Aidan

I said it at the time, not the signing we need. Neither is Patterson. Not really surprised, this club makes bad decisions on a daily basis.

Keane needs to come off I think.

Townsend on apparently. I'll shit if it's not for Rondon.

2 minutes ago, RPG said:

If there are no changes at half time I will be very disappointed.

Then prepare to be disappointed.

Just now, plaidharper said:

Give it to Big Dunc already.  

Can't do any worse can he

This is what moshiri has done to this club. Supporters feeling they have to come onto the pitch to voice their thoughts. The disconnect is so deep.

This is an absolute mess. Yet again.

Probably time for him to just piss off now isn't it.

He really trust Gordon doesn't he? Is picking him in every game, granted we have injuries but he's still getting games ahead of far more experienced players.

1 minute ago, Romey 1878 said:

He was rumoured to be out with Covid beforehand so maybe it's that.

I don't want to say I hope so because that doesn't sound right, but rather I hope it's nothing to do with him leaving (can't see it myself).

Any news on Allan?

I don't get Rafas weird infatuation with Rondon.

12 hours ago, Bailey said:

It just feels like a strange signing to be bringing in at this moment in time. I don't think we lack attacking players and it just seems like a waste of resource especially when we have a full squad.

Like you mentioned he's direct. Maybe Rafa believes he will suit his style of play. Like someone mentioned before, Gray could be moved into the middle which would only leave Richy, Gordon, Townsend and Iwobi for the wide spots. Let's face it, Iwobi is useless and the less we see of him the better. Townsend is more of a squad player and Gordon is still learning the game. I don't know much about his game, but I'm all for reinforcing this area of the team with a player that suits Rafas style. I think Rafa sees his front 3 or 4 as the most important players in the team.

I'm quite conflicted with the situation at the minute and the way Rafa is running things. On one hand, I feel many aspects of his methods are something we've needed for a long time. He wants the team to be just that, a team, and wants to achieve this with discipline and hard work. He isn't interested in individuals.

On the other hand, it's difficult to get on board with it. From the outset many fans didn't want Rafa at the club, which makes any negative situation seem worse, because he isn't very well liked. It feels like Digne was being driven out for whatever reason and I'm not sure we will ever know the details of it or who was in the right. If Digne wasn't willing to adapt his game to suit the team, then he's not really a player I want at the club. On the flip side of that, it is disappointing to think Rafa was incapable of finding a way of using Digne to his strengths - but then again where has that ever got previous managers?

So far there seems to be a lack of a plan on the field, but there does finally seem to be a vision off it. I've never seen the board work so fast in a transfer window to seal targets. I would guess this could only be influenced by Rafa. Whether these players are good enough or not is yet to be seen.

One thing I'd like to mention is that the signings he has made so far have influenced the team really well. Gray looks like he could be a really good player for us and Townsend has his flaws but is a useful squad player, better than most we have brought in in recent years. He has also brought Gordon's game on heaps and bounds and he is also looking like he will be a good little player for us.

At this point it pains me to say it, but the sensible thing to do would be to give Rafa the summer window and see where we are at around Christmas time before we call for his head. I know that is very difficult though as every loss breeds hatred.

Oh good another player who hasn't completed a full season in 5 years.

1 hour ago, MikeO said:

Current circumstances aside we're a massively bigger club than Brighton historically, currently and going forward, even if we got relegated we'd be a bigger job than Brighton.

We've finished 10th and 12th the last 2 seasons and I doubt we will finish in the top 10 this season. I don't think we are a club that are going forward it's really difficult to see that at the minute.

5 hours ago, MC11 said:

Genuinely think it’ll be Potter if we do get rid of Benitez.
 

I’m also very intrigued to see what Rooney does this season. Far to early to know if he will be a good match for us. 

Like I've said before I wanted him prior to Rafa, but in all honesty why would he want to move to Everton as a project when he's doing a great job at Brighton already and is in the process of building a good team? Other than a big pay cheque of course. If Potter came here he'd have to work with the incompetence that is our board and the poor running of the club will reflect on him, thus likely denting his reputation. Same goes for any manager wanting to come here. Granted our old managers mostly do seem to go on to bigger things for some reason

Wonder what position is left after a winger. CM perhaps?

6 hours ago, duncanmckenzieismagic said:

I think our best bet with Gbamin would be to try and sell him back to his old club or at least another team in Germany were he was highly rated

I doubt anyone would pay a reasonable fee considering his injury history. Might as well keep him here and see what he can do.

13 minutes ago, Bailey said:

I am very surprised that he played the whole game. 

It wasn't like he was doing much although he did well for the 2nd goal.

He had the least amount of touches out of any starting player on the pitch. Rondon got half of Doms touches got despite coming on 75 minutes in. Our inability to pass to the feet of our striker is frustrating at times.

32 minutes ago, MikeO said:

Press are saying "..understood to be up to £17m, including add-ons.." as far as I can see, what's your source?

I saw a couple of posts on twitter, but looking back most are quoting £17m, so it may be that.

Probably still better than all of our center backs.

I still think Digne to Chelsea is a weird one. Chilwell is as good if not better and Alonso is adequate cover. My guess is Alonso is on his way out and Digne will be used in rotation with Chilwell. Not the move I'd expect him to make but maybe one he will be happy with. He will at least likely win trophies at Chelsea.

9 hours ago, Bailey said:

I didnt read that bit!

Even then they are saying €15mil being too much so he would have probably been closer to half of what we are paying now.

£17m rising to £20m apparently. I'm expecting a lot from him for that fee. Heard rumours hes on about £55k a week too. We will probably break even with Digne leaving but half the wages spent for our LB.

1 hour ago, Bailey said:

Any one watch the United game yesterday? 

He was brilliant! 

Yeah I wouldn't mind him here to be honest, I think he would be a good signing and one which I doubt is too costly. I also didn't realise he is 29, I thought he was more 32/33 seems to have been around forever.