Where does 7 into 3 up front leave Weimann?

[LondonBristolian]

One of the things that interests me about our transfer business is the fact we've bought two attackers in at a point when we've also got Wells having signed a new contract, Bell and Conway on a clear trajectory into regular football, Sykes not long signed and Weimann as our top scorer from last season.

Even taking into account the fact that some decisions are affected by financial constraints, Pearson doesn't seem to generally want to work with too large a squad and it seems unlikely that he specifically wants 7 attackers competing for 3 places and, whilst one attacker was obviously replacing Semenyo, it also seems unlikely that a second attacker was signed with the intention of squeezing out either of our any of the five attacking players already at the club.

What this makes me wonder is whether Weimann is primarily going to be used a midfielder/the direct competition for Scott once Conway is fit. That would give us 2 players for each position (save for the fact one of our four central defenders is currently playing as a midfielder). Is that what others expect or how else might Pearson manage the competition for places?

[ExiledAjax]

Hasn't Weimann been generally playing deeper this season already? Someone will correct me but I'm sure he's not been as advanced as he often was last year. 

So I think the answer is that yes he will be primarily used as a midfielder.

[Rocking Red Cyril]

1 minute ago, ExiledAjax said:

Hasn't Weimann been generally playing deeper this season already? Someone will correct me but I'm sure he's not been as advanced as he often was last year. 

So I think the answer is that yes he will be primarily used as a midfielder.

Yes have to agree there. But he can cover else where as needed. 

[mozo]

I've been pondering this too. Cornick and Sykes have the right covered. Mehmeti and Bell the left. Wells and Conway to spearhead.

Weimann has to player deeper which seems odd after last seasons goalscoring exploits.

Ultimately, he could find himself a utility back up player if we bring another midfielder in before next season.

Is next season the last of his contract?

 

[BUTOR]

2 minutes ago, mozo said:

I've been pondering this too. Cornick and Sykes have the right covered. Mehmeti and Bell the left. Wells and Conway to spearhead.

Weimann has to player deeper which seems odd after last seasons goalscoring exploits.

Ultimately, he could find himself a utility back up player if we bring another midfielder in before next season.

Is next season the last of his contract?

 

Which would be a shame. He was nearing legend status and 4? goals from getting his name on the all time top scorers list. But his future is looking increasingly limited here 

[Selred]

8 minutes ago, mozo said:

I've been pondering this too. Cornick and Sykes have the right covered. Mehmeti and Bell the left. Wells and Conway to spearhead.

Weimann has to player deeper which seems odd after last seasons goalscoring exploits.

Ultimately, he could find himself a utility back up player if we bring another midfielder in before next season.

Is next season the last of his contract?

 

I'd argue Weimann on his day is better than all of others.

Absolutely better than Sykes / Bell. Cornick and Mehmeti it's too early to judge.

He can also play 10 when Scott get's suspended.

[And Its Smith]

He’s had a pretty poor season so doesn’t deserve to come into the team. He can play in a number of positions so sure he will get a chance soon but has a bit to do on his most recent form to keep his place when he does 

[PooPants]

Pearson loves a forward player though. Check out how many he had at Leicester when they went up. 
 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013–14_Leicester_City_F.C._season

Edited February 5, 2023 by Diddlydonkey

[Davefevs]

48 minutes ago, LondonBristolian said:

One of the things that interests me about our transfer business is the fact we've bought two attackers in at a point when we've also got Wells having signed a new contract, Bell and Conway on a clear trajectory into regular football, Sykes not long signed and Weimann as our top scorer from last season.

Even taking into account the fact that some decisions are affected by financial constraints, Pearson doesn't seem to generally want to work with too large a squad and it seems unlikely that he specifically wants 7 attackers competing for 3 places and, whilst one attacker was obviously replacing Semenyo, it also seems unlikely that a second attacker was signed with the intention of squeezing out either of our any of the five attacking players already at the club.

What this makes me wonder is whether Weimann is primarily going to be used a midfielder/the direct competition for Scott once Conway is fit. That would give us 2 players for each position (save for the fact one of our four central defenders is currently playing as a midfielder). Is that what others expect or how else might Pearson manage the competition for places?

28 minutes ago, mozo said:

I've been pondering this too. Cornick and Sykes have the right covered. Mehmeti and Bell the left. Wells and Conway to spearhead.

