Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe

[Bethnal Yellow and Green]

I have seen him play a couple of times, although didn't really stand out either time to be honest.

He has been shunted around in a bunch of different positions in his career so far - he was certainly regarded a defensive midfielder for a while, but as he is pretty quick and good on the ball he has also been pushed further forward. Hopefully he can nail down his best position and really develop as it might be all this moving around that has stopped him reaching the potential many said he had a few years ago.

He is similar in many ways to Fer I think, although maybe they are moving in the opposite directions positionally. Fer started off as an attacking midfielder, just behind a striker in a 4-2-3-1 or the license to go forward in a 4-3-3. He has been moved backwards (mainly by McClaren) as he has got older - personally I think to his detriment as he really can't tackle that well and doesn't have the focus to play as a holding midfielder. Odjidja started off deep midfield, probably due to his size and strength but has been pushed further forward over time. 

 

[skijumptoes]

Well, football is a game of opinions. I look forward for making mine.

From the conflicting stories on this one it certainly looks like it could end up like Fer. He was not a number 10.

Yeah definitely opinions, even though Howson's been here, what, over 2 seasons now?  People are still split on where he's best placed, he's shown flashes but not become the top player he threatened to be.  Even in the premiership i expected him to be of such class that we'd build around him and he would default to club captain.

I originally got deeper involved in this conversation after reading that Vadis is going to be amazing for us and it's a great piece of business so asked the question on what he's going to bring us for 4 million, because i hadn't a clue beforehand, and still none the wiser in truth as very few people actually have seen him - Are the belgian leagues broadcast over here?

I don't think i'm alone in thinking that for 4 million he could easily turn in to a Fotheringham as he could a Huckerby, and the thought that he's coming to be a defensive midfielder left me scratching my head.  So pleased Bethnal posted with an opposing view on his position.

 

[KeiranShikari]

I think Howson's problem has been the manager over the last couple of seasons, Hughton's system was far too rigid for a player like him to really shine.

He's at his best when he's allowed a lot of freedom to pretty much do whatever he wants and go wherever he wants. As it stands it'll be really hard for him to break into the side, hopefully that will push him on. One of the players I really want to see do well.

 

[eddie1]

Looks like he may be in Norwich according to this

https://mobile.twitter.com/norwichsuperfan/status/504656178795012096/photo/1

 

[splutcho]

Why does nobody have a good camera? It's 2014!

 

[skijumptoes]

Probably done on a mobile with only digital zoom, and then cropped on top of that.

 

[Deliadog]

Chris Goreham's double standing next to him as well.

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

Well, football is a game of opinions. I look forward for making mine.

From the conflicting stories on this one it certainly looks like it could end up like Fer. He was not a number 10.

And yet strangely that was the number he was given at both Norwich and QPR

 

[eddie1]

Thought it looked like goreham too wasn't sure though

 

[shaun_wilkinson]

Looks like he may be in Norwich according to this

https://mobile.twitter.com/norwichsuperfan/status/504656178795012096/photo/1

The guy to his right certainly looks like christophe henrotay.

 

[KeiranShikari]

And yet strangely that was the number he was given at both Norwich and QPR

I had noticed that. Spooky stuff.

 

[Watling the Gnome]

Why does nobody have a good camera? It's 2014!

And why is someone in the picture wearing sand-coloured chinos? It's 2014!

 

[Watling the Gnome]

I thought he was the "box to box" midfielder which suggests you wouldn't play him with Tettey and BJ, unless you wanted a wall of steel for away games.  Adams has a lot of nice problems to have at the moment, like "who do I leave out?" rather than "who do I pick?" but I doubt this player would be joining to sit on the bench - assuming he joins.  Oh, I just spent five minutes stating the obvious. Sorry.

 

[shaun_wilkinson]

I thought he was the "box to box" midfielder which suggests you wouldn't play him with Tettey and BJ, unless you wanted a wall of steel for away games.  Adams has a lot of nice problems to have at the moment, like "who do I leave out?" rather than "who do I pick?" but I doubt this player would be joining to sit on the bench - assuming he joins.  Oh, I just spent five minutes stating the obvious. Sorry.

It's a very long season and we will have injuries. I'm just so pleased that we are going to have such a strong squad this season and loads of competition.

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

I had noticed that. Spooky stuff.

I wasnt being sarcastic with that comment. Fer being our number 10 never sat easily with me, and expected him to be given a different number when he moved to QPR, so was surprised he took that shirt there too - as you say, not a 'number 10'

 

[KeiranShikari]

I thought he got that shirt here because he was our 'big' signing of the summer.

Not sure why Jerome got the shirt though. Maybe because it was free.

 

[skijumptoes]

It's a very long season and we will have injuries. I'm just so pleased that we are going to have such a strong squad this season and loads of competition.

And a hungry squad by the looks of things, i'm getting that Lambert feeling all over again *Dances in the moonlight*

 

[Yellow Fever]

Jerome is versatile, and one of the positions he plays is as second or shadow striker. The number may reflect that, or as you say, it may have been the nearest number that was free. As for Vadis, I wonder if he might play as a storming ACM in the manner of Damian Francis rather than as a playmaker in the manner of Wes. Different option for different situations perhaps.

 

[Dandy Mountfarto]

This will probably the 2nd highest fee paid by a Championship club for a player this season, second to McCormack, can anybody think of any others?

Assombalonga was undisclosed but rumoured to be in the £5m range I believe

 

[Tomasz Blazak]

Signed a 3 year deal according to the journo who broke the story. Announced later. Fingers crossed!