18-09-2020, 00:41
I've seen a fair bit of Niang over the years (Milan, Watford, Torino) and he was always operating on the wing.
He was capable of brilliance but inconsistent. A scorer of brilliant goals, but not a brilliant goalscorer.
Not seen him since he is playing as a forward for Rennes. Can't imagine him as an out and out striker though, as he always wanted the ball to feet. Also couldn't imagine him putting his head in where it hurts, despite being tall. I assume he's developed into this role as he's got older. Would be worth a punt as he does have game changing ability.
As far as the other links... I find them a little bizarre...
Grant is another wing forward, so surely it wouldn't make sense to want both him and Niang? I do think we need 2 strikers, but one should be an out and out number 9 surely.
And then there's Krovinovic...
I really don't understand Bilic's obsession with signing him. Obviously he's got a great attitude and is well liked by the camp (loved by Pereira so it seems). But from a footballing point of view he was only bit part last season in a division below. He would be a good squad player but there are other pressing positions of more importance. Namely defensive midfield, striker, full back. It just feels really unprofessional to 'prioritise' signing a player just because he's a "great lad" when we already have 3 or 4 players who can play in the attacking midfield role. I don't really see him in any role except 10 positon, because he doesn't have the legs or defensive awareness to play in a 2 man central midfield.
I thought in the professional game, it was a results business where sentiment goes out of the window. This signing feels like it would be based purely on relationships alone over football ability. And it will cost money that should be going on strengthening other areas.
Now don't get me wrong if we sign him + a defensive midfielder, then great. But if we sign him and don't bring in a defensive midfielder at all, our priorities are all wrong. Squad balance is all over the shop.
He was capable of brilliance but inconsistent. A scorer of brilliant goals, but not a brilliant goalscorer.
Not seen him since he is playing as a forward for Rennes. Can't imagine him as an out and out striker though, as he always wanted the ball to feet. Also couldn't imagine him putting his head in where it hurts, despite being tall. I assume he's developed into this role as he's got older. Would be worth a punt as he does have game changing ability.
As far as the other links... I find them a little bizarre...
Grant is another wing forward, so surely it wouldn't make sense to want both him and Niang? I do think we need 2 strikers, but one should be an out and out number 9 surely.
And then there's Krovinovic...
I really don't understand Bilic's obsession with signing him. Obviously he's got a great attitude and is well liked by the camp (loved by Pereira so it seems). But from a footballing point of view he was only bit part last season in a division below. He would be a good squad player but there are other pressing positions of more importance. Namely defensive midfield, striker, full back. It just feels really unprofessional to 'prioritise' signing a player just because he's a "great lad" when we already have 3 or 4 players who can play in the attacking midfield role. I don't really see him in any role except 10 positon, because he doesn't have the legs or defensive awareness to play in a 2 man central midfield.
I thought in the professional game, it was a results business where sentiment goes out of the window. This signing feels like it would be based purely on relationships alone over football ability. And it will cost money that should be going on strengthening other areas.
Now don't get me wrong if we sign him + a defensive midfielder, then great. But if we sign him and don't bring in a defensive midfielder at all, our priorities are all wrong. Squad balance is all over the shop.