January 2022 Transfer Thread

[Worthy4England]

I wish to make it clear that I think a centre-back should be able to head and tackle. Preferably really quite well.

I also feel that in Evatt's game he needs to be fast, because we play a high line; and should preferably be able to pass, because that's important to our game, the ability to be able to switch it.

For me, personally, I'd be willing to trade a little of the passing ability for a bit more of the heading/tackling ability and the less discernible organisation/leading quality. Back in the early fanzine days we called Chris Fairclough "10-yard Chris" because none of his passes were ever longer than that – but it wasn't a criticism: just get the ball and give it. Many excellent centyre-backs have been "beauty and the beast" pairings, from Gary Jones and Sam Allardyce all the way to the disappointingly successful Ferdinand and Vidic. These days there are more Virgil Van Dijk types who do both but they're not cheap or often discarded.

That's where I'm at DSB

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Quick note on relegation rivals. Not only are Gillingham apparently having something between a fire-sale and a dumpster-fire – we're after their skipper, their target-man Vadaine Oliver is having money thrown at him by Wrexham and their impressive young Chelsea loanee goalkeeper has switched to McDons - but Fleetwood have also weakened themselves by signing Toto Nsiala...

[Prufrock]

One minor but I think important point is that we are currently a very small team. Assume we sign Dempsey then if MJ was out a not implausible team would be:

Dixon, Jones, Santos, Johnstone, John, Lee, Demspey, Morley, Xav, Charles, Dapo

Of the outfielders, I think only Santos is even 6' there.

I like that front three, but a Baka type who can play wide adds a bit of height. The issue with Baka when he plays there is he's bobbins to feet, and doesn't get in to the back stick so isn't a threat in the box anyway (though a good outball)

[officer_dibble]

Not willing to write Bakayoko off yet but he’s not been good since first injured in sSeptember. If he hasn’t been fit since then that’s a worry in itself.

[nicholaldo]

Our lack of height was one of the key differences between us and the best teams in this league (to be clear, there were very obviously others).

I'm surprised Evatt hasn't ever tried to sign a Quigley equivalent.

[BWFC_Insane]

BTW if we sign Will Grigg I will be furious. Absolute waster.

[nicholaldo]

BTW if we sign Will Grigg I will be furious. Absolute waster.

We can't. He's played for two clubs already this season.

[GhostoftheBok]

I wish to make it clear that I think a centre-back should be able to head and tackle. Preferably really quite well.

I also feel that in Evatt's game he needs to be fast, because we play a high line; and should preferably be able to pass, because that's important to our game, the ability to be able to switch it.

For me, personally, I'd be willing to trade a little of the passing ability for a bit more of the heading/tackling ability and the less discernible organisation/leading quality. Back in the early fanzine days we called Chris Fairclough "10-yard Chris" because none of his passes were ever longer than that – but it wasn't a criticism: just get the ball and give it. Many excellent centyre-backs have been "beauty and the beast" pairings, from Gary Jones and Sam Allardyce all the way to the disappointingly successful Ferdinand and Vidic. These days there are more Virgil Van Dijk types who do both but they're not cheap or often discarded.

The advantage of Tilt is that we don't have to make as many hard calls. He would be the quickest player in the squad, the best defender and our best centre back with the ball.

As I say, he will go back to Wigan; but he'd be an excellent signing.

[Worthy4England]

BTW if we sign Will Grigg I will be furious. Absolute waster.

We can't. He's played for two clubs already this season.

I'm delighted we've saved Insano being furious!

[GhostoftheBok]

One minor but I think important point is that we are currently a very small team.

Probably another reason we don't work on set pieces much. I imagine the coaches would argue the returns would be lower than average due to our midgetness.

[Worthy4England]

One minor but I think important point is that we are currently a very small team.

Probably another reason we don't work on set pieces much. I imagine the coaches would argue the returns would be lower than average due to our midgetness.

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

[GhostoftheBok]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

Midgetitude?

[BWFC_Insane]

One minor but I think important point is that we are currently a very small team.

Probably another reason we don't work on set pieces much. I imagine the coaches would argue the returns would be lower than average due to our midgetness.

If you lack a height advantage even more reason to work on set pieces.

The best manager this club has ever had by miles, and I think ever will have by miles could come and teach them. If he can get off his sunbed in Dubai?

[GhostoftheBok]

If you lack a height advantage even more reason to work on set pieces.

Personally, I'd agree with that. I think the argument from our current coaches would be the other thing.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

If you lack a height advantage even more reason to work on set pieces.

Personally, I'd agree with that. I think the argument from our current coaches would be the other thing.

Just nick some of these, that Brentford have done this season. (Ian, if you're reading and don't have an Athletic subscription, hit me up and I'll sort you out.)

[BWFC_Insane]

Don’t need fancy corner routines. Drill ball into Pomo just ahead of penalty spot every time. Players attack it. Will lead to more goals than a million clever routines. Variation once a match short or far post.

Honestly we scored so many under Big Sam like that.

[GhostoftheBok]

Just nick some of these, that Brentford have done this season. (Ian, if you're reading and don't have an Athletic subscription, hit me up and I'll sort you out.)

Yup. A number of Brentford's routines this season have been direct lifts from last season's RB Leipzig sets. Nothing wrong with stealing set pieces.

Use those lovely databases to find the teams in the top leagues with the closest squad height to yours and steal the routines of the ones who score the most from set pieces.


Which, for Insane's happiness, is what Sam used to do.

[Worthy4England]

Don’t need fancy corner routines. Drill ball into Pomo just ahead of penalty spot every time. Players attack it. Will lead to more goals than a million clever routines. Variation once a match short or far post.

Honestly we scored so many under Big Sam like that.

Which players? I'm struggling to recall the last time I saw a decent header from a corner...Big Ric and any other combo haven't been great, the rest can't head (I'm taking somewhat of a liberty with this statement - but you get the drift)

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Don’t need fancy corner routines. Drill ball into Pomo just ahead of penalty spot every time. Players attack it. Will lead to more goals than a million clever routines. Variation once a match short or far post.

Honestly we scored so many under Big Sam like that.

There's few things I have less time and tolerance for than contempt prior to investigation.

Brentford rank 6th in the league for shots from corners. That, I would say, is impressive overperformance in the world's most expensive and financially stratified division.

Despising the "clever" is an ugly anti-intellectualism which isn't a good look on anyone. The wider interpretations of POMO theory – wider than the blindingly obvious "most goals happen in front of goal" – have been widely debunked by several different statisticians and analysts. And if you think teams taking exactly the same corner every time except for "variation once a match" wouldn't be noticed and countered, I can only imagine that you think scouts and managers are as blindly and blandly dismissive as you are.

[GhostoftheBok]

Don’t need fancy corner routines. Drill ball into Pomo just ahead of penalty spot every time. Players attack it. Will lead to more goals than a million clever routines. Variation once a match short or far post.

Honestly we scored so many under Big Sam like that.

There's few things I have less time and tolerance for than contempt prior to investigation.

Brentford rank 6th in the league for shots from corners. That, I would say, is impressive overperformance in the world's most expensive and financially stratified division.

Despising the "clever" is an ugly anti-intellectualism which isn't a good look on anyone. The wider interpretations of POMO theory – wider than the blindingly obvious "most goals happen in front of goal" – have been widely debunked by several different statisticians and analysts. And if you think teams taking exactly the same corner every time except for "variation once a match" wouldn't be noticed and countered, I can only imagine that you think scouts and managers are as blindly and blandly dismissive as you are.

...but other than that, good point?