Tooling up: The summer 2024 transfer thread

[GhostoftheBok]

Were CMG fit this squad would be just about perfect.

With the switch to the 3-4-3 we've been creative about how we've replaced what Paris did at 8.

Matete offers Paris' ball-carrying from deep. We need a player who adds his flair around the box.

We have loads of quality in those #10 spots, but nobody who is going to ghost past players for fun and do the unexpected.

We still need that from the market.

[Mar]

Perhaps. What I'm seeing is a drop off in options not necessarily quality.

If we don't have our pacey wingers available the speed of our counter drops significantly. That's likely to have an impact on the way we play.

Evatt doesn't change tactics often and keeps doing the same stuff over and over with the intention of improving our game. If we end up having a system that relies on pacey counter attacking wide play then it could be a game changer if we don't have that in our side.

There's certainly an argument saying we can make do but I'd be looking to get the b team producing the sort of youth backup that gives us that pace just in case.

[BWFC_Insane]

Perhaps. What I'm seeing is a drop off in options not necessarily quality.

If we don't have our pacey wingers available the speed of our counter drops significantly. That's likely to have an impact on the way we play.

Evatt doesn't change tactics often and keeps doing the same stuff over and over with the intention of improving our game. If we end up having a system that relies on pacey counter attacking wide play then it could be a game changer if we don't have that in our side.

There's certainly an argument saying we can make do but I'd be looking to get the b team producing the sort of youth backup that gives us that pace just in case.

Evatt hasn’t played wingers for nearly two seasons. He’s not going to start now.

[Mar]

Were CMG fit this squad would be just about perfect.

With the switch to the 3-4-3 we've been creative about how we've replaced what Paris did at 8.

Matete offers Paris' ball-carrying from deep. We need a player who adds his flair around the box.

We have loads of quality in those #10 spots, but nobody who is going to ghost past players for fun and do the unexpected.

We still need that from the market.

Wasn't that meant to be Lolos and/or CMG?

We do seem to be unsure as to how we'd open up teams from the CAM role. Maybe we're trying to get Paris back on loan, surely the clubs had those conversations.

Realistically though we've got plenty of good players in good positions and plenty of rotation. I wouldn't expect much change from what weve got. I'd just expect us to make do unless we can pull off a game changing signing in the midfield.

[Mar]

Perhaps. What I'm seeing is a drop off in options not necessarily quality.

If we don't have our pacey wingers available the speed of our counter drops significantly. That's likely to have an impact on the way we play.

Evatt doesn't change tactics often and keeps doing the same stuff over and over with the intention of improving our game. If we end up having a system that relies on pacey counter attacking wide play then it could be a game changer if we don't have that in our side.

There's certainly an argument saying we can make do but I'd be looking to get the b team producing the sort of youth backup that gives us that pace just in case.

Evatt hasn’t played wingers for nearly two seasons. He’s not going to start now.

Wingbacks then. However you want to dress it up, the guy out wide that runs up and down the pitch and crosses balls in.

[TANGODANCER]

Evatt hasn’t played wingers for nearly two seasons. He’s not going to start now.

Wingbacks then. However you want to dress it up, the guy out wide that runs up and down the pitch and crosses balls in.

Ah, I see, you mean "outside right" and "outside left" then

[GhostoftheBok]

We got knocked back by Charlie Patino's reps earlier in the summer. We've wanted him on loan the past two summers.

With Evatt coming out and saying we're waiting for "out of reach" targets who "want to play higher" to change their minds, I wonder...

Dream the impossible dream and all that.

Two poorish loans in the Championship. Might be the merest chance.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

We got knocked back by Charlie Patino's reps earlier in the summer. We've wanted him on loan the past two summers.

With Evatt coming out and saying we're waiting for "out of reach" targets who "want to play higher" to change their minds, I wonder...

Dream the impossible dream and all that.

Two poorish loans in the Championship. Might be the merest chance.

You'd imagine they might not want him to gear down after two second-tier loans. But stranger things have happened.

[GhostoftheBok]

You'd imagine they might not want him to gear down after two second-tier loans. But stranger things have happened.

Wouldn't be a loan. His deal expires next summer.

The issue is the player and the finances, both of which make it very unlikely.

He thinks he should be playing at the very highest level and he's on good money.

He's not really had Baxter's reality check yet and he's only 20.

Next to impossible, but three summers is a long time to chase and then give up. Don't ask, don't get.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

You'd imagine they might not want him to gear down after two second-tier loans. But stranger things have happened.

