I think Fanni doesn't carry any risks at all Dan tbh
His experienced and has a fine pedigree, what I will agree with is that it's no risk die to it costing nothing and yet again we haven't spent money
It's a risk imo in that it's a position we didn't need to strengthen, and bringing in another overseas on a 5 month contract, if things aren't going well in the next couple of months, I just don't see these type of signings having the mentality to dig out a tough point on the road etc, probably an unfair generalisation and I'm pretty sure the bloke will prove decent (I'm a huge Diarra fan), but at the expense of Solly?
With respect, it's a position we completely needed to strengthen. Solly gets injured and with our already existing centre back crisis the go-to right back cover appeared to be... a 17 left back/winger. That's asking for trouble especially as we know that anything that is bad enough to put Solly out tends to keep him out.
I think Fanni doesn't carry any risks at all Dan tbh
His experienced and has a fine pedigree, what I will agree with is that it's no risk die to it costing nothing and yet again we haven't spent money
It's a risk imo in that it's a position we didn't need to strengthen, and bringing in another overseas on a 5 month contract, if things aren't going well in the next couple of months, I just don't see these type of signings having the mentality to dig out a tough point on the road etc, probably an unfair generalisation and I'm pretty sure the bloke will prove decent (I'm a huge Diarra fan), but at the expense of Solly?
I'm gonna guess this blokes a better Cb than Lennon.
Do we not play 4-4-2 away and against top 5 teams until the end of the season? We have players who can counter.
I can't see Riga getting an understanding of most of the players of 4-3-3. Maybe the new guys who have played at a higher level may help with that but the only times I saw Luzon and Fraeye go with it, we looked very poor.
Struggle to see immediately who would play as 1 in a 4-5-1, maybe the new signing Nogoals?
Depends who we are playing and clearly need to keep the opposition guessing as to where players will move within the basic contstruct.
Question is whether we will get enough points playing a solid 4-4-2 with players who are good enough.
I think Fanni doesn't carry any risks at all Dan tbh
His experienced and has a fine pedigree, what I will agree with is that it's no risk die to it costing nothing and yet again we haven't spent money
It's a risk imo in that it's a position we didn't need to strengthen, and bringing in another overseas on a 5 month contract, if things aren't going well in the next couple of months, I just don't see these type of signings having the mentality to dig out a tough point on the road etc, probably an unfair generalisation and I'm pretty sure the bloke will prove decent (I'm a huge Diarra fan), but at the expense of Solly?
I know some people on here are totally incapable of recognising when the senior management team make a sensible decision, but not so long ago Solly could not play more than 1 game a week due to the state of his knees, so to risk playing the rest of seeing out the rest of the season with only one experienced specialist right back would have been madness! Not to mention being detrimental to Sollys health for the rest of his life.
I think Fanni doesn't carry any risks at all Dan tbh
His experienced and has a fine pedigree, what I will agree with is that it's no risk die to it costing nothing and yet again we haven't spent money
It's a risk imo in that it's a position we didn't need to strengthen, and bringing in another overseas on a 5 month contract, if things aren't going well in the next couple of months, I just don't see these type of signings having the mentality to dig out a tough point on the road etc, probably an unfair generalisation and I'm pretty sure the bloke will prove decent (I'm a huge Diarra fan), but at the expense of Solly?
I'm gonna guess this blokes a better Cb than Lennon.
Then if he is to play CB then I'd rather we brought in a CB rather than a RB who has been playing in Qatar in a nothing league.
Just my opinion, fully appreciate if others think I'm being negative. Perhaps I'm just too old skool in approach but if I was assessing what a Championship team needed to get out a relegation zone with three months to go, I would have gone down a different route with signings.
So that's another two foreign players (one of whom his coach at Ajax did not rate) with no experience of the Championship. Singularly unimpressed but I will reserve judgement until I see them in action.
For me both signings are about playing style and team balance.
