The Semenyo Thread - Now a Bournemouth Player. Deal Confirmed

[KegCity]

21 minutes ago, Merrick's Marvels said:

No threat in behind. Wasteful in possession. Good finisher. 

Martin, Wells and Weimann have been here together long enough for someone to make them work as a combination. No-one has.

It's Semenyo that makes the forward line, the whole team, tick.

We're back to playing percentage football aimed at Chris Martin. 

Obviously it’s a loss but Wells is a tidy player despite what a lot of people say. We’re going to have to adapt our play to suit him though which we haven’t done previously. Weimann, Martin and Wells up top is fine for a month.

Nobody is going to come in and do what Semenyo does. That’s why there’s big clubs chasing him after a successful half season.

[Davefevs]

Not sure if I posted something similar on this thread a few weeks ago (or on some other platform), but…

…unpopular opinion…

…although Antoine’s injury is a blow (or life without him had he been sold - the thrust of my previous post) , it happening now, pre pre-season might not be as bad as many might think.  Why, you may ask?

My gut feel is that WSM is a bit rigid in what it means for the rest of system.  Great as it is offensively, it creates problems defensively / without the ball.  You can’t leave any of the three out, and therefore when we’ve played with a back 3, it means two CMs often left with too much ground to cover, but also leaving our WBs exposed at times too.  To play a back 4 we needed Williams to play as a front sweeper, I.e. dependent on one player, who has had injury problems.

What we need to stop thinking is “we’ve got nobody to replace Antoine like for like”.  Why does it have to be like for like?  What if we suddenly decide to play two number 10s instead (Weimann and Scott for example) behind Martin or Wells. Different skill sets required for that role, and it might also help us defensively too.  We could go with two up top and a conventional three man midfield behind.  It creates opportunities.

Pre-season is gonna have a different look to it now…but I don’t see it as doom and gloom.  We reached 9th in the table early last season before injuries struck.  That was without Antoine too.  Love him to bits, he’s the goat, but I don’t see a cause for panic.  Not just yet anyway!

[chinapig]

38 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Not sure if I posted something similar on this thread a few weeks ago (or on some other platform), but…

…unpopular opinion…

…although Antoine’s injury is a blow (or life without him had he been sold - the thrust of my previous post) , it happening now, pre pre-season might not be as bad as many might think.  Why, you may ask?

My gut feel is that WSM is a bit rigid in what it means for the rest of system.  Great as it is offensively, it creates problems defensively / without the ball.  You can’t leave any of the three out, and therefore when we’ve played with a back 3, it means two CMs often left with too much ground to cover, but also leaving our WBs exposed at times too.  To play a back 4 we needed Williams to play as a front sweeper, I.e. dependent on one player, who has had injury problems.

What we need to stop thinking is “we’ve got nobody to replace Antoine like for like”.  Why does it have to be like for like?  What if we suddenly decide to play two number 10s instead (Weimann and Scott for example) behind Martin or Wells. Different skill sets required for that role, and it might also help us defensively too.  We could go with two up top and a conventional three man midfield behind.  It creates opportunities.

Pre-season is gonna have a different look to it now…but I don’t see it as doom and gloom.  We reached 9th in the table early last season before injuries struck.  That was without Antoine too.  Love him to bits, he’s the goat, but I don’t see a cause for panic.  Not just yet anyway!

So if Antoine's presence makes us weaker defensively would it not make sense to sell him to the highest bidder and run with those other options?

If the improvement in our goals conceded were to more than offset any reduction in goals scored we might finish significantly higher up the table.

[Davefevs]

12 minutes ago, chinapig said:

So if Antoine's presence makes us weaker defensively would it not make sense to sell him to the highest bidder and run with those other options?

If the improvement in our goals conceded were to more than offset any reduction in goals scored we might finish significantly higher up the table.

As a simple answer, yes, that might be true. 

I guess the better, more complex answer, is one where Nige plans to evolve a system WITH Semenyo that works at both ends of the pitch, or one that takes “key-man dependency” out of the equation.  In particular our 3 signings, where does each fit in with that master plan.  I’m so intrigued to see how pre-season pans out…albeit gutted Antoine will be missing from it.

Looking back at last season where we went through pre-season into the first part of the season playing 4411/442, you wonder how that might’ve panned out with Semenyo, Martin, Wells and Weimann vying for those front-two slots?  Maybe he would’ve gone 433 straight off the bat.  Who knows.

