The Official FOF Silly Season Summer Transfer Thread 2017-18

[twang]

As we had a €3,3m bid rejected for him in January, this new quote from 23 year-old Groningen striker/winger Mimoun Mahi might refer to us:

"I'm assuming I've gone away. There has been contact with Trabzonspor and there are some clubs in England that are interested. They are top clubs in the Championship", so explained Mahi's statements.

The attacker has not forgotten that Groningen soon blocked a move to Fulham. "But now the club will contribute to a transfer with a good deal. It must be a club with a trainer who has confidence in me and looks like a player who can be decisive."

https://translate.google.se/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=sv&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.soccernews.nl%2Fnews%2F397939%2FFC_Groningen_krijgt_duidelijkheid%3A_Ga_ervan_uit_dat_ik_ga&edit-text=

[fulhamben]

As we had a €3,3m bid rejected for him in January, this new quote from 23 year-old Groningen striker/winger Mimoun Mahi might refer to us:

"I'm assuming I've gone away. There has been contact with Trabzonspor and there are some clubs in England that are interested. They are top clubs in the Championship", so explained Mahi's statements.

The attacker has not forgotten that Groningen soon blocked a move to Fulham. "But now the club will contribute to a transfer with a good deal. It must be a club with a trainer who has confidence in me and looks like a player who can be decisive."

https://translate.google.se/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=sv&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.soccernews.nl%2Fnews%2F397939%2FFC_Groningen_krijgt_duidelijkheid%3A_Ga_ervan_uit_dat_ik_ga&edit-text=

just for once I'd like the description to say, a striker who can also play as a striker, because he has spent his years training to be a specialised striker and not somone who could do a job as a striker if he was asked too ☺

[AlexW132]

It honestly is beyond me - our player recruitment .... or rather non-recruitment. With such a good manager in-situ I'd have thought that the rookies in charge would do all they can to satisfy him, particularly after January & what he achieved with a reduced squad. Pretty obvious, his feelings, which are echoed by many of us. Where are we now - 25th July & the new season imminent? Not SJ's fault we are ill-equipped for a promotion push from day one. Perplexing & frustrating.

think everyone needs to be more realistic. Top 12 will be a good year for us. We haven't pushed on so don't expect our position too.

It's July...

Surely it is squad depth that has to be the major concern rather than simply the 11 we will start with, which in all reality will be reasonably strong. At present, with 11 days until the league season begins, we have only 17 players in the first team.

This is a poor and disorganised way to prepare for a season and far from sustainable.

It's a core 17 though. We have only lost Malone and Kalas from our starting 11 and one of those could come back. I dont dispute that we need to add 3-4 players (CB. LB, 2x ST and perhaps another CM) but my point is that this constant panic is crazy. Newcastle lost their first two games last season and went up as champions.

You say 'oh we lost Malone and Kalas' as if it's nothing but without Kalas our defense is useless. Come on, we all know this. As it stands, with Madl apparently injured, we have from Ream, Sigurdsson and Djalo to pick from for the central pairing, all of whom I don't think are good enough, at least not for a team with ambition. We have Fredericks at RB, who also can barely defend and then one of Odoi, Edun or Sessegnon at LB. The defence needs a revamp quick or we are going to be conceding minimum 2 goals a match.

[fulhamben]

It honestly is beyond me - our player recruitment .... or rather non-recruitment. With such a good manager in-situ I'd have thought that the rookies in charge would do all they can to satisfy him, particularly after January & what he achieved with a reduced squad. Pretty obvious, his feelings, which are echoed by many of us. Where are we now - 25th July & the new season imminent? Not SJ's fault we are ill-equipped for a promotion push from day one. Perplexing & frustrating.

think everyone needs to be more realistic. Top 12 will be a good year for us. We haven't pushed on so don't expect our position too.

It's July...

Surely it is squad depth that has to be the major concern rather than simply the 11 we will start with, which in all reality will be reasonably strong. At present, with 11 days until the league season begins, we have only 17 players in the first team.

This is a poor and disorganised way to prepare for a season and far from sustainable.

It's a core 17 though. We have only lost Malone and Kalas from our starting 11 and one of those could come back. I dont dispute that we need to add 3-4 players (CB. LB, 2x ST and perhaps another CM) but my point is that this constant panic is crazy. Newcastle lost their first two games last season and went up as champions.

