[Albion] Ten games in - our new players

[Jim in the West]

I've been lucky enough to see 6 of our first 10 (United, Ipswich and Wolves at home, Arsenal, Newcastle and Liverpool away). So - some ups and downs! But mainly "ups", even in the one defeat.

We all got very excited by the number (and potential quality) of the new signings this summer. It is still WAY too early to assess things (esp for those who haven't played in the EPL before - which is all of them, apart from Georginio [and his experience was pretty limited]). I'm sure others have got some really useful observations, but here is my quick take (including marks out of ten):

Georginio - £40m - (8/10) I was really surprised when we signed him. There seemed to be some mixed reviews (even from die-hard LUFC fans). However, I have been VERY impressed. His physical strength is absolutely critical (something we've lacked for ages, I think). He holds the ball up well, but also makes exciting surging runs, creates and scores goals, and has huge energy. He also seems a nice bloke

Minteh - £30m - (7/10) Flashes of brilliance (Everton, Arsenal) - but still very raw. I'm absolutely sure he will come good, He's a really exciting talent.

O'Reilly - £25m - (n/a) Crocked in his first game - very much looking forward to seeing him though.

Weiffer - £25m - (5/10) Jury still well and truly out. Hasn't got to grips with the speed of the EPL. Thought he did well in the Carabao game v Liverpool, but has made some obvious mistakes. Having said that, he searches out unexpected angles and takes risks which - when they come off - really help the transition.

Kadioglu - £25m (7.5/10) Nightmare first game, but after Hurzeler revised his insane high line, Ferdi is looking good. A couple of recent games where he's mostly played further up the pitch means he's had the opportunity to show his passing and wing-play. Superb ball control, and already a crowd favourite!

Gruda - £24m - (7/10) Was carrying an injury in the early part of the season, but has had a couple of decent cameos. Looks a great prospect - quick feet, and can possibly take corners

Osman, Yalcouye and Cozier-Duberry all looked good in pre-season and have gone on loan.

Overall I think there are far more positives than negatives, and the "hit rate" looks very good (the only possible "miss" being Weiffer....although I think he WILL come good).

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

I'm happy with the squad. If it all 'clicks' we will be top four. It will be Brightony points dropped against lesser teams that may drag us down to mid table, but it 'feels' good.

Yes, money well spent.

 

[Terry Butcher Tribute Act]

Wieffer has started one league game. I think people forget this, it's so early for him too.

Don't disagree with most of what you've said though

 

[Sea Cider]

I am so excited about Gruda.

I think he might have the highest ceiling of any young player at the Albion currently.

 

[nwgull]

I’m most impressed and surprised about Georginio. I did not expect him to have so many attributes. Pedro would’ve been a great impact sub, but we’ve not missed him that much.

 

[Bozza]

I am so excited about Gruda.

I think he might have the highest ceiling of any young player at the Albion currently.

If you're also classifying Baleba as young and, at just 20, I think we should, then I think anyone else is going to have to go a bit to top where he's destined for. It will be tough to hold onto him in the summer.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Still early for some….

Rutter - brilliant - 9/10 - always nervous when we sign players from smaller teams.

Ferdi - very good, with potential for brilliance - 7.5/10

Minteh - very one footed, may be an unpopular score but…..6/10

Gruda, Wieffer and O’Reilly will reserve judgement, but…..

Gruda looks great, but needs to work on the defensive side
Wieffer, just a difficult start, hope he turns the corner.
O’Reilly - poor bloke, hope to see him soon, but who does he replace?

Will throw in Ayari (not a new signing), but great 8/10.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

If you're also classifying Baleba as young and, at just 20, I think we should, then I think anyone else is going to have to go a bit to top where he's destined for. It will be tough to hold onto him in the summer.

Hoping for at least one more season

 

[Bring back Bryan wade!!]

Really looking forward to seeing what MOR can bring to the table when fully fit.

 

[essbee1]

I'm happy with the squad. If it all 'clicks' we will be top four. It will be Brightony points dropped against lesser teams that may drag us down to mid table, but it 'feels' good.

Yes, money well spent.

This. When we have some players back and we click, we'll be a force to reckon with.

 

[Wickham Wanderer]

Wieffer has started one league game. I think people forget this, it's so early for him too.

Don't disagree with most of what you've said though

And he wasn’t at the races for the first half against Everton. He is the only one I’m concerned about, but everyone else is showing the potential

 

[dwayne]

Hoping for at least one more season

For the kind of money we will want he will need to cut out the mistakes. So I'm leaning towards another season at the moment. Also doesn't seem to be as big an a-hole as caciedo, so will have more patience.

