Tim has come out and question the 2013/14 summer signings saying he would have picked EPL experienced players instead of the Baldini european 7.
Hindsight validates an element of that statement. I wonder what our thoughts of Levy would have been if:
1. we did not spend the Bale money all in one year.
2. if we had picked up predominately EPL players (most likely from team below us).
For my own view only one of the seven seems to be the wrong decision. We had plenty defensive midfielders (Sandro, Livermore and Holtby as a backup) Capoue could have been avoided as Livermore is really of similar quality.
And obviously with that money we should have bought a left fullback.
Otherwise -
1. Striker Soldado - our no 2 target was packaged as top quality and has struggled for form. But so has Benteke (EPL experienced) the no 1 target that we missed out on.
2. AM Lamela - yes cruelled for fitting in and concern over the injury, but he is a real talent and should not be discounted for our bad luck.
3. AM Eriksen - has been a highlight and a comparative in EPL Mata was chased but sale closed off. We saved money on this deal and now look to have doubled the trf fee already.
4. AM Chadli - took too long to blend. Finally showing some value but at 7 mill this was never more than potential and the rise and fall on trf fee will not make or break the club.
5. CM - Paulinho - I'd say everyone was stoked to get him particularly watching him in the continental competition. He seemed to start well then faded (fatigue ?), then injury, then some form (poor, average and good). So a real mixed bag and fair to say has not performed to expectations. BUT this was part of a good strategy - we needed more goals from midfield and box to box type and that was a prime example of these requirements. A Brazilian international.
6. DM Capoue - We chased him because the deal to loan Livermore was already done. The energy on this could have been avoided, I realise Jake wanted regular play, in hindsight he could of had it. Ironic now that Jake would attract equal or slightly more than Capoue.
7. CB - a replacement for Caulker. Caulker has had a good yr and knows the PL, but most would have said he did not fit the AVB strategy of playing out and playing a high line. Vlad took some time to blend but again will be a good acquisition. Our misfortune in the plan was that Kabs could not contribute in the early days thus exposing us to using Dawso and Vlad. Also not assisted by using Vertongen at LB instead of a LB.
So in hindsight we did not get too much wrong aside from Soldado hitting a barren patch, Lamela and Capoue getting extensive injuries, oh and NOT getting a LB.
Hindsight validates an element of that statement. I wonder what our thoughts of Levy would have been if:
1. we did not spend the Bale money all in one year.
2. if we had picked up predominately EPL players (most likely from team below us).
For my own view only one of the seven seems to be the wrong decision. We had plenty defensive midfielders (Sandro, Livermore and Holtby as a backup) Capoue could have been avoided as Livermore is really of similar quality.
And obviously with that money we should have bought a left fullback.
Otherwise -
1. Striker Soldado - our no 2 target was packaged as top quality and has struggled for form. But so has Benteke (EPL experienced) the no 1 target that we missed out on.
2. AM Lamela - yes cruelled for fitting in and concern over the injury, but he is a real talent and should not be discounted for our bad luck.
3. AM Eriksen - has been a highlight and a comparative in EPL Mata was chased but sale closed off. We saved money on this deal and now look to have doubled the trf fee already.
4. AM Chadli - took too long to blend. Finally showing some value but at 7 mill this was never more than potential and the rise and fall on trf fee will not make or break the club.
5. CM - Paulinho - I'd say everyone was stoked to get him particularly watching him in the continental competition. He seemed to start well then faded (fatigue ?), then injury, then some form (poor, average and good). So a real mixed bag and fair to say has not performed to expectations. BUT this was part of a good strategy - we needed more goals from midfield and box to box type and that was a prime example of these requirements. A Brazilian international.
6. DM Capoue - We chased him because the deal to loan Livermore was already done. The energy on this could have been avoided, I realise Jake wanted regular play, in hindsight he could of had it. Ironic now that Jake would attract equal or slightly more than Capoue.
7. CB - a replacement for Caulker. Caulker has had a good yr and knows the PL, but most would have said he did not fit the AVB strategy of playing out and playing a high line. Vlad took some time to blend but again will be a good acquisition. Our misfortune in the plan was that Kabs could not contribute in the early days thus exposing us to using Dawso and Vlad. Also not assisted by using Vertongen at LB instead of a LB.
So in hindsight we did not get too much wrong aside from Soldado hitting a barren patch, Lamela and Capoue getting extensive injuries, oh and NOT getting a LB.
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