Davefevs

As a simple answer, yes, that might be true. I guess the better, more complex answer, is one where Nige plans to evolve a system WITH Semenyo that works at both ends of the pitch, or one that takes “key-man dependency” out of the equation. In particular our 3 signings, where does each fit in with that master plan. I’m so intrigued to see how pre-season pans out…albeit gutted Antoine will be missing from it. Looking back at last season where we went through pre-season into the first part of the season playing 4411/442, you wonder how that might’ve panned out with Semenyo, Martin, Wells and Weimann vying for those front-two slots? Maybe he would’ve gone 433 straight off the bat. Who knows. Not sure if I’ve answered your post or not….let me know if it’s a bit hypothetical / ambiguous.

Dasilva’s shin “splints” were eventually found to be a small fracture weren’t they?

Can just see a meme of Trevor Birch holding a golden share over a shredder!

I wonder if he may have “done it” v Sheff Utd in the penultimate home game???

Wow, that’ll help goodwill.

Posted this in the Semenyo thread on the transfer sub-forum.

Their home shirt is nice too.

The more honest answer would’ve been: I signed Andi who’d spent his last few seasons playing wide right (Derby and Wolves) but the player himself says his best position is a striker, which I agree with having looked back at his time at Villa, and that’s why we’ve signed him and where he’s gonna play. No fake news there….that’s what was said (paraphrased) when he signed. The contention comes from Lee himself that half a dozen games into that season, having initially seen Andi score regularly playing as the main striker, Diedhiou came back from gob-gate suspension, and not long after Andi got shifted back out onto the wing, a position Lee played him in a lot of the time for the rest of his tenure as City Head-Coach. Is any of what I’ve written untrue? I’m not trying to be clever either, just seemed a strange claim. I will give Lee lots of credit for Bobby Reid, but to claim he turned him into a 9 1/2 is disingenuous to say the least.

Not sure if I posted something similar on this thread a few weeks ago (or on some other platform), but… …unpopular opinion… …although Antoine’s injury is a blow (or life without him had he been sold - the thrust of my previous post) , it happening now, pre pre-season might not be as bad as many might think. Why, you may ask? My gut feel is that WSM is a bit rigid in what it means for the rest of system. Great as it is offensively, it creates problems defensively / without the ball. You can’t leave any of the three out, and therefore when we’ve played with a back 3, it means two CMs often left with too much ground to cover, but also leaving our WBs exposed at times too. To play a back 4 we needed Williams to play as a front sweeper, I.e. dependent on one player, who has had injury problems. What we need to stop thinking is “we’ve got nobody to replace Antoine like for like”. Why does it have to be like for like? What if we suddenly decide to play two number 10s instead (Weimann and Scott for example) behind Martin or Wells. Different skill sets required for that role, and it might also help us defensively too. We could go with two up top and a conventional three man midfield behind. It creates opportunities. Pre-season is gonna have a different look to it now…but I don’t see it as doom and gloom. We reached 9th in the table early last season before injuries struck. That was without Antoine too. Love him to bits, he’s the goat, but I don’t see a cause for panic. Not just yet anyway! ?

They’ve signed David Marshall.

#squadgame The pitfalls of naming a best eleven!!! Hope makes a swift and full recovery.

I don’t think there was anyone.

My gut feel is that these allowances are a case of “here’s what you are allowed to claim without anything to back it up”, I.e. if you want to claim more, as other clubs have specifically annotated in their annual accounts, then you must provide documentary evidence. Audited accounts may be classed as evidence???

Shame about Lucic, thought he had the perfect physique to be a top keeper. Could play off either foot, albeit a bit erratic. But didn’t have the application to go with it.

Yep, agree.

Nixon was adamant the other day that £21.4m was the price, there was no negotiation downwards!!! ???

I replied to Benjamin Bloom / Kieran Maguire yesterday on twitter.

Having read a few bits on Nige when he arrived, it seems as though the way he talks (that you find irritating - all about opinions) is a direct response to try to stop speaking in the way that comes naturally to him….which is to blurt all manner of crap out and then realise it might not be clear, open to interpretation, etc. So, he’s deliberate on purpose to stop himself! Just ask @redsquirrelwhat he was like when he bumped into Nige…totally different away from the camera! On an aside, I’ve been collating a spreadsheet (what a surprise) of every Championship incoming and outgoing (officially reported) this summer, inc Released, loan end, transferred etc. Team / Number of outgoings (of loans ended) Birmingham C 6 (5) Blackburn R 9 (5) make that 10 (5) Lenihan officially announced as released. Blackpool 4 (2) Bristol C 2 *Burnley 6 Cardiff C 13 (5) Coventry C 5 (2) Huddersfield T 11 (4) Hull C 8 (5) Luton T 4 (2) but very secretive Middlesbrough 8 (4) Millwall 8 (5) *Norwich C 10 (4) PNE 11 (4) QPR 11 (4) Reading 12 (5) **Rotherham U 6 (1) Sheffield U 8 (5) Stoke C 11 (7) can only select 5!!! **Sunderland 11 (2) Swansea C 5 (2) *Watford 6 WBA 3 (2) **Wigan A 2 (1) It suggests that the heavy lifting we did last summer is being felt by several clubs this summer. The danger of loans is also that as each one goes back to their parent, you need to find a new one to just “stay where you are”. In terms of incomings: Blackburn R 1 Bristol C 3 Cardiff C 8 Huddersfield T 1 Middlesbrough 1 Norwich C 1 (1) Rotherham U 1 Stoke C 1 Sunderland 1 Swansea C 3 WBA 2 Those free agents aren’t being snapped up that quickly are they?

I agree….we tar him with Ashton in many respects.

Darn you geographers!!! (akthough someone did tell me he thought it was Austria a couple of weeks back) Antoine “goat” Semenyo will be fine then!

Andi will be happy!

Me too

Not suggesting this is the most inspirational opening speech, but the message is clear. Obviously early days in this window, but so far they’ve lost: Norwood - released Thompson - loan ended (Brentford) Bakinson - loan ended (us) Carroll - released (signed on a 1 year deal last summer) Holy - free (Carlisle) Kenlock - released Celina - loan ended (Dijon) Bonne - loan ended (QPR) gained: Ladapo - free (Rotherham) Ball - free (QPR) extended: Donacien (option) Jackson (option) Burns (new deal) Aluko (triggered by apps) My gut feel is that reality has bitten financially from a poor first season, and we are now hearing messages like “we are focusing on quality”, “we did the overhaul last summer, it’s fine tuning now”. Try moving on Joe Pigott on his £8-10k p.w….that’s the reason we aren’t seeing much activity. The fans weren’t expecting free transfers, albeit Ladapo and Ball are good “pick-ups”, but they are hamstrung by overpaying last summer in a declining market. Popcorn always at the ready in Suffolk.

Good points, but how much debt do they create in the process. If they don’t get up this season, band it’s won’t be easy, I can see things coming to a head quickly. Still waiting for the bid for Semenyo.

SL - so Mark, who are the candidates to replace Steve Cotterill MA - the obvious candidate, best candidate, brilliant human is Michael Appleton SL - oh, I’d quite like Lee Johnson, I helped him get his first job at Oldham MA - but Michael has more experience, he worked FOR ME at Oxford and West Brom SL - oh, I’d quite like Lee Johnson, I helped him get his first job at Oldham MA - what about the bad run he’s having at Barnsley SL - oh, I’d quite like Lee Johnson, I helped him get his first job at Oldham MA - yeah, you’re right, Lee is top of my list too, I reckon we should approach Barnsley SL - yes, good choice Mark