Not sure if I’ve answered your post or not….let me know if it’s a bit hypothetical / ambiguous.

[Ian M]

I like the idea of Semenyo not being able to pass a medical in July or August

 

[chinapig]

20 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

As a simple answer, yes, that might be true. 

I guess the better, more complex answer, is one where Nige plans to evolve a system WITH Semenyo that works at both ends of the pitch, or one that takes “key-man dependency” out of the equation.  In particular our 3 signings, where does each fit in with that master plan.  I’m so intrigued to see how pre-season pans out…albeit gutted Antoine will be missing from it.

Looking back at last season where we went through pre-season into the first part of the season playing 4411/442, you wonder how that might’ve panned out with Semenyo, Martin, Wells and Weimann vying for those front-two slots?  Maybe he would’ve gone 433 straight off the bat.  Who knows.

Not sure if I’ve answered your post or not….let me know if it’s a bit hypothetical / ambiguous.

Just some random points:

1. Nigel says he likes power and pace. Semenyo is the only one who fits the bill in the current squad.

2. He has said he prefers 4-3-1-2. Will he decide he has the squad to do that come the start of the season, given his signings?

3. James' and Williams' injury records mean we may need to sign 2 more midfielders. Though Owers may step up.

4. I prefer Scott as an 8, I think 10 doesn't make full use of his skill set. I'm not sure many teams play with a true 10 these days anyway.

5. So make our midfield a 6 and two 8s? By which I don't mean 22!

6. Er... that's it for now.

As you say it's going to be interesting to see what Nigel does.

[Davefevs]

13 minutes ago, chinapig said:

Just some random points:

1. Nigel says he likes power and pace. Semenyo is the only one who fits the bill in the current squad.

2. He has said he prefers 4-3-1-2. Will he decide he has the squad to do that come the start of the season, given his signings? Think he said 433 at one point….but then definitely rebuked a reporter about our current set up being a front 3 (WSM) and said it’s a 2 and a 1.  I don’t know if that means that’s his preferred way of playing a front 3 though.

3. James' and Williams' injury records mean we may need to sign 2 more midfielders. Though Owers may step up.

4. I prefer Scott as an 8, I think 10 doesn't make full use of his skill set. I'm not sure many teams play with a true 10 these days anyway. Me too

5. So make our midfield a 6 and two 8s? By which I don't mean 22!  If it’s a flatter 3, then

6. Er... that's it for now. 

As you say it's going to be interesting to see what Nigel does.

 

[Lew-T]

AS is frightening 

[LondonBristolian]

16 hours ago, Davefevs said:

Not sure if I posted something similar on this thread a few weeks ago (or on some other platform), but…

…unpopular opinion…

…although Antoine’s injury is a blow (or life without him had he been sold - the thrust of my previous post) , it happening now, pre pre-season might not be as bad as many might think.  Why, you may ask?

My gut feel is that WSM is a bit rigid in what it means for the rest of system.  Great as it is offensively, it creates problems defensively / without the ball.  You can’t leave any of the three out, and therefore when we’ve played with a back 3, it means two CMs often left with too much ground to cover, but also leaving our WBs exposed at times too.  To play a back 4 we needed Williams to play as a front sweeper, I.e. dependent on one player, who has had injury problems.

What we need to stop thinking is “we’ve got nobody to replace Antoine like for like”.  Why does it have to be like for like?  What if we suddenly decide to play two number 10s instead (Weimann and Scott for example) behind Martin or Wells. Different skill sets required for that role, and it might also help us defensively too.  We could go with two up top and a conventional three man midfield behind.  It creates opportunities.

Pre-season is gonna have a different look to it now…but I don’t see it as doom and gloom.  We reached 9th in the table early last season before injuries struck.  That was without Antoine too.  Love him to bits, he’s the goat, but I don’t see a cause for panic.  Not just yet anyway!

I think the major issue for me is how static we looked at times last season without Semenyo. At times the player with the ball had the option of passing to or eight statues or Weimann, who was easy for teams to negate as he was the only mobile player to worry about.

That would be my main worry about Wells as a direct replacement. I feel both Wells and Martin need other players’ movement in order to play their game. I’m not convinced Scott and Weimann with Wells or Martin would produce that movement either but pre-season is a chance for Scott to prove me wrong or for one of Sykes, Conway or Bell to stake a claim.

