Since Mahrez left...

ClaphamFox

Roofer
...we've brought in Diabate, Ghezzal, Perez, Under and Lookman to try out in that RW/RM position. None of them anywhere near good enough. I know it hasn't exactly been a terrible few years, but we've really missed the stroppy Algerian.
 
When you're measured against a player like Mahrez and, in particular, the major role he played in that miraculous 15/16 season, most players are bound to come short.

Perhaps there is an unspoken belief that we'll manage again to pick an unknown player from obscurity who turns out an absolute gem, whilst in reality most obscure players stay obscure players?

We also mustn't forget that Mahrez had time to settle in the Championship and "grow up" with us before he really started to stand out under the Don 1 1/2 years later. It's now much more difficult for any other player that we need to perform much closer to top PL standard much quicker.

About time we find somebody who is both a huge talent and can make the grade quickly. Not easy.
 
...we've brought in Diabate, Ghezzal, Perez, Under and Lookman to try out in that RW/RM position. None of them anywhere near good enough. I know it hasn't exactly been a terrible few years, but we've really missed the stroppy Algerian.
That's part of the problem we'll never be able to replace Mahrez. All those players you mentioned aren't bad players it's just that everyone judges it against Mahrez.
 
I think we made a mistake in not going for Bowen. It was obvious he was an excellent championship player, scoring and creating lots of goals for Hull. He could have been bought at any time in the 18 months before he went to West Ham. For £20m to me it was a good gamble. He’s turned into a v good addition to their team. Going for very good championship players is IMO a better bet than a lot of players from foreign countries. Eg Soumare at the moment.
 
When you're measured against a player like Mahrez and, in particular, the major role he played in that miraculous 15/16 season, most players are bound to come short.

Perhaps there is an unspoken belief that we'll manage again to pick an unknown player from obscurity who turns out an absolute gem, whilst in reality most obscure players stay obscure players?

We also mustn't forget that Mahrez had time to settle in the Championship and "grow up" with us before he really started to stand out under the Don 1 1/2 years later. It's now much more difficult for any other player that we need to perform much closer to top PL standard much quicker.

About time we find somebody who is both a huge talent and can make the grade quickly. Not easy.

Good point about him having time to settle in the Championship. Also, imagine the influence Lloyd Dyer must have had that season in moulding him into that sublime talent. People probably forget that.
 
...we've brought in Diabate, Ghezzal, Perez, Under and Lookman to try out in that RW/RM position. None of them anywhere near good enough. I know it hasn't exactly been a terrible few years, but we've really missed the stroppy Algerian.
BR said the other day lookman has been unfortunate because lookmans best position is on the left.
 
I think we made a mistake in not going for Bowen. It was obvious he was an excellent championship player, scoring and creating lots of goals for Hull. He could have been bought at any time in the 18 months before he went to West Ham. For £20m to me it was a good gamble. He’s turned into a v good addition to their team. Going for very good championship players is IMO a better bet than a lot of players from foreign countries. Eg Soumare at the moment.
Totally agree with this. Bowen was available and very likely obtainable before West Ham picked him up. He’d do very nicely right now.
 
I think we should go for Traore from Wolves. I know everyone says there’s no end product, but he always scares the shit out of me, and if we could harness that, I think he’d solve our right side problem. And word is that WW continue to drop the price.
He's had one good season in his entire career.
 
I think we should go for Traore from Wolves. I know everyone says there’s no end product, but he always scares the shit out of me, and if we could harness that, I think he’d solve our right side problem. And word is that WW continue to drop the price.
That 'if' is doing a lot of heavy lifting there, Flemington.
 
I think we should go for Traore from Wolves. I know everyone says there’s no end product, but he always scares the shit out of me, and if we could harness that, I think he’d solve our right side problem. And word is that WW continue to drop the price.
I agree he is scary to play against but he’s been at Barcelona/ villa/ Middlesbrough & wolves & his end product is still exactly the same ( it doesn’t exist )
 
I think we should go for Traore from Wolves. I know everyone says there’s no end product, but he always scares the shit out of me, and if we could harness that, I think he’d solve our right side problem. And word is that WW continue to drop the price.
Fee would be OK it's just the baby oil for his limbs that might make the move prohibitive.
 
I would argue that trying to replicate or even replace Mahrez, possibly the most skilful player we have ever had, is a waste of time. Of the players we have signed, only Perez cost real money, and whilst he was overpriced, he has been a contributor.
I like Lookman, he does have skills, and why folk on here write him off I fail to understand. I am happy to see this as a transition season when the new signings like Daka and Lookman get established, and, just as importantly, the players we have lost to extended injury absences like Riccardo, Barnes, JJ and Fofana get back to their previous levels of performance.
The downside of this is that we may lose Youri, but I think that with the squad we have got we are more than capable of competing for a top four place. Based on this season, only Arsenal and West Ham look any good, and WH are already starting to wobble because of their weak squad. I see nothing to fear from Everton, Brighton or Spuds
Six points from the next two games would be a good start, but as always with our team, there are no such things as certainties. Remember our last home game v the Toon.
 
Spuds will be a force second half of the season now they have a decent manager. Got a very important game in Europe as well next week which we can't afford to lose.
 
I was keen on us signing Danjuma (ex Bournemouth, now Villareal) last summer, but with 20:20 hindsight the obvious purchase was Emmanuel Dennis for £4.5m - they are still out there, quality players that aren't pricey, you just gotta find 'em
 
...we've brought in Diabate, Ghezzal, Perez, Under and Lookman to try out in that RW/RM position. None of them anywhere near good enough. I know it hasn't exactly been a terrible few years, but we've really missed the stroppy Algerian.
They ain't easy to find with the skills he had
 
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