[Albion] Viktor Gyokeres, Aaron Connolly and .......Max Sanders?

[Cowfold Seagull]

In the Argus last month, Bernardo explained that his preferred position is central defence, but whilst he felt he could play there in Brazil or possibly Spain, he felt he was "too skinny" to play there in Germany and especially England. His second preferred position is left-back and his third is right-back (where he spent a season playing at Leipzig). IF Hughton were to select Bernardo there (in what would be his fourth-best position) over a promising youngster who has made that position his own in the U-23s and for England U-19s, Tony Bloom might as well shut down the academy and save his money.

(I am not suggesting that the choice for Leicester will simply come down to Bernardo or Sanders starting; I very much expect the central midfield two will be from Kayal, Bissouma and Propper, if he is fit; but in my humble opinion Hughton has to start putting some trust in our talented young men).

Whilst freely admitting that you obviously see mush more of the Development Squad than me, (I have ony seen a couple of games live), surely throwing the likes of Max Sanders straight into the lion's den of the Premier League could hinder his progress? he hasn't even had a period of time away from the club yet on loan, to experience senior football. The Premier League is a whole different world to the football the Under 23's encounter..

By all means name him, (and the likes of Gyokeres and Connolly), on the bench for a few games, and generally drip feed them into the First Team Squad, but by throwing them straight in, without a proper period of adjustment seems wrong to me.

 

[GT49er]

By all means name him, (and the likes of Gyokeres and Connolly), on the bench for a few games, and generally drip feed them into the First Team Squad, but by throwing them straight in, without a proper period of adjustment seems wrong to me.

Ideally introduce them slowly - but if we need one of them (such as Sanders if we get any more midfield injuries or suspensions) putting in a player out of position who hasn't achieved anything in the PL yet either would be a slap in the face to every academy player and coaching staff - as AZGull has said, in that case Uncle Tony might as well save the money he's splashed out on the academy.
You can't learn to swim unless you get in the water.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

Ideally introduce them slowly - but if we need one of them (such as Sanders if we get any more midfield injuries or suspensions) putting in a player out of position who hasn't achieved anything in the PL yet either would be a slap in the face to every academy player and coaching staff - as AZGull has said, in that case Uncle Tony might as well save the money he's splashed out on the academy.
You can't learn to swim unless you get in the water.

Well IF we have anymore immediate midfield injuries or suspensions I guess we wouldn't have much choice anyway, but both Propper and Gross should be fit again within the next couple of weeks or so anyway, so that scenario shouldn't occur.

As I see it, Bissouma as a straight swap for Stephens is the way to go for the Leicester Asme, (as I say providing neither Propper or Gross are ready again by then).

 

[southstandandy]

Having been so far underwhelmed with most of our new signings this season (although I accept it's still pretty early to be too critical), it seems to me the club went more for Quantity over Quality this summer.

As many of us feel we have the basis of a reasonable team, do you think next summer we should only look to strengthen in 1 or 2 keys areas (central midfield and upfront) and spend most of our budget on just a couple of players. Might it be best next time to go for Quality over Quantity? I know we still have a limited budget compared with the big six but I personally feel with just a couple of real quality players added to this squad we could do significantly better. Easier said than done but I generally feel we have too many players of average ability which seems to reflect in CH not knowing what his best 11 is.

 

[BensGrandad]

Unfortunately we have never been in a comfortable position whereby CH could have thrown on a youngster to give them match experience or come to that name them on the bench

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

Having been so far underwhelmed with most of our new signings this season (although I accept it's still pretty early to be too critical), it seems to me the club went more for Quantity over Quality this summer.

As many of us feel we have the basis of a reasonable team, do you think next summer we should only look to strengthen in 1 or 2 keys areas (central midfield and upfront) and spend most of our budget on just a couple of players. Might it be best next time to go for Quality over Quantity? I know we still have a limited budget compared with the big six but I personally feel with just a couple of real quality players added to this squad we could do significantly better. Easier said than done but I generally feel we have too many players of average ability which seems to reflect in CH not knowing what his best 11 is.

I fear you may be disappointed come the end of January. Chris Hughton spent some serious money on additions to his squad back in the summer, and I really don't expect him to be doing too much business, if any, come the next window. Besides which, it is notoriously difficult to recruit real quality players who will make any significant improvement to the squad mid season anyway.

 

[southstandandy]

I fear you may be disappointed come the end of January. Chris Hughton spent some serious money on additions to his squad back in the summer, and I really don't expect him to be doing too much business, if any, come the next window. Besides which, it is notoriously difficult to recruit real quality players who will make any significant improvement to the squad mid season anyway.

Fair point - I was thinking ahead more with a view to next summer.

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

I'm conscious that some of my posts in this thread could be construed as anti-Hughton. For the avoidance of doubt, I think Chris is arguably the best manager we have had in our history. He kept up a side that was in SERIOUS danger of suffering relegation when he first joined; made additions that summer (and following January) and built a side that came within a gnat's cock of promotion, and then went straight back to work and achieved what the 3 previous incumbents couldn't and got us over the line. He then ensured safety at the higher level last season with, in the end, comparative ease.

I'm not calling for his head; I think he is probably the most secure manager in the Premier League. But I do think that his cautious, safety-first personality (which, of course, has formed the basis of his achievements at the club) also precludes the advancement of the youngsters (except in rare and unavoidable circumstances). It is what it is and, in all honesty, I can't see any reason why it might change in the future.

He has a job to do. When and if we're safe with games to spare, these players will get a call up and they'll have a small window to prove themselves.

But they can always prove themselves in training. CH has been doing this for a long enough that he will recognise talent when its there. Bissouma has just turned 22 and he's getting opportunities.