[Davefevs]

21 minutes ago, LondonBristolian said:

I think the major issue for me is how static we looked at times last season without Semenyo. At times the player with the ball had the option of passing to or eight statues or Weimann, who was easy for teams to negate as he was the only mobile player to worry about.

That would be my main worry about Wells as a direct replacement. I feel both Wells and Martin need other players’ movement in order to play their game. I’m not convinced Scott and Weimann with Wells or Martin would produce that movement either but pre-season is a chance for Scott to prove me wrong or for one of Sykes, Conway or Bell to stake a claim.

All fair points, although I like Wells’s movement.

We are gonna have to wait and see….all good debate though.

[Monkeh]

33 minutes ago, LondonBristolian said:

I think the major issue for me is how static we looked at times last season without Semenyo. At times the player with the ball had the option of passing to or eight statues or Weimann, who was easy for teams to negate as he was the only mobile player to worry about.

That would be my main worry about Wells as a direct replacement. I feel both Wells and Martin need other players’ movement in order to play their game. I’m not convinced Scott and Weimann with Wells or Martin would produce that movement either but pre-season is a chance for Scott to prove me wrong or for one of Sykes, Conway or Bell to stake a claim.

We were also static at times with him in the side,

That didn't change because of one player

[LondonBristolian]

20 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

All fair points, although I like Wells’s movement.

We are gonna have to wait and see….all good debate though.

I like Wells’ movement too - I just think it is different to Semenyo’s movement in that I think Wells is good at exploiting space created by others but Semenyo creates that space for others to exploit and that’s what we need to find a way ti replace.

As you say, we’ll have to wait and see. I reckon, this time last year, few of us would have backed Scott or Semenyo to develop to become as crucial as they became. Hopefully everyone outside the first team will see Semenyo’s absence as a chance to get in and make themselves undroppable.

[Mr Popodopolous]

On 18/06/2022 at 21:01, Ian M said:

I like the idea of Semenyo not being able to pass a medical in July or August

 

Handy that

A month or so into the season out- oh look window shut! Refreshed and ready to go plus helped by a break- and if we really need to sellable in Jan (not that I hope we sell him at all of course).

Edited June 20, 2022 by Mr Popodopolous

[Dastardly and Muttley]

Would his injuries be a dampener on his promise and potential fees?

Seem to remember he’s had a few lay-offs.

[Major Isewater]

10 hours ago, Dastardly and Muttley said:

Would his injuries be a dampener on his promise and potential fees?

Seem to remember he’s had a few lay-offs.

I doubt it, injuries are part and parcel of the game and creative players are rare so competition for his services would ensure that his fee is high.

 

[bpexile]

On 19/06/2022 at 21:29, LondonBristolian said:

................Hopefully everyone outside the first team will see Semenyo’s absence as a chance to get in and make themselves undroppable.

My thoughts also before your post, do you think Conway & Bell would be up for it, or is it too soon to expect that from them?

[Monkeh]

21 minutes ago, bpexile said:

My thoughts also before your post, do you think Conway & Bell would be up for it, or is it too soon to expect that from them?

I think they both would improve massively given the chance, Conwy has had a taste of the first team, and deserve more imo, same can be said for bell who's played and did a decent job in the most case out of position

You will never know if it's too early unless you actually give them a chance 

[RoystonFoote'snephew]

7 minutes ago, Monkeh said:

I think they both would improve massively given the chance, Conwy has had a taste of the first team, and deserve more imo, same can be said for bell who's played and did a decent job in the most case out of position

You will never know if it's too early unless you actually give them a chance 

Fully agree. At present Conway looks more of a physical goal threat than Bell who looks more like a supplier of goals but if either emerged as a serious starter I'd be happy. 

[GrahamC]

Not seen it mentioned anywhere above but wonder if this increases Sykes chances of starting?

Whatever happens it would be very brave to move a player who has just scored 22 in his best position to try to compensate for this blow.

Agree that we have no obvious like for like here, as is actually the case with Chris Martin, too.

[Monkeh]

4 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

Not seen it mentioned anywhere above but wonder if this increases Sykes chances of starting?

Whatever happens it would be very brave to move a player who has just scored 22 in his best position to try to compensate for this blow.

