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Salopian

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Everything posted by Salopian

  1. To define the squad next year, you have to ask what is the main objective. 1) If it is to stand a realistic chance of promotion to the Prem next season, then a new LB, 2 new CBs, and a RB, and possibly a goalkeeper are needed as a minimum (None of our keepers are showing consistency in judgement, catching and punching.) 5 players need to be signed, in my judgement. Given that our last umbrella payment will be nowhere enough, then even adding any sales proceeds, will mean that we would have enough money to buy two useful players or one outstanding, in my view we would e very fortunate to achieve promotion. We would probably have sign two good strikers - Oliveira is unknown at this level and Jerome has shown that he probably isn''t good enough. 2) If it is to make sure of promotion eventually, with resources to stay there this time, then we may have to be patient and go with a team not quite good enough but one which allows subsequent building. We have made some very interesting, sometimes expensive, efforts to build a nucleus. I think especially of the young players, and those in U23, U21, U18, etc who have cost us money, but offer us real potential. So a year or two more could produce a squad capable of promotion and also of staying there also. The second option was the one which McNally laid out, even in Lambert''s time. It didn''t work because we were promoted too soon to be able to remain in the Prem. The second option would require more patience but probably less (signing) money. There is also the risk that when senior players leave, Wes, Dorrans, Howson, Tettey, Ruddy, we are unable to replace them within our budget. But this risk applies to the first proposal, as we have seen once or twice in the past in the immediate past. These are the issues which the Board must resolve, plus that of finding extra cash to make significant signings when our ow development does not produce solutions.
  2. If, in the new structure the Director of Football is overall chief, I can''t see a problem in appointing a younger manager who seems to have potential. Whether Hudson has this, I have no idea, I just want the club to begin to sort out of the mess - only one first team left back, too many "pensioner" players picking up a nice income with little prospect of playing, a reliable goalkeeper and two or three adequate central defenders. A new manager might be able to do all this in time, but we do not have time, with the parachute money running out soon.
  3. It''s possible that the re-structuring may amaze us in its conception, and that the Board have names ready for the various roles. But somehow, I doubt it. The sacking of AN after an away match press conference, suggests bungling, especially as they had plenty of chances. Perhaps they thought that Hodgson was "in the bag", so they didn''t need to replace one young manager with another. He seems to have said know. The two most acceptable candidates have now signed on to manage rival Championship clubs. I hate to say it, but it seems to me to be the usual muddle, and I fear that we may have missed the boat.
  4. Fenway - By "strange" I meant only the disposal of the whole of the LB part of the squad, and bringing in eventually the fairly reluctant DJcks. It was good business, but left us with no cover if the Dutchman didn''t come.
  5. Assuming that Bassong is not acceptable, we have three regular CDs - Klose, Bennett, and Martin. Klose seems to have lost the confidence of the staff, and is probably not quick enough. Bennett has played fullback but is only just in the team again. Is it spin-a-coin time, or are there any other left sided players? - Wildschut is right footed but is quick, although he lacks experience of fullback, I assume. Could there be a game for Turner, who probably wouldn''t be any worse than the other CDs. Would they trust Godfrey at fullback? Are there any other youngsters who can play left back? After the rather strange sales of Brady and Olsson in January, the cupboard is bare!
  6. I agree with those who want him to stay, but most would probably also want Jerome to stay as well - he''s a very useful player at Championship level. So far we have little evidence at their ability to play together. Would that be possible, or are they destined to be in perpetual competition, and neither to play a full season? Perhaps I am asking whether either of them can be a supplier to the other, or are they too similar? If we could find a way to use both together, presumably without Wes, Pritchard or Naismith, they could be a lethal combination in the Championship next year.
  7. Burton seem to be a low-scoring, low conceding team, so the question is whether our weakened team can score and how many goals we may gift. I''m going for 1-0 to us.
  8. Slightly disappointing to read that there are 2 or 3 players who are not yet certain to play tomorrow. In his post match interview AN said that Pinto could have played on, but with an eye on Tuesday he was replaced (and weakened the defence on that side. The Dutchman had a slight fitness concern, and he too was replaced, with Tuesday looming. At first, then, things seemed hopeful, but a knock can swell up over night.... We have to hope that another 24 hours will work the trick and we can put out a strong side.
  9. The defence picks itself - what a change! The striker - I think only one, either Jerome or Oliveira - difficult decision. I personally would give the latter another chance, as a more consistent striker. Midfield- Pritchard, Wes, Howson - then either Murphy and finally either Mulumbu or Tettey. I think that Josh will start, after his direct play on Saturday, but who knows how AN will see Tettey v. Mulumbu?
  10. It was refreshing to see the change, but how far it suited either striker, I am not sure. The strength of both of them is in helping to create problems for defenders, but until they are used to each other''s game... If we are to select a play maker, number 10 or whatever, whether Wes, Naismith or Pritchard, etc., it does make our forward thrust a little cluttered, and it is essential that the players quickly adapt their own games.
