The Premier League - 2021-2022

Ings on the wings? Jings!

 

I think it's more likely Watkins will be left-forward with Ings through the middle.

 

No doubt but still worrying.

 

Nothing like get embarrassed live on TV.

 

True. Just hope Deeknee is up for the VVD battle.

 

Hardest centre back he's ever played against apparently. And just in case we forget by October, it'll probably be prominent in his memoirs and he'll remind the nation's media in the build up.

 

Interesting to note that after the Villa chairman confirmed City had met Grealish’s release clause, The Athletic this morning are claiming City are paying that fee in instalments over three years.

There was plenty of discussion on the topic of how release clauses must be paid when Olise signed for Palace.

 

I imagine it's the selling club's prerogative to choose?

 

Well that would just make it a regular bid like any other. The Chairman said City has triggered the release clause, but perhaps that was just to avoid the wrath of fans who didn’t want Grealish sold?

 

I would imagine from an FFP point of view, even City would struggle to launder £100m up front through the books.

 

Imagine the chairman is telling fibs to the fans on this one. He would have had option of rejecting if not up front I think.

 

Doesn’t matter for FFP whether you pay in instalments. You either pay the money out the door or you have a creditor for the same amount.

 

That did occur to me afterwards when I remembered that the transfer value is reduced over the value of the contract, I thought maybe actual cash outgoings might play a part in the accounting process as well.

 

Maybe they do actually, but I wouldn't think so or you can wiggle round FFP with instalment arrangements.

 

I’m actually quietly (very quietly because everyone seems to think we’re already down..) confident of us picking up a few points in the first couple of games and onwards. We have (imo) a much much stronger squad than we did a couple years ago in the PL and we were literally one win away from staying up.. so surely we should get behind the boys before slagging them off before a ball’s even been kicked! Let’s see how the new boys do - I really think they look up for proving themselves - been very impressed with Etebo in particular, who is exactly the type of player which I think we would have benefitted massively from last time out in the PL. If we can get 2 other CMs really playing and form a good relationship then our midfield could be strong.

In terms of defence, I do think we are lacking a quality PL proven CB to partner FS but maybe WTE will prove us wrong and we still have time to get one in if it looks like we need it desperately. I think the defence as a whole is under par but I really do believe that if we get a consistent midfield 3 who can be physical and dynamic (Kucka & Louza deffo look like they can do a job alongside Etebo) and a front 3 who are direct and dangerous (Sarr has the potential to change games, Cucho looks v exciting & we have King, Dennis, Pedro all as BACK UPS to Deeney **I’m not saying I’d start him but he’s the most likely starter atm** then we can be a problem for a lot of teams this season and we have a much more solid squad (and more strength in depth by far) than last time we were here.

Throw on top of that a positive manager who we have seen has instilled a good team spirit throughout the squad + has had a whole season with the core of the squad (something which is very rare for us) and I think we should all be a bit less negative, really get behind the boys and not turn to doom and gloom as a default. (yes I do believe he is not as tactically adept as he needs to be but he can 100% learn by experience)

 

To comment on your last point, Xisco has the easiest job in the PL.we could lose a majority of our games up to Xmas and he’s still safe. These owners are beginning to realise we are a championship club with championship finances. Being in the PL is just a bonus and they already know we are probably going down so that’s why the lack of investment. No one in their right mind who has on ounce of talent is going to want to sign for us with this relegation clause.

 

That would go against the grain of what has happened previously.

 

Disappointed we're not playing Everton early, Calvert-Lewin injured and Richarlison not back for a while yet. They seem a right mess at the moment.

 

9 players can be named on the bench, 3 normal subs + 2 concussion subs allowed.

 

What's the bet that there are a lot more "concussion" injuries this year?

 

Lukaku set to complete his return to Chelsea.

With Werner and Havertz a bit wiser to the league and Tuchel with a frankly ridiculous record, I can see them being the team to beat. No pushovers in that team any more.

 

Does Werner get much action with Lukaku about?

 

Good chance for Baah and Pollock to make the bench and never be used then.

 

On the plus side they can use the bench-time to team up and form a dynamic duo with a killer couple portmanteau...

Paah.

 

This is a good barometer of what we need to achieve to stay up I think.

 

Out of those first 10 games we could achieve 12 points v Villa, Brighton, Norwich, Newcastle, Southampton and Wolves.

 

Very jealous of Brightons set-up. Sign a great talent from a under-valued league, instantly loan him out to their Belgian team for the season so he'll get a work permit next season.

 

He's a "great talent" based on what? J-League is turd. Plus only 3 international caps?

 

Based on his stats there. Sure those stats probably won't look the same in the PL or even in the Belgian league, but when someone is that dominant it's a hard punt to ignore, especially as he probably won't have cost much (only 1 player from the J-league has cost more than 10m and that was Hulk, the guy Celtic recently bought from the J-League cost £5m and has scored 4 goals in 3 games for Celtic so far...)