[Albion] Which players aren’t good enough for the Graham Potter revolution?

[Mike Small]

Dan Burn must not be left back next season. I really like the big fella but when we play with no natural wingers we need full backs than bomb on, we now have one on the right and need one on the left. Burn would be a good bench option as could cover left back and centre half positions but he cannot be a starter.

Based on that and with White incoming it’s sad to say but Duffy must move on as he will want first team football.

Stephens is a good squad player and should be retained, we need depth but we do need an upgrade. Propper should likewise become more of a fringe player so maybe one needs to move on.

Connolly needs a loan somewhere, he’s just not quite ready.

Sadly I think it’s time for Gross to move on. He’s been my favourite player since we came to the premier league but just not combined with Trossard, Mooy, Alzate and new signings he will be too far down the pecking order.

Ali J should stay but won’t as we need an actual winger somewhere and March flatters to deceive and Izzy is never fit.

Murray to stay on and play a Bruno type role for final season.

Good post. Want Montoya to move on badly. So weak in both directions. Always been a fan of Bernardo but don't think he's great either. Always thought he should start instead of BDB but we're actually better with Burn playing and tend to think we need a better left back if we are to progress a season great as he has been. I'm not convinced Macallister can do any more with his attributes. 4th season in a row is a great achievement but if we want to get better I really think we need to get some pace and skill in.

 

[Mike Small]

The problem with this and all the other similar threads we've had since the restart is the miserablists are never going to be appeased.

The squad will evolve over the next few windows, 4 or 5 first team regulars won't be leaving after Sunday.


So those fans getting all pissy about Gross, Mooy, Propper, Ryan, March, Stephens, Murray are still going to be pissy next season.
They're going to bang their drum when it's convenient to do so and remain silent when it isn't.


T'is the way of the NSC world.

All of these players would be better if we had some pace and skill in the teams. They're all slow so need runners for them to use their talent. Bar Lamptey were so bloody slow.

 

[vagabond]

The vast majority seem to have their favourites amongst Propper, Gross, Montoya and Mooy. Almost a crime to mention repeated failings in any one of them.

They can’t all be a top ten/higher mid table players, if we’ve fallen short, failed to win the vast majority of our matches and diced with relegation.

To progress, sentiment won’t come into it, better players will come in, to replace one or two fans favourites.

Correct West and totally agree, there are undoubtedly some favourites in the squad. I’m never ceased to be amazed how I can see a whole discussion criticising one player, but then as soon as “a favourite” is mentioned you’re jumped on.

As you say, all these players cannot be that good as they’ve been here a while now and we’ve been flirting with relegation and no bigger clubs have been interested.

I understand the sentiment as well, I get it, I loved Knockaert.. and my initial reaction to him being sold was very negative. Yet in the cold light of day, it’s good business from Tony. Utterly ruthless but good business.

Same with Sir Chris, utterly ruthless, but the undoubted correct decision.

I expect more outgoings this next season and ongoing, so the fan clubs had better buckle up.

 

[Weststander]

Good post. Want Montoya to move on badly. So weak in both directions. Always been a fan of Bernardo but don't think he's great either. Always thought he should start instead of BDB but we're actually better with Burn playing and tend to think we need a better left back if we are to progress a season great as he has been. I'm not convinced Macallister can do any more with his attributes. 4th season in a row is a great achievement but if we want to get better I really think we need to get some pace and skill in.

This.

 

[spence]

Most of our squad are not very good. It's why we struggle every season.

I would keep

Dunk
Lamptey
Webster
Burn
Ryan
Bissouma
Trossard
Maupay
Alzate

Rest can go

 

[Quinney]

Not sure what more Mac Allister could have done since moving over here. To me he looks a great acquisition, forward looking, good defensively, great touch and inventive. Once he gets a “pre season in him” he’ll be fantastic next season.


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[NorthstandRacoon]

Proper. Has been caught out a few times now, switches off, always has a mistake in him when playing from the back

Dale. Great pro. Great guy. But is too often chasing shadows. We can and should do better than Dale Stevens.

Matty Ryan, this choice hurts. He’s a great Aussie character, but it’s always nerve wracking watching him short passes. I also feel you want your goalie to make some worldies. Conceded too many soft goals.

Which players do you think Potter will ship out?

Stephens yes maybe, but the rest of your selection is bloody bizarre. Are you alright?

 

[spence]

Not sure what more Mac Allister could have done since moving over here. To me he looks a great acquisition, forward looking, good defensively, great touch and inventive. Once he gets a “pre season in him” he’ll be fantastic next season.


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From what i've seen so far i haven't been impressed one bit. Looks lightweight also.

 

[Swansman]

Its not going to be easy to sell players. Even if Potter & the club perhaps would have liked to sell ~8 players and get 5 new in, it might be difficult to find someone willing to buy aging players like Montoya, Stephens, Gross, Mooy, Murray etc. or willing to pay transfer fees/wages that matches the value you could expect i.e. Pröpper and March to have.

Ali J & Bernardo are probably the only two who are 100% certain to be sold this summer, and Duffy will also very likely leave though I see a few scenarios where he actually remains. The others... probably no one knows at this time.

 

[vagabond]

Stephens yes maybe, but the rest of your selection is bloody bizarre. Are you alright?

Why is it bizarre? Make your case if you have one

 

[Weststander]

Its not going to be easy to sell players. Even if Potter & the club perhaps would have liked to sell ~8 players and get 5 new in, it might be difficult to find someone willing to buy aging players like Montoya, Stephens, Gross, Mooy, Murray etc. or willing to pay transfer fees/wages that matches the value you could expect i.e. Pröpper and March to have.