For Sanogo - if we have made a decision to stick with playing Makienok up top then we have to adopt a style of play to suit him. At that point the squad needs someone of similar physique and style who is going to a) compete with him b) be his back up? c) give an option to double up
As it stood if Makienok were injured/ loses form you would have to completely change the style of play. I have no idea whether the lad can deliver at this level but then to be honest neither have 90% of you.
As a youth player he had an outstanding profile but he has struggled for the consistency to make the grade at Arsenal. He will hardly be the first to have suffered that fate and for the past 2 -3 years has like so many young players today become a bit part player wherever he has played.
I am simply not going to prejudge whether the guy can play based on a few cameo appearances here and there.
Lets give the guy some support. Who knows it may be the making of him.
For Fanni - the guy started 22 games at Centre Back for Olympic Marseille in Ligue 1 last season.
He also provides excellent cover at right back if they need to manage/ rest Solly.
Both cover two of the glaring weaknesses (others still remain) in the balance and structure of the squad assembled during the close season.
There is no bigger critic of this regimes recruitment policy than me and I suggest Riga has been instrumental in trying to fix the nonsense he inherited.
With the earlier signing of Texiera he has addressed what was a "powder puff" spine to the team. It speaks volumes to his assessment of the readiness of Sarr & Johnson to contribute this season.
That either of these latter players were signed in the first place is quite another matter.
I think Fanni doesn't carry any risks at all Dan tbh
His experienced and has a fine pedigree, what I will agree with is that it's no risk die to it costing nothing and yet again we haven't spent money
It's a risk imo in that it's a position we didn't need to strengthen, and bringing in another overseas on a 5 month contract, if things aren't going well in the next couple of months, I just don't see these type of signings having the mentality to dig out a tough point on the road etc, probably an unfair generalisation and I'm pretty sure the bloke will prove decent (I'm a huge Diarra fan), but at the expense of Solly?
I'm gonna guess this blokes a better Cb than Lennon.
Then if he is to play CB then I'd rather we brought in a CB rather than a RB who has been playing in Qatar in a nothing league.
Just my opinion, fully appreciate if others think I'm being negative. Perhaps I'm just too old skool in approach but if I was assessing what a Championship team needed to get out a relegation zone with three months to go, I would have gone down a different route with signings.
I don't think you're being negative, you're right to question it. We'll have to see how it pans out. If he has been signed as cover at full back, then fine, we need it, I can't believe his wages are that high, and if Solly picks up a knock or needs a rest, he can jump straight in. If he is used as a CB it will be a strange one and I would agree, a proper CB rather than someone who can slot in would have been a better option.
I said my piece about Sanogo and got jumped on by a few who seem to think that he is the new messiah or something. Anyway, my main concern is that we still lack creativity in the centre of midfield and I hoped this would be addressed during the window, but it seems to have been overlooked.
Don't think I have ever disagreed with the G49 but sanogoal holds the ball up on a total different Way to big mak if anything I think sanogoal is a plan b type of solution not a like for like style replacement, as a goal scorer I think it's a shit option, I have read on here the championship is a different level to where he has been and he should do ok. But I have seen him miss chances that he shouldn't miss, not even testing the keeper at times when as a minimum making the keeper save it is harder than scoring, Yet he misses the goal, on the other side of that coin I have thought his build up and approach play has a lot to offer as does his channel runs into dangerous areas, it's just he has no composure as a finisher
If like Grapevine says it turns out he played 20odd games at CB in France last season, then fair enough I reassess a little. Not doubting for a minute he is going to have quality. Would still prefer a fat-necked lump from a northern pit town at CB though!
I think Fanni doesn't carry any risks at all Dan tbh
His experienced and has a fine pedigree, what I will agree with is that it's no risk die to it costing nothing and yet again we haven't spent money
It's a risk imo in that it's a position we didn't need to strengthen, and bringing in another overseas on a 5 month contract, if things aren't going well in the next couple of months, I just don't see these type of signings having the mentality to dig out a tough point on the road etc, probably an unfair generalisation and I'm pretty sure the bloke will prove decent (I'm a huge Diarra fan), but at the expense of Solly?
