Why we are so nearly there 'A perfect mix'

[Excited Canary 19]

What I am trying to say, is that in my opinion we are very

close to a good enough Championship team. Even if it is in League One, a

winning team just not suddenly become a losing team. I feel within our current

crop, we have enough fighters to grind out results, and with a bit of added

quality we ARE nearly there, on our way to a play-off pushing side. Elliot

Ward, Zak Whitbread, Michael Nelson & Askou, we are sorted in that

centre back department, all fighters and a couple have the Championship quality to add to

that, a perfect mix. For our team to work, and play how Lambo wants us to play,

with Wes, we need a perfect mix. Quality & Fighters. Up top we are pretty

much there as well, with Holt and one of Chrissy and Oli, or maybe one of the

upcoming signings, Ranger etc are also a perfect foil, quality in the abundance

and definitely enough grit and determination there. I am sure most decent

Championship teams would take our strike force, and defensive pairings, but I

feel the problem may rest in the midfield and full backs. Our midfield is full

of no nonsense fighters and we NEED some quality. I am not putting the lad down

without even seeing him play, but I don’t think Taiwo will be quite good enough

for what we need. Teams that were up there this season, all had a great

talisman, Blackpool, Adam, Cardiff, Whittingham, Forest, McKenna, Newcastle,

Nolan etc, and I just think we’re missing that type of player if we want a

serious play-off push. Smith, Russell & Lappin are great at what they do,

but in all fairness they are not like any of the ‘quality’ players above.

 

If we get that position sorted, and hopefully capture the

signature of Steven Smith as Full Back then we are, in my opinion, nearly

there, or actually there. Any other quality is an added bonus!

 

Just what we need, a perfect mix, quality and grit.

[Legend Iwan 30]

Give Smith a chance. Last year was his first full season and you cannot deny the skill he showed.

Surely the talisman we have is Wes though?

He''s the one that will set the tempo of our attack etc - would you not say he is up to the job?

[Lambert is King 0]

[quote user="Legend Iwan"]Give Smith a chance. Last year was his first full season and you cannot deny the skill he showed. Surely the talisman we have is Wes though? He''s the one that will set the tempo of our attack etc - would you not say he is up to the job?[/quote]

Well said Iwan. Personally I will be amazed if Smith is not with a premiership club within 2  seasons, wether that be us or somebody else. Players have to make it from somewhere and the players we are signing in our eyes may lack championship experience, but are winners and connected to this club. To sign the sort of players the thread is talking about would cost millions, Lambert is quite clearly going for the I will make you into a big player all you have to do is bring this club success. These may not be the star !!! players we had on loan 2 years ago, but I bet this lot wont bring us relegation  

[Smudger 0]

I think that many of you are starting to get a little carried away and I for one hope that this is just the tip of the iceberg on Lambert''s summer shopping list!

[James Kent 0]

As I have said on piece on my website. I think we need a goalscoring midfielder.

Obviously maybe someone like Smith or Russell could fill the void, but the evidence of last season would suggest we don''t currently have a player who will hit double figures. Obviously I am excluding Wes.

[GJP 79]

[quote user="Lambert is King"]

 Personally I will be amazed if Smith is not with a premiership club within 2  seasons, wether that be us or somebody else.

[/quote]

I think it''d have to be with us because I''d be amazed if a Premier League club bought him within the next 2 seasons.

He''s got great energy and he''s a real trier on the pitch but at the moment I don''t think he has enough in terms of quality/cutting edge/guile on the ball to make that kind of step up.

It might come in time but I don''t see him as having the outstanding kind of quality Prem clubs would be looking at.

[Lambo 0]

We''ve got some solid foundations to build on & I think the signings we''ve made thus far have been good. Scoring wasn''t a problem last season so Lambert has started the summer by bringing in a couple players to come in and help provide those attacking talents a platform to play on. Obviously a couple extra options in attack will be nice to help make Chrissy & Holt have an easier step up in divisions but with Wes providing service I feel we''re still gonna be capable of scoring, especially Chrissy Martin who IMO is just a natural goal scorer, ability to finish like his shines whatever level you play at.

 

[yellow hammer 131]

I think Chrissy Martin will a revelation next year.

He''s gone through the lower league apprenticeship over the past couple of seasons and learnt his trade through playing regularly. He would have been in the spotlight more last season had it not been for the Grant Holt effect.

In the coming season he''ll be one year wiser, one year maturer, and his potential will come to the fore.

He may even eclipse Grant Holt. We shall see. It''s all very encouraging

[chicken 0]

[quote user="Legend Iwan"]Give Smith a chance. Last year was his first full season and you cannot deny the skill he showed. Surely the talisman we have is Wes though? He''s the one that will set the tempo of our attack etc - would you not say he is up to the job?[/quote]

I wouldn''t say Wes sets the tempo of out attacks, I would say Russell is normally the driving force behind out tempo.

I say that because Hoolahan can sometimes hold onto the ball too long which actually slows out attack rather than speeds it up. There is no doubt he has an eye for a pass but sometimes he will turn only to find his first option better so tries to go back to it. Don''t get me wrong he is a quality player but I just wouldn''t say he is the player that dictates our tempo.