How do we replace Dembele?

FY16JJ

Well-known member
One of the biggest frustrations this season is that we have had Dembele - a game changer, a goal scorer and a massive headache to opposition players - and if we don't get in those play offs, for me, it'll have been a waste of a very good loan player. Without him we'll undoubtedly be weaker as a team and I wonder how Critch looks to replace him or does it give him an opportunity, especially if we're still in this league, to try something different?
 
Critch does seem to like one tricky maverick in his line up / squad. Bowler in his first spell. To a degree Keshi in our promotion season.

He will certainly be looking for a new one if we haven’t driven Critch off to Crewe yet?
 
Somewhat early to be giving this any thought whatsoever. We are a league 1 side who like a lot of others, rely on loan deals. Some are good some are not so good. When these players come in, a club knows exactly what the score is …very rarely do loan players stay at the same club more than one season. Always has been the case and always will be.
Would he be missed, of course he would. Could we get another more exiting loanee…quite possibility.
Life goes on..c’est la vie.
 
We could always buy him but sadly I don’t think that’s going to happen.

He’s been noticed and caught the eye of many championship clubs so that’s where I’d expect to see him next season.
Celtic and Brest have not worked for him, so I think we are probably the only club he has, flourished at.
He is still not a 90 minute player in L1 but is obviously popular with both players and fans, and that will be part of his decision making. don't spoil my dream just yet
 
I'd be interested to see where he ends up after the summer. Do you think Championship rather than going again at a top end League 1 club? Has he actually delivered a lot? I can't deny, he's exciting to watch, but as very much an outsider, I had a feeling in the games i've seen that he's a luxury player that you need to carry in some ways, so need a midfield full of guile to allow him the freedom?
 
I'd be interested to see where he ends up after the summer. Do you think Championship rather than going again at a top end League 1 club? Has he actually delivered a lot? I can't deny, he's exciting to watch, but as very much an outsider, I had a feeling in the games i've seen that he's a luxury player that you need to carry in some ways, so need a midfield full of guile to allow him the freedom?
He's destined to be a decent Championship player, of that I have no doubt. He's still young and learning so has lacked consistency but then again he's been in a team that goes from the sublime to the ridiculous.

Played 26, scored 5, assisted 7 so whilst his stats are OK, a player of his ability should be doing a bit better.
 
Our form and the way we play certainly won’t help his stats. One of those players that gets you off your seat as soon as he collects the ball. Would be interesting if he played in a very forward thinking fast flowing team ie Holloway era, can imagine him being absolute mustard
 
Apter could do a similar role.

However, we should be going all out to get him back in the next window.

Also, do we not do loans with a view to a permanent deal anymore? An option to buy at a certain price if the deal works out?
 
I'd be interested to see where he ends up after the summer. Do you think Championship rather than going again at a top end League 1 club? Has he actually delivered a lot? I can't deny, he's exciting to watch, but as very much an outsider, I had a feeling in the games i've seen that he's a luxury player that you need to carry in some ways, so need a midfield full of guile to allow him the freedom?
I think he's been over played. At the risk of repetition, I can't understand why so many people said we don't need Apter cos we've got Dembele. Meaning Dembele plays every game 90 minutes and we have nobody to rotate him with. Then hey presto we bench him on Saturday and he comes on and changes and wins the game. He's a young lad who needs using in bursts. That's what Critch normally does with young lads, but I guess he had to justify loaning Apter out! 🤦🏻😀
 
He's destined to be a decent Championship player, of that I have no doubt. He's still young and learning so has lacked consistency but then again he's been in a team that goes from the sublime to the ridiculous.

Played 26, scored 5, assisted 7 so whilst his stats are OK, a player of his ability should be doing a bit better.

That’s interesting to read. In the 26 games we have been quite high scorers (it’s our defence that’s been poor) barring a few blow outs.
Those stats are lower than I expected when I compare to Bowler who basically had the same role.
 
I would be interested to hear from the club about Dembele. Is there an option to buy for example?

Jury is still out on Dembele personally. Technically very good but his physique will always go against him - particularly against the more rough & tumble teams.
His older brother is similar - looks a world beater for 2-3 games then disappears for a spell.

Also suppose the bigger questions are :
What are Brest’s plans for him ? Is he for sale ?
If he is for sale, what is his value ?
 
From what I've heard Apter is a bit of a lad and Critchley doesn't really like that sort of swagger and attitude

Wouldn't be surprised if we sold him in the summer if Critchley is still in charge
Like Gaz and Jerry you mean? What I see of Apter he looks like someone who lives playing football and totally believes in himself, and runs at defenders for 90 minutes. Let's get rid!
 
He's destined to be a decent Championship player, of that I have no doubt. He's still young and learning so has lacked consistency but then again he's been in a team that goes from the sublime to the ridiculous.

Played 26, scored 5, assisted 7 so whilst his stats are OK, a player of his ability should be doing a bit better.
I'd argue that the way we play has hampered him so much.

He's the only one who can create something out of nothing with the exception of maybe Joseph.
 
Like Gaz and Jerry you mean? What I see of Apter he looks like someone who lives playing football and totally believes in himself, and runs at defenders for 90 minutes. Let's get rid!
I don't want him to go, I want him to play

I'm just saying that Critchley doesn't really want him
 
That’s interesting to read. In the 26 games we have been quite high scorers (it’s our defence that’s been poor) barring a few blow outs.
Those stats are lower than I expected when I compare to Bowler who basically had the same role.
It surprised me also, I nabbed the stats, so presume they are accurate. The truth is he causes team so many issues, goals/assists don't also show the full picture. I hope he starts tomorrow night.
 
