SENTINELCELTS

Morning,all.

Six days and counting then before the “transfer window slams shut” until the summer. I’m very doubtful that we plan any more signings during these coming days,but we are still apparently open to the right offer for G-Mak. 

The latter poses something of a question for us. MAHE yesterday asked us all about David Turnbull’s future with the club,and the reactions were at best mixed. At the moment,he isn’t making any noises about being unsettled,and the rumours to that effect all seem to stem from his casual nonchalance when he scores. Reminiscent to some of Christie when he was working his ticket,yes-but I watched Rashford score the opener for Man Utd last night in a semi-final,and he was hardly doing cartwheels either. DT’s nonchalance then is probably a red herring,even if I doubt he is best pleased about not being one of the 1st XI most weeks. 

It is that last part which is causing the rift with G-Mak apparently. And in that,I sympathise. The big fella is deadly in the box with even the merest whiff of an opportunity. But yet… There is little doubt that Kyogo is in prime position for us due to bringing so much more to the team than merely goals. G-Mak ain’t the least bit happy with that,and at this stage in his career he has a difficult choice to make. It only remains to be seen if anyone wants him enough to meet his financial and professional demands-and ours. 

Our other big departure of course is our World Cup medallist,Juranovic. The price,at $10m,might have been lower than many of us expected,but it has probably made us break-even for this window. We have brought in-and already bedded in-his replacement in Johnston for a fraction of the price,and already he looks a more disciplined defender. Plus,I wouldn’t like to spill his pint. With Ralston as back up,and Taylor and Bernabei competing on the other side,I think Ange can be happy with the full backs for the next couple of seasons or so. 

Yesterday also saw the announcement of the departure of Jenz,back to his parent club in France. A shame for the big fella,as he had performed very well for us,and absolutely loved his time at the club. We had an option to buy the big German centre-back,but decided to cut short his stay with the arrival of Yuki. The latter is something many of us have been crying out for,a left sided CB,and it remains to be seen whether he can dislodge the long-time partnership of CCV and Starfelt. As the current POTY in his native Japan,and as mentioned being a left footer,I think we will see him develop a partnership with CCV,with Starfelt and Welsh the back-ups. Again,AP has his “two in a box” covered,and we can maybe settle down there for the next two seasons at least with that settled backline squadron. 

Up front,of course,is Kyogo and our newbie,Oh,from Korea. The first we know all about,and time will tell with Oh. But Ange is pleased with his signing and has made no secret of it. On the left,we have Maeda and Jota,with the former also a very capable player through the middle. Jota,of course,is equally at ease on the right. And over there,we have Abada-who also fancies himself through the middle-and Jamesie,as well as Haksabanovic who can play as a 7,8,10 or 11. A good hand to have for the manager,and again we can expect to see some continuity in the side.

Midfield though,we have an embarrassment of riches-but that is perhaps only true if and when they are all in form. Our new guy there is also from Japan,bringing our contingent,I think,to six in total. Iwata seems nailed on for the role as midfield anchor-but I recall that being said last season too about Ideguchi. If this is true,it gives us four possibles in that role! Pick from CalMac,Mooy,Iwata and O’Riley who surprised us all when he stood in for CalMac when he was injured. 

The possibles for the No 8 role are O’Riley,Mooy,CalMac,while the contenders on the left of midfield are CalMac,Reo,Turnbull. Not forgetting Haksabanovic who can play either,I reckon that Ange will stick with the players in form and rotate only when he feels it is necessary for reasons of form or freshness. This is going to leave a few players either having to up their game or be disappointed. And I’m not entirely sure that CalMac will be an automatic pick throughout it all either. Iwata hasn’t been signed to sit on the bench,Reo will take some shifting,and I think the No 8 role is his least preferred of the three. It still leaves Ange with a handy pool to choose from,with plenty of options available should he decided to move to a midfield four on occasion. 

Given that the big fella only walked through the door (after quarantining) about eighteen months ago,and was handed a train crash with no instruction manual,I think we can all look back on his handiwork after four windows with some pleasure. Indeed,I can’t remember having four good windows in a row. Ever. He isn’t buying piecemeal,he is buying to a plan,purchasing players that he believes suit our system. He can now sit back for the next five months and concentrate on the day job-that of bedding all these players in,keeping them all happy,and winning trophies. Michael Nicholson,the quiet man doing his work behind the scenes,can continue his good work by tidying up and extending a few contracts. 

And the fans can look forward with some optimism,I believe,for some good times to come. And with a relatively settled squad too. I can think of some clubs and fans who would give their eye teeth for that!

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Above article by BMCUWP