Agree that we have no obvious like for like here, as is actually the case with Chris Martin, too.

I'd go with 2 up too with Scott in behind myself

[Davefevs]

5 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

Not seen it mentioned anywhere above but wonder if this increases Sykes chances of starting?

Whatever happens it would be very brave to move a player who has just scored 22 in his best position to try to compensate for this blow.

Agree that we have no obvious like for like here, as is actually the case with Chris Martin, too.

I alluded to this in my earlier thread that it might see a change in our set-up, meaning players get more opportunities.  You know I’m a “it’s a squad game” person, so I suspect certain players will get the opportunity to “take” Antoine’s minutes.

[Major Isewater]

32 minutes ago, Monkeh said:

I'd go with 2 up too with Scott in behind myself

I didn’t know you were a pro footballer . 

[Rudolf Hucker]

35 minutes ago, Monkeh said:

I'd go with 2 up too with Scott in behind myself

Presumably you’ll be taking Chris Martin’s place? 

35 minutes ago, Monkeh said:

 

Edited June 21, 2022 by Rudolf Hucker

[Major Isewater]

Just now, Rudolf Hucker said:

Presumably you’ll be taking Chris Martin’s place, Dave? Hope your knees will be ok. 

Presumably you’ll be taking Chris Martin’s place, Dave? Hope your knees will be ok. 

Same idea but you were funnier, twice as funny in fact. 

 

 

 

[Monkeh]

3 minutes ago, Major Isewater said:

I didn’t know you were a pro footballer . 

Well looking at these strikers I don't see why not I'm 40 and overweight so I'm sure I could get a contract at the gas

[Davefevs]

OTIB gold  

[Monkeh]

4 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

OTIB gold  

We aim to please dave

[Major Isewater]

26 minutes ago, Monkeh said:

We aim to please dave

We’re here all week.

[Lanterne Rouge]

8 hours ago, Monkeh said:

Well looking at these strikers I don't see why not I'm 40 and overweight so I'm sure I could get a contract at the gas

You are Brett Pitman and I claim my £5.

[Davefevs]

Would this diminish West Ham’s thoughts of going for Semenyo?

 

[Son of Fred]

On 21/06/2022 at 09:02, Monkeh said:

I'd go with 2 up too with Scott in behind myself

Ooh no...

[KegCity]

12 hours ago, Davefevs said:

Would this diminish West Ham’s thoughts of going for Semenyo?

 

Wouldn’t have thought so unless it affects them financially. Danjuma will walk into their starting XI whilst Semenyo wouldn’t be a first choice player.

[JoeAman08]

5 hours ago, KegCity said:

Wouldn’t have thought so unless it affects them financially. Danjuma will walk into their starting XI whilst Semenyo wouldn’t be a first choice player.

Idk Danjuma a similar player who can play across all the attacking positions like Semenyo. With this they would be in the 70-80m range spent this window. I get the impression Danjuma would be more of a top target for them while Semenyo may be an option further down their list. Just my view from afar. 

[chinapig]

From today's Guardian:

West Ham are stepping up efforts to sign Jesse Lingard after their move for Villarreal’s Arnaut Danjuma ran into difficulties.

The club have held talks with Villarreal about Danjuma, with €40m (£34.5m) plus add-ons potentially enough to land the Dutch winger, but the deal is now in doubt. West Ham have not agreed personal terms with the 25-year-old and various complications mean they are ready to move on to other attacking targets.

[KegCity]

15 hours ago, JoeAman08 said:

Idk Danjuma a similar player who can play across all the attacking positions like Semenyo. With this they would be in the 70-80m range spent this window. I get the impression Danjuma would be more of a top target for them while Semenyo may be an option further down their list. Just my view from afar. 

Yes, so it might affect them financially but from a footballing perspective it doesn't matter.

I don't think it'll happen at the fee we'll be demanding.

[Sir Geoff]

From a West Ham / David Moyes / Rob Newman perspective signing Semenyo for circa £20 million, would, imo, be a massive gamble that could ultimately cost them their jobs. West Ham fans were pi**ed off with the lack of activity in the January window. I can't see it going down too well if they splash a large portion of their transfer budget on a (possible) 4th choice striker behind Bowen, Antonio, Danjuma (or a n other international striker). Moyes likes shopping in the Championship but can't see the fans being too happy with that now that they have had a taste of Europe.

