Btay

Still got high hopes that he can make an impact here.

Really nice first time cross on the volley for the assist for Frances 2nd against Croatia this morning. He just has so much quality on the ball.

Scored a nice goal against France just before so he’s proving he can mix it in the champions league & international scene.

He will get a move to a good team in a top league soon.

He has improved, he is a regular in their national team. His goals and assists tally was insane last year ( despite the Russian league ). Often regarded as the best player in the league. 23 is still relatively young. Take Dom for instance and the improvement from 22 to 23.

Personally think Vlasic will be an excellent player.

I think he can do a job as part of a midfield 3. He’s not a 10 who is going to dominate a game but hopefully in this system he can be more effective. I don’t think we would have replaced him with better and younger at that stage of the window. On that point I believe Vlasic would have been ideal in this role ( Gomes position )

Turned down a deadline day move to what I think was Al Hilal. Not upset that he’s stayed. Think he’s found his role here and I think we could see some real bursts of quality from him. Can’t look at him as the £45 million pound midfielder but for what he can provide.

I’m not sure how this one plays out tactically but I genuinely believe our midfield has it over theirs and we could see a lot of ball. Allan Doucoure and Gomes with James popping up can dominant any game. Looking forward to DCL against VVD. James has looked for Digne/Richarlison instantly most games, that’s the key tactic for us. TAA bombs forward and is so suspect at defending, I really think Richarlison will get I’m behind especially with the centre backs focused on DCL. Early pressure on Adrian is key also.

100% agree mate. I don’t think the people saying Pickford needs to be dropped would argue for one second that Pickfords strengths are; shot stopping, reflexes, 1v1’s & Penalties. Weakness’s though - Distrubtion - contentious but he’s not as good with his feet as people think. Over plays way too much. He can kick a long ball but will do it 1 or 2 times a game when he’s under no pressure and send it to their keeper instead of kicking it at 75% and give someone a chance to get on it. Concentration - enough said Command of area - Beat at near post too often - might be overly critical here but he is suspect.

Anyone else think of Imagine by John Lennon when they see his name? Nope, just me

Let’s not paper over cracks here. He’s got some serious short comings that are becoming more prevalent. He’s not improving and mistakes are becoming more consistent. Similar to Tim Howard at the end - difference being we had 10 or so solid years from Howard and he was what 35/36? He needs to swallow his ego and get his head down, otherwise he will be moved on.

I’m not sure who mate. Southgate said Pope has made mistakes as well. Henderson hasn’t even had game time so it’s a strange one.

I just don’t know if he has the mental tools for it. He’s 26, an adult and acts like a lad still. Look at how DCL conducts himself, even when he was 21. You’d expect DCL to be the 26 year old international and Pickford to be the rash young kid who could be excused for not maturing.

Surely Pickford is smart enough to have seen how Carlo and Brands have dealt with our under performing midfield. Ruthless and efficient transfers that have made our weakest department our strongest. In terms of of starting 11, we are looking strong everywhere but GK. He needs to respond or Carlo and Brands will strengthen.

Confirmed he won’t be starting for England.

Think he’s shown some serious maturity the last few years and perhaps tried to carry to much of weight some of our more senior pro’s wouldn’t take on. He played a very good game and stepped into RB seamlessly to see out the game. Happy for him.

That’s a good point. I know he was around the first team from pre season but that doesn’t say a lot.

And DCL was a RWB for us under koeman

I’d really like to see Simms get a bit of game time and compare his cameo performances against Kean. I’m not saying Simms is ready for the prem but I’d just love to see the difference between an academy player and £30 million “wonder kid”

Best window I’ve ever seen for us.

The most promising part is the “lower” teams have seen the big boys are not invincible and know if they have a go against them they can get something out of it. They are getting rightly rewarded as well.

Lossl will go to Huddersfield, window is still open for that as well? Virgina might get a loan but I want to see him develop. Let’s see how pickford responds here. Gylfi & Davies look to have stepped up a bit, Iwobi can kind of say the same.

Good move by the club.

Think there’s a shortage of real top quality keepers to be honest. Think back 10 or so years ago and it seems there were so many solid 7/10 keepers compared to these days.