Weimann has to player deeper which seems odd after last seasons goalscoring exploits.

Ultimately, he could find himself a utility back up player if we bring another midfielder in before next season.

Is next season the last of his contract?

 

Looks like we’ve all been thinking about this!

Until these past few weeks, who saw Bell as the left forward…most of us saw him as right (or even central in a two)?

I guess we now have options?  Flexible forwards!

I don’t necessarily see Cornick as battling it out with Sykes either.  We’ve seen from his more recent time at Luton (and yesterday) he can play centrally.  And Sykes can play 10 / AM also.

Injuries, suspensions, form will likely mean they get chances.

Good problems!

 

[pl00peh91]

Hot take but I think Weimann peaked for us last year and I can see him being phased out in the next 6-12 months.

[Lanterne Rouge]

Andi will be 32 and Nahki 33 at the start of next season. I know they are both super-fit with amazing stamina levels but there will come a time when the body says `no more` so I can definitely see a drop back into midfield for Andi, not so sure about Nahki.

[pride of the west]

Hes ooc end of season isn't he? I see him leaving with Cornick being his replacement. 

[Northern Red]

1 minute ago, pride of the west said:

Hes ooc end of season isn't he? I see him leaving with Cornick being his replacement. 

End of next season.

[mozo]

22 minutes ago, Lanterne Rouge said:

Andi will be 32 and Nahki 33 at the start of next season. I know they are both super-fit with amazing stamina levels but there will come a time when the body says `no more` so I can definitely see a drop back into midfield for Andi, not so sure about Nahki.

I think that's the answer...succession planning. A novel concept at City....

[pongo88]

2 hours ago, mozo said:

I've been pondering this too. Cornick and Sykes have the right covered. Mehmeti and Bell the left. Wells and Conway to spearhead.

Weimann has to player deeper which seems odd after last seasons goalscoring exploits.

Ultimately, he could find himself a utility back up player if we bring another midfielder in before next season.

Is next season the last of his contract?

 

Cornick and Sykes currently have the right  covered because Weimann has been injured. Would they be ahead of him if all 3 were fit? IMO Weimann is the best of the 3 

Edited February 5, 2023 by pongo88

[headhunter]

1 hour ago, mozo said:

I've been pondering this too. Cornick and Sykes have the right covered. Mehmeti and Bell the left. Wells and Conway to spearhead.

Weimann has to player deeper which seems odd after last seasons goalscoring exploits.

Ultimately, he could find himself a utility back up player if we bring another midfielder in before next season.

Is next season the last of his contract?

 

That's it for me - utility back up.

He's 32 in the summer [Aug] and when his contract runs out in 2024 [?] I think he's be let go.

Last season though outstanding was a one off in a career played at a higher level  than anyone else in the current squad.

When he signed his current contract in summer 21 at lower money he didn't know if he'd fully recover from the ACL and in his wildest go on to score 22 with 11 [?] assists. His last big pay day as a pro would have been last summer and I'm surprised his agent didn't try to engineer a move for him. We'd have seen his departure as a suicidal move for the club but we didn't know Conway would come on the way he has & Nahki show he was worth the £5.3M he cost.

We don't really need him now do we?

[Port Said Red]

Where does it leave Andi? Fresh and eager to get off the bench.

[GrahamC]

I’m not writing him off.

Pearson is self evidently a big fan, his work rate & professionalism are second to none & as yesterday showed he’s usually back from injury in double quick time.

Sykes might be on a good run at the moment but form can change, Bell has had a great few weeks but all young players have a dip in form at some point.

Weimann is a perfect player to have to come in, I won’t be at all surprised if he’s a regular in the side again before long.

[Davefevs]

Squad game!!!

We have a very thin squad…yesterday, the only fit players who didn’t make the 18 were:

• Andy King
• Omar Taylor-Clarke

There is a general obsession with trying to name a “best eleven”.  I get that, but the reality is - how often is the best eleven fit and in-form?

I know charts can be boring but…this season look at the injuries / illness / suspensions to our players this season:

We are always dealing with a couple or more injuries.  Your best eleven in August is rarely your best eleven in February, in most cases it barely makes it to September!!

