Konate

[Frogfish]

It is, and as said, it's something we have to stand up to and nip in the bud. Taking a strong stance right now is probably as good a time as any, because lets face it, who really wants to be seen to be playing dirty with us right now? (I know that sounds harsh, but we have to show that we're stronger than being just a feeder club for RM)

I just think that now - when we have such a strong squad and a great chance to repeat in the PL or win another CL cup is the wrong time to be just doing something to 'set an example'. If RM were willing to pay for him now then for some that may be enough - but I want those titles.

I don't see an easy answer but no-one is going to be that bothered with letting Konate go on a free if we bank a PL or CL title in his last season with us.

 

[Frogfish]

Depending on the calibre we bring in (providing we do), they're not mutually exclusive

The issue is that Konate won't go (if he's on a RM promise) so now we are paying double wages whilst doing what with Konate? Having him sit on a bench?

 

[Glen C]

The issue is that Konate won't go (if he's on a RM promise) so now we are paying double wages whilst doing what with Konate? Having him sit on a bench?

Even if he wants Real Madrid. I just can't see him willing to wait for a year on the bench(if we have a good enough replacement). He knows that would mess up his world cup chance.

 

[Glen C]

I just think that now - when we have such a strong squad and a great chance to repeat in the PL or win another CL cup is the wrong time to be just doing something to 'set an example'. If RM were willing to pay for him now then for some that may be enough - but I want those titles.

I don't see an easy answer but no-one is going to be that bothered with letting Konate go on a free if we bank a PL or CL title in his last season with us.

I wouldn't be as bothered if it wasn't real madrid. They piss me off.

 

[Frogfish]

I wouldn't be as bothered if it wasn't real madrid. They piss me off.

I'm sure we are ALL fed up with the cunts. But it's something we have to live with / work around to the best of our ability.

 

[Fabio]

The issue is that Konate won't go (if he's on a RM promise) so now we are paying double wages whilst doing what with Konate? Having him sit on a bench?

Pretty much. Fuck that guy

 

[Beamrider]

I understand the nervousness about how many changes we're making at the back and a lot will depend on two factors:

1. Pre-season
2. The extent to which the players just "drop-in"

On pre season firstly, there's always a risk that when you make loads of changes that players don't gel together straight away. That means they need loads of time working together on the training ground, and also in pre-season games. The normal situation with the latter in recent years has been more about giving opportunities to fringe players. Pre-season games often have totally different XIs in each half. That bugs me, and we've often got to the first game of the season without anyone playing a full 90 in pre-season. In some respects, the Community Shield will help on that score. But it takes exceptional coaching to bring a new defensive unit together and to create the necessary chemistry and understanding without lots of game time together, and realistically the players aren't going to get that. I wouldn't be surprised to see Frimpong and / or Kerkez phased in rather than going straight into the starting XI.

On the "drop-in" factor, I'm thinking here about some of our recent defensive signings who spent quite a bit of time on the sidelines before securing a first-team place. Robbo didn't go straight in, nor did Fabinho (a defensive player, if not in defence) and Kostas was obviously cover. The likes of Bradley and Quansah would have been learning the system for ages before they made their debuts. By contrast, Virgil went straight in and, injuries aside, has been there ever since because he was a perfect fit, the archetype player for his position - the system was built to bring out the best in him, even when he wasn't here. So it's quite normal, Virgil aside, for players to be eased in and I expect a bit of rotation here as a bare minimum with the full-backs. If Ibou goes, I wouldn't be surprised to see Gomez start, injury permitting, ahead of Guehi / AN Other at the start of the season, if only because he knows the drill. But as others have said, it's also why there might be a preference to keep rather than replace Ibou, even if it's only for 12 months and I would rather see him help us win more trophies than flog him for a knock-down fee this window (because it would be a knock-down price).

But here's the thing. If I can work that out, I reckon Arne can too, and he'll either be careful with his initial selections or coach the shit out of the players in pre-season so some or all of the new guys can go straight in. I also reckon he'll not be banking on making huge changes to how those guys play, and he'll have tactics in mind that they can adapt to easily enough and which play to their strengths.

 

[Frogfish]

I understand the nervousness about how many changes we're making at the back and a lot will depend on two factors:

1. Pre-season
2. The extent to which the players just "drop-in"

On pre season firstly, there's always a risk that when you make loads of changes that players don't gel together straight away. That means they need loads of time working together on the training ground, and also in pre-season games. The normal situation with the latter in recent years has been more about giving opportunities to fringe players. Pre-season games often have totally different XIs in each half. That bugs me, and we've often got to the first game of the season without anyone playing a full 90 in pre-season. In some respects, the Community Shield will help on that score. But it takes exceptional coaching to bring a new defensive unit together and to create the necessary chemistry and understanding without lots of game time together, and realistically the players aren't going to get that. I wouldn't be surprised to see Frimpong and / or Kerkez phased in rather than going straight into the starting XI.