Ali J & Bernardo are probably the only two who are 100% certain to be sold this summer, and Duffy will also very likely leave though I see a few scenarios where he actually remains. The others... probably no one knows at this time.

If you were Dan Ashworth and TB gave you another great budget this summer, with the aim of finishing 9th to 12th next season, would you listen to offers for:
Propper
Gross
Montoya
Mooy

 

[vagabond]

Its not going to be easy to sell players. Even if Potter & the club perhaps would have liked to sell ~8 players and get 5 new in, it might be difficult to find someone willing to buy aging players like Montoya, Stephens, Gross, Mooy, Murray etc. or willing to pay transfer fees/wages that matches the value you could expect i.e. Pröpper and March to have.

Ali J & Bernardo are probably the only two who are 100% certain to be sold this summer, and Duffy will also very likely leave though I see a few scenarios where he actually remains. The others... probably no one knows at this time.

That in itself tells you a lot about their mediocrity.. no?

if we can’t even sell them. I would keep Mooy, personally.

 

[Quinney]

From what i've seen so far i haven't been impressed one bit. Looks lightweight also.

You must have very high standards. I’m looking forward to seeing Bissouma, Maupay and Mac Allister linking up next season. Mac Alister has looked quality so far from his limited game time.


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[Swansman]

If you were Dan Ashworth and TB gave you another great budget this summer, with the aim of finishing 9th to 12th next season, would you listen to offers for:
Propper
Gross
Montoya
Mooy

Yes. But I dont think all of them will go.

Pröpper probably only leaves if they cant sign Högbjerg, who they are quite openly interested in but also could be a target for bigger PL clubs. If they cant get him, I think there's a reasonable chance they go for Pröpper, and they have a lot of money.

Gross is fairly likely to leave I think, a bunch of clubs would be interested in getting someone with his chance creation stats.

Montoya would probably also be allowed to go quite cheaply. Dont know who would be interested in him though. Maybe his Barca background could make Asian clubs interested.

Mooy... no idea really. I think he is probably staying. Just recently signed and got qualities that I think he could show more often if he had more quality around him.

 

[spence]

You must have very high standards. I’m looking forward to seeing Bissouma, Maupay and Mac Allister linking up next season. Mac Alister has looked quality so far from his limited game time.


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Really ? I watch with my eyes . What exactly has he done for you to warrant him being that good ?

 

[Quinney]

Really ? I watch with my eyes . What exactly has he done for you to warrant him being that good ?

I’ve seen enough quality flicks, perfectly weighted passes and first time passes to see that we’ve got a player on our hands. Only time will tell but with more time to settle and better understanding his quality will shine through. The only thing I’ve been disappointed with is his lack of game time.


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[Easy 10]

We need to bin Propper and Stephens. They have both been DISMAL for long periods now, and frankly, I'm sick of the sight of them. Goals and assists ? F*ck all. They've been stealing a living.

 

[albionalex]

We need to bin Propper and Stephens. They have both been DISMAL for long periods now, and frankly, I'm sick of the sight of them. Goals and assists ? F*ck all. They've been stealing a living.

Yes, because goals and assists is what holding midfielders should be judged on.

 

[Hugo Rune]

Depressing writing this after tonight dullfest.

Keepers:

What do Button & Steele do all day? We need someone to keep Ryan on his toes.

Full Backs:

I don’t think Potter fancies Bernardo & I just don’t know why. I don’t fancy Montoya and Burn more is a utility player. Get some new faces in please.

Centre Backs:

In purely defensive terms, Duffy n’ Dunk are the best. I think they’ll both be gone in the Summer as one seeks regular top ten football with a club like Burnley and the other plays Champions League and gets in the England squad. We’ll have the recently impressive Webster alongside side White, Clarke or Burn with Roberts, Østigård or Băluță as back up so no need to spend on anyone else other than more youngsters for the production line.

Holding Midfield:

West Ham have a holding Midfielder called Soucek who makes runs into the box towering above short little full backs and gets goals, lots of them. I’d like one of those next to Biss, perhaps Băluță, Burn or White could be converted? Other than that, I’d probably not be worried about losing Pröpper & Stephens. Alzate was brilliant deep lying against Spuds at home.

Attacking Midfielders:
Mooy & Groß are so slow, clever but slow. We only need one. The other can leave with March.
Tross is a great sub, hopefully we’ll have the quality to allow him to make that position his own next season.


Forwards:
We need a few of these to replace Andone, Locadia, Jahanbakhsh (I don’t think Potter fancies him & I just don’t know why) & Izquierdo as well as a new Murray. Not sure if our production line has anything of interest bar
Gyökeres. Oh, and send Connolly to the Championship for development.

 

[Easy 10]

Yes, because goals and assists is what holding midfielders should be judged on.

Yes, because I suppose "holding midfielders" should be utterly INCAPABLE of doing anything else other than putting a foot in, playing 5 yard passes then planting it to the opposition, or twatting it into touch. Because thats pretty much all we get from DP and Stephens.

I'm going to quote Graham Souness from the Sunday Times this week, who was talking about "holding midfielders", in particular Jorginho and Kovacic, who he'd never have to keep an eye on, because they'd never be off running in behind him.

"Please don't tell me they play holding or defensive roles. Anyone who aspires to play in the middle of the park should have the FULL facet of skills - tackling, passing, shooting and finishing - and be looking to use them at all times. The footballer who is looking to embed himself into a deeper role is withdrawing into his comfort zone, and betraying himself as a midfielder".

I could not see a better description of our herberts in the midfield. They don't threaten, they don't arrive in the box, they don't finish. Oh - but they're "holding midfielders", so they get a free pass.

Bollocks.