Alex Scott is gonna do well to avoid a 2 game suspension, Naismith might be out…we need a squad…and players ready to come in and make the shirt theirs!  We are entering a busy period too.

 

[BCFC Rich]

This is a really interesting thread. For me it looks like 7 into 3/2 on paper but as many people have pointed out Weimann is really flexible and happy to take one for the team and play where he is needed - so I think he'll gets minutes in multiple positions. I think what NP has actually done is give himself flexibility to change and/or see out games. Preston shows the start of that, Weimann and Cornick both have crazy ammounts of Stamina and can't press relentlessly having them on at the end meant we could press and they would track back. In a different gaem (maybe a less physical one) he may want to use Mehmeti so we have skill and pace on the counter attack. On top of that we have a settled and relatively solid looking defense, and midfield.

Basically what I'm saying is ith various combinations we can keep the team structure, but change our style play just by switching up who is upfront. We can have two/three players on who hold up the ball well, who run in behind, who press, who are skillful on the ball, who have pace etc. Any of these are now options and also combinations of all of them. It allows us to keep the team shape and structure but still vary the playing style based on opposition weakness's or to make substitutions to change a game. 

[Loosey Boy]

Isn’t it exciting to have so many forward options……just like Nige had when he built that famous Leicester squad.

The acquisition of Cornick and Mehmeti were obviously ones we were looking to do in the summer and in getting them now, enables us to bed them in to the squad five months earlier……with some good recruitment in the summer, I’m excited to see what next season brings - could it be our year?

In the meantime, let’s maintain the momentum/progress we are seeing between now and the end of the season

[citywest30]

How I see it is that we have a very fluid front line.

 

Most, with the exception of Sykes and Mehmeti could spearhead a front 3. All could play on the right, maybe with the exception of Mehmeti tho always nice seeing a left footer play on the right and cut in. The same for the left with maybe the exception of Sykes. Weimann, Sykes, Cornick could all operate as a 10 I would have thought. And if we wanted to play 2 up, we could have multiple pairings. I would have said probably Mehmeti and Sykes are the only 2 who I don't see as 'out and out strikers'.

Love that we have so many options and others have said, succession planning for when Weimann and Wells need to play less.

Edited February 5, 2023 by citywest30

[REDOXO]

Weimann will just revert to running around aimlessly and pointing a lot. 

[mozo]

The obvious downside to the wealth of options is keeping players happy. Cornick and Mehmeti will only be happy to sit on the bench for so long. Weimann will expect to pull rank. Bell and Sykes are both scoring so won't want to be dropped. Et cetera

[Eddie Notgetinya]

Wiemann can play a lot of positions. I have to say January was a very impressive window. This squad is now competitive, on roughly equal pay, with good depth. I think Pearson has done a terrific job with trading. In the summer I’d expect to see the last of the high earners released (Kalas, Dasilva) and replaced and another CM added. Not a huge shopping list at all. We’d also need to replace any sales but I don’t see anyone leaving, Scott included.

[Red Skin]

If we are to play on the front foot with a high press and hit teams on the break, then we will need to use the full quota of sub's to keep the attack fresh.  All our attackers will get planty of minutes and feel involved. 

Edited February 5, 2023 by Red Skin

[Davefevs]

29 minutes ago, Eddie Notgetinya said:

Wiemann can play a lot of positions. I have to say January was a very impressive window. This squad is now competitive, on roughly equal pay, with good depth. I think Pearson has done a terrific job with trading. In the summer I’d expect to see the last of the high earners released (Kalas, Dasilva) and replaced and another CM added. Not a huge shopping list at all. We’d also need to replace any sales but I don’t see anyone leaving, Scott included.

I think there’s a chance Kalas might stay…assuming he gets enough minutes to prove his fitness.  Feels a bit like Baker, Nige enthusing that he’s come back strong.

Edited February 5, 2023 by Davefevs

[cheddarwedlocker]

Im sure the future consists of Bell, Conway and Mehmeti in a year or so, once Weimann and Wells  becomes a bit less mobile due to age. BCM has a nice ring to it

[mozo]

2 hours ago, Davefevs said:

I think there’s a chance Kalas might stay…assuming he gets enough minutes to prove his fitness.  Feels a bit like Baker, Nige enthusing that he’s come back strong.

This is another one that I've been pondering. I think we need to be absolutely certain that Kalas is back fighting fit.

