Georginio Rutter

[Irish Ian]

You forget how young Aaronson is, we need to give him time and I'm sure he will come good

Hes done well hasnt he

[Boo Radley]

Scoring goals doesn’t really seem to be our problem right now. At least it isn’t nearly the problem the defense is.

Seven million for a defender and thirty million for a striker? Seems our priorities are a bit skewed.

Totally agree John.

While this lad looks class and could develop into an absolute star, what we need right now to steady the ship in the PL is a quality experienced CB - and LB while we’re at it, seeing that we have more money than we thought.

With what we’ve seen so far this season, how can the back line not be the priority?

Amazing and worrying.

[weasel]

Totally agree John.

While this lad looks class and could develop into an absolute star, what we need right now to steady the ship in the PL is a quality experienced CB - and LB while we’re at it, seeing that we have more money than we thought.

With what we’ve seen so far this season, how can the back line not be the priority?

Amazing and worrying.

Maybe it is a case of we are trying to defend from the front. We saw with Bamford that even when he wasn't scoring he was chasing around, putting pressure on players and as such helping the team defensively.

[Boo Radley]

Maybe it is a case of we are trying to defend from the front. We saw with Bamford that even when he wasn't scoring he was chasing around, putting pressure on players and as such helping the team defensively.

Under Bielsa we could often do this, and successfully for a long time. Unfortunately, the current team are no longer pressing up front like Jesse said they would. Also we don’t look fit enough to this over a whole game, never mind for 3 or 4 games in a row. Even Aaronson looks jaded early in games now and doesn’t do the pressing that got him “that” goal V Chelsea.

The other problem is that teams have realised that you only have to boot the ball high in on our defence for our walls to crumble and for us to concede as a result of an error. That cools our enthusiasm for a high team press. That’s why mending the defence should be the priority in my view. By all means buy classy young attackers after that.

[Cjay]

I think it's a case of Victor trying to get infront of the market rather than his usual behind.

I'll explain

Victor as we know uses data massively in every aspect of his job.

Manager, recruitment etc

If you put Rutter into Fifa or one of those scouting tools and ask for similar players then it brings up some familiar names

Matheus Cunha
Jonathan David
Patson Daka
Datro Fofana (just signed for Chelsea).
Moise Kean
Arnaud Kalimuendo

We've tried to sign 4 of those without success,and the other was wanted by Brighton (whose recruitment team Chelsea plundered).

And Daka of course I'm sure had he been at a more attainable club he would have been someone we went for as well for obvious reasons.

So they all fit a very specific data model.

So I imagine Orta has taken this to the board, shown them it and basically said this is the next man up if you like.

This is the next Cunha or David etc

And because we have missed out on so many the club backed his judgment, hence the overpay.

Difference is I suppose, Rutter is more expensive than all of them were originally

He us less proven

But I think that's what's happened.

It's a gamble based on a trend which Orta will have shown the board.

[The Subhuman]

Will make selecting the first team tough when everyone is fit

Meslier
Ayling
Wober
Adams
Koch
Cooper
Summerville
Roca
Rodrigo
Rutter
Sinisterra

Robles
Kristensen
Llorente
Struijk
Greenwood
Aaronson
Bamford
Gnonto
Harrison

[The Subhuman]

Not my team by the way that, just the one that makes most sense as it stands IF Rutter arrives. I'd probably have Drameh for Ayling, Gyabi for Roca to protect the back 4 with Adams and link play. Then that front four is scary... Summerville over Gnonto for me but ok the other way round. Aaronson/Paddy/Gnonto impact subs and it doesn't factor in Dallas who I think looks a perfect CMF running mate for Adams...

I think Dallas had he not gotten injured would have started every game in centre mid and we'd be a handful of points better off

[mentalcase]

Like you say faiip, that front lot is 'scary' as long as it gets the ball, which it ought to more often than not, the pace in that is absolutely electric, exciting times ahead hopefully .

[Barlow Boy]

Like you say faiip, that front lot is 'scary' as long as it gets the ball, which it ought to more often than not, the pace in that is absolutely electric, exciting times ahead hopefully .

Not a bad bench either

[The Subhuman]

Not a bad bench either

Gnonto or Summerville, Harrison, Aaronson even Paddy.. All game changers... It's basically 4 forwards though and I'm not yet convinced by Roca defensively to say we can start 4 forwards. I think there's need for a third centre mid if I were honest and trim one of the front 4. Probably Summerville. That would see Rutter and Sini either side of Rodrigo, both of those can switch sides too. Then Forshaw/Gyabi alongside Roca in centre mid to leave less space in Midfield for teams to exploit...

