Reconstruction time again: the summer 2018 transfer thread

[mullayo]

One thing is for sure, it'll be a big call by Parky if he goes 2-up-top against Bristol after we beat West Brom with that formation. Can't see how 4 strikers works unless we play a pairing regularly. Will be interesting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOnshqMXjBs&t=5s

He was talking after the WBA game about having two formations 4-2-3-1 and a 4-3-3 using the pace of our wingers.
Away against WBA

---------------Alnwick---------------------
----Olki----Whe-----Vers------Taylor-----
------------Lowe-----Murphy-----------
---Ameobi-----Vela----Buckley------
--------------Magennis-----------------

For home games he may use 4-3-3 and start Ameobi and Wildschut. Maybe Garner Oz or Alfie for a different style?

-----------------Alnwick---------------------
----Olki----Whe-----Vers------Taylor-----
---------Vela-----Lowe-----Murphy-----------
---Ameobi---Garner----Wildchild------

[GhostoftheBok]

I saw the post-match interview, yes. I don't see where Alf fits in, regardless of whether we play 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3. Aside from an impact sub off the bench, neither seems to suit him and he doesn't seem to suit the team. Hopefully PP can keep him happy and he will score us some goals. Going to be a really, really interesting season.

[mullayo]

http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2018/07/31/wh ... -reported/

Longshot but how about Keiren Westwood? Less than a goal a game at Wednesday...
Was born in Manchester and is believed to be looking to move more homewards.
Probably too expensive but his future being up in the air also disturbs a few other keepers too

Stoke want him but have to offload Butland.
Swansea want him but already have former Heerenveen pair Kristoffer Nordfeldt and Erwin Mulder

With four days to go there are bargains to be had and I hope we get one more rather than settle for less.

[mullayo]

I saw the post-match interview, yes. I don't see where Alf fits in, regardless of whether we play 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3. Aside from an impact sub off the bench, neither seems to suit him and he doesn't seem to suit the team. Hopefully PP can keep him happy and he will score us some goals. Going to be a really, really interesting season.

Yeah, one of the things that I kept thinking the whole WBA game was, ALF can't do this job.
He can't slam into Hegazi and win a header..

In many respects it's not Parky benching him but the rest of the players aren't up to competing in space. Only Sameobi, Olki and Wildschut look comfortable with the ball at their feet. If we had that deep lying playmaker (that you want) like Brunt we could afford the time for him to make runs etc.

Maybe that's why they've asked Ireland back to be part of the middle three in the 4-3-3?
What I really like about our squad is how different they all are in terms of skillsets. If Parky is smart he can changge our whole style with a sub or two.

Unfortunately fitness is hamstringing our subs right now. Buckley/Wildschut, Murphy/O'Neill, maybe SAmeobi/Noone can't last full games at the moment. (Also, probably Wilson, Ireland, Hobbs and Ozzy)
All you can really do is attack or closeout with the three choices above.

Worked fine at WBA but the flexibility we should be famous for isn't there yet.

[GhostoftheBok]

Only Sameobi, Olki and Wildschut look comfortable with the ball at their feet.

Not on Saturday's showing. Lowe and Murphy both looked fine on the ball. They weren't unlocking any doors going forward, but they held the ball under pressure and looked for forward passes at the right times. Vela, likewise, looked reasonably composed. O'Neil, when he came on, was very cool on the ball.

Now, West Brom's midfielders were outnumbered and they struggled to put significant pressure on our mids when we were in possession, so that's a caveat; but even so I don't think it's fair to say that only 3 lads from Saturday's 14 look comfortable with the ball.

Creativity is an issue, absolutely. But these lads aren't Pratley et al - we can probably do a bit more in terms of ball-retention this season than last and I'm less worried about panicked hacks forward as soon as someone shows a bit of interest in the ball.

In terms of fitness, there's always a few at the start of any season who are struggling a bit. New players in might not be up to speed, a player who picks up a knock that would be very minor at any other time can fall well behind on fitness. I'm not too concerned. The notable thing for me is just how fit the lads look this time, not how liable we are to a lack of fitness. Wheater, Beevers, Taylor, Vela etc...they all look much leaner and fitter.

We are miles off a perfect team, but as I've been saying on here for a bit I'm looking up the table and not down it. If we can get in the bodies we need and pull off one more coup signing (I live in hope) then I really think we've got the makings of a decent squad here.

