Based on last seasons performances under Rosenior without a single striking option for the last 6+ games of the season we would have finished 10th. So now with striking options and a definite uptick in quality at left back, a fit Adam Traore and potentially 3 more quality signings you can only see a relegation battle . I think even with a much stronger Championship we should be a top half team this year. To help with your positivity here’s some teams worse than us… QPR Sheffield Wednesday Rotherham Cardiff Huddersfield Preston And here’s some that are in a mess… Norwich Watford West Brom Blackburn And we should be able to compete with the newly promoted teams… Ipswich Plymouth Hope that helps with your positivity
Its probably a mix of FFP and squad size. Rosenior keeps banging on about squad size and keeping a competitive squad. Be interesting to see who's on the chopping block to make way for more. Other than keeper I can't think where we just need to add and not replace
He's in the Seri mould but he's arguably got a bit more about him defensively. Also I dont think Rosenior wants a ****house midfielder he wants players comfortable on ball
He’s mobile for one. He’s also 6’1. Last full season in the championship he averaged 1.5 tackles a game, 1.7 the season before that. That would have had him first out of our midfielders in both. He’s a mobile and technical midfielder with bags of experience, also very robust (touch wood). Think given a year left on his deal, it’s a good move for us and definitely improves our midfield
He’s got a nice mix, mobile, can do that side of the game. Whilst also being a technical midfielder. Problem is any top defensive midfielder who’d suit our style is costing upwards of £5m.
He hasn’t. He plays exactly like Woods i.e. a deep-lying playmaker but he doesn’t tackle or make interceptions. If that’s what Rosenior wants then he’ll be getting his P45 before long. A modern defensive midfielder doesn’t need to be a bruiser but better managers than ****ing Rosenior know you need to have a Rodri, a Casemiro, a Caicedo etc. in your team.
He covers a lot of ground every game. Not saying he’s quick but it’s definitely the right profile of midfielder for our budget and wins the ball back primarily for the Derby side.
Anyone else think around 1 1/2 tackles and 1 interception per game is shockingly low for any CM?! Looking at the percentiles, maybe it's just how it is.
Well, Caicedo for Brighton averaged 2.7 tackles and 1.5 interceptions per game last season in a team which dominates possession, which is what you want from a defensive midfielder. Bird isn’t that type of midfielder. He’s an improvement on Woods and younger but he’s basically the same player. Guess I’m hoping Simons has a breakout season with us because Seri, Slater and Bird is still a weak as piss midfield.
Agreed, always think it does look low. Recoveries is the stat that is higher for midfielders, tackles is always higher in full backs.
He’s nothing like Woods ffs. I do agree with your underlying point and would probably want someone more specialised but please stop putting the idea in my head we are losing Woods and then bringing him straight back in a different form