You say 'oh we lost Malone and Kalas' as if it's nothing but without Kalas our defense is useless. Come on, we all know this. As it stands, with Madl apparently injured, we have from Ream, Sigurdsson and Djalo to pick from for the central pairing, all of whom I don't think are good enough, at least not for a team with ambition. We have Fredericks at RB, who also can barely defend and then one of Odoi, Edun or Sessegnon at LB. The defence needs a revamp quick or we are going to be conceding minimum 2 goals a match.

as much as I hated him, the derby player was pretty much mainstream in our starting 11 too

[Roberty]

You say 'oh we lost Malone and Kalas' as if it's nothing but without Kalas our defense is useless. Come on, we all know this. As it stands, with Madl apparently injured, we have from Ream, Sigurdsson and Djalo to pick from for the central pairing, all of whom I don't think are good enough, at least not for a team with ambition. We have Fredericks at RB, who also can barely defend and then one of Odoi, Edun or Sessegnon at LB. The defence needs a revamp quick or we are going to be conceding minimum 2 goals a match.

More likely - with our style of play - we have to find a way to score three or more goals per match

[AlexW132]

You say 'oh we lost Malone and Kalas' as if it's nothing but without Kalas our defense is useless. Come on, we all know this. As it stands, with Madl apparently injured, we have from Ream, Sigurdsson and Djalo to pick from for the central pairing, all of whom I don't think are good enough, at least not for a team with ambition. We have Fredericks at RB, who also can barely defend and then one of Odoi, Edun or Sessegnon at LB. The defence needs a revamp quick or we are going to be conceding minimum 2 goals a match.

More likely - with our style of play - we have to find a way to score three or more goals per match

And we're somehow going to have to do that with Cairney and Kebano injured, and with no striker.

[Marcel_Gecov]

It honestly is beyond me - our player recruitment .... or rather non-recruitment. With such a good manager in-situ I'd have thought that the rookies in charge would do all they can to satisfy him, particularly after January & what he achieved with a reduced squad. Pretty obvious, his feelings, which are echoed by many of us. Where are we now - 25th July & the new season imminent? Not SJ's fault we are ill-equipped for a promotion push from day one. Perplexing & frustrating.

think everyone needs to be more realistic. Top 12 will be a good year for us. We haven't pushed on so don't expect our position too.

It's July...

Surely it is squad depth that has to be the major concern rather than simply the 11 we will start with, which in all reality will be reasonably strong. At present, with 11 days until the league season begins, we have only 17 players in the first team.

This is a poor and disorganised way to prepare for a season and far from sustainable.

It's a core 17 though. We have only lost Malone and Kalas from our starting 11 and one of those could come back. I dont dispute that we need to add 3-4 players (CB. LB, 2x ST and perhaps another CM) but my point is that this constant panic is crazy. Newcastle lost their first two games last season and went up as champions.

You say 'oh we lost Malone and Kalas' as if it's nothing but without Kalas our defense is useless. Come on, we all know this. As it stands, with Madl apparently injured, we have from Ream, Sigurdsson and Djalo to pick from for the central pairing, all of whom I don't think are good enough, at least not for a team with ambition. We have Fredericks at RB, who also can barely defend and then one of Odoi, Edun or Sessegnon at LB. The defence needs a revamp quick or we are going to be conceding minimum 2 goals a match.

as much as I hated him, the derby player was pretty much mainstream in our starting 11 too

Chris Martin only started 28 games so just 58% of starts and scored 10. Hardly mainstream... more like...erm... lamestream.

[fulhamben]

It honestly is beyond me - our player recruitment .... or rather non-recruitment. With such a good manager in-situ I'd have thought that the rookies in charge would do all they can to satisfy him, particularly after January & what he achieved with a reduced squad. Pretty obvious, his feelings, which are echoed by many of us. Where are we now - 25th July & the new season imminent? Not SJ's fault we are ill-equipped for a promotion push from day one. Perplexing & frustrating.

think everyone needs to be more realistic. Top 12 will be a good year for us. We haven't pushed on so don't expect our position too.

It's July...

Surely it is squad depth that has to be the major concern rather than simply the 11 we will start with, which in all reality will be reasonably strong. At present, with 11 days until the league season begins, we have only 17 players in the first team.

This is a poor and disorganised way to prepare for a season and far from sustainable.

