It would be nice to see us try a few things over the remaining 5 games. Smallwood's been great this season, but Jones and Slater both offered something different in the position last year but they've not really had the opportunity to do so this year. We don't really need to strengthen that position in the summer but what we do need is someone who can play deeper but dictate the game and still chip in defensively. To be fair we could do with a couple of those along with a number 10
We definitely need to strengthen that position most games we lose is because our midfield can’t control or dictate the game in possession.
I meant that defensive midfielder role, the rest of the midfield needs a complete overhaul. Smallwood's lack of passing ability becomes much less of an issue when he's alongside a technically gifted player, but when he's alongside Doc, it sticks out like a sore thumb
Slater can play either role. May not be a master of both yet, but he'll be good player for us. He's versatile and has a long way to go.
That's why I think doc may leave. Smallwood and Slater have the grit. Honeyman may drop back into the box to box role if we bring in a more creative "No 10". But we wouldn't be short by adding a player who can put his foot on the ball and dictate. There's room for that with what we've got. I suspect that was the hope for Walsh in January.
We need a Norwood/Howson type and someone to fill the Docherty position of LG1 either a progressive ball carrier or passer to balance what I presume would be a midfield 3, won’t get both as if a player can do both they wouldn’t be playing in the championship.
I think if he stays next season, he'll have to raise his game to compete with those around him, otherwise he'll look distinctly average and he'll start becoming a scapegoat. Frankly, I thought he started the season pretty **** and I still think he slows down our play a heck of a lot. He keeps the ball well enough, which when under pressure is absolutely key and he makes tackles and interceptions, but for me he doesn't have the vision or the awareness to be consistently effective at Championship level these days. That being said, Shota seems to be getting the best out of him and hopefully it helps us see the season out. I've said it multiple times, but this squad feels like a team in the FA Cup playing teams better than them every week and having to play out their skins to get a win. Smallwood for me epitomises that, he's trying his damned hardest and I can't fault that because it's helping the team and it's doing a job. But another season on as other teams also improve, will he be as effective? I'm not sure, maybe as a squad player or impact sub? Could we buy another player that could do the same job, tackling, breaking up play etc that could do his job better? Yeah, probably. And that's what I think we'll do. We need to be ruthless in this window if we're serious about promotion because we're so far behind in terms of quality compared to some teams it's unreal. We talk about Ashbee and what he brought to the side, but he captained us through the divisions, he was almost an outlier in terms of what clubs have and a bit of a special case, we aren't going to get that for a while until somebody like Greaves stays for a few seasons. I don't think it'll be done in a season, it'll take at least two or three transfer windows to build a squad capable of pushing but I trust the club to get it right. I wouldn't mind Smallwood staying for another season, but I think if the task is to push for the top six then we need a much higher level of quality in there.
I think if we are smart (which sounds a bit “no ****”) in our recruitment the gap can be closed with 2 or 3 additions. Teams like Huddersfield aren’t fielding sides with more technical quality but they’re a hell of a lot more experienced. A core of experienced heads only has to be 2/3 up the spine of the team is more then enough to close the gap for us. It stops the reliance on a 21 year old winger to drag us through games. Huddersfield for example have had 15 different goal scorers in the league this season. Compare that to our 10 of which 2 don’t even play for us anymore. We are a very good defensive unit but unfortunately at the other end we are a one man team of KLP, this ultimately makes us very easy to figure out. It’s no coincidence we had our best run of form when Longman was playing well as it meant we were harder to figure out when we attacked, teams couldn’t double up as they’d have to worry about the other player being free. I really hope we don’t underestimate the value of experience at this level and focus our recruitment abroad. The list of players out of contract in the championship has a lot of quality in it that could shoot us up the table alone. Luton and Hudds are examples of not needing to spend crazy amounts to see success. Just need a team effort on both ends, hopefully we’ll be able to add that little extra too though from both Tan and Acun’s contacts throughout Europe.
I think they will keep Smallwood on but feel he is likely to struggle to play regularly. Let's not forget Alfie Jones can play in that holding midfield position and Slater is likely to be the first choice there. It will be interesting to see if we go back to 4 at the back, who will be the 2 regular centre backs? If we can bring in a couple of better midfielders who are forward-thinking, then play Slater in home games and in away games play Slater and Jones might be an option?
I liked Jones when he played in that holding midfield role, if we go to a back 2 next season, maybe that is an option, though Jones being right-footed, maybe is a better balance as one of the centre backs. A few conundrums.
This is my issue, our 2 best centre backs are both left footed, this was Grant’s issue at the start of the season which lead to McLoughlin being left out unfairly.
I was never a Smallwood fan, but fair play, he's done a very good job for us this season, especially as the season has worn on. In fact, given the limitations of the squad, I'd say he's been vital to our survival. But he isn't an Ashbee by any stretch of the imagination. Might not be bad to have around the squad, but not as a starter next season. I would have liked to have seen more of A Jones playing that role. I still think it's his best position.
I think we need 5 new first teamers in this next window, assuming we don't lose KLP. Right back, defensive midfielder, box to box midfielder, right winger and striker.
Thing is, hardly anyone was saying it about Ashbee at the time either. It was only after he'd gone up to the PL with us that people started to look at his overall achievement and appreciate what a legend he was. Right up to the 07/08 season, the average City fan didn't rate him.
I’d give Smallwood another year if he’s happy that he’s likely to play less games. He’s great defensively, but not so great at distributing the ball forwards.
I imagine he'll fancy another season on championship money. At 32 he's only heading down the leagues after leaving us. I think he'd be a good player to have in the squad though not as a starter.
Yeah, but by the time we'd been promoted to the Premier League, Ashbee had been with us for six years and had captained us up through all the divisions. I remember in the season under Phil Parkinson/Phil Brown he got massively slated for underperforming (I thought he did really well helping us stay up). I don't think Smallwood's contributions this season have been underappreciated; Baz praises him every week in the HDM and several posters, myself included, have been made to eat humble pie at his turn around under Shota.
