Torgeir

Nice article on Germain here. https://www.starsandstripesfc.com/usmnt-americans-abroad/2024/4/18/24132103/ryo-germain-usmnt-usa-united-states-japan-j-league-striker-call-up-jubilo-iwata-goals-national-team Ohashi and Germain are both relatively low risk signings. Cheap and probably not on the highest wages. From what I can see the J-League average salararies are well below the US Major League for example. Definitely adding hard working players and getting rid of the lazy ones (Siggy/Bucko) and I think that's something it's easy for the fans to appreciate.

2024: 20 apps, 15 goals 0 assists 2023: 31 apps, 9 goals 3 assists 2022: 29 apps, 3 goals 0 assists

Germain predominantly scores with his left and his head, and has 0 assists which is a little worrying. Good option on as left attacker or no. 9, and Hedges can play in different positions so we're flexible in that sense. Sigurdsson can leave, Buckley has had a little bit of bad luck but seems to have stagnated so if we can get a fee for him and replace him then I'll be okay with that. Do people rate Collins?

If Leonard leaves then we're starting to wear thin in that position, no? He's been injured a lot the past six months or so so good move for him if true.

Hyam played well tonight too. We started off brightly and with intent. Some good passing but slowed down towards the break, only for Derby to grab the bull by both horns and give us a proper fight. Good to see we're up for one!

Sigurdsson is yet to show up properly and doesn't have the workrate unfortunately. If he doesn't produce goals/assists then he's a luxury player we can't afford to put in the side. Vale should be sold or given away, Markanday has shown glimpses but he's League 1 standard.

Travis I thought I heard on the speaker.

If we play two center halves then tonight we saw our first choice pairing. With three either can play so they'll definitely play their part. Four goals from four different players, and two of our debutants scoring with Gueye coming close early doors.

He also jumps into tackles and finds it hard to track his man after missing. Needs to stop doing that. However, he was strongly involved in our first goal so it's nice to see he puts a bit of energy into the mix.

JRC was poor Great effort by all debutants. Derby must have had 20 corners but to concede two is disappointing nonetheless. Great spirit to score just after they got a deserved equaliser. Travis had a good game as well, both ways. Very good game.

Too soon to rule out O'Riordan, just needs to be playing. I reckon we're after a left-footed player to play on the left side along with Hedges. 'Hedgy' did well there but his body can't handle 46 games in a season.

Leeds have others that chip in. I'm sure Gueye and Ohashi will grab a few, and JRC possibly five? Hedges four and Dolan the same... our set pieces improved towards the end of last season and we look more intimidating now, but I'm concerned about our lack of pace and inability to break teams down effectively. Hope we come out guns blazing tomorrow night though!

Four first team players would make it a real shake-up this summer. Anything is possible but we lack pace and power, and most of all squad depth as things stand. And we're about to lose our only proven scorer at this level.

I don't disagree but compared to our other senior players who have gone through pre-season he should be just as fit as he's played competitive games throughout the summer.

Match fitness is whether he's ready physically, and he's coming in from more than midway through a season in the J-League he should be. We've done ourselves a disfavour by not making sure Szmodics is match fit, that's for sure. Wonder who is the brains behind that...

Fair enough. I think Gueye starts and Ohashi might also but could be better as an impact sub if he's not up to speed tactically.

Why is Eustace saying Ohashi isn't match fit? He last played in the J-league on July 27 and was a regular for Sanfreece Hiroshima.

https://www.rtvoost.nl/nieuws/2462590/jeffrey-de-lange-gaat-ga-eagles-verlaten-hij-heeft-het-hier-geweldig-gedaan On to the next one.

Not jumping the gun either way here. Not signing de Lange is not the end of the world, should be able to find a decent goalkeeper in the same bracket BUT we need to hurry.

A shame Noah Ohio went to Utrecht. Would've been a good talented striker to bring in at 21 years old.

He never showed up when called upon.

Well well past it. Doesn't have the legs anymore.

We definitely need a poacher a la Dack or Szmodics that can pop up in the right positions and have a decent conversation rate. I don't know who in our current squad that has the potential but possibly Ohashi or JRC if he works on his composure. Can't wait to see Gueye in action but your description seems in line with the highlight reel so could be better if he gets more aerial crosses instead as he's a good finisher with his head.

Shouldn't be too difficult to find someone better than Pears but we should probably not expect another Kaminski either. It depends a little on what Eustace wants to emphasise as well; a sweeping keeper that can pass or a good shot stopper that can't. The full package would cost a lot more than £1m, which seems to be our budget for that position. I've said it before but the big question is what happens if Venky's are successful in their court case. Will we see a marquee signing towards the end of the winow? A couple of 'big' loans from the Premier League? Suddenly we can go from relegation candidates to outside contenders for promotion - just hope we're able to play with a little more freedom again now that we don't have our backs to the wall.

We have probably just enquired about Rushworth as he has been loaned out for several seasons now and isn't anywhere near the Brighton first team.