I'm gonna guess this blokes a better Cb than Lennon.
Then if he is to play CB then I'd rather we brought in a CB rather than a RB who has been playing in Qatar in a nothing league.
Just my opinion, fully appreciate if others think I'm being negative. Perhaps I'm just too old skool in approach but if I was assessing what a Championship team needed to get out a relegation zone with three months to go, I would have gone down a different route with signings.
He played alot of games as Cb for Marseille last season. Plus we have Diarra and Bauer who can play there when fit. The need for a 'main' Cb isn't that high on the agenda but the short term fix is.
Then, once Bauer is fit then it's competition for places and cover for Solly. Not a bad signing at all imo and adds more balance to the squad.
If like Grapevine says it turns out he played 20odd games at CB in France last season, then fair enough I reassess a little. Not doubting for a minute he is going to have quality. Would still prefer a fat-necked lump from a northern pit town at CB though!
Which shows your class.......can't do smiley things
So that's another two foreign players (one of whom his coach at Ajax did not rate) with no experience of the Championship. Singularly unimpressed but I will reserve judgement until I see them in action.
Why are you reserving judgement? It's like we are all too afraid to say what we all really think and feel.
You make two good points. Neither are English and neither has experience in this league, let alone a relegation fight in this league.
On top of that, one is 34 years old and will have rings run round him by younger opposition, fact. He currently plays in a league where the quality of games is dire. Realistically, how long do you think he will need to settle and how long have we got to give him?
The other is a striker who hasn't scored a competitive goal in 3 years? I wonder why no one else was in for him.....hummmm?
Both are on loan. Neither will fight passionately for this club. Neither need this team to stay up. Fanni, at 34 has nothing to prove. He's taking the last few quid he can earn.
As for the other guy....if he was half decent a) Wenger would have him playing first team football by now ( he's not exactly a 17 year old causing waves is he) and b) he would have at least scored some goals?
I'm sorry, but yet again these are two utter shit signings, neither of whom I'm happy to see arrive. they will do nothing and if I'm wrong, give it a few weeks and I'll admit I'm wrong. But I'm bloody sure I won't be.
God....I just need to hear Mak and Reza have signed contracts and that'll push me over the edge.
If like Grapevine says it turns out he played 20odd games at CB in France last season, then fair enough I reassess a little. Not doubting for a minute he is going to have quality. Would still prefer a fat-necked lump from a northern pit town at CB though!
You have your Real England Hero Plucky Top Lad in Roger Johnson, disaster signing and near-alcoholic supreme
I do wonder if we ever really intended to or tried to make a permanent signing this window. It's interesting that Rotherham's local press completely denied we ever bid for Clarke-Harris.
Will Sanogo or Fanni be here this time next year? I highly doubt it. More short-term signings. Where are the Premier League ambitions in that? How does any football club progress that way?
I'd love to know who scouted Rod Fanni. Did anyone or was it a last minute call from an agent?
Deadline passed; Lookman still here. Hopefully he'll sign the new deal too.
For me this is the best news for the run in. I do fear he will be gone in the summer tho. The rest of the activity today im not greatly impressed with, but being optimistic they may just get a few goals and stop a few goals between them. Having played football manager games for years i know how helpful loan players can be lol but ideally you dont want to be running the club that way for too long. Heres hoping we move up the league in feb.
Comments
I can't see Riga getting an understanding of most of the players of 4-3-3. Maybe the new guys who have played at a higher level may help with that but the only times I saw Luzon and Fraeye go with it, we looked very poor.
Struggle to see immediately who would play as 1 in a 4-5-1, maybe the new signing Nogoals?
Depends who we are playing and clearly need to keep the opposition guessing as to where players will move within the basic contstruct.