To drone on for way too long (it's 3am and a baby is keeping me awake), the balance of the squad is improving with every transfer - even the less spectacular ones. Murphy is a proper footballer, by the looks of it. We've running for days in Lowe and Vela and if we can find a player who can unlock a defence at home then we are in fine shape (maybe that is Ozzy, but as I keep saying I'd like a passer). A bit of pace and stamina at the back is all we are missing - get that (and a bit of luck) and we're seriously in business. If Parky can regularly keep us solid away and dangerous from set-pieces, we'll do far better for points this term. The issue is creating enough at home and not having to worry about being caught on the counter. I'm genuinely excited about the season ahead for the first time in years.

[GhostoftheBok]

Longshot but how about Keiren Westwood? Less than a goal a game at Wednesday...

I don't imagine we could get close to him. Can't see him taking less than 20k per week. Already on good money at Wednesday and some of the bigger clubs in the division (With promotion aspirations) are linked. At 33 this will be his last big contract, so his agent will be getting him every penny he can.

[mullayo]

Longshot but how about Keiren Westwood? Less than a goal a game at Wednesday...

I don't imagine we could get close to him. Can't see him taking less than 20k per week. Already on good money at Wednesday and some of the bigger clubs in the division (With promotion aspirations) are linked. At 33 this will be his last big contract, so his agent will be getting him every penny he can.

What about Butland or Scully Nordfelt or Mulder? One of the latter two is more likely...

[mullayo]

Only Sameobi, Olki and Wildschut look comfortable with the ball at their feet.

Not on Saturday's showing. Lowe and Murphy both looked fine on the ball. They weren't unlocking any doors going forward, but they held the ball under pressure and looked for forward passes at the right times. Vela, likewise, looked reasonably composed. O'Neil, when he came on, was very cool on the ball.

A bit of pace and stamina at the back is all we are missing - get that (and a bit of luck) and we're seriously in business. If Parky can regularly keep us solid away and dangerous from set-pieces, we'll do far better for points this term. The issue is creating enough at home and not having to worry about being caught on the counter. I'm genuinely excited about the season ahead for the first time in years.

By comfortable on the ball I mean a threat the other team have to hold off cause they will take you on and skin you,

As for the squad I was satisfied we are staying up when we got the luck of the Irish and Murphy landed in our laps.

Once you compare the last year's and this year's squads head-to-head it becomes obvious. Kept all the decent ones and upgraded the rest. Getting a pacy leftback also comfortable on the ball could go a long way towards balancing out the team. A left-sided Olki thanks. Try for that Brazillian/Italian again? Elder will do at a pinch.

Not fussed about another striker. Don't see how we're going to use them TBH. But a solid left back and we'll be gold. Though I'd like Gardner as well.

[GhostoftheBok]

What about Butland or Scully Nordfelt or Mulder? One of the latter two is more likely...

If you're suggesting we might get Butland I'd like whatever pills you're taking, because they must be dynamite.

Nordfelt I've always rated. I wasn't a fan of Mulder in Holland, but I didn't see enough of him to really know. Always struck me as a flapper. He was supposed to be the future of Dutch goalkeeping when he came through under Koeman, but he never became more than a basic shot-stopper.

Didn't Nordfelt start at the weekend? Why would Swansea want rid?

[mullayo]

What about Butland or Scully Nordfelt or Mulder? One of the latter two is more likely...

If you're suggesting we might get Butland I'd like whatever pills you're taking, because they must be dynamite.

Nordfelt I've always rated. I wasn't a fan of Mulder in Holland, but I didn't see enough of him to really know. Always struck me as a flapper. He was supposed to be the future of Dutch goalkeeping when he came through under Koeman, but he never became more than a basic shot-stopper.

Didn't Nordfelt start at the weekend? Why would Swansea want rid?

If they get Westwood... They'll have 3 keepers and probably loan or sell one. Though if Nordfeldt started probably X files.
Don't really want Butland after his Leeds debacle but maybe his backup would be available. I know he was unrealistic but if they're chasing Westwood (and I can see why) someone becomes available.

[GhostoftheBok]

By comfortable on the ball I mean a threat the other team have to hold off cause they will take you on and skin you,

Oh, you mean a ball-carrier - fair enough. Ozzy is that in the middle then. I'd welcome one at left back, but we'll see what we get. Someone who can defend and has a bit of pace to them would be lovely.

If you are a Championship side and you "only" have four ball-carriers in your starting 11 (Ozzy, Ameobi, Wildschut and Olkowski) then you're doing well enough. Honestly, most sides have one or two who can do that reliably over 90 minutes. For example, we just played a West Brom team with only two of them on display.

