Summer 2019 Window: CLOSED. (Outs to Europe can still happen though)

[AB]

Will we pursue with a back 5 still

Sounds like we’ll switch between 343 and 433.

 

[NZ Bee]

Didn't I read somewhere that Frank wants to ensure we can play well with both 4 and 5 at the back? I'd rank our CBs (in terms of pure ability and not ability to play in 5) as;

1. Konsa
2. PJ
3. Pinnock
4. Jeanvier
5. Racic
6. Sorensen

 

[jlove]

Will we pursue with a back 5 still

I'd guess we will play games with the 3-4-3 but hope that we revert to more with the 4-3-3, now we have a 'proper' DHM, that we've not had while in the Championship, in Nørgaard. Having both options will allow us the choice, based on the opposition and maybe player availability, to use formation and style of play to be stronger.

Let's see...

 

[condorman]

Will we pursue with a back 5 still

Pinnock apparently said after last weeks friendly that they are training both 4 and 5 at back

 

[IDontBeeLieveIt]

I'd guess we will play games with the 3-4-3 but hope that we revert to more with the 4-3-3, now we have a 'proper' DHM, that we've not had while in the Championship, in Nørgaard. Having both options will allow us the choice, based on the opposition and maybe player availability, to use formation and style of play to be stronger.

Let's see...

I'm hoping that we're reverting to 4-3-3 as plan A but also preparing for 3-4-3 as a plan B when required.

 

[brighton bee]

If we are playing 4 at the back regularly there’s no way Konsa is staying. I expect him to leave in the next week or so

 

[cheshirebee]

If we are playing 4 at the back regularly there’s no way Konsa is staying. I expect him to leave in the next week or so

Given the number of centre backs we now have I would be fine with Konsa going, particularly if it meant we kept Neal

 

[gbems92]

12m with a healthy sell on would do nicely i think. I expect him to go onto bigger and better things than fulham

 

[condorman]

12m with a healthy sell on would do nicely i think. I expect him to go onto bigger and better things than fulham

While Konsa remains a work in progress I'm not convinced we will get our £12m valuation yet so suspect he's here for season too, unless someone else does pay the fee for potential rather than current ability

 

[beebopalula]

I'm hoping that we're reverting to 4-3-3 as plan A but also preparing for 3-4-3 as a plan B when required.

I'd prefer the other way round. We looked better with 3 at the back so why change the main tactic which was successful ? Some say our new centre backs can't pass the ball out. Or maybe they pass it when it's on ? That'll do for me as it should eliminate a fair percentage of daft goals conceded..

 

[redsbee]

He's the assassin.

Good spot. Maybe that's Watkins doing unseen work?

 

[Friji]

Interesting:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1148893703764959232

 

[chris_bees7]

Derby, West Brom, Middlesbrough and Brentford among a string of Championship clubs interested in Krystian Bielik. 21-year-old has two years left on current deal - #AFC want extension & another loan but will try to sell if he does not agree to extend. Not in first team plans yet.

 

[IDontBeeLieveIt]

I'd prefer the other way round. We looked better with 3 at the back so why change the main tactic which was successful ? Some say our new centre backs can't pass the ball out. Or maybe they pass it when it's on ? That'll do for me as it should eliminate a fair percentage of daft goals conceded..

I'm not sure we looked better with 3 at the back in context of the past 4/5 years. We looked very good in previous times with four at the back.
The three at the back was trying to stop the rot of a disastrous period, which it did, but it doesn't mean it gets the most out of the team imo.
Now we have experienced defenders, and have brought in the likes of Norgaard, I don't think we need to be so conservative and stick to three at the back, which I imagine is why they're back training with four at the back too.

 

[jbee]

I'm not sure we looked better with 3 at the back in context of the past 4/5 years. We looked very good in previous times with four at the back.
The three at the back was trying to stop the rot of a disastrous period, which it did, but it doesn't mean it gets the most out of the team imo.
Now we have experienced defenders, and have brought in the likes of Norgaard, I don't think we need to be so conservative and stick to three at the back, which I imagine is why they're back training with four at the back too.

