Farke may have hinted that he was not exactly delighted with our transfer business, but I’m actually feeling pretty confident after our last two performances.
I don’t think we’ve had a proper No.10 since Pablo left, I’m not really sure what Georgie was, an enigma maybe. His assists will be missed but this season I see a front six that will create and score a bag full of chances. Aaronson has looked lively and will get more time and space in the Championship, most encouraging his rotation with the other forwards, particularly Gnonto has been really good. Gnonto has looked very much at home when coming inside.
The new boys all looks decent too, Solomon already looks a class above even with limited game time and Ramazani is a Summerville clone. Tanaka demands the ball and looks confident and Rothwell gives us something we didn’t have last season.
Perhaps the most important thing is the return of Pascal Struijk though. Dominant in the centre od defence he is perhaps the best ball playing defender we’ve had since the days of Woodgate and Ferdinand. Confident and stepping forward, some of his passing, particularly to Solomon and Firpo against Hull by passed their whole midfield and create chances out wide.
The return of Struijk also allows Ampadu to step into a defensive three of Rodon, Ampadu and Struijk. One of the best defensive trios in the league, they are also extremely capable of playing a wide variety of passes to get us moving forward. With Gruev or Tanaka sitting in front they have another option to beat the press and to break things up when the opposition counters.
This solid platform at the back allows everyone else and I mean everyone else to push forward. Wigers high and wide, wing backs just indie, the 10 swarming round the edge of the box or pushing on means we have the numbers in attack to overwhelm the opposition. Joseph is the ideal front man in this formation, but I also think it will suit Piroe more than last season.
This may all be cope on my behalf, I know we’ve lost quality but I genuinely feel like we have a more balanced squad, better options from the bench and the capability to play more direct, attacking football without the over reliance on two individuals.
