SpurMeUp
Tommy Harmer
So you want an upgrade on Spence? More than a midfielder or left winger or striker. Even though Udogie can be first choice at LB. With Spence back up. With VDV able to play there and Davies.
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What would YOUR priority signing be in the Jan transfer window?
- Thread starter thfcsteff
- Start date
So you want an upgrade on Spence? More than a midfielder or left winger or striker. Even though Udogie can be first choice at LB. With Spence back up. With VDV able to play there and Davies.
Bullet
Paul Stewart
I looked back at my notes from each year, detailing the depth of our squad i.e. DUE TO INJURIES AND TIREDNESS it doesn't only matter about the first team, it is the second team and third team that carry you through adversity.
Don't quibble about formations or who is first/second/third choice, this is SOLELY TO SHOW THE DEPTH
Just look at the state we were in a couple of years ago! September 2023:
Don't quibble about formations or who is first/second/third choice, this is SOLELY TO SHOW THE DEPTH
Just look at the state we were in a couple of years ago! September 2023:
glorygloryeze
Dimitar Berbatov
We've neglected LB/LCB for so long...we should at least be targetting a stop-gap in January if we can't get someone we like permanently at that point.
The fact it's a world cup year might give us more short-term loan options than normal.
Ditto an attacker if i suspect we have some long-term crocks on our hands up front.
The fact it's a world cup year might give us more short-term loan options than normal.
Ditto an attacker if i suspect we have some long-term crocks on our hands up front.
Muttley
Ruel Fox
Love your analysis across the years. It's intriguing.
One thing I would say is that if you have a specialist LB, Ben Davies, in your squad and play a back four then you have to be measured that way. Only Conte can really call Davies a LCB as he played a back 3. Ange and to a certain extent Frank have both chose Davies in their squads rather than move him on and buy a LB. Ange even had Reggie but wouldn't use him. Ange clearly used Davies in a crisis but I have no doubts he would have never done that unless it was out of necessity.
In today's squad, Davies IS the backup LB and one of four full-backs in our squad. He is 5th choice centre half at best behind Romero, VDV, Danso and Dragu and I would even have Palhinha ahead of him. That is knowing nothing about Takai.
I have a feeling that we were genuine in our interest in Dorgu before the Man U move. I have a feeling that Lange will have another player of similar ilk on the radar. We'll finally see this Davies transition happen.
Bedfordspurs
Gary Lineker
I want 2 left backs with left foots
And 2 right backs with right foots
I don’t want our best left CB playing left back
I want Davies to leave with our blessing
The team when balanced by having players comfortable in their role is so much better than square pegs and round holes
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Gutter Boy
Tim Sherwood
Locko from Brest was the one poised with the pen 18 months ago, then got a big injury in his send off match
Muttley
Ruel Fox
Yeah, remember that. He was the choice before we switched interest to Dorgu following his injury.
Would we now go back in for him as he's through that injury period?
Gutter Boy
Tim Sherwood
He's back playing regularly. I don't know if he's recovered to the same level again yet. But he was clearly someone our data said yes about. And with only 18 months left of his contract, he shouldn't be too pricey.
Bishop
Chris Perry
Well you said the only player we need is a striker. Presumably as we don't need anyone else, everything else is perfect?
SpurMeUp
Tommy Harmer
Balanced yes. But to say Spence can’t find rhythm playing LB is obviously nonsensical as he has played well there for a year earning an England call up.
So balance and stability is the key for me. Not necessarily adding more players LBs. Udogie should be first choice LB and crossing on his left peg has advantages. But Spence can potentially develop his crossing on his left foot (there was nothing special about Udogie’s cross against united, would’ve been easy for someone to cross the same ball with their weaker foot). And Spence may start to add other things like cutting in and shooting etc.
Bedfordspurs
Gary Lineker
He played there well in Ange ball
But we don’t play that way
You have to look at how we play now
Spence did cross once on his left last weekend and won us a corner but his attacking play in this system is limited because he can’t go outside
When judging a player consideration has to be given to the system as well as their ability
Some players suit certain ways of playing and others don’t
Spence IMO is a very poor fit for left back in Frank ball, just like I thought he didn’t really work as well on the right in Ange ball… but did on the left (people may disagree)
there's a couple missing from this rather awesome graphic, namely Reguilon and Moore - but overall the picture you paint is clear...
Bullet
Paul Stewart
Yes, for sure there are a few omissions because at the time they were injured or 16 years old or being frozen out.
Again that is not what I said.
The question is "What would be your priority signing", signing as in singular, note no s at the end.
And priority as in one needed more than another.
My priority signing is a striker, that does not mean we don't need strengthening elsewhere just that I think we need a striker before any other position.
SpurMeUp
Tommy Harmer
That is being developed though isn't it. Work in progress. Spence got his call up under Frank as it goes.
He was there making overlapping runs outside (which is where udogies cross came from). the difference wasn't udogie tricking his way down the line, it was united tiring and being more stretched with more space opening up.
As a backup Spence isnt bad and offers somethig a bit different - which will be a good thing once we are more settled.
Bedfordspurs
Gary Lineker
Who was he overlapping last week???
I’m fine with Spence starting, but I want him starting in a position where he is going to effect the game
He is a quality player in the right set up
Your almost trying to make it sound like men and others don’t rate him… which isn’t the case
The said and team needs left footed players. Frank needs them which is why at Brentford he ended up playing a midfielder there to get some balance
If we aspire to be a top side we need 24/25 players who fit the way we play and we don’t have a drop off
And Frank won’t have time to get a settled team unless he gets home results and half decent football
SpurMeUp
Tommy Harmer
Odobert. But it was congested. United worked hard closing us down.
So far he’s not shown anything more on the right. If anything he’s impressed and made a name for himself on the left. But take your point, new systems and Frank likes crosses.
I guess the question id ask is whether we looked better because we have a left footed player there, or if fresh legs and united being stretched with one less man was the difference maker. If Udogie had started (which I think he probably should), Spence might have come on against tiring legs and looked amazing.