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Reply | The box-to-box 8
at 16:48 2 Sep 2025
Hackney / Hamer are probably the outstanding examples in this league atm, but think of Cameron Brannigan at Oxford, O'Brien at Wrexham, Tanaka, Josh Brownhill, Alan Browne, Louza, Josh Knight, Jobe Bellingham, Matt Grimes... Someone that can play in a 2 or 3 man central midfield, that can pass forward, score and assist, but also not be a defensive liability.
Morgan is probably the closest we have to a box-to-box all around CM, but hes still young and physically not quite there yet. Varane and Field are superb Championship midfielders, but their best work is without the ball - they need someone to give it to.
Currently when the GK or back 4 look up, their options are Varane, Field or Madsen. None of which are very good at receiving, turning and playing out, or breaking the lines with passes and runs, and probably won't get 10 goals and assists between them. That's what we're missing. |
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Reply | CONTRARY to FIRM BELIEF
at 16:23 1 Sep 2025
More talented than Dunne because he can pass the ball well if nobody tries to stop him. Superb. Also getting mentioned in the same breath as Ray Wilkins should be a police matter.
We're all agreed that he can pass a nice ball, he's technically very good - even the biggest naysayers can't deny that. Unfortunately the issue is that the circumstances need to be perfect for him to not be a liability. When there's pressure, when the midfield is packed, when we need someone to put their hand up, show for the ball, impose themselves in the most important part of the pitch, he HIDES. He literally points away from himself when people are looking up for an option.
Until I see him doing otherwise and showing *consistently* that he's adapted to the mental and physical demands of a Championship midfield, he will remain a taller and much more expensive Andre Dozzell. |
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Reply | CONTRARY to FIRM BELIEF
at 21:41 31 Aug 2025
Obviously I'm just an 'uneducated supporter', and I feel that these constant Madsen discussions are getting boring, but he was a fckin disgrace against Watford and looked better yesterday because we went more direct and he didn't have the pressure of playing out / through midfield.
He's got a great pass with time and when not under pressure, but as soon as things get difficult he melts.
We were screaming for a progressive 8 style CM when we bought him, and we still need one now. Let's hope he comes good, but he's got a long way to go with me personally to recover this first year of being shit. |
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Reply | Saito
at 14:22 22 Aug 2025
As for Saito, I'm a little less enthused about him than some. Absolutely love him off the pitch and lots of really positive traits on it, but it's not a priority position and the reported fee is miles over someone that managed 3 goals last year...
Overall I'd be really happy to see him back, but not convinced he's the best use of resources. |
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Reply | Saito
at 14:20 22 Aug 2025
Most chat suggests he's shit and massively injury prone, but also just a loan, which is a relief.
I think the key is being able to get games into Esq, without adding the pressure of him being the only option we have |
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Reply | Coventry roll call
at 23:29 21 Aug 2025
We might be getting to the point where doing the shit away days for the same teams over and over is not worth the agg. Factor in this time of year, the general cost of trains/drinks/food/petrol, etc.... |
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Reply | Familiar learnings and fresh frustrations as QPR lose at Watford – Report
at 18:02 18 Aug 2025
1) On Morgan, he was my MoM for all the reasons stated in the report - which is great btw - but the 2nd goal and a lot of their chances first half were him being drawn to a high press of their LB and allowing a pass down the line to spring a runner behind. They drew him out multiple times and got past him easily. 2nd half though he fixed it and did great on multiple occasions to stop that ball whilst still pressing.
2) I wondered this too, but assumed it was because being on the side of Mbengue would mitigate/cover his lack of pace, and maybe with Morgan having more licence to get forward, means we wouldn't be as exposed to counters on one side. It did feel a little disjointed though.