Maybe January if they still need goals, which was their main problem last season when Antonio was out.

 

[KegCity]

5 minutes ago, Sir Geoff said:

From a West Ham / David Moyes / Rob Newman perspective signing Semenyo for circa £20 million, would, imo, be a massive gamble that could ultimately cost them their jobs. West Ham fans were pi**ed off with the lack of activity in the January window. I can't see it going down too well if they splash a large portion of their transfer budget on a (possible) 4th choice striker behind Bowen, Antonio, Danjuma (or a n other international striker). Moyes likes shopping in the Championship but can't see the fans being too happy with that now that they have had a taste of Europe.

Maybe January if they still need goals, which was their main problem last season when Antonio was out.

 

It’s a gamble they’ve been willing to take before with Bowen and Benrahma. Just depends on how it would impact their other transfer plans.

 

[GrahamC]

Forest have already added a striker from Union Berlin, so my hunch is that if Antoine was to leave this window for The Prem it would be to one of the 2 other promoted sides, Bournemouth or Fulham.

Obviously brave to sign someone recovering from injury but they seem the right profile to me.

[AshtonRobin21]

53 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

Forest have already added a striker from Union Berlin, so my hunch is that if Antoine was to leave this window for The Prem it would be to one of the 2 other promoted sides, Bournemouth or Fulham.

Obviously brave to sign someone recovering from injury but they seem the right profile to me.

Broke their transfer record to sign him, and I think the total value of the deal was around £18m.

They also want Gibbs-white (Wolves) and Williams (Liverpool). Rumoured to be around £15m-£20m each. 

So I can't see them paying our asking price for Semenyo as they have other higher priority positions. 

[Monkeh]

2 hours ago, Sir Geoff said:

From a West Ham / David Moyes / Rob Newman perspective signing Semenyo for circa £20 million, would, imo, be a massive gamble that could ultimately cost them their jobs. West Ham fans were pi**ed off with the lack of activity in the January window. I can't see it going down too well if they splash a large portion of their transfer budget on a (possible) 4th choice striker behind Bowen, Antonio, Danjuma (or a n other international striker). Moyes likes shopping in the Championship but can't see the fans being too happy with that now that they have had a taste of Europe.

Maybe January if they still need goals, which was their main problem last season when Antonio was out.

 

Is it more or less of a gamble then the signing of bowen from Hull or Cresswell many moons ago, or even cash from forest,

West ham have a documented history if these sort of signings 

[Eddie Notgetinya]

Bristol World reporting that ‘Boro have made an ‘enquiry’.

:laugh:!

[maxjak]

8 minutes ago, Eddie Notgetinya said:

Bristol World reporting that ‘Boro have made an ‘enquiry’.

:laugh:!

They can enquire all they like, but .............surely it's a non starter.  Why would he ever consider going to Boro? 

[Dolman_Stand]

4 minutes ago, maxjak said:

They can enquire all they like, but .............surely it's a non starter.  Why would he ever consider going to Boro? 

Probably among the promotion favourites and have the Spence money to spend, can see why they would chance their arm

[Monkeh]

31 minutes ago, Eddie Notgetinya said:

Bristol World reporting that ‘Boro have made an ‘enquiry’.

:laugh:!

I stopped reading after Bristol World

That is just click bait

[Major Isewater]

1 minute ago, Monkeh said:

I stopped reading after Bristol World

That is just click bait

They are master click baiters. 

[Eddie Notgetinya]

4 minutes ago, Monkeh said:

I stopped reading after Bristol World

That is just click bait

Bet you read my entire post and then replied! 

[Mendip City]

29 minutes ago, Dolman_Stand said:

Probably among the promotion favourites and have the Spence money to spend, can see why they would chance their arm

Exactly this. £12m from Spurs for Spence and they could probably offer that straight away…. Maybe more. It wouldn't be a derisory offer…. But you’d hope we’d say no. 
The point about them being promotion contenders is well made. We aren’t likely to be. 

Edited July 20, 2022 by Mendip City

[Monkeh]

1 hour ago, Eddie Notgetinya said:

Bet you read my entire post and then replied! 

You'll never know

[maxjak]

1 hour ago, Mendip City said:

Exactly this. £12m from Spurs for Spence and they could probably offer that straight away…. Maybe more. It wouldn't be a derisory offer…. But you’d hope we’d say no. 
The point about them being promotion contenders is well made. We aren’t likely to be. 

