Snog, Marry, Avoid: Summer 2023 Transfer Window

[BWFC_Insane]

We need to move off the notion that only RWB can create chances. It's a complete red herring.

He wasn’t. But team like Barnsley playing like that you aren’t creating chances through midfield unless you’ve got Xavi, Iniesta and Messi in there. So it’s your wide players who you need to create chances.

[BWFC_Insane]

If you think Bradley wasn't good enough then you're right, we won't sign anyone you think is good enough.

I mean, you're wrong; but you're not going to be happy with any signing.

Its not that he wasn't good enough for us. its that we couldn't create enough chances with him at RWB and in the system we play...

Because what we need at wing back is exceptional attacking players. Barnsley showed how to stop us. We have a season where we failed consistently against teams that play a certain way.

If we want to go up then we need better attacking end product all round but especially from the wing backs who have to also be our main outlets....

Bradley was hamstrung against Barnsley due to our midfield being static and our forwards being out of sorts - Bradley at Full back, with a wide forward ahead of him would have been better and that system is how you beat Barnsley.

That’s exactly my point.

[Worthy4England]

TBF, I think we have to move off the notion that tactics on paper without the right personnel is a great answer either. We don't and didn't have Maghoma and Eisa, so we had to try the best way for the players we do have....

The kind of play Evatt is working on isn't something you can switch on and off. It takes months of intensive work on the training pitches. You won't always have the right answers to each problem as you develop.

Right not we have lots of it right, hence being very good. We still lack pieces, but you can't just play another way until they show up and then do it. As with City, Arsenal, Liverpool and any other team that plays this kind of tactically intense style - you stick with it and improve personnel as and when you can. Tweaks, yes; but not total changes in approach.

Barnsley judged our weaknesses and fair play to them. Hopefully next season we've made the changes needed and teams will have to try and find new weaknesses.

I get it - in a broad sense. No one formation set of tactics, is going to have all the answers to the questions that are set, no matter who you are. And as I've said elsewhere, it's not necessarily a "major problem" whilst the general direction is upwards - apart maybe for anyone who thought "great we've been rescued back to prem in 4 years."

[Worthy4England]

We need to move off the notion that only RWB can create chances. It's a complete red herring.

He wasn’t. But team like Barnsley playing like that you aren’t creating chances through midfield unless you’ve got Xavi, Iniesta and Messi in there. So it’s your wide players who you need to create chances.

Now I'm really confused, I thought we needed Gundogan, Silva and Rodri? I mean really, to beat Barnsley, we need 3 of those 6. Get a grip man.

Ipswich scored 3 - set-piece, ball through the middle and ball through the middle that came out for a long shot. There isn't only one way to beat Barnsley and they lost more than us in regular season.

[GhostoftheBok]

Ipswich scored 3 - set-piece, ball through the middle and ball through the middle that came out for a long shot. There isn't only one way to beat Barnsley and they lost more than us in regular season.

Quite right.

The team that did the most damage to Barnsley this season was...drum roll...MK Dons, playing a 3-5-2.

You beat Barnsley by breaking the press. They can't defend for toffee going backwards.

MK could carry the ball through them at will. Other teams have gone over them, but what MK showed was that it's carrying through them that really hurts.

We have struggled under the press all season, as we were always going to. We've needed ball-carrying mids and until we have them that will stay with us.

There are lots of ways to break a press, but moving to a 4-3-3 with our players offers none of them.

We have to play around the press, which kills us because by the time we do teams are back in their defensive shape.

It's players, not tactics. We need those specific types for those specific games.

Maghoma, Maghoma...my kingdom for Maghoma. Or, you know, Owen Moxon - because he's probably much cheaper.

[BWFC_Insane]

MK Dons didnt beat them but I mean they had KaiKai a winger at wing back. He created one of the goals.

They had pace throughout their attack.

I’d be happy if we can build an equivalent level team that looks like that with proper attacking wing backs full of pace and quality and strikers with their all round games.

But that’s the job this summer.

I suspect at least one wing back might need to be a winger convert.

[GhostoftheBok]

MK Dons didnt beat them

Dons can't defend.

Kaikai set up one having been put through by Maghoma, after MK broke the press in midfield. Pass inside the fullback to an onrushing wingback, ball across the 6 yard box for a tap in (Leko, I think). No dribbly wing play, just midfield work and running out wide.

Bradley's running with that kind of midfield play and very few pressing teams live with it.

When there's space we win games in midfield, but when there isn't we lose them there. Getting the wings right will be really really important; but if we don't sort midfield we've only done half the work.

If we want to win the league we have to do both; but it doesn't need Rak-Sakyi levels of wing play to get it done.

[GhostoftheBok]

Brighton vs City was one hell of a game of football. Pep's post game comments were relevant to us. He said keepers are fundamental for pure footballing sides, because they are the spare man in build up play.

That's what I was saying the other day about where we need to get to. The keeper as an 11th outfield player, allowing us to push an additional player into midfield for overloads.

Another way to break the press.

