There’s a few comments that mention his lack of physicality. He’s a good player and definitely an improvement on Woods but it doesn’t make our midfield any more balanced. We have a lot of tidy players in midfield but out of possession they’re anonymous.
There are quite a few possession-based sides in the division this year and a lot of them had way more of the ball than us when we played them last season. Swansea had 60%+ possession at the MKM last season, West Brom had 70%+ etc. Even though we’re a possession-based team, we have significantly less of the ball against other possession-based teams and our current midfield is fairly non-existent out of possession in terms of tackles made, interceptions, aerial duels etc. It’s an area Rosenior hasn’t rectified and doesn’t think it needs rectifying going by what he said on TalkSport last night. Most of the other teams in the division have a natural ball-winner in their best XI, including the possession-based sides. Swansea has Fulton, West Brom has Yokuşlu etc. They don’t have to be the old-fashioned bruiser like Ashbee was and defensive midfielders these days are generally much better on the ball, especially in possession teams but most of the best teams have a player who’s main job is to win the ball back in midfield and protect the defence.
Like another person said, it has improved under Rosenior but teams still bypass our midfield far too often because the midfield is anonymous out of possession. We still concede loads of chances. It’s thanks to Ingram and Darlow pulling off great saves and Greaves, McLoughlin and Jones making great last-ditch tackles and better at defending set pieces.
They sold Jason Knight to Bristol City for £2 million and he only had one year left on his deal. Also, they’re not under any real pressure to sell him below that figure. They could just as easily keep him, try to get promotion and if that fails, let his contract run down and collect the compensation fee as he’s still under 24.
I don't think our only concern is technical ability though. I think energy is a huge part of what Rosenior wants too and Woods just isn't very mobile. Remember at the end of last season Doc was starting in midfield ahead of him when we were short of a midfielder.
I think any Hull City team I've ever watched has had to make last ditch challenges and rely on good saves, It's part of football along with riding your luck at times. Rosie has shown he can set up a team that is hard to beat without the player you think we need, wether or not that's because we keep the ball more or we've had individuals compensating, I don't know, but its worked and until we become easy to beat I'm not gonna demand a more defensive CM (I agree it would be nice to have the option in the squad).
Reading their local paper, says us and Derby are not in discussion about a potential deal for Bird, but they do expect us to return with an improved offer. I wonder what they'd realistically be happy to let him go for, and if we've got the finances (or ffp room) to get close to it.
More important spaces to fill IMO.... so we let Woods go who is supposedly on a high enough wage... we bring in Bird for more money, plus signing on fee plus agents fees!!!!!! Actually, you know what.. I hate this I've worked with him before ****e... so what, get square pegs in square holes and we'll be ok... I dont want to hear this 'gaffer loves me arm around his shoulder crap"... we've needed a proper bloke in this team for long enough... still haven't got one..
Rotherham United complete signing of former Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday winger Andre Green on a two-year deal.
Defensive record wouldn't have been what it was under Rosey (4th best in his tenure) if the midfield was anonymous. I'd prefer the additional security of an enforcer type but think the priority needs to be creativity and goalscoring this window at least. If we start leaking again then fair enough, but let's not be so tactically rigid so as to ignore the fact that improvements in possession or chances conceded don't require us to shore up the midfield as much as improving the attacking end of the pitch.
Wants £2.5 million for him but says… He’s overated Not physical enough Doesn’t score enough goals Doesn’t turn up for big games Doesn’t run games or the ability to turn them round at League one level Be shocking to think what he’d want for a player he rated!