I don't think you can know that really. Unless Critch has said so. Sounds a bit like anti Critch guess work tbh, Phil.
Of course its guess work i haven't spoken to Critchley about his plans but Critchley doesn't play him and it's not like we have a load of good wide men is it?
 
Had an interesting chat at work the other week with a Leeds fan who watched our televised game recently.

"Who's the little lad, no11? Waste of space, doesn't look up, doesn't release the ball, see passes. Weak, gets knocked off it". Was his paraphrased opinion, although the waste of space bit was a direct quote.

I tried to respond as best I could without laughing too much, but he wasn't having it. Still, given the crap he has to put up with most weeks and the inbuilt doom factor innate in of county of birth, I wasn't expecting much else.

However, it's an opinion so you try and consider the merits of it. Where his future is will be all about how much of the wonderful skill and control he has that he can reproduce in the Championship. Here now, he's probably the standout skill merchant of the division - I've certainly not seen anyone better of the games I've watched. Can he do it a level up, with so much less time?
 
Of course its guess work i haven't spoken to Critchley about his plans but Critchley doesn't play him and it's not like we have a load of good wide men is it?
I know but I think it's probably a seniority thing with Critch. He signs the likes of CJ, Dembele, Dale, Gabriel etc all for good money and struggles to play home grown low paid lads instead. And I reckon Apter was desperate to get back to Tranmere and that was a factor too. He knows he's going to get games there, in a position he likes playing. I'm not sure he's ever played that position for us? I think he will play for us next season. He will be factored into the squad calculations. He wasn't last summer, but there's a very strong case for including him next time.
 
Can’t see Brest not giving him a good look in pre-season and trying to get him back into their first team. Failing that he’ll be on loan in the Championship or an equivalent league in Europe. The lads 20 and is far too good for another season in League 1. It wouldn’t shock me to see a lower league Prem team try bring him into their fold.
 
He's destined to be a decent Championship player, of that I have no doubt. He's still young and learning so has lacked consistency but then again he's been in a team that goes from the sublime to the ridiculous.

Played 26, scored 5, assisted 7 so whilst his stats are OK, a player of his ability should be doing a bit better.
I think those stats need a bit more analysis. How many games played away in a team that played awfully as a whole, for example?

Personally I think he needs a bit more cover in midfield than he's had. Playing ON and GB together and having Morgan in there would see GB getting a bit more forward allowing more space for KD.

He's got lots of ability and in the right team would flourish, certainly in the Cship, without too much trouble given he will get better.
 
I'd argue that the way we play has hampered him so much.

He's the only one who can create something out of nothing with the exception of maybe Joseph.
While Joseph is undoubtedly a key figure in all this, Dembele has undoubtedly been the most inventive figure to feature in the squad since his arrival - and by some distance. Personally, if push came to shove, I'd be looking to pay a king's ransom to try and secure secure his services.
 
Apter could do a similar role.

However, we should be going all out to get him back in the next window.

Also, do we not do loans with a view to a permanent deal anymore? An option to buy at a certain price if the deal works out?
How could he. He's not been constantly good on lge2 or lower. He's having a decent spell at the minute. If he could do what Dembele is doing he'd be here doing it
 
I think we could get Bowler back in the summer if The Florists are prepared to pay us enough. 😁
 
If he’s better why isn’t he here starting games for us instead of Tranmere?
Because Sadler will be making money on the loan Bob it is called lining Sadlers Pocket trust me.Apter is ready for our first team yet Quich thinks that he is not just like Quitch is a poor Coach bur unfortunately it appears that we are stuck with him for the time being things need to change quickly at the club other wise we are in a world of trouble watch this space. Trust me.hope you are keeping well Bob me old china.
 
Because Sadler will be making money on the loan Bob it is called lining Sadlers Pocket trust me.Apter is ready for our first team yet Quich thinks that he is not just like Quitch is a poor Coach bur unfortunately it appears that we are stuck with him for the time being things need to change quickly at the club other wise we are in a world of trouble watch this space. Trust me.hope you are keeping well Bob me old china.
All well and good thanks mate. 👍
 
I would be interested to hear from the club about Dembele. Is there an option to buy for example?

Jury is still out on Dembele personally. Technically very good but his physique will always go against him - particularly against the more rough & tumble teams.
His older brother is similar - looks a world beater for 2-3 games then disappears for a spell.

Also suppose the bigger questions are :
What are Brest’s plans for him ? Is he for sale ?
If he is for sale, what is his value ?
A lot more than we would ever be willing to pay.
 
One of the biggest frustrations this season is that we have had Dembele - a game changer, a goal scorer and a massive headache to opposition players - and if we don't get in those play offs, for me, it'll have been a waste of a very good loan player. Without him we'll undoubtedly be weaker as a team and I wonder how Critch looks to replace him or does it give him an opportunity, especially if we're still in this league, to try something different?
He is still struggling to complete 90 mins having been used as a super sub at his former club, still great to see him on the hallowed turf. Hopefully we go up and stump up the cash to buy him they are looking to sell and we are the shop window.
 
How could he. He's not been constantly good on lge2 or lower. He's having a decent spell at the minute. If he could do what Dembele is doing he'd be here doing it
Tranmere are demonstrating what a run of games in the right position is doing for his confidence, under a manager who actually encourages exciting players to get forward. He will never shine under safety first Critchley, played at right back.
 
Tranmere are demonstrating what a run of games in the right position is doing for his confidence, under a manager who actually encourages exciting players to get forward. He will never shine under safety first Critchley, played at right back.
He won't play him at right back. Be reasonable!
 
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