On the "drop-in" factor, I'm thinking here about some of our recent defensive signings who spent quite a bit of time on the sidelines before securing a first-team place. Robbo didn't go straight in, nor did Fabinho (a defensive player, if not in defence) and Kostas was obviously cover. The likes of Bradley and Quansah would have been learning the system for ages before they made their debuts. By contrast, Virgil went straight in and, injuries aside, has been there ever since because he was a perfect fit, the archetype player for his position - the system was built to bring out the best in him, even when he wasn't here. So it's quite normal, Virgil aside, for players to be eased in and I expect a bit of rotation here as a bare minimum with the full-backs. If Ibou goes, I wouldn't be surprised to see Gomez start, injury permitting, ahead of Guehi / AN Other at the start of the season, if only because he knows the drill. But as others have said, it's also why there might be a preference to keep rather than replace Ibou, even if it's only for 12 months and I would rather see him help us win more trophies than flog him for a knock-down fee this window (because it would be a knock-down price).

But here's the thing. If I can work that out, I reckon Arne can too, and he'll either be careful with his initial selections or coach the shit out of the players in pre-season so some or all of the new guys can go straight in. I also reckon he'll not be banking on making huge changes to how those guys play, and he'll have tactics in mind that they can adapt to easily enough and which play to their strengths.

The riposte to that line of thinking (and in general I'd agree) is that it greatly depends on both the quality/level of the outgoing (or dropping to the bench) player and of course the quality of the incoming player.

In the case of Wirst it's a no-brainer : straight in.
Frimpong, we already have a high quality RB in Bradley so : phased in or used as a sub for Mo.
Kerkez was one of the best two LBs in the PL last season and is at a very high standard, Robbo we've seen has dropped off considerably from his highs so for Kerkez : straight in.

I think 2 changes is about right, but if we are bringing in a CF then I can see him starting (unless we play the Gakpo LW and Diaz at CF alternative) and that would undoubtedly be the most the team could take whilst maintaining (or likely improving on) on last season's form.

 

[keniget]

The other factor is difficulty of the first set of fixtures when considering how to bed in new players.

Unfortunately we have a couple of tough ones early doors, i.e. Newcastle (A), Arsenal (H).

 

[Beamrider]

The riposte to that line of thinking (and in general I'd agree) is that it greatly depends on both the quality/level of the outgoing (or dropping to the bench) player and of course the quality of the incoming player.

In the case of Wirst it's a no-brainer : straight in.
Frimpong, we already have a high quality RB in Bradley so : phased in or used as a sub for Mo.
Kerkez was one of the best two LBs in the PL last season and is at a very high standard, Robbo we've seen has dropped off considerably from his highs so for Kerkez : straight in.

I think 2 changes is about right, but if we are bringing in a CF then I can see him starting (unless we play the Gakpo LW and Diaz at CF alternative) and that would undoubtedly be the most the team could take whilst maintaining (or likely improving on) on last season's form.

Don't disagree with that as a possible outcome, but it obviously assumes Konate stays. If he doesn't then I'd be inclined to play Robbo a bit more for Kerkez to begin with, but I don't think he's up to two games a week so there'd have to be some rotation.
Ultimately it should just be timing. By the time we get into Autumn I'd expect all the new guys to be fully up to speed and inter-changeable as required.
And yes, I feel like Wirtz, as with VVD, is going to have a system built to bring out the best in him so he should go straight in.

 

[rurikbird]

Like I wrote earlier, I don’t want to sell Konate under any circumstances this season. That being said, if the club feel that’s the best option, I would trust Guehi to go into the starting 11 right away - he is a smart defender with a bit of leadership quality and knows the league, so I would expect him to adapt reasonably well and quickly.

 

[beejay]

We did pretty well last season considering our best 3 players were all in the last year of their contracts and it was only sorted in the last couple of months with the league won.

Konate won't be sold, we will renew or he goes on a free next summer but we will replace Quansah now, hopefully with Guehi.

Highly doubtful if Diaz leaves either.

Surprised we are not hearing more about fringe players leaving because that has to be the main focus right now.

 

[MomoWASright]

Who gives a fuck who plays in our defence? We’re gonna be nonstop attacking and rarely have to defend.