Summer Transfer Window 2018

[Monkeybubbles]

Yes, I don't really buy into the assumption that the whole thing is going change drastically and that the manager will be a particularly transformational force for individual players. It's the quality of the individual players that needs to be transformed.

I think that the players will have better defined roles, which leads to a better understanding of their roles, which leads to them performing their roles better. Also, Pelli's system is quite robust defensively, given that it's designed to always offer support to the back four, and I honestly think we have enough players with sufficient footballing intelligence to work the system perfectly. Time will tell, of course.

Guardiola struggled to third with Man City with his philosophy and ended up changing £250m worth of players. I'm not sure that Pellegrini has been given enough to effect the transformation that some seem to think is coming.

Pelligrini won the Prem with the squad that Guardiola had to upgrade by £250m.

I guess it depends what your expectations are. I'm not thinking that we'll win the Champions League anytime soon, but I'm genuinely thinking that Pelligrini can get us comfortable top ten by playing enjoyable football, with the potential to push on after that if cash is available. After the misery of the last few years (Payet interlude excepted) I'd be happy enough with that.

[e17]

People don’t really think Pel Boy is going to play the same as Moyes’ tactics, surely?

They’re chalk & cheese

[bubbles1966]

People don’t really think Pel Boy is going to play the same as Moyes’ tactics, surely?

They’re chalk & cheese

Bilic.

[Ferret]

As long as they dont play like Bilic's team did in the last twenty months, i will be happy.......

[goingunderground]

Reckon Hugill will be a revelation in a Pulis team.

Watch him rack up 15-25 goals, and for us to flog him for 15-25 million next summer.

[Vince]

I’m comfortable with Keeper. Slightly worried about defence. Similar with central midfield. Feel we are still light in striker area.

1 midfield general. cdm.
1 striker - either fox in the box or explosive battle axe. I feel we need a plan b or c option. Andy Carroll would be plan b if fit.

The fox in the box would be Hernandez surely Georgee ?
LB and DM needed for sure.

[Patito]

We started last season playing 4-2-3-1 and got walloped in the first three. We picked up a few results playing three at the back and then reverted to 4-2-3-1...and started to get walloped all over again.

We only changed to three at the back on an ongoing basis away to Manchester City in the first week of December.

Yes with a completely different set of players, a different manager & coaching team in what will ultimately be, a completely different system.

[bubbles1966]

[Monkeybubbles]

That means nothing Bubbles, to be fair.

11 men shown initially standing in vaguely the same position on the pitch as a different set of 11 men who have a completely different set of instructions.

[Ozza]

Bubbs is questioning how much of the manager who attacks with pretty much the same defensive outfit will fair against Bilic’s side, it’s a good question and I have my doubts about how different things will be personally

[Hugh Jargon]

I’m sure it’s hilariously obvious...but who the f*** is HAK. Pardon?

[Hayden]

You'd imagine other people at WH would have been involved in the process. Do you think they were all in on it?

In on what? The manager saying this is the forward I want?

[dvincent]

Haksabanovic.

[dvincent]

Whufc Bulletin on Twitter reckons that Bernard is signing for us on a 4 year deal worth 110k a week. That account doesn't get everything right but definitely has some inside knowledge.

[Ozza]

Whufc Bulletin on Twitter reckons that Bernard is signing for us on a 4 year deal worth 110k a week. That account doesn't get everything right but definitely has some inside knowledge.

Holy ****.....see ya later Antonio

[Up the Junction]

Whufc Bulletin on Twitter

This is not someone providing genuine info. Can we stick to verified and/or trusted sources, please.

[Patito]

Bubbles at least 5 of those won’t start against Liverpool, at least 5. Playing the same or a similar formation doesn’t mean you are playing the same system, especially as we have a new manager. IIRC our pressing was non existent that match too compared to the higher defensive line and press that we’ve played throughout preseason; I believe you’ve alluded to it yourself in previous posts.

[Cellar-door]

There are a lot of different ways to play in the same general formation.
Even if Pellegrini plays a 4-2-3-1, it will likely play nothing like a Bilic 4-2-3-1. Slav liked to play a deep defensive line, Pellegrini likes to play the offside trap. Bilic mostly had his wide midfielders hug the lines, Pellegrini likes to have them dive inside. Pellegrini wants to pressure the ball more when not in possession where Bilic liked to drop back.
Overall one of Bilic's issues was he was a great man manager who didn't always know what he wanted tactically. Pellegrini whether in his preferred 4-2-2-2 or 4-2-3-1 always knows what he wants structurally and in play style.

[Alan Pardew's Dad]

In this league you can get away with conceding lots if you can score, you can’t really get away with not scoring goals which is why he has probably gone after the attack first.

Burnley finished 7th having only scored 36 goals. The secret was keeping them out at the other end.

That said, I do agree that usually failing to score enough goals will see you relegated.

[Patito]

Cellar door