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

Having been so far underwhelmed with most of our new signings this season (although I accept it's still pretty early to be too critical), it seems to me the club went more for Quantity over Quality this summer..

Well of course they did. Last year we'd have been absolutely screwed if we'd suffered an injury crisis. This year we're much better equipped to cope with it. Makes a lot of sense, this is a consolidation season, possibly the hardest and most important season in our current rise up the leagues. We mustn't screw this year up.

 

[um bongo molongo]

Having been so far underwhelmed with most of our new signings this season (although I accept it's still pretty early to be too critical), it seems to me the club went more for Quantity over Quality this summer.

As many of us feel we have the basis of a reasonable team, do you think next summer we should only look to strengthen in 1 or 2 keys areas (central midfield and upfront) and spend most of our budget on just a couple of players. Might it be best next time to go for Quality over Quantity? I know we still have a limited budget compared with the big six but I personally feel with just a couple of real quality players added to this squad we could do significantly better. Easier said than done but I generally feel we have too many players of average ability which seems to reflect in CH not knowing what his best 11 is.

The issue is wages - with a fair number of players reportedly having “parity with the top earner” clauses, adding someone of real quality is easier said than done.

 

[zefarelly]

We appear to be trying at the moment.

Well of course they did. Last year we'd have been absolutely screwed if we'd suffered an injury crisis. This year we're much better equipped to cope with it. Makes a lot of sense, this is a consolidation season, possibly the hardest and most important season in our current rise up the leagues. We mustn't screw this year up.

 

[nwgull]

Well of course they did. Last year we'd have been absolutely screwed if we'd suffered an injury crisis. This year we're much better equipped to cope with it. Makes a lot of sense, this is a consolidation season, possibly the hardest and most important season in our current rise up the leagues. We mustn't screw this year up.

This season is nowhere near as important as the season we got promoted. If we’d missed out again, it wouldn’t have quite been back to square one, but we’d have lost Stephens and had to sell players like Dunk to keep within FFP the following season. It’s arguably less important than last year as well now that we’ve made sure we get the extra year in parachute payments if we get relegated.

 

[GT49er]

Well IF we have anymore immediate midfield injuries or suspensions I guess we wouldn't have much choice anyway.

CH would have a choice - the point being made is that if he shoe-horned the likes of Bernardo in there out of position - anything other than giving a youngster a chance - it wouldn't reflect well on our academy, or even on the idea of even having an academy.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

CH would have a choice - the point being made is that if he shoe-horned the likes of Bernardo in there out of position - anything other than giving a youngster a chance - it wouldn't reflect well on our academy, or even on the idea of even having an academy.

Yes l am fully aware of the point being made thanks very much. I am on the fence with this one, whilst l don't believe playing Bernardo out of his comfort zone is a viable option, nor do l believe blooding one of the youngsters staight out of the Development Squad is either.

I maintain that throwing them in at the deep end without being introduced to senior football slowly, could greatly hinder their progress. I watched Viktor Gyokeres play against Southampton in the EFL Cup early this season, and felt sorry for the lad. I hope in time things work out for him, but for me he isn't ready yet, not for a Premier Leage start anyway.

 

[GT49er]

Yes l am fully aware of the point being made thanks very much. I am on the fence with this one, whilst l don't believe playing Bernardo out of his comfort zone is a viable option, nor do l believe blooding one of the youngsters staight out of the Development Squad is either.

I maintain that throwing them in at the deep end without being introduced to senior football slowly, could greatly hinder their progress. I watched Viktor Gyokeres play against Southampton in the EFL Cup early this season, and felt sorry for the lad. I hope in time things work out for him, but for me he isn't ready yet, not for a Premier Leage start anyway.

OK,, you're on the fence. CH doesn't/wouldn't have that option.


FWIW, I'd go with a youngster who has already stepped up to every level he's been asked to step up to so far in his career.

 

[BensGrandad]

OK,, you're on the fence. CH doesn't/wouldn't have that option.


FWIW, I'd go with a youngster who has already stepped up to every level he's been asked to step up to so far in his career.

I do not agree as I do not think that we are far enough away from the bottom 3 for us to take a chance on a kid so I would sooner we stick with an experienced player to play just in front of the back 4 so not totally out of position.

 

[GT49er]

I do not agree as I do not think that we are far enough away from the bottom 3 for us to take a chance on a kid so I would sooner we stick with an experienced player to play just in front of the back 4 so not totally out of position.

So, out of position, and untried in the PL in that position then?


Okey dokey. Right on..........................

 

[BensGrandad]

So, out of position, and untried in the PL in that position then?


Okey dokey. Right on..........................

Yes but their experience in general may carry them forward as opposed to a 20 yr old untried. I think, but could be wrong. that both Bernardo and Bruno would slot in as a DM in front of the back four making virtually a five better than a 21 year old who has never played for either the first team or in The Premier. If CH thought they were near they would have been on the bench by now.

 

[GT49er]

Yes but their experience in general may carry them forward as opposed to a 20 yr old untried. I think, but could be wrong. that both Bernardo and Bruno would slot in as a DM in front of the back four making virtually a five better than a 21 year old who has never played for either the first team or in The Premier. If CH thought they were near they would have been on the bench by now.

Honestly, no malice, but just .
Izzy, for example, has PL experience - would you choose him over an U23 specialist CM? Anyone rather than an U23? Really?

Wow!
If you want to learn t swim, you have to get in the water

 

[Wardy's twin]

hard hat on ... on Saturday I wondered whether we should have gone for a very different option when Stephens went off i.e. bring on Balogun and move Dunk into a defensive midfield role where he could also use his passing skills... He is also impressive with his surging runs and would have added extra height & strength to midfield.