It's a core 17 though. We have only lost Malone and Kalas from our starting 11 and one of those could come back. I dont dispute that we need to add 3-4 players (CB. LB, 2x ST and perhaps another CM) but my point is that this constant panic is crazy. Newcastle lost their first two games last season and went up as champions.

You say 'oh we lost Malone and Kalas' as if it's nothing but without Kalas our defense is useless. Come on, we all know this. As it stands, with Madl apparently injured, we have from Ream, Sigurdsson and Djalo to pick from for the central pairing, all of whom I don't think are good enough, at least not for a team with ambition. We have Fredericks at RB, who also can barely defend and then one of Odoi, Edun or Sessegnon at LB. The defence needs a revamp quick or we are going to be conceding minimum 2 goals a match.

as much as I hated him, the derby player was pretty much mainstream in our starting 11 too

Chris Martin only started 28 games so just 58% of starts and scored 10. Hardly mainstream... more like...erm... lamestream.

indeed, but still arguably a first teamer

[Roberty]

You say 'oh we lost Malone and Kalas' as if it's nothing but without Kalas our defense is useless. Come on, we all know this. As it stands, with Madl apparently injured, we have from Ream, Sigurdsson and Djalo to pick from for the central pairing, all of whom I don't think are good enough, at least not for a team with ambition. We have Fredericks at RB, who also can barely defend and then one of Odoi, Edun or Sessegnon at LB. The defence needs a revamp quick or we are going to be conceding minimum 2 goals a match.

More likely - with our style of play - we have to find a way to score three or more goals per match

And we're somehow going to have to do that with Cairney and Kebano injured, and with no striker.

That is why SK employed a top manager - for SJ that will be simples

[westcliff white]

It honestly is beyond me - our player recruitment .... or rather non-recruitment. With such a good manager in-situ I'd have thought that the rookies in charge would do all they can to satisfy him, particularly after January & what he achieved with a reduced squad. Pretty obvious, his feelings, which are echoed by many of us. Where are we now - 25th July & the new season imminent? Not SJ's fault we are ill-equipped for a promotion push from day one. Perplexing & frustrating.

think everyone needs to be more realistic. Top 12 will be a good year for us. We haven't pushed on so don't expect our position too.

It's July...

Surely it is squad depth that has to be the major concern rather than simply the 11 we will start with, which in all reality will be reasonably strong. At present, with 11 days until the league season begins, we have only 17 players in the first team.

This is a poor and disorganised way to prepare for a season and far from sustainable.

It's a core 17 though. We have only lost Malone and Kalas from our starting 11 and one of those could come back. I dont dispute that we need to add 3-4 players (CB. LB, 2x ST and perhaps another CM) but my point is that this constant panic is crazy. Newcastle lost their first two games last season and went up as champions.

You say 'oh we lost Malone and Kalas' as if it's nothing but without Kalas our defense is useless. Come on, we all know this. As it stands, with Madl apparently injured, we have from Ream, Sigurdsson and Djalo to pick from for the central pairing, all of whom I don't think are good enough, at least not for a team with ambition. We have Fredericks at RB, who also can barely defend and then one of Odoi, Edun or Sessegnon at LB. The defence needs a revamp quick or we are going to be conceding minimum 2 goals a match.

as much as I hated him, the derby player was pretty much mainstream in our starting 11 too

Chris Martin only started 28 games so just 58% of starts and scored 10. Hardly mainstream... more like...erm... lamestream.

He didnt endear himself to us thats for sure, and while he didnt set the world alight a goal under every 3 games isnt that bad. Was probably a better record than that before his antics as from February onwards he wasnt at his best shall i say.

[Roberty]

He didnt endear himself to us thats for sure, and while he didnt set the world alight a goal under every 3 games isnt that bad. Was probably a better record than that before his antics as from February onwards he wasnt at his best shall i say.

"Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?"

After all he is Derby's problem now

I'm beholden to Oddball - Kelly's Hero's for the quote

[@jolslover]

It honestly is beyond me - our player recruitment .... or rather non-recruitment. With such a good manager in-situ I'd have thought that the rookies in charge would do all they can to satisfy him, particularly after January & what he achieved with a reduced squad. Pretty obvious, his feelings, which are echoed by many of us. Where are we now - 25th July & the new season imminent? Not SJ's fault we are ill-equipped for a promotion push from day one. Perplexing & frustrating.

think everyone needs to be more realistic. Top 12 will be a good year for us. We haven't pushed on so don't expect our position too.