I'm at the stage now where I've stopped keeping track of all the links we've had and I'll just judge whoever we sign when they show up. I really enjoy the transfer speculation, but I get the feeling we were left in the lurch a bit by Robinson and we'll scramble now to sort out plan B. Olkowski was a shock to me when we got him, I'm hoping for another.

I really like Gardner (or used to when he first came through). Not sure he's what we need now, but I'd not say no to a player with his potential who is still only 26. Injuries seem to be mostly behind him.

[GhostoftheBok]

If they get Westwood... They'll have 3 keepers and probably loan or sell one. Though if Nordfeldt started probably X files.
Don't really want Butland after his Leeds debacle but maybe his backup would be available. I know he was unrealistic but if they're chasing Westwood (and I can see why) someone becomes available.

They're not chasing Westwood because they think he's a better player than Butland. If they are looking at Westwood it'll be because they're thinking he'll be off back to the Prem this window. Butland is a 25-year-old England international goalkeeper. He's not being benched or sold on the cheap to make way for Keiron Westwood.

[TonyDomingos]

Today's message from Chairman Ken says:

"Our recruitment has not ended and by the time we take to the field on Saturday, I am hopeful that we’ll have brought in several new faces to squad ahead of this Thursday’s transfer deadline."

[BWFC_Insane]

Today's message from Chairman Ken says:

"Our recruitment has not ended and by the time we take to the field on Saturday, I am hopeful that we’ll have brought in several new faces to squad ahead of this Thursday’s transfer deadline."

He's not going to say "well we won unexpectedly so the wallet has been snapped shut" is he? We'll sign Camp. Probably a left back. That will be it. I'm unconvinced where another striker would play at this stage. Donaldson and Magennis cover the target man role that we will always need. ALF can play off them and I guess they're looking for something in between. But can't see us breaking the bank and winning on Saturday made it even less likely IMHO.

Personally get a LB, get a GK, poss another midfield player and I think barring injuries we'd be ok till January. There are still premiership loans and frees up till the end of August. Only fee paying transfers need sorting by Thursday.

[knobpolisher]

Interestingly there is no mention of possible transfers out. I would be very surprised if we don't move someone on. Alf ?

[TANGODANCER]

Interestingly there is no mention of possible transfers out. I would be very surprised if we don't move someone on. Alf ?

I'll be disappointed if we do. Let's not get too proud all of a sudden off one game. Alf is a genuine player, gives his all, stays fit and, importantly, can score goals. Keep him for me.

[BWFC_Insane]

Interestingly there is no mention of possible transfers out. I would be very surprised if we don't move someone on. Alf ?

I'll be disappointed if we do. Let's not get too proud all of a sudden off one game. Alf is a genuine player, gives his all, stays fit and, importantly, can score goals. Keep him for me.

More a question of whether he will be happy knowing he's a bit part player. He wanted to leave in January lets not forget. He can probably go and play more at Hibs than he would here. Not sure we want to deny him a chance to play regularly if he wants it.

[boltonboris]

I still think we need another midfielder. 45 more games of high intensity and we can't rely on 3 or 4. If an injury hits and we've got 5 games in 14 days, we'll feel it

Left Back with pace is a must, as is a back up keeper. I think those 3 tied up would make me feel a bit more comfortable

[BWFC_Insane]

I still think we need another midfielder. 45 more games of high intensity and we can't rely on 3 or 4. If an injury hits and we've got 5 games in 14 days, we'll feel it

Left Back with pace is a must, as is a back up keeper. I think those 3 tied up would make me feel a bit more comfortable

Agreed on a midfield player, but presumably would be a loan. We have, Lowe , O'Neil, Murphy, Vela, Oztumer, (Wilson if you consider him capable in there or not)

I guess on paper that is enough cover if you think Lowe/Wilson, Murpy/O'Neil, Vela/Oztumer

But not sure I'd fancy a midfield of Wilson and O'Neil.

Mind I'm guessing it isn't bad considering where we were. Looking at it, we look a bit screwed if Lowe is missing as he was absolutely the main man in there Saturday.

[mullayo]

https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/fo ... ka-1866363

Forest have an overstuffed roster. Might be having a fire sale.
Don't know how likely these are but are apparently available.
Any thoughts?

GK: Stephen Hendersen 32, Dimitar Evitimov 24
CB/DM: Thomas Lam 24
CM: Ryan Yates 20 (loan)
LW: Jamie Ward 33
ST: Apostollos Vellios 6ft 3in target man
Zac Clough

Lam looks tasty.