IT may not be derisory?  But 12m is not realistic.........  personally i believe Antoine's next move will eventually be the Prem, not for a while hopefully?

[Red Army 75]

10 minutes ago, maxjak said:

IT may not be derisory?  But 12m is not realistic.........  personally i believe Antoine's next move will eventually be the Prem, not for a while hopefully?

Premiership I can handle. A team in our own league will be a kick in the coconuts. 

[Mendip City]

2 minutes ago, Red Army 75 said:

Premiership I can handle. A team in our own league will be a kick in the coconuts. 

All depends on how desperate we are for money…. £12-15m with another £5m+ if they get promoted starts to get close….

 

By the way, I hope he stays as I think he’s our most important player - but who knows how much cash we need (zero fees so far this summer) or how keen he might be to get to the prem with a team who are more likely to knock on the door than we are? 

[Henry]

That’s cute, Boro.

I’m going to make of enquiry to sleep with Beyoncé.

[hinsleburg]

6 minutes ago, Mendip City said:

All depends on how desperate we are for money…. £12-15m with another £5m+ if they get promoted starts to get close….

 

By the way, I hope he stays as I think he’s our most important player - but who knows how much cash we need (zero fees so far this summer) or how keen he might be to get to the prem with a team who are more likely to knock on the door than we are? 

I agree with this, I don't want to lose him but is actually a move I could see happening

Have no idea if the player would be interested at all but think this is much more likely than other teams linked such as West Ham

[Red Army 75]

1 minute ago, Mendip City said:

All depends on how desperate we are for money…. £12-15m with another £5m+ if they get promoted starts to get close….

 

By the way, I hope he stays as I think he’s our most important player - but who knows how much cash we need (zero fees so far this summer) or how keen he might be to get to the prem with a team who are more likely to knock on the door than we are? 

Totally get that MC and agree. But going from what our Nige said. We have our own aspirations and don’t want to lose our best players. He said it will take a lot of money to get him and wouldn’t stand in his way if a premiership club come calling. If AS is in his last year of his contract I could see us selling to a championship side. 
 

Of course it isn’t down to Nige and we are not doing well financially, but IMO in more ways than one if we sold him to Middlesbrough it would speak volumes about us

[Mendip City]

26 minutes ago, Red Army 75 said:

Totally get that MC and agree. But going from what our Nige said. We have our own aspirations and don’t want to lose our best players. He said it will take a lot of money to get him and wouldn’t stand in his way if a premiership club come calling. If AS is in his last year of his contract I could see us selling to a championship side. 
 

Of course it isn’t down to Nige and we are not doing well financially, but IMO in more ways than one if we sold him to Middlesbrough it would speak volumes about us

Completely get all of that and I hope that’s how things pan out. Nige has to say that but I’d be a little concerned that the club may have planned to cash in on at least one of our assets (I really hope not) this summer… to nudge the accounts back into a bette state. 

Your final point is spot on, it would say everything about where we are should AS be sold to a Champ club and maybe about how willing Boro would be to gamble on promotion.  
 

Bottom line - I don’t reckon it’s likely and don’t want it to happen! 

[robin for life]

All depends on the offer, and lets not forget, he's just had an injury. If it was 10-14m and add ons, I would not be surprised to see him sold. 

[P'head Red]

1 minute ago, robin for life said:

All depends on the offer, and lets not forget, he's just had an injury. If it was 10-14m and add ons, I would not be surprised to see him sold. 

He'll never go for as low as 10m, if it was this time next summer then maybe (as he'll only have a year left I think)

[Davefevs]

4 minutes ago, Mendip City said:

Completely get all of that and I hope that’s how things pan out. Nige has to say that but I’d be a little concerned that the club may have planned to cash in on at least one of our assets (I really hope not) this summer… to nudge the accounts back into a bette state. 

Your final point is spot on, it would say everything about where we are should AS be sold to a Champ club and maybe about how willing Boro would be to gamble on promotion.  
 

Bottom line - I don’t reckon it’s likely and don’t want it to happen! 

I believe we are in a situation where we can avoid selling. That’s why we’ve taken the free transfer approach and offloaded O’Dowda and Palmer. When a few contracts are negotiated or potentially moved on because they won’t sign, then everything is sorted. 