It's July...

Surely it is squad depth that has to be the major concern rather than simply the 11 we will start with, which in all reality will be reasonably strong. At present, with 11 days until the league season begins, we have only 17 players in the first team.

This is a poor and disorganised way to prepare for a season and far from sustainable.

It's a core 17 though. We have only lost Malone and Kalas from our starting 11 and one of those could come back. I dont dispute that we need to add 3-4 players (CB. LB, 2x ST and perhaps another CM) but my point is that this constant panic is crazy. Newcastle lost their first two games last season and went up as champions.

You say 'oh we lost Malone and Kalas' as if it's nothing but without Kalas our defense is useless. Come on, we all know this. As it stands, with Madl apparently injured, we have from Ream, Sigurdsson and Djalo to pick from for the central pairing, all of whom I don't think are good enough, at least not for a team with ambition. We have Fredericks at RB, who also can barely defend and then one of Odoi, Edun or Sessegnon at LB. The defence needs a revamp quick or we are going to be conceding minimum 2 goals a match.

How can you say Ream isn't good enough? Was definitely on par if not better than Kalas for the last quarter of the season.
How can you criticise Fredericks? Easily in the top 5 best Right backs in the leauge if not the best.

[westcliff white]

He didnt endear himself to us thats for sure, and while he didnt set the world alight a goal under every 3 games isnt that bad. Was probably a better record than that before his antics as from February onwards he wasnt at his best shall i say.

"Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?"

After all he is Derby's problem now

I'm beholden to Oddball - Kelly's Hero's for the quote

whilst that is one of my favourite films, i dont think I said anything negative about him

I am not moriaty with the negative waves man

[Marcel_Gecov]

It honestly is beyond me - our player recruitment .... or rather non-recruitment. With such a good manager in-situ I'd have thought that the rookies in charge would do all they can to satisfy him, particularly after January & what he achieved with a reduced squad. Pretty obvious, his feelings, which are echoed by many of us. Where are we now - 25th July & the new season imminent? Not SJ's fault we are ill-equipped for a promotion push from day one. Perplexing & frustrating.

think everyone needs to be more realistic. Top 12 will be a good year for us. We haven't pushed on so don't expect our position too.

It's July...

Surely it is squad depth that has to be the major concern rather than simply the 11 we will start with, which in all reality will be reasonably strong. At present, with 11 days until the league season begins, we have only 17 players in the first team.

This is a poor and disorganised way to prepare for a season and far from sustainable.

It's a core 17 though. We have only lost Malone and Kalas from our starting 11 and one of those could come back. I dont dispute that we need to add 3-4 players (CB. LB, 2x ST and perhaps another CM) but my point is that this constant panic is crazy. Newcastle lost their first two games last season and went up as champions.

You say 'oh we lost Malone and Kalas' as if it's nothing but without Kalas our defense is useless. Come on, we all know this. As it stands, with Madl apparently injured, we have from Ream, Sigurdsson and Djalo to pick from for the central pairing, all of whom I don't think are good enough, at least not for a team with ambition. We have Fredericks at RB, who also can barely defend and then one of Odoi, Edun or Sessegnon at LB. The defence needs a revamp quick or we are going to be conceding minimum 2 goals a match.

How can you say Ream isn't good enough? Was definitely on par if not better than Kalas for the last quarter of the season.
How can you criticise Fredericks? Easily in the top 5 best Right backs in the leauge if not the best.

Total agree. Moaning for moanings sake and creating problems that aren't there. 'Positivity sucks' says another thread - it by far usurps uninformed negativity. There's one starting space in defence up for grabs and Madl will cover it for the timebeing.

[westcliff white]

It honestly is beyond me - our player recruitment .... or rather non-recruitment. With such a good manager in-situ I'd have thought that the rookies in charge would do all they can to satisfy him, particularly after January & what he achieved with a reduced squad. Pretty obvious, his feelings, which are echoed by many of us. Where are we now - 25th July & the new season imminent? Not SJ's fault we are ill-equipped for a promotion push from day one. Perplexing & frustrating.

think everyone needs to be more realistic. Top 12 will be a good year for us. We haven't pushed on so don't expect our position too.

It's July...

Surely it is squad depth that has to be the major concern rather than simply the 11 we will start with, which in all reality will be reasonably strong. At present, with 11 days until the league season begins, we have only 17 players in the first team.

