Wide men

[The Great Mass Debater 1,078]

I would be really disappointed if Hughton brought in another winger in the window, as he has suggested. I know we have had injury problems, but I just dont feel it is the priority. We have Olsson and Whittaker who can do a job there if needed, and Snodgrass and Bennett will be back at some point. I would much rather we let Josh and Jacob have the opportunity than further stock our ranks in this position. What happens when they are all fit? More unhappy players and the youth with even more obstacles to breaking through. I know hughton wants to protect them, but look at how youngsters are florishing at Southampton. What is the point of spending all that money on youth football if we are not prepared to afford our prosepcts an opportunity in this kind of circumstance? Josh by all accounts did well against Liverpool. Let him continue to get a taste here and there than further curb his opportunities by signing in an area we dont really need someone when everyone is fit. I would prefer to give them the opportunity or use the square pegs and give them some game time. I think we desperately need a quality defensive midfielder or a quality number 10. Winger just isnt a priority IMO, there are more pressing areas

[Herman 9,710]

..say, only fools rush in.

Can''t disagree with much of that. I was a little worried about rushing in the Murphys as they still looked raw and naive during the youth cup. But Josh has shown that he is capable enough and a quick learner.

Do agree that a dm/am of high quality is more of a priority but January''s prices will dictate. If we can''t get our first choices then wait until the summer. No more Becchio type signings.

[Thirsty Lizard 3,155]

Have to say that I agree completely with you GMD. Can''t help wondering if this is just a diversionary tactic by Hughton and that really we are looking to strengthen in other areas such as central midfield or central defence.

[wcorkcanary 4,329]

Cant believe that we''d seriously be looking at another wideman,bolster the DM spot and no 10 or AM...pref both. We do have plenty options when all are fit in wide pos, not so many prem qual midfielders tho.Sooner or later Leroy will be suspended or pick up a niggle, he''s been massive for us but the yellows will mount up or he''ll need a rest, super athelete tho, the lovechild of patrick viera and yaya toure!

[Yellow Wal 314]

If we are going to play RvW and Hooper together in some matches we will need to give them good service.

At the moment we only really have four players who are looked at as attacking widemen as I do not think Murphy should be pushed too hard too soon. Others such as Ollson and Whittaker can play there but that is not their specialist position. Of the four we have Bennett, who may have been good enough this season, or on the other hand may not have been, injured. Pilkington once again is showing that he seems to be very injury prone. Snodgrass is not a winger, he is very much a midfielder who plays wide but very rarely provides the sort of crosses, those that go in behind a defence, that a two man attack needs. Redmond, when played on the right, where he is more effective, can do a job in a 442.

Of the four, for a 442, the only left sided player is Pilkington .... who is injured so often.

Yes, a quality winger is needed if the manager is to consider playing RvW and Hooper together.

The formations that have been played in the past have mainly been to suit the personnel available. Another quality winger will make other formations an option.

[Salopian 1]

I completely agree. In fact, I have a slight anxiety from his comments. If he is determined to sign another wide man with Pilks and Snoddy fit again soon , and Redmond and the Murphy brothers available, it is possible that Benno''s injury, or Pilk''s fitness, are causing them some worry.

I would have thought that with Hooper coming good and RvW returning, our main target should be another defensive midfielder. Tettey won''t be back for several weeks yet and then has to regain match fitness and, for whatever reason, last season when he returned from injury he was not quite the player he had been.. There is always Johnson, but I think that he is well short of Tettey in that position.