[Albion] Napoli interested in Billy Gilmour **Sold 30/08/24**

[Beanstalk]

Too many people writing WBG off without actually seeing him in the new system. He was impressive in his cameo.

Fab has said he is open to adjusting style of play depending on who we are playing so can see Billy fitting in depending on who we play.

Of course if the right offer comes in, I can see him going but the numbers rumoured to be offered by Napoli seem way off the required number for a player of his quality relative to other fees players have gone for this window already.

Him and Pascal were two of our most important players last season, and as you say, the amount of people writing him off is remarkable. He very clearly would start ahead of Milner in that midfield diamond.

It's up to him really if he stays or goes. And I think this has always been the case. Like with Pascal, he's got an offer to play at a European giant and I can really see how tempting that must be. We're a lovely club but we're not Napoli are we?

 

[Hugo Rune]

Point remains, we are very light in CM/CDM cover before we even start talking about Billy Gilmour leaving.

If Hürzeler is trying to recreate his system and squad profile at St Pauli, we are close to getting in what he wants….

Utility Midfielders
Kadıoğlu
Hinshelwood

The Eric Smith Role
Wieffer
Baleba
Boscagli

The Jackson Irvine Role
Milner
Ayari/Gomez?
O’Riley

The Marcel Hartel Role
Rutter
Enciso
Sarmiento
Gruda

 

[Munchkin]

Wieffer / O’Reilly / Gruda

Is a MASSIVE upgrade on what was, at times last season:

Gross / Gilmour / Lallana

 

[London Irish]

Well...

Wieffer had a somewhat difficult first game. He is expected to get better. Its a little early finding a replacement for him.
Baleba had a difficult first season. Now its his second, and the way we work, we expect him to be better this season.
The probable signing of Ferdi and the fact we have to great LBs suggest Hinsh will play some midfield this season.
Milner may or may not have wheels but he's been playing throughout pre-season and this weekend; even if you declare him dead, Fabian clearly sees him as a part of the squad.

Can't just sign players because a midfielder had a bad debut or because a young midfielder struggled a year ago.

Just way too many "expectations" and speculation there. How about we just sign good players who are central midfielders, crazy idea - might catch on!

Also Swansman you've got a slightly irritating way of discussing football by misrepresenting others' views, I don't want a replacement signed for Wieffer, I want more depth in the position. Also I don't think Milner is "dead", he could play a role against lesser opponents than the very best EPL teams. Do a bit better with stuff like this?

 

[Originunknown]

If Hürzeler is trying to recreate his system and squad profile at St Pauli, we are close to getting in what he wants….

Utility Midfielders
Kadıoğlu
Hinshelwood

The Eric Smith Role
Wieffer
Baleba
Boscagli

The Jackson Irvine Role
Milner
Ayari/Gomez?
O’Riley

The Marcel Hartel Role
Rutter
Enciso
Sarmiento
Gruda

Interesting
Gomez will be a welcome addition come January; had forgotten we'd sealed that one up

 

[Flounce]

If Hürzeler is trying to recreate his system and squad profile at St Pauli, we are close to getting in what he wants….

Utility Midfielders
Kadıoğlu
Hinshelwood

The Eric Smith Role
Wieffer
Baleba
Boscagli

The Jackson Irvine Role
Milner
Ayari/Gomez?
O’Riley

The Marcel Hartel Role
Rutter
Enciso
Sarmiento
Gruda

Are we certain that football played in the second tier of German football can be adapted to be successful in the PL?

Is the jump as big as Championship to PL or even bigger?

Just a question not suggesting anything, just that it seems we are investing an enormous amount to find out

 

[Han Solo]

Just way too many "expectations" and speculation there. How about we just sign good players who are central midfielders, crazy idea - might catch on!

Also Swansman you've got a slightly irritating way of discussing football by misrepresenting others' views, I don't want a replacement signed for Wieffer, I want more depth in the position. Also I don't think Milner is "dead", he could play a role against lesser opponents than the very best EPL teams. Do a bit better with stuff like this?

Ok, to get the discussion anywhere: how many players do you want for the CM/DMC roles?

