[Albion] Diego Coppola (Italian CB)

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Not sure we would loan out an Italian international.

I keep hearing this. But times are changing.

There's so much pointless international football now that manager's are giving more and more young players a chance.

I think it's more likely he is loaned than topples JPVH, Webby, Dunk and Boscagli for an immediate starting place. But as I mentioned earlier Dunk's (and too an extent Webby's) fitness will be assessed before making a final decision

 

[Machiavelli]

I don't see us playing three at the back. Maybe as an occasional option, but I think we will primarily stay 4-2-3-1

For the right centre back option, I think we will go into the season with Van Hecke first choice, Webster 2nd, then Veltman could do a job in a injury crisis

For left centre back, I think Dunk will remain first choice. Boscagli, will be first back up, though he could also feature at left back. Igor and Cashin will be moved on. Coppola if we sign him, I think will be loaned. Although if Dunk still isn't recovered from what it was that was troubling him, then we'll likely keep him around and let him fight for that LCB spot

Agree with the first two paras, but not the last one.

 

[dwayne]

 

[Mancgull]

You’ve just took a £10m loss on Matt O in less than 12 months. Glad TB’s in charge.

Just cautious valuations.

 

[chrisg]

Don’t see Dunk 1st choice anymore , can’t take sentiment over quality and his quality is no longer there.
Fitter younger men should take over , he is 33 now and 34 in November and in last year of contract.
Could see him going elsewhere if offered a 2 year deal somewhere else

 

[Albumen]

We could feasibly now play a back 3.

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

We could feasibly now play a back 3.

We've got enough players, but do we have the right players?

 

[chickens]

Don’t see Dunk 1st choice anymore , can’t take sentiment over quality and his quality is no longer there.
Fitter younger men should take over , he is 33 now and 34 in November and in last year of contract.
Could see him going elsewhere if offered a 2 year deal somewhere else

Dunk remains a huge asset to the club, but it’s all going to come down to whether he can bring himself back to full, niggle-free fitness.

It’s harder every year. However, it’s not a great idea to throw untried CBs straight into game time, so Dunk’s going to be vital for us this season, even if he doesn’t end up playing as much as in seasons past.

He’ll earn his money as a leader this season, and after that I don’t know. I hope he sticks around, but if he’s not ready to stop playing and we can’t offer him the minutes he wants he’s earned the right to do whatever he wants.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

I did respond to a Newcastle fan on my assessment of him.
A few on here are saying that posters seem to want him to go. I don't think that's right, as most of us rate him highly. That said, his behaviour towards the end of the season seems to point towards wanting out. And if Joao Pedro and a few others (eg Enciso, Sarmiento, Igor, Sima, ...) are out, I'd be happy so long as it meant: 1, we get incomings that enhance our squad (which seems to be happening and early); and 2, we keep key members that will be highly coveted for next season -- here, Baleba, Mitoma and JPVH I have in mind.

Thanks, saw your assessment, which largely agreed with.
I meant the second part, which completely agree with.

 

[dwayne]

Here we gooooooo

 

[jackalbion]

I love the smell of a new centre back in the morning.

 

[Napper]

very pleased we are strengthening defence

6ft4 an added bonus. Beating Juventus to a signing is still mental to me

 

[chaileyjem]

I'd say centre backs for next season look like

Van Hecke, Coppola, Boscagli, Dunk, Cashin
with
Igor (probably out)
Webster (possibly out - presumably wants more game time, West Ham were sniffing around)

and options if desperate
Veltman, Baleba

and watch out for Freddie Simmonds.

 

[jackalbion]

I'd say centre backs for next season look like

Van Hecke, Coppola, Boscagli, Dunk, Cashin
with
Igor (probably out)
Webster (possibly out - presumably wants more game time, West Ham were sniffing around)

and options if desperate
Veltman, Baleba

and watch out for Freddie Simmonds.

I don't think we'll be seeing Cashin involved.

 

[Hugo Rune]

I love the smell of a new centre back in the morning.

How many have you woken up with?

 

[brighton_tom]

I'd say centre backs for next season look like

Van Hecke, Coppola, Boscagli, Dunk, Cashin
with
Igor (probably out)
Webster (possibly out - presumably wants more game time, West Ham were sniffing around)

and options if desperate
Veltman, Baleba

and watch out for Freddie Simmonds.

I would say more likely is Webster stays, and Cashin is loaned out.

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

I love the smell of a new centre back in the morning.

Why thank you darling

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

It's all happening early isn't it?

None of this signing players after the season has started. (OK, which we still might do, but probably not significantly)

It must be good for the manager to be able to oversee a pre season with all recruits in place

 

[jackalbion]

How many have you woken up with?

Not sure I get that joke it must be lost in Translation.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

It's all happening early isn't it?

None of this signing players after the season has started. (OK, which we still might do, but probably not significantly)

It must be good for the manager to be able to oversee a pre season with all recruits in place

Not THAT early - the transfer window SLAMS shut at 7pm tomorrow night.


Before it opens again on 16th June...