I'm certainly not complaining, but even as it stands we are left with a bit of a headache as to who would be the best-fit midfield. Seems like we have a number of legit players, many who would bring different qualities. Here is my attacking midfield & defensive midfield: ATTACK: Mackie Taarabt Park Faurlin Traore DEFENSIVE: Mackie Diakite Derry Barton (Possibly Park instead of Barton) SWP not including Buszaky or Ephraim. Also, not including any more signing (Jarvis?! or Hoillett?!) Have to admit, as far as "problems" go, certainly not a bad one to have
Got to be this for me but man Sparky has some tough calls to make. Desperately want to find a spot for Mackie but on paper these are the best four. Traore will most likely be used at Left Back or is Fabio left sided?
Should be this but when will be Faurlin be back to full fitness? After the type of injury he suffered Christmas would be realistic perhaps?
With a full pre season to get the back 4 working together, maybe Fabio on the right with Onuoha back in the centre? Green Fabio Ferdinand Onuoha Traore Park Diakite Faurlin Taarabt Cisse Zamora
He holds the ball us well, and if he can get an understanding with Cisse, great news. Agree Mackie as super sub. Barton may play his part if we get injuries later in the season
how many times has mackie played upfront in the last two years. I can't ever remember him playing as a striker.
Starting to get just a bit excited. This time last year we hadn't even got Dyer, DJ, Betty and Gabbidon and still had Perone and Aggy as starters. What a difference a year makes.
It's a squad thing, this set-up - and rightly so. What with continual injuries and suspensions, far too thin and found left wanting all too often last term. As Hughesy says, won't be happening again on his watch! POWER! URRRss!
I dont think its a problem, weve all agreed on what it should be in a 442, in a 451 we can use Traore and move Taarabt to the middle or play Barton.
Some would say (mainly me) that we've never had Dyer (local infirmaries might claim differently though).
Still think SWP will come good.....very unlucky at times last year not to score a few. Could have made a huge difference, mental state is so important in elite sport
We look awfully short in CM, especially with a question mark over faurlin. Doesn't sound like he'll be fit in time for the start. So even if we sign another afraid Barton still has a role to play. Derry starting is a big no no for me.