What is needed this Summer

[hopper]

Ha...speaking of getting players "on the cheap"...Would there be any interest in a player like Hojlund?  Can probably be had for 25m-30m.  Still very young (22).  Maybe all he needs is change of scenery and a different coach.  Just a thought.....

No doubt that Man Utd have some decent players who are underperforming, and I was I calling for us to sign Antony before his Betis move, but Hojlund genuinely looks out of his depth in this league and I really don't think is up to the required standard tbh...

I wonder if Hojlund could be a player that comes back to life with a bit of confidence at the right club? Right now he's terribly ineffective though agreed and looks out of his depth, but confidence is a funny thing as we've seen with the transformations of Raul and Muniz.

[Craven Mad]

Ha...speaking of getting players "on the cheap"...Would there be any interest in a player like Hojlund?  Can probably be had for 25m-30m.  Still very young (22).  Maybe all he needs is change of scenery and a different coach.  Just a thought.....

No doubt that Man Utd have some decent players who are underperforming, and I was I calling for us to sign Antony before his Betis move, but Hojlund genuinely looks out of his depth in this league and I really don't think is up to the required standard tbh...

I wonder if Hojlund could be a player that comes back to life with a bit of confidence at the right club? Right now he's terribly ineffective though agreed and looks out of his depth, but confidence is a funny thing as we've seen with the transformations of Raul and Muniz.

Maybe... he has youth on his side but I'm not convinced he's good enough.

Antony was total class at Ajax, was working hard at Utd but in a system that didn't suit him, and is now class at Betis.

Hojlund was v average at Atalanta, looks lost at Utd, and I don't see that he has any of the raw materials needed to succeed at this level.

I've been wrong about other players that Marco's transformed though, so what do I know!

[St Eve]

Hojlund would be a great move. There is a good player in there. Just need Marco to perform his magic.

[JimmyConway]

Hojlund would be a great move. There is a good player in there. Just need Marco to perform his magic.

I agree with you 100%. The issues ongoing at Man Utd can't help a young striker like him. Not just the expectations put on him but a club where supporters are struggling to come to terms with their team no longer being a dominant force for now. Difficult to turn down a move to them even at an early age was probably told he was the future for years to come.
Would certainly be an astute signing at the right price if he was made available?

[Mickeyboro]

ESR is surprisingly absent from these interesting analyses.

If we can get him fit and firing - which we must - he would be like a new signing. And a marquee one at that.

[Woolly Mammoth]

He has about 3 or so months to get his act together and his backside into gear.
With the support of his conditioning team, and lashings of desire from the player himself.

[JimmyConway]

He has about 3 or so months to get his act together and his backside into gear.
With the support of his conditioning team, and lashings of desire from the player himself.

Totally agree with you and the post above yours. Said a month or so ago he needs to shed a bit of timber and pre season is crucial if he is going to fulfil potential which he has a lot of. I hope I'm wrong but he strikes me as not necessarily a roll up your sleeves type? Wants it to happen for him and trust his ability? That will only get you so far especially at this level. Been plenty of skilful players like him who have thrown their careers away knowing better? I really hope we see the best of him next season and not being in first team matchday squad should be ringing alarm bells. Fair play to Marco hopefully giving him some tough love. Saying that It would not surprise me if he starts at Southampton Saturday.

[Mickeyboro]

It's easier for fans to warm to Iwobi, all arms legs and effort. But ESR's ceiling is far, far higher. Arsenal fans didn't want him to leave, which says a lot to me.

You don't lose those skills, we need to see him express them in a formation built to let him do that. I believe he was injured so couldn't feature v Ch*lsea, but being in and out hasn't helped.

[Bassey the warrior]

It's easier for fans to warm to Iwobi, all arms legs and effort. But ESR's ceiling is far, far higher. Arsenal fans didn't want him to leave, which says a lot to me.

You don't lose those skills, we need to see him express them in a formation built to let him do that. I believe he was injured so couldn't feature v Ch*lsea, but being in and out hasn't helped.

One tactical change we could make is letting Berge and Lukic play more through balls instead of always recycling possession, they're both capable of it. ESR makes good runs, but all too often they're ignored due to us prioritising retaining the ball instead.


Keeping Tete would help too, as he's good at crossing to the back post, which suits ESR's inside-left position.

Oddly enough, if Robinson leaves, it could benefit ESR by giving him more of the ball if we stop focusing our attacks down the left quite so frequently. I'm not advocating that though.

[Bassey the warrior]

It's easier for fans to warm to Iwobi, all arms legs and effort. But ESR's ceiling is far, far higher. Arsenal fans didn't want him to leave, which says a lot to me.

You don't lose those skills, we need to see him express them in a formation built to let him do that. I believe he was injured so couldn't feature v Ch*lsea, but being in and out hasn't helped.

One tactical change we could make is letting Berge and Lukic play more through balls instead of always recycling possession, they're both capable of it. ESR makes good runs, but all too often they're ignored due to us prioritising retaining the ball instead.


Keeping Tete would help too, as he's good at crossing to the back post, which suits ESR's inside-left position.

Oddly enough, if Robinson leaves, it could benefit ESR by giving him more of the ball if we stop focusing our attacks down the left quite so frequently. I'm not advocating that though.

To add to this, ESR also needs a bit more freedom to play risky passes as he's almost always making the safe pass. Maybe that's psychological.