[cheddarwedlocker]

1 minute ago, mozo said:

This is another one that I've been pondering. I think we need to be absolutely certain that Kalas is back fighting fit.

 

2 hours ago, Davefevs said:

I think there’s a chance Kalas might stay…assuming he gets enough minutes to prove his fitness.  Feels a bit like Baker, Nige enthusing that he’s come back strong.

Not for 27k a week there isnt

[mozo]

24 minutes ago, OliOTIB said:

 

Not for 27k a week there isnt

No def not. His stock was pretty high a couple of years ago, but I don't think there would be many clubs out there willing to pay him a big wage now. We'd offer him something in line with Naismith I guess?

He's still prime age for a centre back so to be dismissed lightly, but I do wonder if we'd get better value elsewhere. Not sure!

[Davefevs]

1 hour ago, mozo said:

No def not. His stock was pretty high a couple of years ago, but I don't think there would be many clubs out there willing to pay him a big wage now. We'd offer him something in line with Naismith I guess?

He's still prime age for a centre back so to be dismissed lightly, but I do wonder if we'd get better value elsewhere. Not sure!

If truly fit and wants to be here…getting him on something like £10-15k p.w. is effectively like signing an OOC player.

There are of course good arguments for getting someone 22-25 on less wages and a small(ish fee), who grows with us.

If I take last summers “movers”:

• McNally - 22 - Oxford to Burnley (£1.8m) - played 6 games and loaned out to Coventry
• Darling - 22 - MK Dons to Swansea (£2.0m) - played 23 times (18 starts from 29 league, not injured)
• Clarke - 25 - Brighton to Boro (£2.5m) - played 6 times

i think there’d be question marks on all three based on fee paid and minutes played…and I’m not sure we’d pay that sort of money anyway.

Over the next few months things will become clearer.

 

 

[glynriley]

On one of NP’s post match interviews he says “it was good to have Tomas back”

Something inaudible was said (obviously by Kalas walking past) and NP said “it was good to have you back lad “ with a smile. 
 

Think Nige would like to keep him beyond this season, but as pointed out, at the right price. 
 

on here about 4:30

 

Edited February 6, 2023 by glynriley

[ExiledAjax]

12 hours ago, Davefevs said:

I think there’s a chance Kalas might stay…assuming he gets enough minutes to prove his fitness.  Feels a bit like Baker, Nige enthusing that he’s come back strong.

I've been thinking, perhaps even assuming, that Pearson wants him to stay and it's up to Kalas/Alexander/Tinnion/Agent to get the contract to a point where all can accept it.

I think the club know that we don't replace a 30 year-old (he turns 30 in May) international CB with more than 250 Championship appearances for any cheaper than re-signing the one we have.

If I was Kalas I'd be talking to and observing Wells, Weimann and even Baker and seeing that re-signing here under Pearson is not a weak option.

[ExiledAjax]

8 hours ago, Davefevs said:

There are of course good arguments for getting someone 22-25 on less wages and a small(ish fee), who grows with us.

Thing is if we assume that the wages are true, ie Kalas is currently on something in the high 20s, then it's feasible to both re-sign him on something near £15k, plus get that young CB understudy in for £1m plus £7.5k a week. Even that would still cut the wage bill by £5k a week. If that is what we felt was right.

Edited February 6, 2023 by ExiledAjax

[Davefevs]

47 minutes ago, glynriley said:

On one of NP’s post match interviews he says “it was good to have Tomas back”

Something inaudible was said (obviously by Kalas walking past) and NP said “it was good to have you back lad “ with a smile. 
 

Think Nige would like to keep him beyond this season, but as pointed out, at the right price. 
 

on here about 4:30

 

I clipped that bit yesterday and added it to TK’s actions.

 

There is definitely a good relationship between the two of them.

[eardun]

I see it as a combination of succession planning - Scott may go in the Summer as well - but more importantly for the here and now our game is reliant on intense pressing from the front and quick counter attacking - it’s going to be great having all these options from the bench to keep up the energy levels during games. 

[W-S-M Seagull]

With 5 subs now possible then it's fantastic to have these options on the bench.

[Davefevs]

2 minutes ago, W-S-M Seagull said:

With 5 subs now possible then it's fantastic to have these options on the bench.

