On Trial - Stoppila Sunzu

[Pepe the Horseman]

He was here as a kid. We thought we might have a look at him recently, but he’s involved in the African Cup of Nations and there were a lot of games, so there wasn’t a chance to do that. Whether or not we bring him in to have a look, time will tell.

Doesn't exactly sound like a done deal.

[Hoop Blah]

every portuguese expert ive heard discussing him have all said CB. and that barring 1 good game in the europa league, he struggled at CDM, hasnt got the passing ability, and gets alot of unnecessary bookings

Interesting. I've not seen anything from anyone who's opinion I trust so don't have a clue, but if the above is correct it's a little odd that McDermott has said he's coming here primarily to compete in midfield.

[Esteban]

A lot of people seem to think, or at least that's the way I'm reading it, that Carrico, Sunzu and Rogic are the only signings we're going to make in this window. It's 4th January and our next league game is a week away, there's still plenty of time to bring in some players with PL experience before then.

It's quite possible the club are trying to get the permanent deals done first in order to plan for the future, before looking to bring in the experience they want for the rest of this season. Given our current league position, it's likely that those deals will be loans anyway, plus other PL clubs may not want to let players go until they've got replacements in. In isolation, the Carrico signing and the potential transfers of Sunzu and Rogic probably aren't good enough to keep us up; but you can't properly assess the success of the window until 1st February and by then, we may have signed two or three more players with the experience McDermott wants.

[Hoop Blah]

The issue that then leaves us is who are we getting rid of from the Premier League 25?

The Aussie might not be one to bring straight in but Sunzu and Carrico are surely players we are buying for the short and well as medium term aren't they?

If we bombed out Gunnarsson, Church and the injured McCarthy then replace them with the two above, it leaves one free space in the sqaud for the experienced additions you suggest are following. That's great of they are and the likes of Hunt or Gorkss are moved on, but I'm not sure that's going to happen.

[Archie's penalty]

I think my problem with Ian Royal is that there've been a number of Portuguese experts on twitter saying very good things about Carrico.

And Ian's just not sure about him, 'just because.'

Talk about ego on his part.

[Esteban]

The issue that then leaves us is who are we getting rid of from the Premier League 25?

The Aussie might not be one to bring straight in but Sunzu and Carrico are surely players we are buying for the short and well as medium term aren't they?

If we bombed out Gunnarsson, Church and the injured McCarthy then replace them with the two above, it leaves one free space in the sqaud for the experienced additions you suggest are following. That's great of they are and the likes of Hunt or Gorkss are moved on, but I'm not sure that's going to happen.

Who's to say that Sunzu and Rogic will be in the 25 though? Or that we won't send Gorkss or Hunt or even Roberts (if he ever gets fit) out on loan? Or perhaps even leave Pearce out of the 25, if he won't sign his contract? (HIGHLY unlikely, I know)

It's all ifs, buts and maybes of course, but my point is, there's still plenty of time left in this window and therefore a number of different scenarios could yet play out.

[Platypuss]

Rogic wouldn't count in the 25 anyway would he?

[Hoop Blah]

There is a lot of time to go yes, but I think it's very unlikely that these players won't be included in the 25 as they'd be a waste of valuable time, energy and money right now if they weren't due to play a part.

There may well be movements out of the squad as well you're right. My point is that so far it doesn't seem that likely. I've not seen anything to suggest any of our players who've played a significant part this season in danger of getting the boot. It just doesn't seem to be McDermotts style (admittedly he's not had to work with the constraint of the 25 named players before though).

Basically, it's all well and good saying there's plenty of time to go etc, but realistically the longer we take to get anything done the more difficult our job will become and it already seems unlikey that major changes and signings are on their way.

[Hoop Blah]

Rogic wouldn't count in the 25 anyway would he?

Possibly true. I thought the under 21s only counted if they'd been in English football for a defined period of time. That could well be wrong though.

[SCIAG]

Nah, all u-21s count- for example, I don't think Man City have to register Natasic.