Shame Klich didn't stay, he would have been perfect in a midfield three as his intelligence/patience and ability to open up teams with a through ball was second to none

I've left Firpo and Drameh out of that first team squad. Both should be in it imo. They say it's nice to have options and strength in depth but it also adds a layer of complexity and man management

[Sockerist]

Disagree with some of the comments above.

Defenders are generally cheaper than strikers. £30m for a potential Premier League striker is a middling price anyway.

We do score goals even without Bamford, and Rodrigo is doing well, but we need an additional quality striker as the replacements in the squad are on the young side and are not yet ready to provide consistent performances at Premier League level.

I cannot comment on Rutter's abilities as a player. Hoffenheim are not a top side, but he is playing in the Bundesliga, which is a comparable level.

This is what I don't understand: Rutter is 20, Geldhart is 20. Is Rutter better than Geldhardt?

If you're going to spend £30m on a striker, then buy an experienced one in his mid- to late 20s and rotate the squad to give Geldhardt, Perkins and others match time and bring them on.

For me, someone like Ché Adams would be the better fit. He is the right age - 26 - and proven in the Premier League. Although his strike rate is not fantastic, he would partner up with our midfield better and could also work well with Rodrigo in a front two. I'm not saying it has to be Ché Adams specifically, it could be anybody who fits the same mould.

[Barlow Boy]

Gnonto or Summerville, Harrison, Aaronson even Paddy.. All game changers... It's basically 4 forwards though and I'm not yet convinced by Roca defensively to say we can start 4 forwards. I think there's need for a third centre mid if I were honest and trim one of the front 4. Probably Summerville. That would see Rutter and Sini either side of Rodrigo, both of those can switch sides too. Then Forshaw/Gyabi alongside Roca in centre mid to leave less space in Midfield for teams to exploit...

Shame Klich didn't stay, he would have been perfect in a midfield three as his intelligence/patience and ability to open up teams with a through ball was second to none

One of the first things I look at in the pub prior to walking down to the ground is our subs bench, what can we do/who is going to change things if things go wrong.

As you say, that bench is perhaps a little ‘forward loaded’, but forwards change games

[Irish Ian]

Shame Klich didn't stay, he would have been perfect in a midfield three as his intelligence/patience and ability to open up teams with a through ball was second to none

Stuey Dallas will come back I hope and add some steel into the MF

My main worry is the lack of ability in transition from back to front.
Perhaps the new guy can hold the ball up a bit more

[John in Louisiana]

Not my team by the way that, just the one that makes most sense as it stands IF Rutter arrives. I'd probably have Drameh for Ayling, Gyabi for Roca to protect the back 4 with Adams and link play. Then that front four is scary... Summerville over Gnonto for me but ok the other way round. Aaronson/Paddy/Gnonto impact subs and it doesn't factor in Dallas who I think looks a perfect CMF running mate for Adams...

I think Dallas had he not gotten injured would have started every game in centre mid and we'd be a handful of points better off

[The Subhuman]

Stuey Dallas will come back I hope and add some steel into the MF

My main worry is the lack of ability in transition from back to front.
Perhaps the new guy can hold the ball up a bit more

Dallas despite being "a championship footballer" has been sorely missed.. Very good transitioning defence to attack, either with the pass or with a run. Scores goals and creates chances..

[Mountain]

I think we can over analyse things to the point where we take the fun and excitement out of it.

We're buying a young striker. We're paying a lot of money. Isn't that of itself a little exciting?

Of course, we know from JKA that these things may not work out. But if it doesn't, meh, it's not my money. I'd rather 30 mill spent on a young striker than 30 mill sitting in Radrizzani's bank account.

[mentalcase]

I think we can over analyse things to the point where we take the fun and excitement out of it.

We're buying a young striker. We're paying a lot of money. Isn't that of itself a little exciting?

Of course, we know from JKA that these things may not work out. But if it doesn't, meh, it's not my money. I'd rather 30 mill spent on a young striker than 30 mill sitting in Radrizzani's bank account.

Amen to that brother, nowt against Radz, but, at least it's an investment in the whole LUFC set up, brilliant, more please.

[DDB220]

Dallas despite being "a championship footballer" has been sorely missed.. Very good transitioning defence to attack, either with the pass or with a run. Scores goals and creates chances..

So with all those qualities you list - Dallas is a Championship footballer ?? So what standard do you see Klich and Firpo at - who only very rarely, if at all achieve those qualities at this level.

Just interested to know.

[The Subhuman]

So with all those qualities you list - Dallas is a Championship footballer ?? So what standard do you see Klich and Firpo at - who only very rarely, if at all achieve those qualities at this level.

Just interested to know.

I don't believe Dallas is a championship footballer, that part is in quotation marks as a reference to general forum attitude about players who played in the championship for us.

[1964white]

Rutter transfer gone very quiet if not done by Thursday I'll be thinking, another one has passed us by.

Hopefully deal is completed today.