I think we are good in the goal keeper department - if any are going I would suggest it would be Gordon as I would have thought he was on the highest wages due to the fee he cost. I don't think we will bring a new keeper in.
Defence, when fully fit we have a pretty good back four, my worry here is injury prone defenders. We are not going to get full season's out of Brown and O'Shea. I would see them as the starting pair in the middle. Left back is the main problem. Who knows if we will attempt to convert Colback or if he want's to be converted? Bramble can go for me.
Midfield - I think this is an area that needs improving. Larrson in my opinion doesn't have enough pace to play right wing. For his ability the crosses don't seem to come from him, mainly Bardlsey from deeper. Maybe Larrson will become more central? For O'Neill style of play to succeed you need pace on the wings. If Larrson had pace he'd probably be a top 4 player. He definately seems to have tired as the season has gone on. Another right winger is needed to provide competition. Clearly O'Neill doesn't fancy Elmo. Perhaps Campbell is the answer here?
In the centre I have doubts about Gardner - he played really well just after xmas but he seems quite inconsistant. We had our best run with Vaughan and Cattermole in the middle. I think all our Central midfielders are much of a muchness but they do provide competition for places. Again we do seem to lack pace through the middle.
On the left Mclean has done well but needs to go again next year. Also cover is needed here. It's a lot to expect a full season from him next year with no dip in form.
Up front - well in my opinion this has been a disaster this year. Bruce seemed to not plan this at all. I think we all knew even when Gyan was in the team that we were lacking up front. Very few options. Good to have Campbell back and with a pre season behind him he could be a great next season. Bendtner I just think would only come here if a last resort. I don't think he's done enough to make a top club come in for him. I think we would have to adapt our team to get the best out of him. Sess' who knows, hopefully he will stay? Will MON keep him in the same role? Can he do a job in central midfield or is that asking too much of Catts? I think Sess' has the ability to make a killer pass and a striker who plays off the shoulder and make runs would do fantastically from Sess.
Who knows what system O'Neill will go for next season and what direction he will take us. One thing I'm sure of is that I'm a lot more confident that we will have a better team next season.
I haven't named players I'd like etc as that would just be speculation. Just pointing out the areas I think we need strengthening. I know we also have some young lads out on loan and a decent set of youngster and who knows who may come through the ranks? I would like to see Noble recalled and given a chance of first team.
Defence, when fully fit we have a pretty good back four, my worry here is injury prone defenders. We are not going to get full season's out of Brown and O'Shea. I would see them as the starting pair in the middle. Left back is the main problem. Who knows if we will attempt to convert Colback or if he want's to be converted? Bramble can go for me.
Midfield - I think this is an area that needs improving. Larrson in my opinion doesn't have enough pace to play right wing. For his ability the crosses don't seem to come from him, mainly Bardlsey from deeper. Maybe Larrson will become more central? For O'Neill style of play to succeed you need pace on the wings. If Larrson had pace he'd probably be a top 4 player. He definately seems to have tired as the season has gone on. Another right winger is needed to provide competition. Clearly O'Neill doesn't fancy Elmo. Perhaps Campbell is the answer here?
In the centre I have doubts about Gardner - he played really well just after xmas but he seems quite inconsistant. We had our best run with Vaughan and Cattermole in the middle. I think all our Central midfielders are much of a muchness but they do provide competition for places. Again we do seem to lack pace through the middle.
On the left Mclean has done well but needs to go again next year. Also cover is needed here. It's a lot to expect a full season from him next year with no dip in form.
Up front - well in my opinion this has been a disaster this year. Bruce seemed to not plan this at all. I think we all knew even when Gyan was in the team that we were lacking up front. Very few options. Good to have Campbell back and with a pre season behind him he could be a great next season. Bendtner I just think would only come here if a last resort. I don't think he's done enough to make a top club come in for him. I think we would have to adapt our team to get the best out of him. Sess' who knows, hopefully he will stay? Will MON keep him in the same role? Can he do a job in central midfield or is that asking too much of Catts? I think Sess' has the ability to make a killer pass and a striker who plays off the shoulder and make runs would do fantastically from Sess.
Who knows what system O'Neill will go for next season and what direction he will take us. One thing I'm sure of is that I'm a lot more confident that we will have a better team next season.
I haven't named players I'd like etc as that would just be speculation. Just pointing out the areas I think we need strengthening. I know we also have some young lads out on loan and a decent set of youngster and who knows who may come through the ranks? I would like to see Noble recalled and given a chance of first team.
