30 Jan 2023 10:57:05
Would you buy a DM in the summer or do you think Bajcetic steps up and means we don't need to buy one anymore?

Perhaps Hendo steps in as 2nd choice with Fabinho moving on?

I'm sure there would have been plans to buy a new DM so you'd think we might have well saved us ourselves a few quid for the summer!

1.) 30 Jan 2023
30 Jan 2023 11:05:41
I'd buy three midfielders. It'd be good if they could defend as well as pass the ball and score the odd goal.
A midfielder should be able to defend and attack. If they can't do both I wouldn't buy them.
Saying that, I've never had to buy one!

2.) 30 Jan 2023
30 Jan 2023 11:06:23
I would still go out and get another DM, probably someone like thuram. Him + bajectic with Hendo as an alternative gives us good options at the base of our midfield.
Then add two box to box midfielders and we’re good to go. Kone and Bellingham plus thuram and our midfield is in good shape again.

3.) 30 Jan 2023
30 Jan 2023 11:11:34
I do think that Bajcetic could save us quite a few million, but he is 18 so will have dips in form and can't play every game as he's probably still growing.

Hendo or Fab could rotate with him, I really want Fab to get his mojo back as such a good player does not just drop off a cliff like that.

4.) 30 Jan 2023
30 Jan 2023 11:16:35
If Fabinho continues to play like this then Id buy a midfielder who can play the 6 or 8 role like Rice for example. Baj is great but he shouldn't be expected to play every game at his age.

5.) 30 Jan 2023
30 Jan 2023 11:17:32
We need one of each type (no6, box-to-box, playmaker) of midfielder in the summer in addition to giving Bajcetic more time. The young lad is only 18 and we know that until they are 21 they are subject to more physical development that could hinder their playing time and form. By all means leave a spot in the squad for him but don't bet the whole house on him.

Hendo is not a solution for any problem we have. His legs have gone I am afraid. We went through this with Stevie G at the end, but at least Stevie could still pull out a world class pass.

Fabinho clearly has some issues but I don't think they are physical. However, perhaps he might be considered a saleable asset in the summer if he doesn't snap out of it. Let's see how he gets on after a timeout.

6.) 30 Jan 2023
30 Jan 2023 11:28:52
Bajcetic can step up as much as he likes it’s no use if he’s the only good dm we have. Fabinho out Declan Rice in.

7.) 30 Jan 2023
30 Jan 2023 11:31:59
Be a big ask for Bajcetic to be first choice without a reliable senior player to at least rotate with at his age. He's done well so far, but there probably will be a wobble. He's a kid and it's to be expected. At the same time, the more he plays the better his development will go. Theoretically at least. So I wouldn't want to go and spend £80m on a new defensive midfielder in his early 20s.

Ideal circumstances is we rehabilitate Fabinho, and rotate the two with Bajcetic taking over more and more game time over the next couple of years until he's ready to work without a safety net.

But Fabs can't be brought back to what he was, I'd go with Redwillis' idea and get someone who can play both as a defensive midfielder and a more advanced role. Getting a decent dedicated DM who'd both be good enough but also happy to play second fiddle wouldn't be easy.

8.) 30 Jan 2023
30 Jan 2023 11:59:51
The main question is do we have the money to buy everything we need? It seems like we need 4-5 players. It’s going to cost £250m especially if Bellingham is one. A DM is a priority but a Bellingham type is even more important. Hopefully these so called scouts are on the case.

9.) 30 Jan 2023
30 Jan 2023 12:47:07
I think it will all depend on what happens Bellingham wise. If he does sign it’s a huge outlay and resources will be lesser after that. If he doesn’t sign I’d say there’s more money to buy alternatives at a lower cost, which would free up more.

10.) 30 Jan 2023
30 Jan 2023 12:52:34
markp08 - we might need more than 4/ 5 in the summer. Kelleher, Gomez and Tsimikas might also be on the move to search for first team football. Yet if you dare say that the squad has been mismanaged you get your head bitten off.

11.) 30 Jan 2023
30 Jan 2023 13:36:48
Anyone like the look of Onana, over at Everton?
He’s always impressed me when I’ve watched them.
He’d definitely be on my radar.

12.) 30 Jan 2023
30 Jan 2023 14:20:31
Onana can get about the pitch but I don't know whether he has enough quality. I haven't seen a lot of him though.
I doubt Everton would sell to us anyway; especially when you at the position they are in.

13.) 30 Jan 2023
30 Jan 2023 14:20:31
Onana can get about the pitch but I don't know whether he has enough quality. I haven't seen a lot of him though.
I doubt Everton would sell to us anyway; especially when you at the position they are in.

14.) 30 Jan 2023
30 Jan 2023 14:21:38
Nah we’re good with what we have. I reckon we get a couple left Wingers in.

15.) 30 Jan 2023
30 Jan 2023 14:47:21
Was thinking it'd be fun to pinch him when they're relegated Juicer. He's a bit disorganised and raw, but if we were to bring a high press back, there are worse players we could sign. Probably are better ones too though. He at least seems to have the energy for a pressing team.

Of course, it's quite likely other clubs will be interested. Chelsea for example clearly want to sign every player on the face of the earth, so Everton could refuse to sell him to us and just sell to someone else.

16.) 30 Jan 2023
30 Jan 2023 17:29:14
Bajcetic can solidly his place in the starting line up if he has the ability and attitude. His age should be be a hinderance.

Barca have been throwing young players into the deep end for years now. It all boils down to the players physical and mental attributes.

Owen, fowler, macca, Trent even Stirling we all very young and made the position their own. Bellingham is a perfect example of this.

17.) 30 Jan 2023
30 Jan 2023 18:34:42
K I like your point, Baj looks quality to me too, just his physical attributes will settle once he stops growing yet that doesn’t appear bad by any means, bit more core strength he’ll be flying.

18.) 30 Jan 2023
30 Jan 2023 19:29:58
KayiBey, I think it's different for a number 6 (or CB) though, due to the strength needed at times, especially in the PL.

19.) 30 Jan 2023
30 Jan 2023 19:44:50
Bacjetic! An off season having established himself as a first team regular will help him make another step. Morton coming back too.

20.) 31 Jan 2023
30 Jan 2023 21:45:18
We need Bellingham and either Rice, Gallagher, Neves or Nunes, keep Bajectic churning over, Fab and Henderson can play once a week, we keep Jones and Thiago rotating, then we have Elliott and Carvalho to throw in the mix, no need for Keita, Ox, Milner to be considered for midfield, we would 8/ 9 class midfield players all pushing each other for places, we need 1 new CB, a top class one and upfront i think we are fine but maybe look to move Salah on as his form has been gash for over a year, a top class RW and that would be the squad sorted, Ramsey needs to start playing more, he looks the part.