Depending on the offers that will probably be coming in for Taarabt, he may not be with us come August (certainly those goals against Cardiff and Watford will have stirred up interest and won't have helped our chances of keeping him much longer). That said, Warnock will probably build his initial team around the likes of Kenny, Faulin, Mackie, Smith and Routledge. There just might yet be another season in Derry as a support player. Apart from these and Buzsaki and Moen maybe, I really can't see any of the others being capable of helping us carve a niche upstairs, can you? Yes, I know, we've gone through all this speculating before - but now we're up at last, it would be much more interesting to see what you're thinking at the moment.
I think that Warnock will persuade Taarabt to stay, at lease until the new year - and othe clubs would be sensible to wait and see how he plays in the Premier league as well. Kenny, Faurlin will be good enough. I hope Tommy Smith steps up, not sure about Routledge - if we keep the same system it may help him finally make it at that level. Mackie will need to show alot more than just high energy levels, I think some see him through rose coloured glasses - the number of early season goals made us all take him to heart. Buzsaki will be good enough and we should see alot more of him. Can't comment on Moen - I'd struggle to recognise him. Derry will probably play more than we'd think at this point, his reading of the game makes up for his lack of speed, and he is so important to the team. How about Gorkss? If Evert can play in the Premier League, surely Gorkss can. Unfortunately Hill's lack of pace will proabably be to much to overcome for him, which will be a shame as he hasdone so much to get us there. A confident Connolly would be OK, but we would really need some pace at the back. I'm sure the transfer target speculation/request thread will be started soon.
I really think we need 5 or 6 good pros to add to our squad. We need to cut a lot of the fringe players. The likes of Ageymang, rowlands, cook etc will be moving on. To be honest its the lack of pace in our back four that concerns me. With this lack of pace we will defend too deep, which you can get away with in the CCC as the killer pass is not there as much. can't do that in the PL, we will need to hold a higher line. Derry has been fantastic this year but i think we will need to look for another player in that holding role as its pivitol to the team. I know he has another 12 months on his contract and i reckon he could do a job next year. but if he gets injured, suspended or struggles we could struggle as a team. Will be an interesting 3 months.
derry certainly doesnt have a lack of pace. hes actually quite fast, he just holds his position so well that we dont notice his pace
The centre back situation is crucial. For me, it's too much for Connolly, panics too often. One Size can't stay the distance fitness-wise. Agree with Roller, Gorkss may be okay to start with... If Clint Hill's too slow for left back, what about centre back?
One player knowone has mentioned is Orr. Lets not forget he lost his place to Walker but since winning it back has looked great at the back as well as coming forward and certianly deserves a shot at the premier league
fitz im less set on. i think connoley could be a rock at defence if he improves on his technique and gets some confidence back. and as its already been said, if evatt is a premier league defender, gorkss should be. Let us not forget Big Dan either, he has played at the world cup dont forget and had to defend against Messi, higuain, tevez etc so certainly deserves hsi chance
Is this the same Fitz Hall that no one ever wanted playing for QPR ever again? I still don't rate him very highly, he seems to lumber around, which I guess isn't surprising if you see just how big he is! I think Big Dan will be gone from the club. Not so much as a reflaction on him, more a case of where we are trying to get to.
I think Kenny, Orr, Gorkss and Faurlin will be up for it. Hill, Derry, Mackie, Smith and Routledge at least deserve a crack at it although could be found wanting. Moen is a strange one because Colin didn't see fit to play him in the Championship so will he in the Prem? Doubt it. Cerny isn't a top keeper and I hear Warnock is tracking Murphy who's a good Goalie. Ramage has some Prem experience but again, we don't call him "Damage" for nothing. Buzacky is finished pure and simple. Hasn't played a good game in two years and has got to go. That brings me to Tarbs. We can't play a system revolving around him at that level and I wonder how he would fit into more of a team structure. He may well flourish or he could tuck his chin into his chest and never look up. If its the former, great. The latter and we'd be better off cashing in. All the squad players after that will go me thinks.
Cerny is out of contract now isn't he? I can't see that being re-newed, especially after Leed's first goal. I'd like to see the whole team given a chance, just not all at the same time! The squad players must go, which unfortunately will include Rowly and Cookie. Hopefully Reading will want to keep Liegertwood. I don't see Buz as finished at all. He could play anywhere across our attacking midfield 3, certainly more so the Ephraim. The other thing I'd really love is to get Gareth Ainsworth on loan and bring him on near the end of a match! The roof would come off.
The one thing that seems a positive cert following Amit Bhatia's big up yesterday - Neil Warnock will be our manager for as long as Amit's around. No chance Lippi then... sounds all good to me!
I'm sure those stories are all from Paladini and his big mouth and small brain. I think we'd all take Warnock over Lippi, atleast for the moment.
I have just created some polls for each league for Player Of The Year, which anyone can vote on, I have created the poll for your league, Which you can find below and vote on and also comment on, But also feel free to vote on my other polls which you will find by clicking on the league and going down to the player of the year polls, have fun and vote if you want. http://www.not606.com/showthread.php/45183-Championship-Player-Of-The-Year-End-Of-Season-Choice
For me : Kenny / Connolly(must get his confidence back though!) / Derry / Faulin / Smith / Tarbs / Routeledge / Buzz are good enough possibly Gorkks. I'm afraid big Dan has played his last game for us and would be completely out of place in the prem, as have a few others I suspect. I feel we need to buy at least 1 decent centre back, 2 full backs and a centre forward. I love Hill and would love to see him given a shot, but only at centre back with a good, quick player next to him.
That's a fair summary at this point rangercol. I just hope we reshape in a way that we are no longer handicapped by the reliance upon one player. When Taarabt has been absent this year, not only are we a shadow of our normal selves, the opponents grab the initiative and our defence becomes far more vulnerable. We must bring in stronger players front and back that make the team effective regardless of who's playing. Taarabt (if still around) then adds his magic as an extra but not vital dimension.
I hate to sound like a broken record...but...we need a good striker!! We have been overly reliant on Taarabt this year (in my view) and we cannot afford to do the same next year. Helguson won't cut it in the Premier League, he misses FAR too many 'easy' opportunities. Djemba Baa anyone?
