Le Marchand, where does he fit in ?

[Riversider]

At the moment it's looking like he is the modern day equivalent of Ricky Villa, as people of a certain age will know, Ricky was bought by Spurs so that he could baby sit Ossie Ardilles,  looks very much to me that Le Marchand has been brought in to do a similar job for Seri, at £12 million pounds he must be the most expensive baby sitter on Planet Earth !
When I went to watch us play Reading , I observed that I was puzzled by him as I couldn't tell whether he had been brought in to play at left back or centre back, it seems that the same confusion exists within our club, because despite signing him we have continued to look at centre backs and left backs, so the only conclusion can be is that he will act as cover for both full back and centre back,
But doesn't Odoi currently fill that role ? What would be the point of having both Odoi and Le Marchand on the bench at any one time ?
He's certainly not a bad player, and Ricky Villa turned out to be a decent player for Spurs, but we've paid £12 million for Le Marchand and then spent all summer arguing over £1 or £2 million over the value of Matt Targett , a player that would play every game for us !
I'm sure it will all work out ok, but Le Marchand is the most puzzling signing of the summer for me.

If you disagree with my thoughts, then fair enough, but answer me this, will he start on Saturday against Palace,  yes or no ?

[Bassey the warrior]

Give him time to adjust. He may still flop but time will tell.

[Woolly Mammoth]

Not sure myself whether he will start, but I agree with your point about Targett.
At the moment, assuming that Chambers signing goes through without a hitch, and Sess is played further upfield where he belongs, and in the absence of Mawson and Odio.
That leaves Ream who should be nailed on to start, then we have from Christie. La Marchand, hopefully Chambers. S Sess and Fossey as back ups in the Squad I assume.
So left back is a massive priority. It would not surprise me to see the club sign another defender and a Defensive Midfield player.

[Statto]

We needed cover at both LCB and LB so signing anyone reasonably decent who can play those positions seems sensible to me.

Highly doubt he cost £12m. More like £3m-4m. Of course it's all speculation. But no bloody way it was £12m. 

[Snibbo]

We needed cover at both LCB and LB so signing anyone reasonably decent who can play those positions seems sensible to me.

Highly doubt he cost £12m. More like £3m-4m. Of course it's all speculation. But no bloody way it was £12m.

Agreed.  From what I read it was never 12m

[KingofCheese]

If you disagree with my thoughts, then fair enough, but answer me this, will he start on Saturday against Palace,  yes or no ?

i refuse to answer.

[lomotd]

This is very harsh on Le Marchand. Firstly he cost £3.6million not £12 million, which is good in this market. Secondly, he provides good cover in two positions where we need it. Thirdly, I've been impressed with what I've seen so far and think there's a chance he could replace Ream at some point this season. Finally, as a bonus, if he and Seri have a good connection and helps him settle, that can only be a good thing.

He could well start at LB on Saturday if we get in Chambers and not another LB shortly.

[Riversider]

We needed cover at both LCB and LB so signing anyone reasonably decent who can play those positions seems sensible to me.

Highly doubt he cost £12m. More like £3m-4m. Of course it's all speculation. But no bloody way it was £12m. 

Sky are displaying it at £12 million on Sky Sports News, would they be able to do that if it was £3 million ?
Maybe you know more than they do.

[MJG]

We needed cover at both LCB and LB so signing anyone reasonably decent who can play those positions seems sensible to me.

Highly doubt he cost £12m. More like £3m-4m. Of course it's all speculation. But no bloody way it was £12m. 

Sky are displaying it at £12 million on Sky Sports News, would they be able to do that if it was £3 million ?
Maybe you know more than they do.

He's the makewieight in the deal, more like 3M mark and nowhere near 12M or even half that.

[bencher]

He's tidy on the ball but to me he's going to be our back-up LCB, at least initially. Celta Vigo's first goal was certainly his fault. He took a step back instead of attacking the ball. Obviously it takes time to adapt to a new country, language and team, and he may prove to be on par with or better than Ream in time, but if we sign someone for the RCB role before the weekend, he will not be a starter.

[toshes mate]

We needed cover at both LCB and LB so signing anyone reasonably decent who can play those positions seems sensible to me.

Highly doubt he cost £12m. More like £3m-4m. Of course it's all speculation. But no bloody way it was £12m. 

Sky are displaying it at £12 million on Sky Sports News, would they be able to do that if it was £3 million ?
Maybe you know more than they do.

There are long and quite tedious media articles about transfer fees and the fact they do not have to name their sources.  The underlying message is that while they do their best to get a figure (usually figures from a few sources) they are guessing which one is closest to the actual amount and they seldom, if ever, get to know if they are right or wrong just as we do. 

On the subject of who starts on Saturday I think we are much in the same boat as guessing fees.  I am hoping at least a couple of signings slot straight in.

[Skatzoffc]

A few strange figures around regards fee. I thought it was £25m ish for Seri anf £5m ish for LeM.
Not sure I trust Sky figures as they also quote Mitro at £27m and i think that may include some creative accounting from Newcastle.

We may never know tbh.

My two-penneth is that LeM is cover mainly for the Ream position, but at a push can play LB as well.
Another player who can cover a couple of positions.
So, ok with me.

[ffc73]

As said above.  LeM = competition for Ream and cover for LB. 

Now for a specialist LB as a starter please.  Not currently comfortable with Ream, Le Marchand and Sess covering those 2 positions.

Right side of defence now appears sorted with Christie, Chambers, Mawson and Odoi. 

[General]

I expect MLM to take over from Ream.

[alfie]

I expect MLM to take over from Ream.

If Chambers def in for Sat then I would expect
Christie. Chambers  Ream. MLM

[Vinnieffc]

I expect MLM to take over from Ream.

If Chambers def in for Sat then I would expect
Christie. Chambers  Ream. MLM

I agree with this ^^^^^^^^^

[@jolslover]

For 3m i think Marchand is good value. Also I think Targett is probably overrated by our fans. I think he would only start for 1 team in this leauge besides us - Cardiff. Who have one of the worst squads in recent prem history.

[bencher]

For 3m i think Marchand is good value. Also I think Targett is probably overrated by our fans. I think he would only start for 1 team in this leauge besides us - Cardiff. Who have one of the worst squads in recent prem history.

I'd have to agree on Targett. He's a good player and improved us a lot in the Championship but I'm not sure we couldn't do better now,

[DevonFFC]

If chambers comes in then it will be him and Mawson cb pairing.

New LB - Mawson - chambers - Christie

Back up -

Le Merchand - Ream - Odoi - S Sessegnon

[Porthogs FC]

If chambers comes in then it will be him and Mawson cb pairing.

New LB - Mawson - chambers - Christie

Back up -

Le Merchand - Ream - Odoi - S Sessegnon

^^^^ this