[SBB]

I just can’t see it appealing to him. Fulham, Palace, West Ham, Brentford or Bournemouth then of course but moving up north to Boro, not being on the type of wages he could command and all in the hope they get promoted? 
I think he’s destined for great things and those great things are much, much greater than Middlesbrough, at the moment.  

[Mendip City]

36 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

I believe we are in a situation where we can avoid selling. That’s why we’ve taken the free transfer approach and offloaded O’Dowda and Palmer. When a few contracts are negotiated or potentially moved on because they won’t sign, then everything is sorted. 

That’s probably how it will play out but we’re vulnerable to any decent offer especially while a couple of big earners remain. IMO we could really do with getting Kalas off the wage bill. The fact there never seems any interest in him makes me wonder just how much we are paying him! Or he’s just determined to see out his deal…. 
anyway it’s all academic as both Senenyo  and Kalas are injured, so highly unlikely to be going anywhere this side of January! 

Edited July 20, 2022 by Mendip City

[Merrick's Marvels]

2 minutes ago, Mendip City said:

That’s probably how it will play out but we’re vulnerable to any decent offer especially while a couple of big earners remain. IMO we could really do with getting Kalas off the wage bill. 

Why Kalas and not Wells?

If Kalas left we'd need to sign 2 central defenders (we're already looking for one, to replace Vyner).

If Wells left we'd not have to sign anyone.

Imo Conway can do what Wells will probably do this season - make cameo appearances from the bench, the odd start, score a handful of goals. And Conway will do that for about one fifth of the price, ie a massive wage saving. 

[Lanterne Rouge]

Why can`t one of our `big beasts` move on from the clubs they are at - Kelly, Brownhill or Webster and solve all our problems?

[JoeAman08]

16 minutes ago, Merrick's Marvels said:

Why Kalas and not Wells?

If Kalas left we'd need to sign 2 central defenders (we're already looking for one, to replace Vyner).

If Wells left we'd not have to sign anyone.

Imo Conway can do what Wells will probably do this season - make cameo appearances from the bench, the odd start, score a handful of goals. And Conway will do that for about one fifth of the price, ie a massive wage saving. 

It is both and probably Bentley and Dasilva too. All the pre covid “big” signings are on a few grand a week too much than we’d probably offer now. 
 

Wells is the main one to get rid though imo. Bit part player and probably the biggest or second biggest wage left. As you said, and I agree completely, Conway can do the job for a fraction of the price. Ok there may be a few growing pains that route but for the wage difference it would be worth it. 
 

The others, it would be great if we could extend them all over the next few months on slightly less wages. It would balance out the wage bill and lessen the blow left on their amortisation. Then when all is done, perhaps we could look at extending Massengo if still around. Small pay rise and add a year with a small release clause could be appealing? Idk but there are 4-5 players we could extend and help our finances out. They just have to be willing. 

[steviestevieneville]

Nige has said , why would we strengthen a rival. I don’t think for one minute we’d even consider selling to another championship club . 

[Mendip City]

1 minute ago, Merrick's Marvels said:

Why Kalas and not Wells?

If Kalas left we'd need to sign 2 central defenders (we're already looking for one, to replace Vyner).

If Wells left we'd not have to sign anyone.

Imo Conway can do what Wells will probably do this season - make cameo appearances from the bench, the odd start, score a handful of goals. And Conway will do that for about one fifth of the price, ie a massive wage saving. 

Ideally both would go to get to a new wage structure.
Personally I think Wells is more useful but it’s all about opinions.
There are occasional rumours about Wells leaving.  Nothing about Kalas which makes me think he’s earning a fortune, a salary way better than his value these days and/or he is adamant he’ll see out his deal (as I said above). 
Kalas is undoubtedly a good defender but results improved without him. We needed leadership and organisation back there more than technical ability. I think Klose is more useful to Bristol City right now and hopefully Naismith will add even more leadership and organisation. 
 

[Merrick's Marvels]

1 hour ago, Mendip City said:

Ideally both would go to get to a new wage structure.
Personally I think Wells is more useful but it’s all about opinions.
 

Wells more useful than Kalas? Blimey.

If everyone's fit, Bristol City get 46 games out of Kalas while Wells sits on the bench watching Semenyo, Martin and Weimann do their thing.  

