I know it's still early days but for me it has to be Kashi closely followed by Bauer.
I have been extremely impressed by both players and I really believe they wouldn't look out of place in the Premiership (hopefully they will get the chance with Charlton!).
In order...
Kashi (most impressed)
Bauer
Makienok
Ba
Berdych
Ceballos (least impressed)
Sarr - haven't seen enough to judge yet
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Ceballos I will never like for that corner challenge thing that was posted here a few days back, for some reason the fact that he would cheat on something like that against his own teammates has really stuck with me. I hate stuff like that in sport, so to me he will always be a little bitch.
Bauer is quality. I said after Saturday that if he carries on the way he is we'll struggle to hold on to him next summer. Reckon he could play at a higher level now and have no doubt he will - hopefully with us.
Ba I also really like. He has a trick in him and for someone who has had injury problems looks to have a good engine. Free transfer as well.
Makienok is going to divide opinion. I like him. You can't question his effort and if he performs like he did in the second half against Hull at Championship level he is going to be more or less unplayable. He is exactly what we've been looking for for a couple of years. If he has 5-6 goals and a few more performances like Saturday behind him by January suspect we'll push through the perm deal that has been agreed.
Bergditch looks very raw. He's done some good things but has also got himself in a mess at times. To be fair, we're yet to see him in his actual position.
Sarr I've only seen once and after a shaky start he looked fine.
Ceballos I think will take a while to get up to speed. He's clearly got a lot of skill and has shown in flashes that he will be a decent addition.
The thing I can't quite get my head around is how the scouting has suddenly improved so much. IMO Guy has had some input and has identified specific players. The noises coming out of the club when we signed Kashi more or less confirmed my thinking.
Another couple of similar standard signings and I'll be very impressed. Really exciting times and if we avoid wide spread injuries who knows what might happen this year.
Not been impressed with Bergdich so far but that may change as he gets used to the league.
Haven't seen enough of Sarr or Ceballos as of yet.
And most simply, he doesn't look like an outright goal machine in the same way Watt and a fit Igor do. Now most people are smart enough to realise that everything else he brings to the team more than make up for a lack of goals but there's going to be a few idiots who write him off if he doesn't score frequently. Occasionally (the first half against Hull most recently) not a lot comes off for him and then his size makes him look clumsier than he really is. The divided opinion will come between those who realise just how useful he is and those who don't.
But that doesn't meant I think much less of the others as I think they are also brilliant to have, but the above four are a fantastic 'spine' to a team and haven't been anything than outstanding
On Kashi I expected a hard working player from what I had read, but so far he's offered everything you'd want in a defensive midfielder. Strong in the tackle, brave and aggressive when needed, reads the game well, passes the ball accurately, is always there to offer teammates a passing option etc. I was one that was never too bothered about keeping Buyens. While he was a good player I felt we could improve with a different type of player, someone stronger in the tackle and who offered more energy. Kashi's given us that and more.
Makienok and Ba have done well, should be more to come from them as neither have played much football in the past year.
Not sure what we'll see from Bergdich this season just yet and I haven't seen enough of Ceballos. Not been to the cup games so haven't seen Sarr yet.
I don't see such a big improvement in the scouting myself. JBG, Henderson and Vetokele are/will be just as important this season. Bulot would have been included in that had he signed permanently and had he wanted to stay Ben Haim would have been good cover.
I'd say the main differences are that only Makienok isn't on a long term contract and we're not gambling on Standard Liege reserves like Tucudean. We now look like we're building a squad for the longer term and not just to compete this season.
Kashi looks like a very good technical pressing midfielder with an occasional eye for goal
Big mak looks like a very good pain in the arse for defenders when attacking and attackers when defending. Like a lot of very tall players he can look a little odd on the ball but his footballing skills are really good if you watch
Ba looks like a very good player although maybe not as stand out as the above so far maybe because he has more competition for his place and has not yet found a settles role.
Bergdych looks pretty good technically but not quite on the pace and maybe a bit lightweight for some opposition
Ceballos has not especially impressed me yet, good occasional skills but not consistent so far and looks likely to be dispossessed, screw up until he gets more accustomed to the championship. Not a bad signing though.
Sarr not seen but following match threads looks like will end up this season or next as bauers natural partner to allow Diarra to play his natural role or retire depending on timing.
Summary then:
I also can't separate Bauer, kashi and mak because they are all very good.
All mentioned good signings though.
Following closely behind him is Bauer (second time I've seen him), big, strong, deceptively quick, good on the ball for his size, quietly and efficiently goes about his business and only 22 another fantastic prospect. Hats of to RD, KM and the scouting team who seem to have hit the jackpot with these two at least.
All I know is that next season when we sign someone and I turned round and say Im underwhelmed over whoever that player is, they'll turn out to be one of our best players.
Last season it was Tal Ben-Haim, this year it was Ahmed Kashi and wasnt impressed with either signing when it was announced.
Dead heat
1) Bauer; 1)= Kashi .. honourable mention to Big Mak ((:>)
They each had to score from a corner from the Left and then from the Right and the ball wasn't allowed to bounce before going into the goal (Person with the least amount of chances won)... Ceballos hit one shot which went into the goal but clearly didnt bounce and claimed it before going on to win overall (basically cheated)
when we were asked this question at the beginning of season My nap was Bauer,
and i still think he will be the most consistent, but Kashi looks class, Big Mak is a revelation, Ba is decent. Bergdich's 1st touch is not in Bulot class but hope he improves with games, Ceballos may take longer to impact on the team as he had played only U21 football in England. Sarr will be good if he stays patient, and learns from Diarra and Bauer, who are doing master classes at the moment in how to play at centre back.