Yeah I don't think he's buying new defenders becuase ours are slow. Chamber isn't known for his speed, nor is Martins Indi nor Sakho. He's buying new center backs becuase he doesn't rate ours. Period.

New Keeper becuase we only have two.
New striker becuase we only have one and half.

I'll repeat myself, only position we haven't got a player for is right wing back. Our right back everyone wants strengthening anyway so really that would have been a position looked at.

So really all he is doing is buying BETTER defenders.... now come on that's only a good thing. There's not a leader between he current crop.

Everyone should stop wetting themselves that someone wants to be able to play two systems.

433 and 343 that's what he's stated.

And to do that he wants to have a rock solid defence which means Ward Dann Tomkins Kelly Damo will need to be upgraded, they've had long enough to show what there made of. Maybe he won't replace them all but there's not a leader between the lot of them. So drastic surgery is being undertaken.

Anyone who thinks we should go in to the season playing Ward, Dann, Tomkins, Schlupp needs there head seeing to. It'd be a game or two before there confidence is crushed as they are absolutely headless chickens without a leader in there.

In 343 we'll end up with 5 defenders on the pitch which again should help us from leaking a god awful amount of goals.

Plus our magical wingers can play higher up the pitch and not worry about bailing out said shocking defenders...

I hope both systems he wants to be able to play work. But let's be perfectly honest. He's replacing defenders who aren't up to the job.

And yes to be able to have TWO systems we need three decent center backs. Stop with the bed wetting...

We have been crying out for a manager to have more than one game plan. Low and behold as soon as we get a manager who spends presession training the guys in another system everyone gets there sissy little pink knickers wet.

Gold,
Quite a lot in that speech.
Have you a fetish about Piss and Knickers. ?
Anyhow those Piss poor defenders did ok from The Boro game onwards didn't they.
The team were poor prior to Christmas,hence Pardew was sacked.
Every one still getting confused about 343 and 451 .
Hopefully Frank plays 235.
Chill out.
COYP

Ok first off let me make it clear that I hugely love, respect and appreciate everything these guys have done. But we're in the midst of a big squad shake up and I can't imagine that won't mean possibly more players leaving.

At time of writing we've signed Loftus-Cheek on loan and JR for £8m

There's talk of us in discussions with Arsenal over a £20m deal for Chambers.

Also being linked with Martins Indi £10m and Sakho rumours are never far away.

Also in the obvious need for a right wing back (possibly George van der Weil for £5-8m

And not forgetting a striker and keeper wouldn't go amiss..

Well that's a lot of places still potentially to fill.

Who for the right money if reinvested would you be willing to see leave...

I think Ward has done fantastic service for us but I just don't think he'll ever make the wing back role his or be a CB. If we can get £5-8m to cover the cost of George van der Weil, I honestly think that's sound buisness considering it seems like our own obi-wan could offer decent cover.

Next is the question of JimmyMac apparently clubs are circling and an offer of £9-12m wouldn't be a suprise. For me it's a tricky one, I still think he adds value to our squad but logically we've got Cabaye, Luka, Punch (captain) and Loftus-Cheek ahead of him fighting for two midfield places.

For that reason only I'd be able to accept him moving on if his £9-12m is reinvested in say half of Sakho cost or top keeper or young talented striker...

Cabaye I can't see leaving, I just don't think anyone will offer a decent enough wedge for him. I expect him to stay and fight for a starting place. Way to talented to let go for peanuts even if it's his last year.

Expect Tomkins, Dann and Kelly to stay. Unless a stupid bid comes in for Dann from china but I can't see that happening.

Thoughts?

Edited by Goldfiinger (25 Jul 2017 10.42am)

Sorry guys for the speech. Agree the main problem was Pards destroying the defence but still feel it's no bad thing if the new manager feels upgrades / squad additions to the back line is a bad thing.

4-3-3 is also one of FDBs favourite ways to play. The reason we haven't seen that this preseason is because our players all can play that way and it won't be a stretch to do so in the season. The reason we are constantly playing 3 at the back now is so that we are equally competent with our plan B by the Huddersfield match. We shouldn't sign players or release players because they fit one specific system. It's a pretty short sighted plan and would backfire if we sacked Frank at Christmas if we were struggling.

Ward needs replacing that's clear. He has done a job but is nowhere near good enough and hasn't been for a couple of seasons. But we are likely to play 4-3-3 as much as 3-4-3 so we need cover RB. Gregory Van Der Weil would be decent as first choice but Ward is still light years ahead of Kelly for cover. Kelly, who is neither an adequate RB or CB, however his utility probably gets him a space in the squad.

I'd keep jimmymac I think we have more than 2 CM places we may play 3 in there at times and it would be useful to have cover that is quality rather than cover like Lee or Sako who just take a wage and offer nothing.

Those are the players we need to lose, Lee and Sako.