I thought I might try the unnusual route of seeing him before I make any judgments, but what the hell, he has a Trip Advisor 5* rating for his restaurant in Saint-Malo, so welcome Monsieur Bulot.
The signing is going to throw light on the whole midfield conundrum.
As far as I can tell the questions might be (in no particular order).
What do you do about Cousins when most of us think he is better inside than out wide?
What do you do about Jacko where what he brings is now under more competition, but his experience has to be balanced against his energy, and could Jacko ever be a substitute...if he was how would you use him, as an 'impact' sub, or to steady the ship?
Is Yoni an automatic fixture now we know he is decent and can cover deep when needed?
With so many left footed players, do you still keep one of them playing on the right, or would it be better to play on their natural side?
Would a left footed wide right player be able to help out defensively as well as Lawrie Wilson, especially given the right back balancing act we are juggling with?
Which midfielders are most likely to get you goals if they are pushed up higher?
Which midfielders are Sollyesque in as much as they adapt brilliantly to their team mates, or Greenesque in as much as they can't play with anybody else?
Are we well enough stocked up with midfielders to cover injuries and suspensions?
Have we got a couple of specialists (penalties, free kicks, throws) available to play?
have we got a good balance of pace and guile?
Do loan players give as much as permanent players?
It is intriguing, and will be a significant insight into both Big Bob and indeed the network angle when we see how the midfield options pan out.
Now this is where transfermarkt comes in handy! Koc and Nego value 350k Ajdarevic value 700k Reza 880k Gudmundsson 1.8m Buyens 1.8m Bulot 2.2m
The players coming in now are clearly better than they were. Bulot's value plus the fact he has spent the last couple of seasons playing alongside Buyens looks like September is going to be a cracking month! If they are able to sign another striker permanent or loan then we may well be able to stay top six?!
Incidentally it looks like Liège bought him from Caen in the french league for £1.8m a couple of years back - sound familiar?!
Via @BelgoFoot: #cafc new boy Bulot a versatile mf who fell down Standard pecking order. Didn't want to come at first but move 'might work'
I think he'll fall in love with us. :-) Seriously, most players who haven't experienced it, love the skill level and competitiveness of the Championship. That, plus playing in front of decent sized crowds every week who actually make a noise, will win him over (hopefully). I see this as another positive signing.
I just wonder about Jordan Cousins and Calum Harriott. I wonder if Big Bob has doubts about their ability and whether they can aspire to the level we now seem to be aiming at. Well, they are the 'young guns' so maybe he sees they still have a bit to learn at this level. It'll be interesting to see how they do and whether they make the grade.
Maybe Prague. I think in the Championship, in general, the atmosphere and crowds both home and away can be pretty constant. I wonder if that's the same in Belgium or whether it's more like Scotland which, as we know, is pretty patchy.
Look forward to seeing you do the business on the pitch M. Bulot. Ignore the miserablistas, a lifetime of watching Charlton sometimes does that to people.
The signing is going to throw light on the whole midfield conundrum.
As far as I can tell the questions might be (in no particular order).
What do you do about Cousins when most of us think he is better inside than out wide?
What do you do about Jacko where what he brings is now under more competition, but his experience has to be balanced against his energy, and could Jacko ever be a substitute...if he was how would you use him, as an 'impact' sub, or to steady the ship?
Is Yoni an automatic fixture now we know he is decent and can cover deep when needed?
With so many left footed players, do you still keep one of them playing on the right, or would it be better to play on their natural side?
Would a left footed wide right player be able to help out defensively as well as Lawrie Wilson, especially given the right back balancing act we are juggling with?
Which midfielders are most likely to get you goals if they are pushed up higher?
Which midfielders are Sollyesque in as much as they adapt brilliantly to their team mates, or Greenesque in as much as they can't play with anybody else?
Are we well enough stocked up with midfielders to cover injuries and suspensions?
Have we got a couple of specialists (penalties, free kicks, throws) available to play?
have we got a good balance of pace and guile?