1 hour ago, Mendip City said:

Kalas is undoubtedly a good defender but results improved without him. We needed leadership and organisation back there more than technical ability. I think Klose is more useful to Bristol City right now and hopefully Naismith will add even more leadership and organisation. 
 

Results did improve but I struggle to put that down to Kalas being absent.

More likely to my mind, it was due to finally settling on a 3-at-the-back formation, fitness allowing the manager to pick a settled starting XI, the emergence of Semenyo, the arrival of Klose. 

Imo, results improved even though Kalas was absent, not because he was absent.  It was a co-incidence, not the cause. The cause was the reasons above.

Put it another way - if you think our results picked up because Robbie Cundy was playing instead of Tomas Kalas, you might what to check outside your front door because the men in white coats have arrived to cart you off to Barrow Gurney. And it ain't for to see your brother Ernie.    

I do agree though on the leadership/organisation point - a Kalas weakness (he's the strong silent type) but a strength of Klose and Naismith (vocal types it would appear). It's a vital component of any successful team but even more so in one that's blooding wet behind the ears youngsters who will only benefit from older heads guiding them through games - last season we had Pring, Tanner, Atkinson, Scott, Benarous, Bell all making ther debuts. Semenyo is hardly a veteran and Vyner always needs someone in his ear.

As far as Kalas is concerned, we just need to negotiate a new contract that we can afford.     

Edited July 20, 2022 by Merrick's Marvels

[Mendip City]

1 hour ago, Merrick's Marvels said:

Wells more useful than Kalas? Blimey.

If everyone's fit, Bristol City get 46 games out of Kalas while Wells sits on the bench watching Semenyo, Martin and Weimann do their thing.  

Results did improve but I struggle to put that down to Kalas being absent.

More likely to my mind, it was due to finally settling on a 3-at-the-back formation, fitness allowing the manager to pick a settled starting XI, the emergence of Semenyo, the arrival of Klose. 

Imo, results improved even though Kalas was absent, not because he was absent.  It was a co-incidence, not the cause. The cause was the reasons above.

Put it another way - if you think our results picked up because Robbie Cundy was playing instead of Tomas Kalas, you might what to check outside your front door because the men in white coats have arrived to cart you off to Barrow Gurney. And it ain't for to see your brother Ernie.    

I do agree though on the leadership/organisation point - a Kalas weakness (he's the strong silent type) but a strength of Klose and Naismith (vocal types it would appear). It's a vital component of any successful team but even more so in one that's blooding wet behind the ears youngsters who will only benefit from older heads guiding them through games - last season we had Pring, Tanner, Atkinson, Scott, Benarous, Bell all making ther debuts. Semenyo is hardly a veteran and Vyner always needs someone in his ear.

As far as Kalas is concerned, we just need to negotiate a new contract that we can afford.     

The white coat thing was downright rude - I’d said it’s all about opinions. 
You insult me then agree with me that having a leader and the average Cundy (who I’d not mentioned) saw us better than Kalas and A N Other. Bottom line we can live without him. Just as we can any of our players in truth… especially those on big money. 
Anyway he’s inured and likelihood is we’ll be paying him a lot to do very little for a while yet. He’ll s as most certainly see out his contract here then go for nothing. 

[Mendip City]

1 hour ago, Merrick's Marvels said:

Wells more useful than Kalas? Blimey.

If everyone's fit, Bristol City get 46 games out of Kalas while Wells sits on the bench watching Semenyo, Martin and Weimann do their thing.  

 

I said more useful “right now”. We don’t have semenyo fit for for Wells to watch, do we? So he’s useful… right now. 

Again, no need to be rude and (again) it’s all about opinions. 

[Merrick's Marvels]

12 minutes ago, Mendip City said:

The white coat thing was downright rude - I’d said it’s all about opinions.  

And..... whooosh.

Diddums.

Chill out.

It was a joke.

FFS.

Time of the month?

Take yer pick.

Edited July 20, 2022 by Merrick's Marvels

[Better Red]

Kalas and Wells both top end championship players.

Wells only fault is he never gets a game - not sure really what he has ever done wrong other than being payed to much money

Is he better than Conway - Yes

Kalas our best defender - Yes ** let’s see Naismith first for a few games before we say he is better than Kalas.

Lot of talk on here about talking and organising and agree to a point but I don’t put it before the skill and quality of the player. 
 

Dave F said he was a good talker but do I want he I’m the team….