It suits both Benrahma and Maupay much better, so if they stay, we stick with it IMO. I don’t think it is necessarily more defensive either.

 

[jlove]

We looked better with 3 at the back

We only looked better with 3 at the back because it addressed an issue and we had Jeanvier returning. Our 4-3-3 has always had the weakness of no proper DHM; that has now (hopefully) been addressed, so it becomes a much more attacking option with the quick players we have in attack.

 

[IDontBeeLieveIt]

It suits both Benrahma and Maupay much better, so if they stay, we stick with it IMO. I don’t think it is necessarily more defensive either.

Disagree with all of that but each to their own

 

[mhead bee]

While Konsa remains a work in progress I'm not convinced we will get our £12m valuation yet so suspect he's here for season too, unless someone else does pay the fee for potential rather than current ability

We did for Mepham and he was a work in progress.

I think you and many other are possibly underestimating the current value of players and the money swishing around.

12M is well in the ballpark for Konsa, 25M well in the ball park for Maupay and 15-20 for Said. This is the money being spent.

 

[jlove]

It suits both Benrahma and Maupay much better, so if they stay, we stick with it IMO. I don’t think it is necessarily more defensive either.

We play 3 attackers in either formation, the only difference is that, with 3-4-3, the two wide attackers play narrower but midfielders and full backs can still overlap in a 4-3-3.

 

[Invipai]

"It is fair to say that the arrival of Swedish international Pontus Jansson, allied to the previous signings of Christian Norgaard, Ethan Pinnock and David Raya, is a huge statement of intent from our Club under the incredible vision and stewardship of Matthew Benham.

"It is one that even members of the existing squad have heralded as the catalyst for a very exciting and memorable season ahead."

This is good to read from Peter Gilham's blog, hopefully may help convince a few to stay.

 

[GlasgowBee]

Would it be possible to hive off the back of the fag packet tactic and formation chit chat into its own thread, so that this one can focus on gossip specific to the comings and goings of this transfer window, and not the "what will we do when we have them" stuff.

Sorry to be a grumpy old bugger, but I really can't be bothered with the tactical dick dancing - but bless you all

 

[Cham]

Bielik would be an incredible signing... Absolute monster for Charlton

 

[TheHairdresser]

I'm not sure we looked better with 3 at the back in context of the past 4/5 years. We looked very good in previous times with four at the back.
The three at the back was trying to stop the rot of a disastrous period, which it did, but it doesn't mean it gets the most out of the team imo.
Now we have experienced defenders, and have brought in the likes of Norgaard, I don't think we need to be so conservative and stick to three at the back, which I imagine is why they're back training with four at the back too.

I suppose this is the conundrum, we're riding two horses formation wise so have to recruit accordingly. If EK stays (which I think he will) we're loaded with CBs but with the additions of CN and poss MJ we have the players to step-up to a 4-3-3. I'm not even sure MJ is being recruited for one of the midfield 3 spots, he looks like he could play further up the pitch (have a feeling he could be the replacement for Said/OW?). The Nordsjaelland fans think he's an offensive player and don't think his defensive attributes are strong enough yet.

 

[jbee]

We play 3 attackers in either formation, the only difference is that, with 3-4-3, the two wide attackers play narrower but midfielders and full backs can still overlap in a 4-3-3.

That's a pretty big difference though. Benrahma only really got going when he moved to the number ten role. He doesn't have express pace and it allowed him to stay around the danger areas rather than having lots of defensive and pressing duties out wide. Maupay also looked isolated and overworked at times in the 4-3-3. Possibly with Norgaard anchoring the midfield they could get more support from the other midfielders, but on balance I'd still rather stick with what's been working.

 

[wanderer paul]

I’m sure Bielik was a player we looked at 2 years ago, on loan.....but it didn’t happen for some reason. Injured?..

 

[condorman]

We did for Mepham and he was a work in progress.

I think you and many other are possibly underestimating the current value of players and the money swishing around.