Lastly on Madsen. That's pretty much the final straw for me. If you can only perform well with time, space and without too much pressure, you have zero business being in a Championship midfield. He misplaced a really simple 10 yard pass in the first half and you could see him just crumble. Thought it was almost cruel to send him back out there, esp as he was going to be booed for going off, but he was a complete liability in the middle. You can rightly point to Fields limitations, but at least he's got the massive upside defensively and is several million times braver than Madsen has ever been.
If we get to the end of this window and haven't signed a proper box to box / 8 style midfielder, I don't think we'll ever see us successfully play the way the manager wants. |
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Reply | Eze
at 00:53 16 Aug 2025
I think the issue with the release clause is that it included a minimum initial payment as part of the overall fee, rumoured to be around £30m or so. From what I understand that was the negotiation/sticking point up to now.
Of course it may well make no difference at all, as you say. |
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Reply | Injuries......
at 16:24 15 Aug 2025
Bobby Thomas to Sheff U could speed that LB move along |
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Reply | Season Ticket ..
at 16:23 15 Aug 2025
Atmosphere is best in safe standing or R Block lower, but if (like me) you're maybe a bit old and tired for all that, other parts of R or Upper Loft at the P block end is where I'd choose.
That said it's all personal preference really! I've been F Block for years now and really like it, but I like the unrestricted view of the teams and set up from upper loft.
Also - welcome back! [Post edited 15 Aug 16:23]
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Reply | The ‘project’…please enlighten me?
at 16:10 15 Aug 2025
That's not being disputed!
At this point it feels like the nuance is being intentionally ignored by some so I'll excuse myself from future chat, but to be clear, I think almost everybody is happy with the direction of travel, but some have concerns about the means of transport - especially those familiar with the journey.
It's OK to have issues whilst also accepting things are positive overall. |
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Reply | Injuries......
at 15:55 15 Aug 2025
Depending on the results, I would Def rather we just rest him up until we're sure and aim for post Intl break. No point risking hamstring stuff at this point |
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Reply | Where Is The Money Coming From?
at 12:29 15 Aug 2025
Overall I agree, it could just be a factor considering the bulk of our spend has come in the last 2 years, and this summer means we theoretically have 3 years to recoup things. Similar to gambles that most clubs take in this league, but their out is promotion or bust.
It's just a theory anyway, even if it's part of our thinking it'll do on top of the increased TV deal, new sponsorships, some incoming fees, increased ST sales, rumoured FFP headroom increase, etc |
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Reply | The ‘project’…please enlighten me?
at 11:16 15 Aug 2025
"Mistakes are always going to happen"
Exactly! We know that better than anyone, we've seen them all before. If you're in your 20s and this is your first time doing this job - or let's be honest any actual job close to this magnitude - that might even mean lots of smaller mistakes that come with the territory. Again, THIS IS FINE. Just own them, take us with you. We all want the same thing, we want to be a part of it. We can help.
Don't create division where it doesn't need to be, especially when there's so much good happening and so much to feel quietly confident about. Currently it feels like everything good and bad comes with caveats and it doesn't need to be that way.
Edit; Also worth adding that this is a 2 way street. We know that any successful change will come with long term thinking, we know we have to be different to achieve something, we know the million things we've tried before haven't worked.... Maybe some feel Nourry is a bit of a dīck, but that might not mean he's not a good person for the job - especially with the way the game is now. I'm not going to blindly follow everything or not call out what I feel is bullshìt, but I am capable of focusing more on the good I see while we go through this situation, instead of putting all my energy into the negatives. [Post edited 15 Aug 11:31]
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Reply | Where Is The Money Coming From?
at 11:01 15 Aug 2025
Could also be that the risk is calculated considering we have Varane, Chair, Field, Dembele, Poku, Kone, Dunne, Mbengue, Morrison, etc all as sellable assets that we can probably move for money at any point within the next FFP window.
We know our intention is to sell often, even without the Eze money that's decent sell on potential. |
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Reply | Eze
at 10:57 15 Aug 2025
Release clause expires today. Let's see how that changes things... |
| | simmo
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