05 Aug 2024 20:24:24
So Neves has moved to PSG, have to say I think he slotted straight in next to Mainoo and Bruno, but am happy if there are reasons the club opted to withhold interest until perhaps a little more proven.
It likely means we now move for Ugarte, who is an equal substitute to Neves and a little more developed. If we can land on loan with OTB, all the better.
I still maintain defence is the problem we should be solving above all else.
05 Aug 2024 20:37:54
Midfield for me. Last season we were so unbalanced due to our no existent midfield.
Only looked something like when we moved Bruno to the false 9. Looks like we've moved on from ugarte. Which makes me worry it will be amrabat.
05 Aug 2024 21:52:14
Ornstein just announced we have cooled on ugarte due to PSG not budging on price. They want to recoup the full value of what they paid last year. Even though they want to move him on now.
I hope we get ugarte eventually, I think he fits our midfield very well, quite physical, taller, passing is good and a little more secure (less expansive) which fits well with bruno and Mainoo in the team.
If the deal has truely collapsed due to value, what a waste of 5 weeks!
06 Aug 2024 02:17:52
If we fix defence, the likes of Cas, become more relevant. Seeing as he isn't being moved on it seems, it would make more sense to fix the problems that allow him to be used, in some fashion. I admit he probably isn't as bad as last year's showing presented, but he does need the back line sorted otherwise he gets exposed far too easily.
06 Aug 2024 12:50:23
I still think Casemiro can be a useful player this season, but we need to right set up around him to get the best out of him and mitigate his weaknesses.
We can't have the defence stay deep while the forwards press high, leaving Casemiro to cover the entire middle third of the pitch on his own.
If we play more of a mid-block rather than a high press, along with a higher defensive line then the area Casemiro has to cover is dramatically reduced, meaning he can use his experience and have to rely less on his declining physical ability.