You need to have been involved in English football for 3 years before you are 21 (or something along those lines) to count towards the "home grown" quota for the 25.

[Hoop Blah]

Yep, having just googled it that's right SCIAG.

Scenario above still stands though (I'd not counted Rogic in my pontificating). We unregister Gunnarsson, Church and McCarthy, sign and register Sunzu and Carrico and leave ourselves with one free spot before culling the likes of Tabb, Hunt, Roberts or Gorks.

[Extended-Phenotype]

every portuguese expert ive heard discussing him have all said CB. and that barring 1 good game in the europa league, he struggled at CDM, hasnt got the passing ability, and gets alot of unnecessary bookings

In which f/cking case, I'm with Ian. He doesn't sound very inspiring.

[Esteban]

There is a lot of time to go yes, but I think it's very unlikely that these players won't be included in the 25 as they'd be a waste of valuable time, energy and money right now if they weren't due to play a part.

There may well be movements out of the squad as well you're right. My point is that so far it doesn't seem that likely. I've not seen anything to suggest any of our players who've played a significant part this season in danger of getting the boot. It just doesn't seem to be McDermotts style (admittedly he's not had to work with the constraint of the 25 named players before though).

Basically, it's all well and good saying there's plenty of time to go etc, but realistically the longer we take to get anything done the more difficult our job will become and it already seems unlikely that major changes and signings are on their way.

I don't disagree that leaving it too long could make our survival even more unlikely. I just think that worrying about it on 4th January, when we've already been active in the transfer market, isn't good for your health!

I do think though, that any transfers for players we make from other PL clubs, may well depend on those clubs bringing in replacements and that is likely to delay things.

[Hoop Blah]

Agreed on that front Estaban, my issue with your original point was that signing these players means we have less room in our 25 to make room for the experienced players McDermott has rightly identified as what we need to beat the drop.

Although I agree we could then move on fringe players, or just deregister them, I don't think that's looking likely. Basically your 'don't panic there's loads of time left' arguement ignores the 25 man squad limitations.

Fingers crossed McDermott has a couple of quality signings up his sleeve. I won't be holding my breath though, that really would be bad for my health.

[Esteban]

Agreed on that front Estaban, my issue with your original point was that signing these players means we have less room in our 25 to make room for the experienced players McDermott has rightly identified as what we need to beat the drop.

Although I agree we could then move on fringe players, or just deregister them, I don't think that's looking likely. Basically your 'don't panic there's loads of time left' arguement ignores the 25 man squad limitations.

Fingers crossed McDermott has a couple of quality signings up his sleeve. I won't be holding my breath though, that really would be bad for my health.

Now there's something we can be sure of!

I guess it depends on who we might be able to bring in and whether or not McDermott has a ruthless streak. I must admit, I hadn't given enough consideration to the 25 man squad restrictions.

[melonhead]

every portuguese expert ive heard discussing him have all said CB. and that barring 1 good game in the europa league, he struggled at CDM, hasnt got the passing ability, and gets alot of unnecessary bookings

In which f/cking case, I'm with Ian. He doesn't sound very inspiring.

no
ian said, he didnt make him feel warm

[cmonurz]

Obviously much of this is speculation, but if McDermott has signed a player with the specific intention of playing him in a position to which he isn’t particularly suited and hasn’t played much of his career – then he is nuts. And it's not like we're short of defensive midfielders.

[Extended-Phenotype]

every portuguese expert ive heard discussing him have all said CB. and that barring 1 good game in the europa league, he struggled at CDM, hasnt got the passing ability, and gets alot of unnecessary bookings

In which f/cking case, I'm with Ian. He doesn't sound very inspiring.

no
ian said, he didnt make him feel warm

I'm frightened of your new avatar.

[melonhead]

changed it

[Extended-Phenotype]

Not sure about that one, either. The cat one made me want to pet you. Now I just want to kick you in your boring saucer face.