I think we have one of the best squads in the league, we just have a few key positions that we’re missing out on. I know I’m banging a drum about the CB role but I think if we had a bigger, better CB in there that could sure up some of the mistakes. An experienced DM was a MUST for me and we didn’t give TM one. At this rate I’d have Evans straight back into the team. And obviously a 9 who’s good in the box. Would be harsh to drop Jobe or Ekwah but square pegs in round holes don’t work and we’re essentially neglecting the spine of the team by continuing to play 3 midfielders who are really similar, a small non natural CB and changing the striker every week. My worry is that we’ve signed so many players who play in similar positions we won’t address this in January and just keep trying to force it - which may work eventually I have no idea, the players are young enough to be moulded and adapt. I love the fact we have so many younger lads with all of this potential but realistically if we had a fully fit squad (which I know is unlikely) we would have; Hume, Huggins and Pembele battling for RB Mayenda, Hemir, Rusyn and Burstow for ST Jobe, Dack, Pritch, Aouchiche, Ba, Rigg for the 10. It’s not good for their development sitting on the bench when they need regular football, we don’t even have a bench big enough to fit them all on. Which other club has 5 potential AM’s sat on the bench? We could probably lose of few those players without even realising they’re gone and put the wages toward to an experienced DM who would transform the team imo.
I think that injury at the back end of last season has finish Danny Batth off. Looked poor for us in pre season and he's played 4 league minutes for Norwich and they have selected a kid who's made one first team appearance ahead of him today. Looks like a good decision to move him on.
Think that say it all..... Great pro, great bloke, but not up to the standard any more Going to be interesting to see how we line up v Brum. Some sort of combination of Hume, Cirkin, Huggins and Seelt is my guess. Maybe: Huggins-Hume-Seelt-Cirkin
Longer term I think Jobe and Rigg will be 8s rather than 10s. Also don't think the club anticipated having Pritchard still here
Hasn't played recently for u21s which is a bit short-sighted from the club Really hope he seizes his chance and gives Mowbray a selection headache
Looked average v Crewe but then so did everyone else. Not got on the pitch since, not been on bench of late. Think that says it all Not writing him off, clearly needs more time to develop
I think part of the general situation is that we're bringing in replacements, for the likes of Clarke, Ballard, etc, but having to develop them slowly. So we may have what looks like an excess of players in a particular position but aren't intending them to play immediately ... ... and there are more players coming in behind them who'll have to wait as well. I don't think it's as messy as it looks at first glance tbh.
Yeah that’s a fair point mate. And it’s a good thing we’re doing so because if you look at Coventry there was no contingency in place for when Hamer and Gyokores left, they just panicked and bought whoever was available. Would be brilliant if we were to move someone like Ballard on for big money and already have his replacement within our squad.
I think we're signing 'adaptable' players for good reason, but I may be wrong ... ... as an example if Clarke goes in January we have Rusyn who can immediately take that position. Or, if Roberts switches to the left he can go right. By that time one of the big CFs has hopefully learned that position. All guesswork but plausible ... ... and who knows how many other scenarios may be being planned. This is why I no longer agonise over these things, it's unfathomable for me ... ... perhaps I'm just getting old and hadn't noticed
From what I've seen of Rusyn so far I think he is exactly what we need, his hold up play was good and he pulls CB about a bit, like for Dan Neil's goal against Norwich. It will take time for him to adapt especially with the language, but I'm sure this is part of the model rather than paying large fees for ready made players that may not fit in. I can remember Jack Clarkes first season on loan, he very rarely got a start, his second season, apparently he was soft as ****e and predictable, he was actually on the bench for the play off final, look at him now and if he carries on how much is he worth in the summer. Most signings we will be making are not going to be for right now but this model is new and will take time
Just touching on what we’ve been talking about earlier, watching the Liverpool game and their midfield look some f*cking size.. Had a quick google and Szoboszlai is 6’1 and Gravenberch 6’3 with 6’5 VVD and 6’4 Konate behind them.. then 6’2 Nunez up top. Even Joe Gomez is 6’2! Wouldn’t like to defend set pieces against that!
Its great seeing little old Luton beating Liverpool, that could/should be us with the right ambition throughout the club.