12M is well in the ballpark for Konsa, 25M well in the ball park for Maupay and 15-20 for Said. This is the money being spent.

Saw some analysis yesterday on Jansson vs Konsa stats and Konsa has a way to go still to get to that level (as you would expect). Meps was a full international too. But you might be right and we might get the fee.

 

[jlove]

Benrahma only really got going when he moved to the number ten role

Off topic (re GlasgowBee) but if he trusts Henry to overlap or Sawyers to pull wide, it's not an issue. It was Rico missing down the left that isolated Saïd, IMHO.

 

[condorman]

I’m sure Bielik was a player we looked at 2 years ago, on loan.....but it didn’t happen for some reason. Injured?..

He would be a terrific signing, but don't quite know where we would fit him in currently unless 2 of Rom, Kamo, Konsa all leave (also depends on whether DOFs see Bielik as a CB or DCM)

 

[jlove]

Saw some analysis yesterday on Jansson vs Konsa stats and Konsa has a way to go still to get to that level (as you would expect). Meps was a full international too. But you might be right and we might get the fee.

Of all our CB's Konsa has the most upside potential to take into consideration.

 

[condorman]

Of all our CB's Konsa has the most upside potential to take into consideration.

Yes, which was my original point. I think the £12m includes someone paying for him to develop further. Which he probably will do. But he's not £12m based on current ability and performance. Could easily be by Jan/next summer though if he keeps developing

 

[IDontBeeLieveIt]

We did for Mepham and he was a work in progress.

I think you and many other are possibly underestimating the current value of players and the money swishing around.

12M is well in the ballpark for Konsa, 25M well in the ball park for Maupay and 15-20 for Said. This is the money being spent.

Saw some analysis yesterday on Jansson vs Konsa stats and Konsa has a way to go still to get to that level (as you would expect). Meps was a full international too. But you might be right and we might get the fee.

Of all our CB's Konsa has the most upside potential to take into consideration.

I think Mepham was/is a better outright defender than Konsa though.
That's not to say Konsa doesn't have the potential to be better in the future, but imo Mepham was more reliable defending in the box, and would be (was) less of a gamble for someone to take than Konsa (hence they did).
Good thing is, if we sell Konsa for anything like £12m, our back line still looks pretty good.

 

[wanderer paul]

He would be a terrific signing, but don't quite know where we would fit him in currently unless 2 of Rom, Kamo, Konsa all leave (also depends on whether DOFs see Bielik as a CB or DCM)

It was as a DHM/DCM, iirc.

 

[Newport Pagnell Bee]

Would it be possible to hive off the back of the fag packet tactic and formation chit chat into its own thread, so that this one can focus on gossip specific to the comings and goings of this transfer window, and not the "what will we do when we have them" stuff.

Sorry to be a grumpy old bugger, but I really can't be bothered with the tactical dick dancing - but bless you all

Great post. Does my head in.

 

[Streetboy]

I have literally no recollection of Foster, Phillips, Ferrell, Blake, Franks or Williams as players. But aside from them, that wasn't a terrible line up, albeit one that would get torn a new one by the 2019 second string you put together.

Marvin Williams - Gillingham away Dec 2008. Two strikers went off injured and Nathan Elder was sent off. Marv, who not even the kindest of critics would describe as a striker, was left to plough a lone furrow on his own up front and ran his legs into the ground, helping us to a 1-1 draw. Can remember nothing else of Marv, but will always remember that performance.

 

[Ashford Bees]

I've just realised that the Nico Yennaris fee covers the Jansson fee.

What an incredible bit of business.

Exactly. Which is why we are the envy of football club owners throughout the land. And to think Sir Matthew and the club were ridiculed when wharburton was “sacked”.

 

[Mr Tree]

Would it be possible to hive off the back of the fag packet tactic and formation chit chat into its own thread, so that this one can focus on gossip specific to the comings and goings of this transfer window, and not the "what will we do when we have them" stuff.