This is a poor and disorganised way to prepare for a season and far from sustainable.

It's a core 17 though. We have only lost Malone and Kalas from our starting 11 and one of those could come back. I dont dispute that we need to add 3-4 players (CB. LB, 2x ST and perhaps another CM) but my point is that this constant panic is crazy. Newcastle lost their first two games last season and went up as champions.

You say 'oh we lost Malone and Kalas' as if it's nothing but without Kalas our defense is useless. Come on, we all know this. As it stands, with Madl apparently injured, we have from Ream, Sigurdsson and Djalo to pick from for the central pairing, all of whom I don't think are good enough, at least not for a team with ambition. We have Fredericks at RB, who also can barely defend and then one of Odoi, Edun or Sessegnon at LB. The defence needs a revamp quick or we are going to be conceding minimum 2 goals a match.

How can you say Ream isn't good enough? Was definitely on par if not better than Kalas for the last quarter of the season.
How can you criticise Fredericks? Easily in the top 5 best Right backs in the leauge if not the best.

Total agree. Moaning for moanings sake and creating problems that aren't there. 'Positivity sucks' says another thread - it by far usurps uninformed negativity. There's one starting space in defence up for grabs and Madl will cover it for the timebeing.

Ouch a tough one this, ream 2 seasons ago was getting slaughtered for his performances, and some of them were justified, last season he was far better thats for sure, but how much of that was down to playing with Kalas? or how much was down to his improvement? or how much was down tot the style we played?

I htink it was a bit of them all, but tak eone away and maybe he wont be as good.

For me I thought he was our most imprioved player last season and it was good too see.

[AlexW132]

It honestly is beyond me - our player recruitment .... or rather non-recruitment. With such a good manager in-situ I'd have thought that the rookies in charge would do all they can to satisfy him, particularly after January & what he achieved with a reduced squad. Pretty obvious, his feelings, which are echoed by many of us. Where are we now - 25th July & the new season imminent? Not SJ's fault we are ill-equipped for a promotion push from day one. Perplexing & frustrating.

think everyone needs to be more realistic. Top 12 will be a good year for us. We haven't pushed on so don't expect our position too.

It's July...

Surely it is squad depth that has to be the major concern rather than simply the 11 we will start with, which in all reality will be reasonably strong. At present, with 11 days until the league season begins, we have only 17 players in the first team.

This is a poor and disorganised way to prepare for a season and far from sustainable.

It's a core 17 though. We have only lost Malone and Kalas from our starting 11 and one of those could come back. I dont dispute that we need to add 3-4 players (CB. LB, 2x ST and perhaps another CM) but my point is that this constant panic is crazy. Newcastle lost their first two games last season and went up as champions.

You say 'oh we lost Malone and Kalas' as if it's nothing but without Kalas our defense is useless. Come on, we all know this. As it stands, with Madl apparently injured, we have from Ream, Sigurdsson and Djalo to pick from for the central pairing, all of whom I don't think are good enough, at least not for a team with ambition. We have Fredericks at RB, who also can barely defend and then one of Odoi, Edun or Sessegnon at LB. The defence needs a revamp quick or we are going to be conceding minimum 2 goals a match.

How can you say Ream isn't good enough? Was definitely on par if not better than Kalas for the last quarter of the season.
How can you criticise Fredericks? Easily in the top 5 best Right backs in the leauge if not the best.

Ream was average most of the year. Sure, he was okay when Kalas was playing and granted towards the end of the season he was good but we still conceded a lot during that period and we were relying on our attack to offset the deficit. Fredericks is a good attacker but not a great defender.

[@jolslover]

It honestly is beyond me - our player recruitment .... or rather non-recruitment. With such a good manager in-situ I'd have thought that the rookies in charge would do all they can to satisfy him, particularly after January & what he achieved with a reduced squad. Pretty obvious, his feelings, which are echoed by many of us. Where are we now - 25th July & the new season imminent? Not SJ's fault we are ill-equipped for a promotion push from day one. Perplexing & frustrating.

think everyone needs to be more realistic. Top 12 will be a good year for us. We haven't pushed on so don't expect our position too.

It's July...

Surely it is squad depth that has to be the major concern rather than simply the 11 we will start with, which in all reality will be reasonably strong. At present, with 11 days until the league season begins, we have only 17 players in the first team.

This is a poor and disorganised way to prepare for a season and far from sustainable.

