30 Jul 2024 09:06:43
ED001,
What are your thoughts on Mazraoui?
Thanks.
{Ed001's Note - very quick, skilful but very weak defensively. A modern day full-back really. However he can't stay fit, so it is irrelevant how good he actually is. On his day he was really good, but it is just so rare that he gets up to speed. Sad really, he looked like being one of the best full-backs of the current generation.}
30 Jul 2024 11:39:36
Thanks ED001,
I'm surprised that the club appears to Interested in a player who is so injury prone.
I take it no one sat down and said, let's do a lessons learnt.
{Ed001's Note - it does seem a strange one. I guess they feel the risks are worth the potential reward, for me though, I would think that you only get injury-prone players if there is a youth player that is on the verge of breakthrough in that position. Then it ensures there is plenty of chances for the young lad to play. Like the risk of hanging on the tubby lad on the left, whose name completely escapes me right now, is worth it with Amass there.}
30 Jul 2024 15:51:36
ED001, I suppose that might be their thinking?
Utd only have Amass and Murray fit for now. Both have impressed during pre season.
{Ed001's Note - Amass is a left full isn't he? I have not seen Murray but if he is a right-back, that would make sense.}
30 Jul 2024 18:25:14
ED001,
Murray played lb during pre-season and was more impressive than Amass.
I'm not sure what his actual position is.
{Ed001's Note - ah ok cheers.}
30 Jul 2024 18:52:21
Sam Murray is a lb a couple of years older than amass.
Same youth team as mainoo and garnacho.
Good player but amass is regarded as a better prospect at this time although he probably needs more time to develop physically.
Sam is a real steady Eddie and has done well pre season.
31 Jul 2024 10:49:45
Amass very similar to Shaw, though needs to bulk out a fair bit.
Needs to ask Shaw for some advice there.
31 Jul 2024 11:18:16
We need to get the left side sorted and centre midfield. It worries me that we haven't yet managed to buy in these positions. Crucial to get this right.
On mazraoui, very good player, but like Ed said, injury prone. I'm just hoping the risk/ reward is worth it and if he is just a back up, maybe it's not so bad. Would be a touch if he manages to stay fit.
31 Jul 2024 11:51:27
I'm a little concerned about the Mazraoui rumours to be honest. Losing AWB (whose hardly ever injured) to bring in Mazraoui as our 4th fullback alongside Dalot and the regularly injured Shaw and Malacia seems short sighted.
Do we really want 3 of the 4 senior fullbacks to be injury prone. Especially as it's one of the most physically demanding positions in modern football.
It was bad enough having to choose between playing Dalot or AWB out of position at LB last season. With Mazraoui replacing AWB it could be a case of having to play someone who isn't even a fullback at LB (or RB with Dalot at LB) at times this season.
In terms of young players in the academy who could step up. Sam Murray looks more physically ready at LB, but he doesn't have the same potential as Amass. Who looks good going forward, but is clearly still growing into his body and defensively has a lot to learn. While at RB we don't have anyone who really looks like they could be about to breakthrough.
While the only CB's we currently have who I think could do a job at RB are Lindelof (who'll be leaving) and Yoro (whose injured and without another CB signed will need to play at CB) . You certainly couldn't play Maguire or Evans at RB.
If we sell AWB (which looks fairly certain at this point) then we need to sign someone who has an excellent injury record, as we cannot afford to sign players who won't be available when we need them.
While I think Mazraoui is a better player than Dumfries, the fact that Dumfries is hardly ever injured for me makes him a safer option as an AWB replacement.
31 Jul 2024 12:42:42
I get the concerns with Mazraoui, but more from a financial perspective because why so we want to pay a player with a track record of being unavailable. If something is in the contract to mitigate that, then it's problem solved.
Dalot is rarely injured.
I would rather give AWB's minutes to a young full back, as he's simply not a very good footballer and needs moving on asap.
31 Jul 2024 13:29:36
It not about what the fans want it's what the manager and buying team want that's important.
31 Jul 2024 13:39:46
Wazza, the problem is Dalot cannot play both RB and LB at the same time. We don't really have any young RB's in the academy who looks ready.
I don't really care if we pay Mazraoui his full wages or not when he's unavailable. What I care about is having a squad of players who can compete at the level we need and put in good performances.
You won't be so happy when we lose 4-0 due to having only one fit fullback in Dalot and a young Harry Amass gets torn apart because he isn't quite ready and we don't have anyone to bring on in his place.
31 Jul 2024 13:41:16
And ken, they are extremely competent. They won't get every transfer decision right, but they know what they are doing. I trust them.
31 Jul 2024 15:34:24
Been saying that for 6 months angel. They won't get them all right but uts what they want is all that matters.
31 Jul 2024 15:58:08
Who says he is coming as our 4th full back. My guess is he will win the rb spot within a few months and be no1 choice there when fit.
31 Jul 2024 16:10:02
Shappy, Wan-Bissaka started we when got "torn apart" 4-0 by Crystal Palace. We are talking about replacing AWB, not selling him with no replacement, so your point is not relevant.
As I said a few days ago, I would rather bring in and mid tier right back than have Wan-Bissaka continue at the club. Firstly I'm sure he's a lovely bloke. But from a footballing perspective he offers literally nothing. Cannot control a ball, looks incredibly nervous in possession, positionally poor, does not score, does not assist. He makes good recovery tackles after being caught out of position. That's it. There is a reason West Ham are looking at him, and not Bayern Munich or Barcelona.
31 Jul 2024 19:39:02
I remember hearing or reading some expert saying that the most important attribute for any player is availability and that any question around that should mean you back away.