Do we need another defender, or maybe even a couple, before the Thursday loan deadline? I've thought we've been light (and lucky to be honest) at the back so far, and could have done with someone before now. Immediate needs depends of course on the severity of the Turner/Taylor/McNuggs injuries, but can we cover the run up to the Jan window with what we've got? Giving a chance to Nugent and Ralls on the weekend was forced upon Malky and not through choice. Thank God they were both up for it and also up to it, but could depending on them as only options be a big mistake?
Just commented on a separate thread on this one Sparkey. Nugent may get a run in the team and is playing in his natural position. Ralls is more of a concern playing out of position. This is hard enough for a seasoned pro let alone a youngster learning his trade. A couple of full backs added to the squad would allow Connolly to move inside to cover the CB position with Nugent being additional cover. It would also take the pressure off Ralls or anyone else playing out of position.
Whether you term them wide backs or wing backs, we've been very lucky to get away with only McNuggs and Taylor up till recently. Connelly is a superb bonus to have had available though and maybe that was in Malky's thinking. Could never disguise my concerns about Taylor's lack of out and out pace, though his positional play and footballing brain in making himself available as an outlet for his teamates is very good. With the potential CB lineup of Huds, Turner, Connelly and Nugent available to Malky, this was less of a concern - until Saturday. If Turner has another stint on the sidelines like the start of the season, I'd be very concerned about Huds 4 yellows cards at the moment, and Connelly has also picked up 3 so far - that could easily come back and haunt us before the New Year.
MM seems to like a relatively small squad with players able to cover more than one position so would suggest it was a conscious decision. He must also see something in Taylor given he's just signed a 2 year contract extension. I agrre that cards totting up may hurt us with huds likely to miss a game soon.
Im sure if he can get the right player in then he will do so. However if not then Declan John may have to come in. The last thing we need is utter rubbish panic loans - eg J Lloyd Samuel , Stephen Bywater. Ralls may be needed for central midfield anyway as Gunnarsson , Cowie , Mutch , Kiss all had injuries.
Don't think Malky does panic loans. Ralls could well be needed in midfield especially if Whitts keeps putting himself about like like he did Saturday. I'm woried that his lack of "previous" in that area might catch him out - God forbid!
My only concern would be the number of 'cover players' we have in at any one time. Nugent with Turner or Huds and two recognised fullbacks is one thing as the other three can talk him through the game and compensate. Multiple changes causes the problem. We have a number of youngsters who individually could step up, but you wouldn't want more than one at a time, especially in the same unit. As you say Hilts, we may as well stick with the youngsters than bring in average players (or worse) for the sake of it. To be honest, I don't think MM would bring in players for the sake of it.
Id have no problem with Ralls having an extended run in central midfield alongside Whittingham Defensively though id be concerned if Turner is out for a while. If the right man is available then im sure Malky will act.
Declan John looks a very useful yougster at left back - excellent going forward as well. My only reservation other than lack of experience is lack of height. He can't be more than about 5 ft 6 ins.
We won't be asking him to cover Centre Back then? To be on the fringes of the squad suggests he has other aspects to his game that make up for being vertically challenged.
Both very valid comments. Yes, saw him play at Northampton where he was very effective going forward. Very left footed (another one - do we have a monopoly on left footed payers?) but quick, mobile, not afraid to take on people and a good final ball. Definitely one for the future but could be more left midfield or wing rather than left back. However, I wouldn't select Nugent and him to start a game at present as any manager worth his salt would see targetting the left of our defence as a big opportunity against 2 inexperienced youngsters. They both need someone with experience by their side to talk them through as Hudson did with Nugent Saturday. Somehow we got away with Ralls at left back although he has a dozen or so games under his belt so not a complete novice. If Boro had a winger in the Noone mould then ralls might have had a much tougher time.
Noone's too good for most fb's in this league though...! Thought Nuggent did really well but was suprised Mowbray took Jutkevic (sp) off, he was out muscling (mostly by fouling) Nuggent and causing problems. I'm sure MM will be having a word about how to deal with that next time though. Barnsley's Craig Davis will be eyeing up giving Nuggent a similar physical battle.
That's the point I was trying to make in comment #8. Having one good youngster in a side with experience around them is one thing. Two, in different units (one at the back, one up front) is OK but not ideal, two side by side is asking for trouble though we got away with it on saturday. We've seen some very good Man U youngsters play for their first team in the league and in Europe, but put a group of them together in a cup game against lower league opposition and they struggle. Individually very good, collectively not so. Lets let them walk before we ask them to run.