Question is whether we will get enough points playing a solid 4-4-2 with players who are good enough.
Any thoughts?
Just my opinion, fully appreciate if others think I'm being negative. Perhaps I'm just too old skool in approach but if I was assessing what a Championship team needed to get out a relegation zone with three months to go, I would have gone down a different route with signings.
For Sanogo - if we have made a decision to stick with playing Makienok up top then we have to adopt a style of play to suit him. At that point the squad needs someone of similar physique and style who is going to a) compete with him b) be his back up? c) give an option to double up
As it stood if Makienok were injured/ loses form you would have to completely change the style of play. I have no idea whether the lad can deliver at this level but then to be honest neither have 90% of you.
As a youth player he had an outstanding profile but he has struggled for the consistency to make the grade at Arsenal. He will hardly be the first to have suffered that fate and for the past 2 -3 years has like so many young players today become a bit part player wherever he has played.
I am simply not going to prejudge whether the guy can play based on a few cameo appearances here and there.
Lets give the guy some support. Who knows it may be the making of him.
For Fanni - the guy started 22 games at Centre Back for Olympic Marseille in Ligue 1 last season.
He also provides excellent cover at right back if they need to manage/ rest Solly.
Both cover two of the glaring weaknesses (others still remain) in the balance and structure of the squad assembled during the close season.
There is no bigger critic of this regimes recruitment policy than me and I suggest Riga has been instrumental in trying to fix the nonsense he inherited.
With the earlier signing of Texiera he has addressed what was a "powder puff" spine to the team. It speaks volumes to his assessment of the readiness of Sarr & Johnson to contribute this season.
That either of these latter players were signed in the first place is quite another matter.
I said my piece about Sanogo and got jumped on by a few who seem to think that he is the new messiah or something. Anyway, my main concern is that we still lack creativity in the centre of midfield and I hoped this would be addressed during the window, but it seems to have been overlooked.
Then, once Bauer is fit then it's competition for places and cover for Solly. Not a bad signing at all imo and adds more balance to the squad.
Sanogo could have been done next week, but then obviously wouldn't be available for Saturday.
With a resumé like that, fuck championship experience
Got rid of some unused players / wages and brought some players in with decent experience.
Even Colin called a couple right today to shit on the usual nause(s).
Loan window next and anything in between for the as yet unsigned players.
Looking OK for survival from my ivory tower.
Edit - and the club rpists didn't sell Lookman, Cousins or TDH - the slurs.
And Watt will be found out at Blackburn.
You make two good points. Neither are English and neither has experience in this league, let alone a relegation fight in this league.
On top of that, one is 34 years old and will have rings run round him by younger opposition, fact. He currently plays in a league where the quality of games is dire. Realistically, how long do you think he will need to settle and how long have we got to give him?
The other is a striker who hasn't scored a competitive goal in 3 years? I wonder why no one else was in for him.....hummmm?
Both are on loan. Neither will fight passionately for this club. Neither need this team to stay up. Fanni, at 34 has nothing to prove. He's taking the last few quid he can earn.
As for the other guy....if he was half decent a) Wenger would have him playing first team football by now ( he's not exactly a 17 year old causing waves is he) and b) he would have at least scored some goals?
I'm sorry, but yet again these are two utter shit signings, neither of whom I'm happy to see arrive. they will do nothing and if I'm wrong, give it a few weeks and I'll admit I'm wrong. But I'm bloody sure I won't be.
God....I just need to hear Mak and Reza have signed contracts and that'll push me over the edge.
Even if we had signed Kurt Zouma, I wouldn't have started him this week. (Note to self sometimes you screw up)
Will Sanogo or Fanni be here this time next year? I highly doubt it. More short-term signings. Where are the Premier League ambitions in that? How does any football club progress that way?
I'd love to know who scouted Rod Fanni. Did anyone or was it a last minute call from an agent?