11 Apr 2023 12:16:14
Our recent win against Chelsea has lifted the spirits somewhat, for two reasons, one we needed the points, but two we did it without our talisman player - Neves. Wolves are allegedly preparing a 'final contract offer' in an attempt to keep him here, so they obviously value him as highly as the fans do, who wouldn't?
Some are questioning, however, where's RAN, what's going on there, has there been a falling out, has JL lost faith in him, is he injured, etc? Not sure, but I do think JL knows his team and is confident of survival this season and now has one eye on building for next. Many of us have speculated on who will be leaving but in truth, the list pretty much writes itself and it's a long one. Six or seven out and six or seven in, imo. Some former fan favourites will be gone, that's for sure, but on the up side does that mean that a new fresher, more competitive team will Phoenix like, rise from the ashes of this season? Having said that I still think we'll finish mid-table but only after an unnecessarily bumpy ride, thanks in the main to a lack of senior managerial competence now gone, thank goodness.
I think it will not only be because we have a proven, top quality Coach now but an array of far more capable people in the roles that the previous incumbents had messed up so badly. Had Fosun not stepped in and rung the changes mid term I have no doubt we would be dead certs for relegation right now. This was the first and vital step in the rebuild and I still believe, although not essential now, Shi will move into another role within the group in the summer. I would like to think we'll see an increasingly strong finish to this season with the Chelsea result heralding the start of a decent run, thanks in part, to JL playing more of the players he brought in and that rejuvenating the side somewhat.
Personally, I'd be happy for the same approach for Brentford who will be a tougher nut to crack than Chelsea but if we go at 'em and not just sit back soaking up the game we can prevail. So the foundations have been repaired with just a few more walls to come down and be rebuilt and the renovations will be complete, can't wait.
11 Apr 2023 13:26:21
It's a weird/interesting one with RAN. I think it's quite telling that JL has used him as much as a winger as he has a LB, the problem being defensively he is average. I actually think his biggest problem though is Héctor Bueno, who (for me) had been the stand out academy player this season. Add to this that he's young and Spanish and I suspect JL (rightly) sees him as the future for the LB role. I like RAN but as an out and out LB Bueno is FAR superior. I'm going to predict that once we are safe RAN will be bought into the the team for the last month of the season. Just to put him in the shop window with the intention of making a tidy profit on him by the summer. Time will tell ?
11 Apr 2023 14:36:02
Agree bullysboy Beanou has been exceptional for his tender age.
Credit to our academy system.
Ait nouri I read wants regular football for his international career.
With T.Gomes slotting in for Beanou out confirms he's on his way in the summer.
Is there a big sell on fee in his contract with us to his former club?
I forget who we got him from sorry.
11 Apr 2023 14:49:27
Angers and a 50% sell on clause.
Last valued at £22million
I looked it up is this correct?
11 Apr 2023 15:44:18
Phil - I think it is indeed something like that. I recall ( might be wrong ) that we could buy out the sell on for £10m so if he goes for £22 we would pay them 10 and keep 12. If he goes for 15 we give then 7.5 and keep 7.5.
Surely one of Giles and RAN goes this summer or maybe both as Toti surely can't be 3rd choice lb.
Who else goes?
Jimenez - but might be hard to find a buyer given his wages?
Costa - walks away
Moutinho - hopefully gets a role as a coach/ambassador and is still registered as a player as I think he can still give value in a cameo role - just not 90 mins week in week out.
Then it gets harder
Coady - but probably already gone
Neves - I hope not
Traore (fast) -sadly seems inevitable
Nunes - frightened we might regret it and don't think we would make much if any profit but would of course raise a lot of cash
Hwang - has his fans here but surely just not good enough for Prem?
Seems quite a long list?
11 Apr 2023 16:43:01
Thanks Thefutureisoldgold?
I think whang has commercial value for our club trying to get into the Eastern market in South Korea also I think there is a decent premier league player in there.to be honest all our attacking players have faired pretty much the same not to their best.
Jiminez I think will go but same as you unsure.
Ait nouri gone as my above post.
Mouthino on £100,000 p/w I believe a lot of money for a bit part player.
Adama will go for far better money as he can leave on a free.But you never know.
Costa yes be gone as only a stop gap.
Dion Sanderson will go as Birmingham and other championship clubs rate him very highly.
Ryan Giles would like to think lopetegui will run the rule over him before making a decision.
We have hodges as a valuable squad player and has every chance of having a good career with us similar to how man City brought foden on that's the ultimate outcome for hodges and us.
I'm not 100% sure if podence wants to stay with our project or seek pastures new.
All this with the assumption we will be safe this season.
Nunes I think from now till the end of the season if he plays as he did against Chelsea then we won't lose out if he was transfered.
Neves either way he stays he goes we will be alright.
11 Apr 2023 17:54:12
Quite right Phil (as usual:) I remembered there was a big sell on but if honest had forgotten it was that big! For the rest I agree with TFIOG's list. Coady could be an interesting one as he ain't a Dyche style player (far too good technically whereas Dyche like his CBs to be big units). I hope I'm wrong but I could actually see him loaned out again, personally I would like to see him given a chance in midfield but equally would understand that we are (at time of writing:) well equipped there. Personally I think if/when Neves goes Coady could step into that role, along with being one of the best captains in this league his distribution also happens to be the strongest part of his game! going to be an interesting summer, but we've got to get there first and most importantly stay in this league! Think we'll be OK but the warning MUST be recognised, this team needs a complete restructure! Luckily I think we've got the perfect man to oversee it. First things first, we need to stay up starting on the wkend! ?
12 Apr 2023 10:10:14
Sorry forgot Otto who obviously goes as well and yes good shout Phil regarding Sanderson.
12 Apr 2023 17:46:21
My uncertainty with podence I have very recently become aware his Mrs has given birth to their first child.