05 Feb 2021 11:29:22
Regarding semedo he is undoubtably a talented footballer but it’s obvious his strength isn’t defending if he cannot be coached then frankly he shouldn’t play in a 4 you cannot show weakness in the premier league as was shown against Arsenal the calibre of opposition should dictate if he can be risked in a 4 I would have a thought hoever would be a better proposition as a right back and semedo returning in a 5 please nuno don’t play Kilman at left back it didn’t work in the next pre season this defence has to be sorted as I’ve said before square pegs in round holes numerous square pegs at that.

1.) 05 Feb 2021
05 Feb 2021 17:11:54
excellent post PT
Odd that we bought 2 WBs Semedo and RAN who are not at all suited to a 4 (Marcal is but is always injured) to go with Coady - who can't play in a 4 - and yet we are still discussing playing a 4.
It all comes though from the injury to Jimenez. Without him we have to play all of our big 3 to have any sort of presence going forwards and if you add a CF then with 2CMs you have only have 4 places left.
Our real problem - as shown by results - is that with Silva as the CF you are effectively playing with 10 anyway and so are weakened at the back by only playing 4 but still don't score.
With Jose we might be able to go to 5 at the back and leave one of the big 3 out to balance the side and still get results.
You are absolutely correct though that we need to address these shortcomings this summer. A new GK, a new CB and a new CM. With a transfer budget of surely no more than £50m net (? ) and nearly £20m of that already earmarked for Jose there is v v little left.
Note RAN and Vitor deals have to be considered as well but at the moment it would appear we can't afford either unless Vitor is your new CM - if that is to be the case why hasn't he played more than a handful of minutes so far this year?

2.) 05 Feb 2021
05 Feb 2021 17:10:27
On a wider point Jonathan Barnett ( agent-clients include Bale and Grealish) citing Brexit is having, and will have a disastrous effect on clubs, young players and is largely responsible for low January spend. Claims the days of clubs being bought by rich owners are over-cites Wolves as being successful, but may no longer be because of Brexit.

3.) 05 Feb 2021
05 Feb 2021 17:51:35
Hi Future, Good sensible post as usual.

Last summer there were some surprising outgoings, Jota etc, could well be the same Aug/ Sept 21 apart from the expected ones.
Wouldn't be surprised if Neves, Traorie, are sold Moutinho moves on.

Marcel was not fit when he arrived and does seem injury prone, Semedo we are stuck with unless some club offers near what we paid.

Once we are safe from Relegation, time to find out how good some of under 23's are.

The books have to balance we will have to sell to buy, having wasted so much money last Aug/ Sept without improvement.

Also have the FFP to contend with.

4.) 05 Feb 2021
05 Feb 2021 18:36:44
Yellowstone - tks and snap
Think Moutinho and Patricio will both leave - giving us massive salary relief. But it will mean we have to buy a first choice GK - what a shame we missed out on Martinez - he was even here on loan previously!
Hope we can keep all of our better players but agree that we may well lose one of them to finance the overhaul we needed to make last summer but loused up/ ffp etc.
Agree re Semedo - he is going nowhere as we can't take the loss it will incur if we try and sell. I actually think he is competent and may be even better than that if we play a style that suits him and the team is more front footed/ confident next year.
Completely agree about using the garbage time at the end of the season - ie as soon as we are safe (hopefully in a couple of weeks time!? ) to play younger players. I would like to see Vitor given minutes as we have a big decision to make on him soon and Owen has also looked good in his cameos.

5.) 06 Feb 2021
06 Feb 2021 17:38:41
I would wait until the Baggies go down then pick Sam Johnstone off them on the cheap! Very underrated keeper.

6.) 06 Feb 2021
06 Feb 2021 19:34:04
Golden Boy - that is inspired. He has been excellent for them - plenty of practice mind!
What do you think we might have to pay to get him though - can't see WBA being happy to sell him to Wolves of all people.

7.) 06 Feb 2021
06 Feb 2021 19:49:46
Totally agree GB. Love Rui, but far too small for the PL, despite all his caps and honours. Johnstone would be ideal, along with a couple of creative/ goalscoring midfielders! FWAW.

8.) 06 Feb 2021
06 Feb 2021 20:57:39
It wouldn't be up WBA at the end of the day, if any player wants to leave after relegation, they will force through a move to Premier league teams all day long. With regards to fee, they'd have to take a good offer as I imagine he's one of their higher earners.

9.) 06 Feb 2021
06 Feb 2021 22:13:13
Wow - according to various sites he earns just over £30k pw but that DOES make him one of their highest paid players!
We could add 50% to his his wage and still not be paying him half of what we are paying Patricio!
What would you say, £15m to buy him - or £12.5m plus Ruddy perhaps, although then we would need to buy/ develop another back?
Guess it depends on who else comes in for him or for any of their other players?