  11. The defence seems inconsistent at the moment. Ruddy, who showed excellent judgement in dealing with crosses on Saturday, was somehow reluctant to to leave his line on occasions last night. I don''t blame him, because on Saturday his excellence covered up the fact that we are just not good enough at dealing with crosses. Other teams have surely noticed! The coaches surely deal with this issue in training, but somehow in the heat of battle our defenders lose sight of danger.
  12. No nonsense - he wanted that goal, and didn''t hold back. I think that he could score more from set pieces. Sadly, I doubt whether we are serious contenders for promotion, and could well lose him back to Holland at the end of the season. There is no doubting his commitment to try to get us promoted meanwhile. Perhaps his commitment will rub off on to some of the others!
  13. AN seems to suggest that both new signings will be in the squad, despite the exhaustion of Djks on Saturday. Mulumbu will surely replace Tettey. The question otherwise is what to do about Wes, who could be replaced by Pritchard, about the one striker - did Jerome do enough on Saturday, and Jacob, who seems less energetic and effective than earlier in the season.
  14. There is a question mark about his ability to motivate the players for so many weeks - that would be a mark against any manager. Having said that, he did get the team "up for it" at Wembley and promotion, and it has to be said that luck figured greatly in successes and reverses this season. I have reduced my expectations, and I am doubtful about promotion, but we do not have a good enough nucleus to survive in the PL, or enough money to do anything about it. So, for the moment and in the absence of any adequate available replacement, I think that he should stay.
  15. to deal with our major defensive weakness - dealing with crosses into the box. Djks is tall and deals pretty well with headers, Ruddy has generally become positive with crosses, and Klose played very well at Cardiff. There remains the right side. Positioning and heading is not the strongest part of Pinto''s game, and Martin lacks an inch or two, although bravely jumping. I thought that the header which went straight to Ruddy involved a good shove against the captain. Many people have doubts about Bennett, but does have the height. I think that things are improving, as shown by more clean sheets, but the side has to reduce crosses from our left. Perhaps this will happen when the two Dutchmen are more fully fit. Away points are precious, but away goals not so easy, so if we are to prosper as we hope for the remainder of the season, we shall need to deal with high crosses.
  16. He is obviously a straight replacement for Brady - perhaps with less finesse in crossing, but with more pace and a cracking shot. The player most affected by his arrival is clearly Josh Murphy, - unless he becomes a regular substitute for his brother later in games, it''s difficult to see Josh getting many games in the absence of injury or in loss of form. AN has a question he must answer - do we go all out and play two quick wingers - presumably Jacob and the Dutchman, or does this leave the midfield a little exposed? The main threat to other teams is obviously Wildschut''s pace and direct running. Usually he goes round the outside, because he is so quick off the mark and because he is big and strong enough to hold off any defenders. Will he be a success? He will terrorise defences in the Championship, but the question is whether the other players can feed off the chances he creates. Looking at the highlights of his Wigan season, the other players were not up to converting many of his chances. Does this mean that it could be fierce competition between Oliveira and Jerome? The former was playing well, the latter seemed better recently. We live interesting times.
  17. He may not have the pace of the Murphy lads, but he has excellent close control, and we saw his ability with a free kick! Given that we are short of fit central midfielders at the moment, I hope that he is at least on the bench and will perhaps have some game time as a substitute. I agree with others, that he has real potential, and could be part of a strong young team in a year or two.
  18. Two Dutchmen have been, looked and said no -so who plays at LB now? In addition we are told that one or two PL clubs are considering signing Bennett when his contract runs out in the summer - at the moment Martin is keeping him out, so you couldn''t blame Bennett if he went. He must feel a little unwanted, especially if we have made no offer to him. If we sell Brady, as is possible, then is there any real ambition or logic in the club?
  19. Some brilliant goals, some excellent passes, and one of our quickest players. This goes some way, but only a little way, to explain his contribution to our team. We miss him very much when he is out injured. Long may he inspire the rest of out team!
  20. You must respect that views of the management/coaching team, when they say even an impressive youngster who has played well, needs to go on loan for further development. My own view is that a number of seasoned pros, - I mention no names, have shown that they continue to make costly errors or are too slow, so what is the point in selecting them when we have youngsters who have demonstrated ability?
  21. From all accounts he acquitted himself well at Southampton and against some Premiership players. His reward seems to be a demotion on loan, although AN has admitted that the player had already played plenty of first team games before we signed him. We are currently short of central midfielders, which we have belatedly decided is his best position, so what message does this give the young player? Is there some kind of doubt about him, or are we unable to make up our minds, or else seem to have a block in our minds about playing youngsters. Dare I say that Maddison runs the same risk?
  22. We have one already - the Icelander. Unless there is a good fee for Brady available, I can''t see much happening, certainly no big signings. There may be a loan signing or two - LB, CD, perhaps, but unless we dispose of players, again I can''t see much happening.
  23. I heard someone point out that we have failed to beat any team currently in the top half, add to which our current form is more relegation than promotion. He''s had enough games to suggest that the players are either careless or indifferent to his fate, or both.
  24. Brentford win 3-1. Our complete defence is incapable.
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