The Summer 2025 Transfer Window Thread

[ROVERT47]

You're both extrapolating quite a lot from my perfectly reasonable observation that coming into a team defensively on its arse and looking like relegation fodder, and then proceeding to have 0.1% impact isn't exactly encouraging

Now I’ve got a bit more time on my hands, how can I argue with such a succinct reply, I don’t think I’ve ever used a word containing 5 syllables.
I never use anything above 1 or 2, I’ve probably used 3 when I’ve been trying to impress the reception desk when checking in on a holiday.

 

[leedswolf]

He is the resurrection and the life

He couldn't ever bring himself to hate you as he'd like?

 

[Dire Wolf]

Now I’ve got a bit more time on my hands, how can I argue with such a succinct reply, I don’t think I’ve ever used a word containing 5 syllables.
I never use anything above 1 or 2, I’ve probably used 3 when I’ve been trying to impress the reception desk when checking in on a holiday.

 

[19th Holer]

Got to say I'm surprised how highly rated RAN is, I think it will prove to be a decent fee, anyone with 'back' in their job description needs to be able to defend at times and he really isn't a very good defender.

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

A decent fee for us?

 

[Carsy]

The ‘re’ is silent

 

[Carsy]

Got to say I'm surprised how highly rated RAN is, I think it will prove to be a decent fee, anyone with 'back' in their job description needs to be able to defend at times and he really isn't a very good defender.

Strangely I think it’s a poor fee for RAN but a decent enough fee for Cunha, with the caveat with Cunha of our situation in January

 

[NicholasG1973]

Strangely I think it’s a poor fee for RAN but a decent enough fee for Cunha, with the caveat with Cunha of our situation in January

I think it’s a fucking piss poor deal for both.

Might be one of the reasons Hobbs doesn’t have a job any more.

 

[Carsy]

I think it’s a fucking piss poor deal for both.

Might be one of the reasons Hobbs doesn’t have a job any more.

Think with the Cunha one there’s far more caveats.

I’m really suprised by the RAN deal though

 

[sycophantia]

Got to say I'm surprised how highly rated RAN is, I think it will prove to be a decent fee, anyone with 'back' in their job description needs to be able to defend at times and he really isn't a very good defender.

I think he's a decent defender now, underrated imo.

 

[ROVERT47]

Syllables, re cep tion, I’ll give you that.

 

[Alan]

I think he's a decent defender now, underrated imo.

I don’t know about underrated; I feel like I’m the only one who rails against his defending here (can’t speak for the Mix or other socials tho).

 

[Woburn Wolf]

I don’t know about underrated; I feel like I’m the only one who rails against his defending here (can’t speak for the Mix or other socials tho).

I agree. He can be excellent going forward but is often poor defensively making bad decisions and overplaying in the wrong areas.

 

[sycophantia]

I agree. He can be excellent going forward but is often poor defensively making bad decisions and overplaying in the wrong areas.

I just don't agree. Yes he does sometimes try stuff when under pressure that puts us on the back foot, but I like that, it's why he has the best figures for assists/goals of any defender in the league.
I saw somewhere the other day (can't member where or find it unfortunately) that he also has the best ball recoveries in the league. He's not perfect, no player is but I think he gets unfairly called out for his defending on the whole.

 

[Alan]

I just don't agree. Yes he does sometimes try stuff when under pressure that puts us on the back foot, but I like that, it's why he has the best figures for assists/goals of any defender in the league.
I saw somewhere the other day (can't member where or find it unfortunately) that he also has the best ball recoveries in the league. He's not perfect, no player is but I think he gets unfairly called out for his defending on the whole.

Trying things in the attacking third is fine, but he does it in the defensive third.

 

[sycophantia]

Trying things in the attacking third is fine, but he does it in the defensive third.

Yes, as did Cunha, it was fucking exciting (and scarey).
Makes me smile when fans moan about things like the 'horseshoe of doom' and playing too safe, then when we get a player who tries stuff, he gets pelters.

 

[Tredman]

Trying things in the attacking third is fine, but he does it in the defensive third.

He does it usually as the only other option is to give the ball away.

 

[Del Woppio]

Trying things in the attacking third is fine, but he does it in the defensive third.

I think passing to beat a press is no more or less risky than carrying to beat it, given his quality. He succeeds more often than not at that, to my eyes at least

 

[big mean bunny]

People have criticised both Robertson and Trent for being poor defensively, despite both having multiple winners medals whilst being part of one of the best defences during the last 5 or so seasons. So I think context is needed of what role a modern fullback is expected to play now for a lot of teams.

I personally think the errors and issues of both Ran and Semedo have been over played at times. For me it's not just the outright attacking stats that need replacing (I get that's less so Semedo) but it's their contributions to possession. Ran lead our team for touches of the ball last year, Semedo was 4th.

Season before they were 2nd and 6th too. That's a pretty big element of your game plan to replace.

 

[sycophantia]

People have criticised both Robertson and Trent for being poor defensively, despite both having multiple winners medals whilst being part of one of the best defences during the last 5 or so seasons. So I think context is needed of what role a modern fullback is expected to play now for a lot of teams.

I personally think the errors and issues of both Ran and Semedo have been over played at times. For me it's not just the outright attacking stats that need replacing (I get that's less so Semedo) but it's their contributions to possession. Ran lead our team for touches of the ball last year, Semedo was 4th.

Season before they were 2nd and 6th too. That's a pretty big element of your game plan to replace.

Absolutely, they've done that over a number of seasons.
Another thing that goes under the radar sometimes is the physicality and athleticism required to play that position, up and down over the length of the pitch. RAN struggled with that initially, was blowing out his arse after 65 minutes early on in his Wolves career but improved that over the last few seasons.
I suspect Semedo is one of the best in the league for that.