Palhinha
Guedes
and then a striker similar to Bas Dost (6ft 5in, physical, good in the air but also good on the deck) then that would give us a big shuffle towards a new system without the 8 or 9 players some people are potentially expecting.

Keepers
Sa
Ruddy
Sarkic

Wingbacks
Semedo
Bolla (Who has apparently had a very good season in Switzerland - not necessarily the greatest league, but a solid dev season for him)
Jonny
RAN

Centre Backs
Coady
Boly
Saiss
Kilman
Toti/Mosquera
Botman

Central Midfielders
Neves
Dendoncker
Moutinho
MGW
Palhinha

Wide Players
Neto
Podence
Hwang
Guedes

Centre Forwards
Raul
Fabio
Bas Dost type player
Chem Campbell

That's a squad of 26 - Marcal, Adama, Trincao gone.

Looking forward to having a player with good feet for a big man!

 

[lets all have a disco]

With Percy (Very reliable) stating we are in for a Striker, Wide player and CB in this window and that Fosun ARE willing to spend money, I think that more or less shores up the idea that a change in system is coming. We are absolutely screaming out for a CM as well, weather Ruben stays or not.

I think Neves has it in him to be a more ball carrying midfielder, maybe not the pace element, but certainly the technical side is exemplary.

If we could sign say (and don't take these names as writ, I expect that some will likely be out of our reach now):

Botman
Palhinha
Guedes
and then a striker similar to Bas Dost (6ft 5in, physical, good in the air but also good on the deck) then that would give us a big shuffle towards a new system without the 8 or 9 players some people are potentially expecting.

Keepers
Sa
Ruddy
Sarkic

Wingbacks
Semedo
Bolla (Who has apparently had a very good season in Switzerland - not necessarily the greatest league, but a solid dev season for him)
Jonny
RAN

Centre Backs
Coady
Boly
Saiss
Kilman
Toti/Mosquera
Botman

Central Midfielders
Neves
Dendoncker
Moutinho
MGW
Palhinha

Wide Players
Neto
Podence
Hwang
Guedes

Centre Forwards
Raul
Fabio
Bas Dost type player
Chem Campbell

That's a squad of 26 - Marcal, Adama, Trincao gone.

Great post....agree mostly ....botman is going to ac milan....it's more or less done....

Might be just me be I want another left footed wing back.....got no problem with semedo n Jonny in a 5 against the big teams but not sure about them in a 3 against the weaker teams ....rayan has improved but we need 2...... we definitely need a left footer for set pieces as well.....it's not a priority but we should definitely replace marcal.....even if we it's a loan option........
Not convinced by Ryan Giles.....