It's a core 17 though. We have only lost Malone and Kalas from our starting 11 and one of those could come back. I dont dispute that we need to add 3-4 players (CB. LB, 2x ST and perhaps another CM) but my point is that this constant panic is crazy. Newcastle lost their first two games last season and went up as champions.

You say 'oh we lost Malone and Kalas' as if it's nothing but without Kalas our defense is useless. Come on, we all know this. As it stands, with Madl apparently injured, we have from Ream, Sigurdsson and Djalo to pick from for the central pairing, all of whom I don't think are good enough, at least not for a team with ambition. We have Fredericks at RB, who also can barely defend and then one of Odoi, Edun or Sessegnon at LB. The defence needs a revamp quick or we are going to be conceding minimum 2 goals a match.

How can you say Ream isn't good enough? Was definitely on par if not better than Kalas for the last quarter of the season.
How can you criticise Fredericks? Easily in the top 5 best Right backs in the leauge if not the best.

Ream was average most of the year. Sure, he was okay when Kalas was playing and granted towards the end of the season he was good but we still conceded a lot during that period and we were relying on our attack to offset the deficit. Fredericks is a good attacker but not a great defender.

How many fullbacks in this division are good going forward and defending? Fredericks is a very good fullback for this division and a decent enough defender. If you are complaining about him and ream then you are just looking for something to complain about.

[AlexW132]

It honestly is beyond me - our player recruitment .... or rather non-recruitment. With such a good manager in-situ I'd have thought that the rookies in charge would do all they can to satisfy him, particularly after January & what he achieved with a reduced squad. Pretty obvious, his feelings, which are echoed by many of us. Where are we now - 25th July & the new season imminent? Not SJ's fault we are ill-equipped for a promotion push from day one. Perplexing & frustrating.

think everyone needs to be more realistic. Top 12 will be a good year for us. We haven't pushed on so don't expect our position too.

It's July...

Surely it is squad depth that has to be the major concern rather than simply the 11 we will start with, which in all reality will be reasonably strong. At present, with 11 days until the league season begins, we have only 17 players in the first team.

This is a poor and disorganised way to prepare for a season and far from sustainable.

It's a core 17 though. We have only lost Malone and Kalas from our starting 11 and one of those could come back. I dont dispute that we need to add 3-4 players (CB. LB, 2x ST and perhaps another CM) but my point is that this constant panic is crazy. Newcastle lost their first two games last season and went up as champions.

You say 'oh we lost Malone and Kalas' as if it's nothing but without Kalas our defense is useless. Come on, we all know this. As it stands, with Madl apparently injured, we have from Ream, Sigurdsson and Djalo to pick from for the central pairing, all of whom I don't think are good enough, at least not for a team with ambition. We have Fredericks at RB, who also can barely defend and then one of Odoi, Edun or Sessegnon at LB. The defence needs a revamp quick or we are going to be conceding minimum 2 goals a match.

How can you say Ream isn't good enough? Was definitely on par if not better than Kalas for the last quarter of the season.
How can you criticise Fredericks? Easily in the top 5 best Right backs in the leauge if not the best.

Ream was average most of the year. Sure, he was okay when Kalas was playing and granted towards the end of the season he was good but we still conceded a lot during that period and we were relying on our attack to offset the deficit. Fredericks is a good attacker but not a great defender.

How many fullbacks in this division are good going forward and defending? Fredericks is a very good fullback for this division and a decent enough defender. If you are complaining about him and ream then you are just looking for something to complain about.

No I'm not. I'm happy with Fredericks in the defense but I'm sorry Ream just isn't good enough. If we are to allow Fred to go forward then we need a good RCB covering, same at LCB to cover Sess.

[Marcel_Gecov]

It honestly is beyond me - our player recruitment .... or rather non-recruitment. With such a good manager in-situ I'd have thought that the rookies in charge would do all they can to satisfy him, particularly after January & what he achieved with a reduced squad. Pretty obvious, his feelings, which are echoed by many of us. Where are we now - 25th July & the new season imminent? Not SJ's fault we are ill-equipped for a promotion push from day one. Perplexing & frustrating.

think everyone needs to be more realistic. Top 12 will be a good year for us. We haven't pushed on so don't expect our position too.

It's July...

Surely it is squad depth that has to be the major concern rather than simply the 11 we will start with, which in all reality will be reasonably strong. At present, with 11 days until the league season begins, we have only 17 players in the first team.