[TANGODANCER]

That's what I was saying the other day about where we need to get to. The keeper as an 11th outfield player, allowing us to push an additional player into midfield for overloads.

Another way to break the press.

Manuel Neuer has been doing that for Bayern Munich and the German national side for years.

[GhostoftheBok]

Manuel Neuer has been doing that for Bayern Munich and the German national side for years.

Sort of yeah. But further along the evolutionary line. I mean if you could clone Neuer he'd be perfect. We need two, if you're selling.

[BWFC_Insane]

What is it the kids say? Boom?

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... xt-season/

Had heard rumblings about this for a while but surprised they've come out and said it. Fingers crossed we get the right ones in.

[boltonboris]

Well that sounds promising!!

[GhostoftheBok]

What is it the kids say? Boom?

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... xt-season/

Had heard rumblings about this for a while but surprised they've come out and said it. Fingers crossed we get the right ones in.

Hmm. This may make me dislike The Bond more than I did previously. Shifting risk onto the fans essentially to cover player acquisitions, as in reality it's all one pot of money.

Getting past that, money for players is good and it'll be interesting to see how this goes. I find "to bring in players to suit his playing style" interesting.

I guess now we'll see if we get any change in approach or shape. Last season there was a lot more willingness from players like Trafford and Toal to just knock the ball up and it made us too transitional. If the 3-5-2 was Evatt's way of compensating for not having the right kind of players to play out in a 4-3-3 then what would have stopped us fixing that in the summer was lack of funds. If there's money now and clubs looking to loan us players then it'll be a flat choice as to how we approach it - not something forced on us.

3-5-2, 3-4-3, 4-3-3...whatever we put out next season should at least be Evatt's preference. I assume we're not talking vast amounts of money here, even by League One standards; but he should now have some freedom. A good manager getting what he wants can only be positive.

I also like "We're ready to go." I'd like one in as a settler and to give us an idea of what level we're aiming for.

[The_Gun]

Wigan are in all sorts of bother. Potentially some bargains to be had there.

[BWFC_Insane]

What is it the kids say? Boom?

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... xt-season/

Had heard rumblings about this for a while but surprised they've come out and said it. Fingers crossed we get the right ones in.

Hmm. This may make me dislike The Bond more than I did previously. Shifting risk onto the fans essentially to cover player acquisitions, as in reality it's all one pot of money.

Getting past that, money for players is good and it'll be interesting to see how this goes. I find "to bring in players to suit his playing style" interesting.

I guess now we'll see if we get any change in approach or shape. Last season there was a lot more willingness from players like Trafford and Toal to just knock the ball up and it made us too transitional. If the 3-5-2 was Evatt's way of compensating for not having the right kind of players to play out in a 4-3-3 then what would have stopped us fixing that in the summer was lack of funds. If there's money now and clubs looking to loan us players then it'll be a flat choice as to how we approach it - not something forced on us.

3-5-2, 3-4-3, 4-3-3...whatever we put out next season should at least be Evatt's preference. I assume we're not talking vast amounts of money here, even by League One standards; but he should now have some freedom. A good manager getting what he wants can only be positive.

I also like "We're ready to go." I'd like one in as a settler and to give us an idea of what level we're aiming for.

The Bond may cover some player stuff but will mainly be used for capital projects. They outlined this in the offer.

The money to enhance our playing budget in the main is thanks to NL! Though obviously its all relative - without the bond and the improvements that can bring to the pitch, academy and training facilities (and sports science staff) NL's money wouldn't stretch as far (if at all) for the squad improvement.

I doubt its going to be massive and I hope we are true to our word and don't risk stability (I don't think we will) but there was a view second half of the season that we were close but needed a push if we really want to compete for promotion apparently and sounds like that has resulted in action.

[BWFC_Insane]

Wigan are in all sorts of bother. Potentially some bargains to be had there.

If we're not testing the water with some derisory bids then I'll be disappointed!

[The_Gun]

Wigan are in all sorts of bother. Potentially some bargains to be had there.

If we're not testing the water with some derisory bids then I'll be disappointed!

I guess they won’t be able to do anything right now, but an imminent fire sale looks inevitable whatever transpires.

[GhostoftheBok]

If we're not testing the water with some derisory bids then I'll be disappointed!

Not sure I'd bid just yet. Wait and see if their players get to walk for nothing for breach of contract.

Charlie Hughes, Callum Lang...who else are we having?

[The_Gun]

If we're not testing the water with some derisory bids then I'll be disappointed!

Not sure I'd bid just yet. Wait and see if their players get to walk for nothing for breach of contract.

Charlie Hughes, Callum Lang...who else are we having?

They seem to have some decent kids in their academy - maybe a good chance for us to fast forward our progress on that side.

[TANGODANCER]

Wigan are in all sorts of bother. Potentially some bargains to be had there.

Even the Pies players have my sympathy as a club for their predicament. Far too soon to be forgetting our own not too distant tightrope walk with financial disaster. "There but for the Grace of God go we.." etc. Hope they recover.....