Derrick Williams - confimred

[rabidbee]

But also eight seasons in the Championship or League One, promoted from League One twice, once as champions. Not a bad pedigree.

And if MLS is League One standard, how would League One defences have looked against the other teams in the CWC?

[windermereROYAL]

Atalanta to Reading, he`s in for a shock, not far from London though.

[Clyde1998]

But also eight seasons in the Championship or League One, promoted from League One twice, once as champions. Not a bad pedigree.

And if MLS is League One standard, how would League One defences have looked against the other teams in the CWC?

He has had a lot of football in England, but if he's declined since then I'd be concerned about how long he'll be a viable option. As I said, I'd rather he was given a 1+1 contract as opposed to a two-year deal.

I don't know, but the MLS defences were unorganised and of a fairly low standard compared to the attacking talent on display from these clubs. I guess in MLS the priority is on entertainment due to the nature of the competition - particularly no relegation.

[West F]

I don't know why, but just looking at him he looks injury prone.....

Looks like he liked a knock last season.

[West F]

Does he have any pace? Feels like the main thing our current options lack.

We don’t need pace. We need experience. Experience is the new pace. If he experiences being outpaced, this will add to his experience. His experience will grow as the others who rely on pace, see their pace diminish and not grow.

[Sutekh]

Does he have any pace? Feels like the main thing our current options lack.

We don’t need pace. We need experience. Experience is the new pace. If he experiences being outpaced, this will add to his experience. His experience will grow as the others who rely on pace, see their pace diminish and not grow.

Best no speed defender I ever saw was Keith McPherson. Let’s hope Williams is a reincarnation and is as good as the last American D Williams at the club.

I note that he was transferred from Villa to Bristol City and won promotion from league 1, then he moved to Blackburn and won promotion from league 1… anyone seeing a similarity here

[windermereROYAL]

Twitter: but but but, we need a striker FFS

[West F]

Does he have any pace? Feels like the main thing our current options lack.

We don’t need pace. We need experience. Experience is the new pace. If he experiences being outpaced, this will add to his experience. His experience will grow as the others who rely on pace, see their pace diminish and not grow.

Best no speed defender I ever saw was Keith McPherson. Let’s hope Williams is a reincarnation and is as good as the last American D Williams at the club.

I note that he was transferred from Villa to Bristol City and won promotion from league 1, then he moved to Blackburn and won promotion from league 1… anyone seeing a similarity here

Keith Mac. A player out of his league, in a good way.

[Snowflake Royal]

Loved McPherson, and I don't think I saw him at his best.

[donh99]

Hopefully more Michael Morrison than Harlee Dean.

[West F]

Atalanta to Reading, he`s in for a shock, not far from London though.

Would definitely be excited about a centre back from Atalanta.

[andrew1957]

A bit surprised by this one.

Seems there's no transfer fee, but Atlanta have a future sell-on fee: https://www.atlutd.com/news/atlanta-uni ... ng-fc-2025

Hi Brogue. As one who appreciates your tips, can you confirm whether he has signed on a free or was an up front fee involved? I note the sell on fee part but that would only apply if we sold him on.

[West F]

A bit surprised by this one.

Seems there's no transfer fee, but Atlanta have a future sell-on fee: https://www.atlutd.com/news/atlanta-uni ... ng-fc-2025

Hi Brogue. As one who appreciates your tips, can you confirm whether he has signed on a free or was an up front fee involved? I note the sell on fee part but that would only apply if we sold him on.

His season finishes in a few weeks. His contract was up at the end of December. The choice was to continue to pay him under contract until then, or get rid now and save this unnecessary outlay for a player they didn’t want, only for him to be a free agent anyway. If we paid a fee for him, the board need their bumps felt.

[Brogue]

Yeah he was on a free

[AthleticoSpizz]

If on a free as some are bumping your gums about, and on his brief showing today…a decent acquisition

[linkenholtroyal]

If on a free as some are bumping your gums about, and on his brief showing today…a decent acquisition

Completely agree. Question is would you start him in the next game though and would you drop Jacob and play him at Left Back, or Stickers and play him at Centre Back?

[West F]

If on a free as some are bumping your gums about, and on his brief showing today…a decent acquisition

Completely agree. Question is would you start him in the next game though and would you drop Jacob and play him at Left Back, or Stickers and play him at Centre Back?

I would play Williams, Stickland and Burns. Have a look at Jacob at left wing back and Abrefa at right wing back. Savage Wing and Crawley guy in the middle. Elliot or Doyle between them and Ehibhatiomhan, with licence to exploit space or carry the ball forward. Have Ryan, Garcia and Ahmed on the bench if the wing backs are blowing. Operate as as 5 4 1 out of possession and a 3 5 2 in possession. You could even play Doyle and Elliot instead of Big Kelv, giving the Bolton back four no one to pick up but runners. We are away from home, so I expect more grass to work in on the break. Much as there was at Portsmouth.

[linkenholtroyal]

If on a free as some are bumping your gums about, and on his brief showing today…a decent acquisition

Completely agree. Question is would you start him in the next game though and would you drop Jacob and play him at Left Back, or Stickers and play him at Centre Back?

I would play Williams, Stickland and Burns. Have a look at Jacob at left wing back and Abrefa at right wing back. Savage Wing and Crawley guy in the middle. Elliot or Doyle between them and Ehibhatiomhan, with licence to exploit space or carry the ball forward. Have Ryan, Garcia and Ahmed on the bench if the wing backs are blowing. Operate as as 5 4 1 out of possession and a 3 5 2 in possession. You could even play Doyle and Elliot instead of Big Kelv, giving the Bolton back four no one to pick up but runners. We are away from home, so I expect more grass to work in on the break. Much as there was at Portsmouth.

I would stick with current formation but play Williams at LB, if Stickland or burns are not on the pace then switch in and bring on a left back.
Midfield needs Doyle I would leave wing deep and Savage.
Then Kyerewaa, Garcia and Omahoney up front. Throw on Kelvin upfront for a CM late on to give a push if needed.
I do wonder if Omahoney would work better in a strike partnership better in a 442.

[Snowflake Royal]

If on a free as some are bumping your gums about, and on his brief showing today…a decent acquisition

Completely agree. Question is would you start him in the next game though and would you drop Jacob and play him at Left Back, or Stickers and play him at Centre Back?

I'd drop Ahmed, Stickers and Jacob. And play Williams, Abrefa and Dorsett