Why?
The youngsters are being given the opportunity to play proper men's football so as to prepare them for their futures wherever such futures may lie. One or two may well return ready for blooding in the PL. Others may need further loans or even be sold to lower league clubs. It's the clubs that DON'T have or DON'T loan out players that have little ambition IMO. As for Kouyate, he clearly didn't like the contract terms on offer. That's his prerogative. WE don't have to bend over backwards to keep him - he wasn't that important a player -useful, yes but not vital.

I'd thought in the second half of last season we'd looked solid. Went 5 or 6 games at home without conceding IIRC.

But we've been in front in four of our five games this season, failed to close three of them out and look like the soft side incapable of holding a single goal lead (like we were first half of last season).

The squad also looks weaker again and too reliant on Zaha for goals.

Although I don't like Benteke I'd assumed there may be a replacement. Mateta & Edouard don't look good enough to be regular starters.

This window wasn't overly important, and we improved the squad slightly by subtraction as well as addition. Keeping Wilf was huge for now, but after January it's unlikely he'll be here.

Our only problem is depth, and in that regard we're less well off than last season unless one of the youngsters can help in a big way.

I was merely highlighting players that we have loaned out in response to a post from a member.
I was not being critical, just trying to be informative.

Edited by Willo (03 Sep 2022 8.52am)

Bi bink be bill bay bup bo bes bi boo

When you look at the league, there aren't too many teams you would expect us to finish above.

We needed more up front in midfield and in defence and got no one.
That might turn out to be a mistake.
That said. Parish has done well for the club so far, albeit sometimes by luck.

The club has a big financial commitment coming up with the new stand construction and must have suffered a bit because of COVID.

We are still only a modest club, punching above our weight. That needs to be remembered.