Do loan players give as much as permanent players?
It is intriguing, and will be a significant insight into both Big Bob and indeed the network angle when we see how the midfield options pan out.
My advice to BB is to pick a team to win :-)
Blimey, reading that list gives some insight as to why football mangers appear to age about ten years for every month in the job!
I don't get overly excited by these Liege loans. By Default I assume he's just another Reza (i.e awful). Hope he proves me wrong.
I think we have gone up a level on quality of loans this year. Last year we got fringe players who were nowhere near the first team squad and had made no more than 5 or so appearances.
Only reason Bulot hasn't been involved this season is that he has fallen out with the coach I believe.
Players like Buyens and Bulot are light years away from Nego, Thuram and Koc
If he's anything like the quality of the team that played v Zenit, then no thanks !
He didn't play in the zenit game, but ajdarevic did so don't just go and say that was a bad squad
Maybe Prague. I think in the Championship, in general, the atmosphere and crowds both home and away can be pretty constant. I wonder if that's the same in Belgium or whether it's more like Scotland which, as we know, is pretty patchy.
Sure. In their second tier, you'd have to be right.
Would be interested to hear what some of our Belgian friends think about it, given that they support less internationally known clubs like Gent, Lierse and Kortrijk. I got the impression from @Belgian_Spur that Gent - Club Brugge is a bit like Charlton - Palace.
Comments
Has locked up 76 appearances in the past 2 seasons with Standard in the top Belgian League, including 4 in European competition.
He's got decent pedigree and experience.
The rest will be down to attitude.
Then again, they were only playing the RSPCA.
As far as I can tell the questions might be (in no particular order).
What do you do about Cousins when most of us think he is better inside than out wide?
What do you do about Jacko where what he brings is now under more competition, but his experience has to be balanced against his energy, and could Jacko ever be a substitute...if he was how would you use him, as an 'impact' sub, or to steady the ship?
Is Yoni an automatic fixture now we know he is decent and can cover deep when needed?
With so many left footed players, do you still keep one of them playing on the right, or would it be better to play on their natural side?
Would a left footed wide right player be able to help out defensively as well as Lawrie Wilson, especially given the right back balancing act we are juggling with?
Which midfielders are most likely to get you goals if they are pushed up higher?
Which midfielders are Sollyesque in as much as they adapt brilliantly to their team mates, or Greenesque in as much as they can't play with anybody else?
Are we well enough stocked up with midfielders to cover injuries and suspensions?
Have we got a couple of specialists (penalties, free kicks, throws) available to play?
have we got a good balance of pace and guile?
Do loan players give as much as permanent players?
It is intriguing, and will be a significant insight into both Big Bob and indeed the network angle when we see how the midfield options pan out.
My advice to BB is to pick a team to win :-)
Liege I think paid £1.75m for him.
Compared to the signings of a couple of years ago it's a huge improvement.
Koc and Nego value 350k
Ajdarevic value 700k
Reza 880k
Gudmundsson 1.8m
Buyens 1.8m
Bulot 2.2m
The players coming in now are clearly better than they were. Bulot's value plus the fact he has spent the last couple of seasons playing alongside Buyens looks like September is going to be a cracking month!
If they are able to sign another striker permanent or loan then we may well be able to stay top six?!
Incidentally it looks like Liège bought him from Caen in the french league for £1.8m a couple of years back - sound familiar?!
I just wonder about Jordan Cousins and Calum Harriott. I wonder if Big Bob has doubts about their ability and whether they can aspire to the level we now seem to be aiming at. Well, they are the 'young guns' so maybe he sees they still have a bit to learn at this level. It'll be interesting to see how they do and whether they make the grade.
We don't. Lets's be honest, we don't.
Would be interested to hear what some of our Belgian friends think about it, given that they support less internationally known clubs like Gent, Lierse and Kortrijk. I got the impression from @Belgian_Spur that Gent - Club Brugge is a bit like Charlton - Palace.