Wouldn't be a loan. His deal expires next summer.

The issue is the player and the finances, both of which make it very unlikely.

He thinks he should be playing at the very highest level and he's on good money.

He's not really had Baxter's reality check yet and he's only 20.

Next to impossible, but three summers is a long time to chase and then give up. Don't ask, don't get.

Maybe both sides are thinking more likely next summer if we go up. But as you say, in it to win it.

[GhostoftheBok]

Maybe both sides are thinking more likely next summer if we go up. But as you say, in it to win it.

I do worry for him. His expectations are at one level and his offers likely to be far lower.

He's seen Saka et al become world stars and he was the academy golden boy.

It's good that we're not resting on our laurels, though. Still looking to add quality, despite signing 8. Far busier than I expected.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Maybe both sides are thinking more likely next summer if we go up. But as you say, in it to win it.

I do worry for him. His expectations are at one level and his offers likely to be far lower.

He's seen Saka et al become world stars and he was the academy golden boy.

You deal with it and make the mark in the best way you can, or you sink without trace. Ask Emile Smith-Rowe - two or three years ago he was The Future, now he's at Fulham. Does he kick on from there? Plenty have made big clubs regret releasing them in their early 20s - De Bruyne and Salah for two shining examples - but football's also littered with lads who shone brightly as kids then drifted away - yer Paul Mouldens and Paul Wheatcrofts, to name just two local examples of yore.

Quick search reveals that among the players released by Arsenal as kids who fought their way back are Dwight Gayle, Ebe Eze and Luke Ayling. Oh and some bloke called Harry Kane. But in these days of industrial-scale kid-farming, there must be literally hundreds of similar names who fall off the conveyor belt and into the abyss forever. Yer boi Patino has got to decide what to do next.

[GhostoftheBok]

Yer boi Patino has got to decide what to do next.

That's the life. It looks like it's abroad or the lower levels for him.

He's one of the best technical players Arsenal's set-up has produced, but he's slight.

Smith-Rowe, Saka, Martinelli, etc are all exceptional athletes. Obvious Premier League players.

Patino has shown he can run a Championship game, but he's in a similar position to Shoretire - not quite developed enough physically.

He has time, though. He also has a good frame for his role. Proper S&C coaching and games are what he needs.

I imagine he'll end up at a higher level than we can offer. Possibly for a lot more than we can afford.

[GhostoftheBok]

Nelson Khumbeni has gone to Accrington. Seems a good fit.

[GhostoftheBok]

Evatt says "could be a couple more exits" in response to a question about transfers.

Not exactly shocking stuff, but sounds like there might be a market there.

[officer_dibble]

Coleman and Nlundulu would be where my money is!

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Nixon has us on his list of Sunday stories. Some saying it might be a Baxter update, but his Plymouth headline says “Rooney looks local for keeper”. Anyone know?

[GhostoftheBok]

Nixon has us on his list of Sunday stories. Some saying it might be a Baxter update, but his Plymouth headline says “Rooney looks local for keeper”. Anyone know?

I don't read Alan's stuff, but according to my Whatsapp group it's about Plymouth wanting Baxter, but being quoted too much. Like I say, not read it so can't say for sure.

Will be interesting to see if Nathan starts against Wrexham, but it just sounds like posturing at the minute.

They didn't get as much as they wanted for their guy, so they will presumably want a bargain.

[Mar]

I ended up going to the Dutch League One football on Friday night, Excelsior vs De Graafschap.

Decent match: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5h1ArZVx28

Couple of standout players in there, the number 12 and 21:
#12 - Arthur Zagre, Frenchman 22, ex-PSG, reminds me of Kioso
#21 - Jacky Donkor, Belgian 25, pacey winger

Both Zagre and Donkor got goals in the highlights.

Zagre looks like he'd make a decent covering player for us. Plenty of pace, decent battling under pressure. Doubt he'd make a good goalscorer but if Randell got injured, it'd be worth a look in. Still early in his career. Might fancy playing in front of up to 28k rather than 4k.

Had there been more composure on the ball, they could've won 7 or 8. Donkor looks good at breaking an offside trap.

[GhostoftheBok]

Zagre is a very well known player in Europe. There was a point where people thought he was a future France international and Monaco paid a big fee for him (somewhere around £8m). Whatever's gone wrong for him it's good he is playing at a decent level. Definitely has talent.

One year on his deal after this season, so he will probably move next summer. Will be interesting to see where he goes.