Agree, some posters seem to believe running a club is the same as playing Football Manager online. Buy him , cancel his contract etc it’s not reality. It was widely reported Hall was coming on loan from Chelsea, we extend Olises contract, then Chelsea block Halls loan as a result. Zaha kept us hanging on for weeks, then decides to go to Turkey, leaving very little time to get a replacement.

It’s not as easy as people think, there are so many variables.

No one is saying it is easy, but we have / have had a number of players well past their sell by date. For whatever reason Parish prefers to offer them another contract rather than clear the decks. It doesn't say much about the quality of the Academy if the academy players can't break into the first team squad. My understanding is that this what Parish is ultimately hoping for. Then again it has to be wondered about the level of scouting expertise when the likes of Edouard and Mateta are brought in, plus a few sick notes here and there. Doesn't due diligence exist in the scouting department?

Edited by southnorwoodhill (01 Nov 2023 12.39pm)

You're right about Edouard and Mateta (and I'd add Riedewald to this list), but we have had some hits as well with the likes of Eze, Olise, Guehi, Anderson, Doucoure, etc. and with a bit of luck Franca. I think the academy might start bringing people through like Rak-Sakyi and Ozoh now starting to appear, but could be a while before we see a regular stream of players coming through as a result of the recent upgrading.

However, that being said, no idea why we've not strengthed the fullbacks. I think Ward turned 34 this week, Clyne is 32 and Ferguson, feel sorry for the lad, but with all these injuries he needs to start looking to get his coaching badges if he wants to stay in football, as I don't ever see him appearing on the pitch for us.

With a striker, we've been crying out for someone for years and a first-team-ready striker costs an arm and a leg, so I can see why they tried cheaper alternatives. However, think the time has come to push the boat out as much as we can and get someone decent in. There's been talk of Hugo Ekitike since the last transfer window, but who knows?

I can't defend the signing of Mateta, that's definitely one we've got wrong as he's just not good enough for the prem and unfortunately, a bit lazy as well IMHO. Frustrated the hell out of me against Spurs when he just came on so presumably full of energy and just didn't shift his arse, especially to get out of offside positions.

I'm not particularly a fan of Mateta or Edouard, who both contribute so little in terms of running the channels, closing down defenders or generally making a nuisance of themselves.
However, I will defend them in terms of the lack of service they receive.
It's notable at Villa, for example, Digne and Cash play a string of crosses every game.
Not aimless crosses, but crosses that defenders find difficult to defend and that are inviting for forwards.
Ward and Mitchell provide perhaps a couple of crosses per game and usually in no particular direction.
The difference is marked.
I suspect Watkins would struggle for goals in our side, although he would work a good deal harder than Mateta and Edouard.
The lack of service from out wide should be less of an issue when Olise and Eze return because they find other ways to create.
However, without those two any striker will struggle to score in our present team unless they create the chances themselves out of nothing.