 

[Justice]

Some foreign players take a season or two to settle in to the PL . Others hit the ground running. The great Pascal being a fine example.

 

[tricky]

I would rate minteh much lower..maybe 4/10. He is fast but his end product has been awful - running into defenders or misplacing passes. I'm sure he'll come good but no idea how anyone thinks he has been playing well

 

[Mancgull]

I would rate minteh much lower..maybe 4/10. He is fast but his end product has been awful - running into defenders or misplacing passes. I'm sure he'll come good but no idea how anyone thinks he has been playing well

Don’t disagree re his decision making but would add that his work rate in terms of tracking back goes in his favour.

 

[Jim in the West]

I would rate minteh much lower..maybe 4/10. He is fast but his end product has been awful - running into defenders or misplacing passes. I'm sure he'll come good but no idea how anyone thinks he has been playing well

The cross for the first goal at Everton; the surging run and shot for the goal at Arsenal (which Pedro scored on the rebound), his goal v Spurs....plus, defenders are genuinely scared of his speed.

 

[Oh_aye]

I've been lucky enough to see 6 of our first 10 (United, Ipswich and Wolves at home, Arsenal, Newcastle and Liverpool away). So - some ups and downs! But mainly "ups", even in the one defeat.

We all got very excited by the number (and potential quality) of the new signings this summer. It is still WAY too early to assess things (esp for those who haven't played in the EPL before - which is all of them, apart from Georginio [and his experience was pretty limited]). I'm sure others have got some really useful observations, but here is my quick take (including marks out of ten):

Georginio - £40m - (8/10) I was really surprised when we signed him. There seemed to be some mixed reviews (even from die-hard LUFC fans). However, I have been VERY impressed. His physical strength is absolutely critical (something we've lacked for ages, I think). He holds the ball up well, but also makes exciting surging runs, creates and scores goals, and has huge energy. He also seems a nice bloke

Minteh - £30m - (7/10) Flashes of brilliance (Everton, Arsenal) - but still very raw. I'm absolutely sure he will come good, He's a really exciting talent.

O'Reilly - £25m - (n/a) Crocked in his first game - very much looking forward to seeing him though.

Weiffer - £25m - (5/10) Jury still well and truly out. Hasn't got to grips with the speed of the EPL. Thought he did well in the Carabao game v Liverpool, but has made some obvious mistakes. Having said that, he searches out unexpected angles and takes risks which - when they come off - really help the transition.

Kadioglu - £25m (7.5/10) Nightmare first game, but after Hurzeler revised his insane high line, Ferdi is looking good. A couple of recent games where he's mostly played further up the pitch means he's had the opportunity to show his passing and wing-play. Superb ball control, and already a crowd favourite!

Gruda - £24m - (7/10) Was carrying an injury in the early part of the season, but has had a couple of decent cameos. Looks a great prospect - quick feet, and can possibly take corners

Osman, Yalcouye and Cozier-Duberry all looked good in pre-season and have gone on loan.

Overall I think there are far more positives than negatives, and the "hit rate" looks very good (the only possible "miss" being Weiffer....although I think he WILL come good).

After the game the other night I came away thinking two things.

Weiffer will come good.
Gruda has the highest ceiling and is going to be a ridiculous player at 24/25

 

[Change at Barnham]

And don't forget our manager is at what is for him a new club, in a new country.
He's still forming relationships and trust and assessing his squads strengths and weaknesses.
It's still very early to fairly judge all our new recruits, but overall it's looking very encouraging.

I've spent too much time worrying over our squad's gaps over recent seasons.
Now I find myself worrying about how we keep everyone happy who deserve to play when we can only start 11 players?

It's not easy being a football fan.

 

[Weststander]

Rutter 9.5
Ferdi 8 - becoming a class act, match fitness for the full 90' the final piece of the jigsaw.

Far too soon and hard to rate the others, but Minteh's head down football was frustrating.

 

[sussex_guy2k2]

I’ve got to say, I like the optimism.

For me though, it’s impossible to rate MOR, Gruda, or any of the kids sent out on loan.

In terms of the 3 we’ve seen more regularly - Weiffer, Minteh and GR - Minteh has looked raw but full of potential, Weiffer has looked miles off it / no where near good enough (although he hasn’t started really and has already had injuries so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt, despite his utter howler against Wolves) and I’ve only seen GR have one good game (I’ve not been to away games this year and I missed Spurs at home, but he was excellent against Wolves).

I’m optimistic, don’t get me wrong, and we’re in a good position in the league considering so many are finding their feet (including the manager), but for £200m I expected to have seen a lot more at this stage.