INTER - NO MORE 'TINKERMAN'

After 5 games without a win the tinkering ends.

McLean knew the jib was up after a fan threw a Primark bag towards the dugout after the latest defeat at home to Sampdoria. Upon inspection he found a still steaming mound of foul smelling faeces, atop of which was a hastily scrawled note that said plainly 'Abbiamo dovuto ingoiarlo, ora è il tuo turno' (basically 'eat shit'). A change of action was immediately

required. It was bad enough to have such a mutinous act from a die hard, but to then be ridiculed by his opposite number across the city - well that was too much to bear.

Consequently we have gone back to basics. The tinkering is over. We will maintain our favourite shape of 4231B, but our assignments will be set in stone. At least for the next 10 games anyway, and then we will revisit the changes.

As it stands, on the eve of our 14th league match, it is not all bad. the division is a tight affair and Inter are but 4 points from 2nd. Yet, conversely, we are 3pts from a relegation spot. The squad is the strongest, in terms of depth, since my 1st season in charge. Age remains an issue, but my hands are tied somewhat by walking the fine line of remaining competitive, having depth and waiting for ratings increases for players on the peripheral end.

All in I believe I've done good work here at Inter, and if the City job indeed becomes available and I am asked to step in, it will be somewhat of a wrench to leave an unfinished project with bags of potential. Carrick, Pepe, Aduriz, Prieto, Ba and Kaka will need to be moved on sooner rather than later, although Ba and Kaka remain useful subs. That still leaves 4 1st team players to replace of high rating. Can anyone replace them?

I've brought in Vela, Brahimi, Semedo and Dzagoev, alongside Wendt and Garcia. They all look very solid for retaining their current ratings, and of course Semedo is a real jewel ready for further ratings increases and a handy player to trade. What of my other stock?

Let's have a look :-                                                                                             

JURGEN LOCADIA - The PSV hitman is finding his                             

way back to resurgence after a period of injury. PSV

sit atop the Eredivisie and look to be making a real go

of it this season. With 5 in 7 Locadia looks well placed

to earn a rise, and at just 23 he has plenty of years ahead.

                                                                                                                                        

ARNAUD SOUQUET - Solid as you like for Nice. First

choice RB and due a plus 2 at least. A useful replacement

for Semedo if  Semedo gets traded for a replacement for

Pepe or Carrick. After that rise of course.

                                                                                                                                    

LUCAS LIMA - The diminutive but brawly Lima had

a solid but unspectacular season last out. He is very

highly rated in France for his defensive duties, but

also for his crossing ability. With Ranieri now at the

helm at Nantes, and with them performing very well

early doors, especially defensively, Lima looks to add

to his plus 2 from May. Solid as a rock.

                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                                              

MIGUEL ALMIRON - People may think I have

Paraguayan blood in me such is my recruitment

of them. The fact is the players I have are all

internationals and playing regularly for their

teams. And scoring goals. Almiron, at 23, has had

a marvellous 1st season at Atlanta. With 9 goals and

8 assists he has taken MLS by storm. the kid with a

permanent smile on his face is a riser.

                                                                                                                                   

JOSEF MARTINEZ - He's only played in slightly

over half of Atlanta's games BUT HE'S SCORED

18 FUCKING GOALS. 18 PLAYED, 18 SCORED!

They adore him in Georgia. He's a loon, but he's my

loon!

                                                                                                        

                              

MARVELOUS NAKAMBA - Need a steady till in

central midfield? Marvelous the name, Marvelous by

nature. The former Vitesse man was the rock on which

Lewis Baker built his goals from. An elegant, unfussy                                                          

passer of the ball. Pass, pass, pass again. Now with

Brugge, and Brugge looking to run away with the FDA

Nakamba will be highly sought after. A certain riser, a

handy left-footer and only 23. Marvelous!

                                                                                                                                

MATHEW LECKIE - We picked up the Ozzy speedster

with a face longer than a Black Friday queue at Currys as

soon as he was off to Hertha. Which was early doors in

the market (kudos me!). He hasn't disappointed. With 4

in 7 he looks for a solid season. Hertha look a good mid

table side and are of the back of a 2-2 home draw against

rudderless Bayern. I think he's up for a rise. Do you?

NOTABLE MENTIONS

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BRUNO VALDEZ - The Club America and Paraguay international has been solid at club form but let down at international level by either his defensive partner, his midfield cover or poor management - or a combination of those. I believe, with the recruitment of Columbian Uribe (Our player) that America have the potential to win Liga MX. They are but 4 pts behind undefeated Monterrey and have a great squad. I have held onto him because he can play with both feet and at RB and CB. He scores goals as well at club level. At just 24 he is a riser being that he plays regularly in his position at a top club in his league.

CECILIO DOMINGUEZ - Yet another Paraguayan and team-mate to Valdez, Dominguez, as I knew he would, has been a revelation and become a superstar in Mexico for his goals and performances. 3 in 10 doesn't sound much, but 3 of those games were off the bench. It's more 3 in 7, and the winger bagged 19 goals for Cerro in the year they pushed for Copa Libertadores glory. Much more to come from the man and still just 23 and criminally underrated.

CYLE LARIN - Orlando have been poor this year and are well out of the play-offs. The only shining light is Larin who has continued to bag goals despite an underperforming team. A move away seems likely and then we will really see what he is made of.

JUNIOR ALONSO - The last of my Paraguayan's, Alonso has graduated to International level and was part of the Cerro team that surprised in the Copa. Now at Lille, playing regularly, albeit at CB instead of LB, he is at a club where much was expected with the new manager (Bielsa) and he is yet to deliver. I believe, unless there is a sudden turnaround, that Bielsa is headed for the sack. Where that will leave Alonso is up for debate, but I do feel I am not alone in thinking he is playing out of position at CB and should be playing LB. In terms of minutes he is due a rise, but at just 24 I feel the best is yet to come.

FOR THE FUTURE

..................................

PONTUS DAHLBERG -  Our youth keeper is no.1 at Gothenburg is highly rated. Nuff said. A riser.

PHIL FODEN -  A superstar in the making. A sublime midfielder with vision and a great eye for a goal.

NAHITAN NANDEZ - Finally loose from Penarol, the youngster is now playing at no less a club than Boca - and is starting to get games. The kid is a bundle of energy, strong in the tackle, determined, scores goals, box to box. The future is his - I just hope he doesn't burn out early, because Christ that kid can run for miles!

MARCUS EDWARDS -  A legend in the making or an overhyped donkey. Many feel it is the former and we're glad to have him. The question is, when will he finally get a game for Spurs? Plenty of time but the fans are waiting.

ERDAL RAKIP - We were lucky to get Rakip early doors in a bidding war. He has played regularly for runaway Allsvenskan league leaders Malmo. Certain to get a rise after his 8 goals, but 1 assist is poor. Got 10 yrs of football in front of him to improve though, so not an issue as long as the goals keep coming.

GIL DIAS - Jardim went for Rony Lopez over Diaz, and in truth, his hemming and hawing has much to do with the fact there is not much between them. A solitary goal in 8 appearances apiece tells you that. But Dias is playing in Italy. A superior league to Ligue 1, and he's playing for Fiorentina, a pretty solid outfit in Serie A. And he's already bagged a goal. A riser.

A FINAL WORD

.............................

If anyone believes I lack dedication to TOP 100 they should watch the video attached. I think it tells you all you need to know about how 'hard core' I am about this game.

Peace.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx6AfUwLbxg&feature=youtu.be