 

[Hiheidi]

Joel

 

[Hiheidi]

 

[Napper]

Wieffer / O’Reilly / Gruda

Is a MASSIVE upgrade on what was, at times last season:

Gross / Gilmour / Lallana

We hope so but the truth is we don’t actually know that yet



Ones from Dutch league
Ones from Scottish league
Ones a kid with not many games under belt

Agree it should be better but different ways to spin it of course

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Wieffer / O’Reilly / Gruda

Is a MASSIVE upgrade on what was, at times last season:

Gross / Gilmour / Lallana

I think time will tell.

Gross is a massive loss IMO.

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

Are we certain that football played in the second tier of German football can be adapted to be successful in the PL?

Is the jump as big as Championship to PL or even bigger?

Just a question not suggesting anything, just that it seems we are investing an enormous amount to find out

Can’t help thinking that Herr H will not be a one trick pony and will have a plan B, whether it is in general over the season, or in an individual situation. He also has a lot of astute people around him, and will listen.

 

[Han Solo]

Can’t help thinking that Herr H will not be a one trick pony and will have a plan B, whether it is in general over the season, or in an individual situation. He also has a lot of astute people around him, and will listen.

And even if he surprisingly would turn out to be shit, the talent we've signed this summer is still going to be very useful.

 

[Springal]

Are we certain that football played in the second tier of German football can be adapted to be successful in the PL?

Is the jump as big as Championship to PL or even bigger?

Just a question not suggesting anything, just that it seems we are investing an enormous amount to find out

As much as a gamble as a young Italian manager with second tier Italian sides or a spell with the ‘Man City’ of Ukrainian football

 

[Mr Phil]

Can’t help thinking that Herr H will not be a one trick pony and will have a plan B, whether it is in general over the season, or in an individual situation. He also has a lot of astute people around him, and will listen.

He’s only been coaching for about 5 minutes, I’ll be impressed if he has an established plan B. I really hope you’re right though

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Are we certain that football played in the second tier of German football can be adapted to be successful in the PL?

Is the jump as big as Championship to PL or even bigger?

Just a question not suggesting anything, just that it seems we are investing an enormous amount to find out

Good question/discussion point.

Obviously, ask Everton

But in reality, we’ll know more after the next 4 or 5 games for me.
Man Utd, tough but beatable.
Arsenal, really tough…. Can we adapt?
Ipswich/Forest - types of games we should win, but we have struggled recently.
Chelsea/Spurs - see Utd…..

We’re no longer perennial underdogs, and should give every opponent a tough game, it’s how we adjust in all of those which will Reveal FH’s abilities…..

Blooming love football……

 

[Freddo]

I reckon this will end up being a loan, as Napoli aren’t willing to offer a good transfer fee.

 

[Han Solo]

Good question/discussion point.

Obviously, ask Everton

But in reality, we’ll know more after the next 4 or 5 games for me.
Man Utd, tough but beatable.
Arsenal, really tough…. Can we adapt?
Ipswich/Forest - types of games we should win, but we have struggled recently.
Chelsea/Spurs - see Utd…..

We’re no longer perennial underdogs, and should give every opponent a tough game, it’s how we adjust in all of those which will Reveal FH’s abilities…..

Blooming love football……

Imo the real test is always done to "can you turn a bad run of form around and come out stronger on the other side?"

The latest non-sacked manager could and the last sacked one couldn't.

If we win all these games you mentioned and then go on a 30-game-long bottom 4-run, the manager will be gone, very similar to last season.

If we lose all these games and then play like a top 10-club for the rest of the season, the manager will be very safe.

Time will tell but I'm optimistic regardless of how these games go.

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

He’s only been coaching for about 5 minutes, I’ll be impressed if he has an established plan B. I really hope you’re right though

No he hasn’t.

As the man himself says, he might be young in age as PL manager’s go, but he’s not a young coach.

 

[Justice]

He’s only been coaching for about 5 minutes, I’ll be impressed if he has an established plan B. I really hope you’re right though

This plan B nonsense, what is Pep’s or Artetta’s plan B? Exactly, they don’t have one they play the same way week in week out. Klopp was the same never changed.

What would be your plan B? Go from free flowing pressing football to Dyche ball when we face a big boy and hope to cling on for a draw?