Sorry to be a grumpy old bugger, but I really can't be bothered with the tactical dick dancing - but bless you all

Great post. Does my head in.

no, sorry - it's relevant to who we might be looking to buy or sell.

 

[BlueJayBee]

I've just realised that the Nico Yennaris fee covers the Jansson fee.

What an incredible bit of business.

Blimey, you're right. Superb!

 

[Lionel Bart-At]

Would it be possible to hive off the back of the fag packet tactic and formation chit chat into its own thread, so that this one can focus on gossip specific to the comings and goings of this transfer window, and not the "what will we do when we have them" stuff.

Sorry to be a grumpy old bugger, but I really can't be bothered with the tactical dick dancing - but bless you all

Oooh, get you!! But we like to waffle off-topically! lol

 

[WisBee]

Of all our CB's Konsa has the most upside potential to take into consideration.

.......no sh*t, Sherlock! He's the youngest of them (other than B teamers coming through) isn't he?......
:shrug:

 

[IDontBeeLieveIt]

We're actually relatively light on wingers now.
Have we been linked with (m)any in recent times?

 

[Houghton Bee]

Bielik is an interesting one if true, Arsenal paid £2.5m for him as a teenager, always been talked about as a potential star. Seems to have had a half season loan without playing at Walsall from Jan 18 (awaiting a reply from a Walsall mate as to what happened there). AC Milan also interested though according to some media reports.

 

[No_sting_Bee]

FWIW https://www.teamtalk.com/news/exclusive-brentford-in-talks-over-5m-striker-as-maupey-exit-looms

 

[BlueJayBee]

FWIW https://www.teamtalk.com/news/exclusive-brentford-in-talks-over-5m-striker-as-maupey-exit-looms

Clearly an accurate article. So accurate, they can't even spell Neal's name correctly.

 

[Invipai]

Sheffield United fans will bite any bait that's put out there. It's worth publications putting that link out there twice a day for their ad revenue purposes. Doesn't need to be based on anything they'll lap it up regardless.

 

[TheHairdresser]

FWIW https://www.teamtalk.com/news/exclusive-brentford-in-talks-over-5m-striker-as-maupey-exit-looms

That'll set the Sheffield lot off on another 100pg NM thread.

 

[Mr Cynical]

We're actually relatively light on wingers now.
Have we been linked with (m)any in recent times?

good point, we've canos, Benhrama and Watkins2. Was expecting to see Archibald given a chance in pre-season but he seems to have disappeared. There aren't really any wingers ready to step up from the B team so it is an area we're lacking in, especially considering rumours surrounding all three!

 

[JANORAK]

I’m sure Bielik was a player we looked at 2 years ago, on loan.....but it didn’t happen for some reason. Injured?..

Well, I guess that could easily have scuppered any move if there wasn’t enough space in the treatment room at the time....

 

[Brentford_till_die]

Marvin Williams - Gillingham away Dec 2008. Two strikers went off injured and Nathan Elder was sent off. Marv, who not even the kindest of critics would describe as a striker, was left to plough a lone furrow on his own up front and ran his legs into the ground, helping us to a 1-1 draw. Can remember nothing else of Marv, but will always remember that performance.

and that c**t Fuller was sent off for them too

 

[IslandBee]

good point, we've canos, Benhrama and Watkins2. Was expecting to see Archibald given a chance in pre-season but he seems to have disappeared. There aren't really any wingers ready to step up from the B team so it is an area we're lacking in, especially considering rumours surrounding all three!

I suppose you could include Marcondes though I don't personally think he looks at his best in a wide role.

 

[IDontBeeLieveIt]

I suppose you could include Marcondes though I don't personally think he looks at his best in a wide role.

Yeah, I can't help wondering, if we play 4-3-3, whether he'd end up in the most attacking of the midfield three roles. (of course you've probably got Da Silva fighting for that spot too, or Sawyers (if he stays), or this new guy Jensen (if he signs))
I think he flourishes in attacking link-up play with lots of options either side to play short passes with (and therefore slightly more central would suit him).