Kalu was obviously a crap deal, sure. Kayembe hasn't really worked out so far but there could still be a player in there. The fact that we've signed those two players though doesn't mean that we don't also sign free transfers. It's also far from clear that Wilson is a player "we actually need" - maybe Edwards and the club don't think he's any better than Femenia, Ngakia and Ebosele?!
Edwards: "Gino, there's a great young player at Forest Green who I managed last season and who I really think we should look to bring it. As you know it's an area we need to improve in and he'll slot in to my system perfectly. He's also a player who I think will only get better and could potentially have great resale value. Oh, and get this, he's available for free! Gino: "Yeah, that's-ah great-ah, but is he one of my-ah mate-ah Mogi's?" Edwards: "Um, no, I don't believe so." Gino: "*throws pizza down in disgust, landing on Mogi's head, who for some reason is under the desk* GET-AH THE F**K OUT!"
Also, if we’re going off of Edwards interview(s), then not signing Wilson was his decision. So is it really that much of a loss? The man who made him doesn’t want him. That tells me that he doesn’t believe Wilson is good enough for our level yet.
Kiko is off and I’d be very worried if the other two players were our first choice wing backs personally
“I’ll be involved in the processes, whether that’s recruitment or people that that may move on,” he says. “That’s so important because if I’m in this position, where I’m actually responsible for the results and performance, then I need to be. There’s a team of people that I’ll be working with and Cristiano (Giaretta, sporting director) is obviously one of them in terms of the recruitment. We’re building up a good relationship.” Sounds pretty clear to me that if he wanted Wilson, we would have made a move.
Maybe Kiko will be off, though it hasn't happened yet. I agree that Ngakia isn't great though. Ebosele seems promising however. Again, with Wilson though if he really is good enough to replace any of those and help us challenge for promotion, then why has he only ended up at a middling club in Bristol City?! It hardly screams top talent now does it? Btw, as a reminder - we signed both Ngakia and Ebosele on free transfers - but that can't be right, because supposedly we'd never even consider signing an English right-back on a free transfer when we'd rather just sign Kalu instead!
Yes that could be the case. The fact that he's only ended up at Bristol City would appear to corroborate that idea.
I don't believe for one second that Edwards has input into transfer dealings. Any promises made to him are about as genuine as promises made during a general election. Does he truly believe that he's going to be "building" something here?
Most obvious signing ever and we passed. Proof that nothing will be changing this season. Edwards will be given whatever players it suits the Pozzos to have moved around. Needs of the team are secondary as usual.
Even if that's the case, if ourselves, West Brom, Sheffield Utd, Nottingham Forest (also scouted him) etc. came in and offered him double the wage then he'd forget that in an instant.
He’ll be on a good 20k at Bristol City. They hand out lovely contracts. It’s why Kal Naismith went there
It seems likely Femenia is off, leaving only Ngakia. And while I think he’s a good enough defender at Championship level, he does not look like a wing-back who can thrive in Edwards’ system.
Lol, even though I posted in the predictions thread that it's way too early to be making any about where we'll be next season, I'm confident we'll be above them next season.
Fair enough. I personally don’t. Think Edwards made it clear he will be involved in the incomings and outgoings. Making the point that he’s responsible for the results leads me to believe that he won’t get a list, but will actually be able to bring names to the table of who he wants. Ebosele/Soppy have played at a higher level than Wilson currently. Not saying Wilson won’t flourish in the championship, but currently it’s all based off what he did in league 2. Maybe Edwards knows him well enough to say he’s not what we need for a promotion push? I know they didn’t play anywhere near the amount of games Wilson played, is there a way to compare Wilson, Ebosele and Soppy as RWB? There may not be enough data for a good comparison is my only thought though.
Really? He’s originally from the Midlands but you can see why if he likes living the West Country it’s a logical move.
It’s not like we have previous with this though. Danny Rose and Ozan Tufan not fit, Joshua King was never a lone #9 and we signed him as the main striker, didn’t sign a centre back until November who wasn’t fit, ignored the GK department and then signed Okoye in September for £5m when he could have signed for £2m in August. Signed Sissoko for a laugh, Kucka god bless his soul is 98, Kalu isn’t real, Kayembe is well, Kayembe. But apart from that, we’re usually good with recruitment and us not signing players is an admission of them not being good enough for us, because our strategy is always on the money
The fact that a lot of the players we sign are crap literally does not mean that all the players we don't sign must be world beaters.
Problem with Ebosele is he’s not a wingback, he’s a winger, and he only started 18 games for Derby. Rooney also questioned his commitment. Wilson is a fair bit better than him currently.. just because he can kick a ball properly
That’s not my point — my point is just because they’ve gone to Bristol City, doesn’t mean that player isn’t good enough for us. A lot of football clubs are stupid, we’re one of the stupid ones
That can't have been your point in that post considering you did not mention Bristol City or Wilson in it once. You were emphasising that we only make crap signings. Anyway, going on what you now claim in your point, I still think that because he's gone to Bristol City it's not the best omen for him - even if we are crap with making obvious signings there would have still surely been other clubs of similar means to ourselves with more sense who would have snapped him up instead if he is good enough.
RWB seems his ideal position from what I've seen of him. Quite a few of his starts and seemingly better performances have even come at RB (as well as right midfield). Derby just hardly ever actually play with wing backs. I wonder how much of that was to do with his refusal to sign a new contract? Who knows? Derby fans seem to rate him very highly from what I've seen. He's still pretty young as well.
What does that mean? The comment just reads like a cop-out. The vast majority of the time a player will join whichever is the highest profile club offering the most money. How is that not how it works?
Lol, did you even watch the interview video? It actually supports my viewpoint on Ebosele! It's just his opinion anyway, but he literally says "he can play right wing back"; and also "a wing back isn't necessarily a defensive position" (and Edwards' wing-backs are pretty attacking as well).
The Athletic understands that the club are relaxed about the prospect of Wilson joining Bristol City The club are keen for Edwards to first run the rule over Craig Cathcart as a RWB option. Failing this, a deal for free agent and former England international Glen Johnson is thought to be an option The Athletic have been given exclusive access to the list in question: https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/creative-amp-management-group/beraterfirma/berater/4899
Edwards wingbacks rely on ball carrying (which Ebosele has) and really good crossing and technical ability (which Ebosele doesn’t have) — role and position are two separate things. He *can* play there but he’s not comfortable there at all