Especially when it’s likely that 1 of the 7 is a goalie, so a chance to use 5 out of 6.

A bench of Kalas, Dasilva, Williams, Weimann, Cornick and Mehmeti gives so many options, plus drives the performance of the starting eleven through competition.  We’ve rarely had anything like this level this season.

In terms of depth there is Conway (injured), Wilson (nearing fitness) and King to add to the 18.  Beyond that its Taylor-Clarke.  So there’s not much depth.  Hoping Naismith was more precautionary than anything else.

[Mad Cyril]

1 hour ago, Davefevs said:

There is definitely a good relationship between the two of them.

There is a good relationship with anyone after a win.... I was even nice to the Missus this weekend before I passed out on the sofa in my pants and vest.

[the1stknowle]

Don't think we should write Andi off just yet. He's a class act upfront for Championship level.

Have thought for ages though that we are a better team when we play three actual midfielders in midfield rather than squeeze him in there. We seem to control game much better as a result.

But can still see him doing a great job in any of those top three positions in the current 4-3-3. And he will score and make goals. We are lucky to have him as an option.

[City oz]

6 minutes ago, the1stknowle said:

Don't think we should write Andi off just yet. He's a class act upfront for Championship level.

Have thought for ages though that we are a better team when we play three actual midfielders in midfield rather than squeeze him in there. We seem to control game much better as a result.

But can still see him doing a great job in any of those top three positions in the current 4-3-3. And he will score and make goals. We are lucky to have him as an option.

Andi is a six foot two attacking forward and a massive threat to any opposing team at championship level. Great asset to the club and he leaves NP with options.

[WECANDO]

38 minutes ago, City oz said:

Andi is a six foot two attacking forward and a massive threat to any opposing team at championship level. Great asset to the club and he leaves NP with options.

6ft 2ins? He's 5ft 10ins. Good engine and gets about. But his defending isn't the best as he doesn't get tight enough.

[LondonBristolian]

3 hours ago, eardun said:

I see it as a combination of succession planning - Scott may go in the Summer as well - but more importantly for the here and now our game is reliant on intense pressing from the front and quick counter attacking - it’s going to be great having all these options from the bench to keep up the energy levels during games. 

This was actually one of my thoughts from my original post. I don't think Weimann is being phased out but I wonder if there is a thought that, if Scott goes, we might move to a midfield of two deep players and Weimann bursting through from being the front three. 

 

 

[LondonBristolian]

3 hours ago, Davefevs said:

I clipped that bit yesterday and added it to TK’s actions.

 

There is definitely a good relationship between the two of them.

I think the Kalas question is not just about fitness or a wage cut but also whether Pearson sees him as part of his first choice defence. I'm not saying he doesn't - just that we don't know how NP sees things after Naismith joined and Vyner and Atkinson are doing well. Even with a wage cut, I think Kalas would cost a lot for someone not starting and, even with the best will in the world, I'd imagine someone of Kalas' experience and ability would get frustrated if he wasn't playing. 

I'd back whatever decision Pearson made either way on Kalas but I think there's a lot to weigh up. 

[Davefevs]

Agree, a big decision ahead….assuming he stays fit.

Easy decision if he breaks down.

Edited February 6, 2023 by Davefevs

[BCFC101]

https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/weimann-new-club-captain/

New club captain after Bentley's departure (not surprising)

[downendcity]

Dianne Abbott has done her long division and says that 7 into 3 means we can play Wells, Bell, Cornick, Naismith and Conway!

[LondonRobin]

Think he is here to stay… just been made club captain, excellent choice by the players as Nige is keen point to out. 

[mozo]

Nige loves leaving his captains on the bench mind

[GrahamC]

Delighted, an excellent choice, someone who is clearly rated & respected by his team mates.

Bit odd that apparently “we don’t really need him”.

Looks like that is this season’s “he just runs around”. 

[pl00peh91]

54 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

Delighted, an excellent choice, someone who is clearly rated & respected by his team mates.

Bit odd that apparently “we don’t really need him”.

Looks like that is this season’s “he just runs around”. 

You can see why the narrative has developed though. Coincidence or not our upturn in form has come at the same time as his time out of the team, and we have just bought two additional fast forwards. Hopefully he proves everyone wrong and plays as well as he did last season, as club captain.