This is a poor and disorganised way to prepare for a season and far from sustainable.

It's a core 17 though. We have only lost Malone and Kalas from our starting 11 and one of those could come back. I dont dispute that we need to add 3-4 players (CB. LB, 2x ST and perhaps another CM) but my point is that this constant panic is crazy. Newcastle lost their first two games last season and went up as champions.

You say 'oh we lost Malone and Kalas' as if it's nothing but without Kalas our defense is useless. Come on, we all know this. As it stands, with Madl apparently injured, we have from Ream, Sigurdsson and Djalo to pick from for the central pairing, all of whom I don't think are good enough, at least not for a team with ambition. We have Fredericks at RB, who also can barely defend and then one of Odoi, Edun or Sessegnon at LB. The defence needs a revamp quick or we are going to be conceding minimum 2 goals a match.

How can you say Ream isn't good enough? Was definitely on par if not better than Kalas for the last quarter of the season.
How can you criticise Fredericks? Easily in the top 5 best Right backs in the leauge if not the best.

Ream was average most of the year. Sure, he was okay when Kalas was playing and granted towards the end of the season he was good but we still conceded a lot during that period and we were relying on our attack to offset the deficit. Fredericks is a good attacker but not a great defender.

How many fullbacks in this division are good going forward and defending? Fredericks is a very good fullback for this division and a decent enough defender. If you are complaining about him and ream then you are just looking for something to complain about.

No I'm not. I'm happy with Fredericks in the defense but I'm sorry Ream just isn't good enough. If we are to allow Fred to go forward then we need a good RCB covering, same at LCB to cover Sess.

Ream was a standout as the season drew to a close as you've suggested. Who would you realistically get in to replace him? (who isn't Kalas). Easy to say Ream isn't good enough but where's the replacement?

[AlexW132]

It honestly is beyond me - our player recruitment .... or rather non-recruitment. With such a good manager in-situ I'd have thought that the rookies in charge would do all they can to satisfy him, particularly after January & what he achieved with a reduced squad. Pretty obvious, his feelings, which are echoed by many of us. Where are we now - 25th July & the new season imminent? Not SJ's fault we are ill-equipped for a promotion push from day one. Perplexing & frustrating.

think everyone needs to be more realistic. Top 12 will be a good year for us. We haven't pushed on so don't expect our position too.

It's July...

Surely it is squad depth that has to be the major concern rather than simply the 11 we will start with, which in all reality will be reasonably strong. At present, with 11 days until the league season begins, we have only 17 players in the first team.

This is a poor and disorganised way to prepare for a season and far from sustainable.

It's a core 17 though. We have only lost Malone and Kalas from our starting 11 and one of those could come back. I dont dispute that we need to add 3-4 players (CB. LB, 2x ST and perhaps another CM) but my point is that this constant panic is crazy. Newcastle lost their first two games last season and went up as champions.

You say 'oh we lost Malone and Kalas' as if it's nothing but without Kalas our defense is useless. Come on, we all know this. As it stands, with Madl apparently injured, we have from Ream, Sigurdsson and Djalo to pick from for the central pairing, all of whom I don't think are good enough, at least not for a team with ambition. We have Fredericks at RB, who also can barely defend and then one of Odoi, Edun or Sessegnon at LB. The defence needs a revamp quick or we are going to be conceding minimum 2 goals a match.

How can you say Ream isn't good enough? Was definitely on par if not better than Kalas for the last quarter of the season.
How can you criticise Fredericks? Easily in the top 5 best Right backs in the leauge if not the best.

Ream was average most of the year. Sure, he was okay when Kalas was playing and granted towards the end of the season he was good but we still conceded a lot during that period and we were relying on our attack to offset the deficit. Fredericks is a good attacker but not a great defender.

How many fullbacks in this division are good going forward and defending? Fredericks is a very good fullback for this division and a decent enough defender. If you are complaining about him and ream then you are just looking for something to complain about.

No I'm not. I'm happy with Fredericks in the defense but I'm sorry Ream just isn't good enough. If we are to allow Fred to go forward then we need a good RCB covering, same at LCB to cover Sess.

Ream was a standout as the season drew to a close as you've suggested. Who would you realistically get in to replace him? (who isn't Kalas). Easy to say Ream isn't good enough but where's the replacement?

I haven't got a clue, and that's why I'm not the one paid to find out.