He would probably be an option on the bench as that sytem generally needs two big holding mids, with one driving forwards (Meyler) and one sitting back. I suppose we could play him in the holding position but that would require Brady dropping back more so wouldn't utilise his ability to go forward as much
Wigan play 3-5-2 with I would say better players than us and are probably going down. Even Man City have been exploited when playing it.
**** fate, it's an illusion put in place by a doubting, superstitious mind. **** it in it's stupid, holistic arse. As for players brought in, if we go up we will need a PERMANENT number one goalkeeper, which I'd guess would be Stockdale. I'd also take Manonne as back up and Jakupovic/Oxley/Cracknell will be fine as a third choice (think you need three goalies in the PL). Defence I think we aren't too bad. I'm not sure Faye will feature so much, so maybe a big man to fill in for him, but Chester, Hobbs and McShane with Bruce, Faye and Bradley as cover should be alright. People seem to be forgetting what a great season Dudgeon was having before he got injured; I think he'll do just fine in the PL, but we do need cover there as I don't believe Brady is an out and out LB. RB we have McShane, Rosenior and Elmo at a push - maybe a loan or something just to firm it up, or Sam Byram from Leeds. Midfield we are over stocked; Meyler, Evans, Quinn, Koren, Fathi (if we buy him, which I think we might), Cairney and Wilson is more than enough cover. LM we have Brady/Quinn and RM we have Aluko/Boyd/Koren/Elmo. So maybe a winger but I fear it might be overkill. Forwards are going to be key. I think we'll need a solid out and out goalscorer; I really hope Fryatt can cut it, but Gedo, Boyd and Aluko are all different types of player and should give us good options. There's also Proschwitz, who I think will be kept on as a target man. I think the more interesting part will be who leaves; I think McShane and Rosie will get new contracts, but I honestly don't think we need to sell anybody. Who would you replace from a side that's done so well this year? Everybody knocks Evans but I like his style of play. People seem to scapegoat him so much but he's versatile and breaks up play better than anybody in our side. Other than the obvious like Devitt, Cullen, Emerton etc, I can't see too many leaving and given the size of our squad, it'd be foolish to bring in too many new faces. Somebody pointed at Reading not bringing in enough new blood, but they actually brought in 9 players (and 4 trainees) in Summer and another 4 in January.
However if we played 4-2-3-1 with the team I suggested it is very positive as Aluko/Brady/Elmo are all forward thinking players and we have only really played with one striker for most of this season anyway. Look at how chelsea play with a proper 3 behind the striker and then 2 ball winners to feed them. It is probably the most efficient system in football at the moment.
I'd actually really like too see him back here, he was always a solid target man just couldn't score but he seems to have sorted his scoring, he's got 36 goals in 64 games for AZ. Bring back Altidore
every team should play it. You need 3 in midfield and 2 upfront to be effective. It's the only system that allows that. Obviously in the premiership it will be 5.3.2 most of the time. I bet Bruce sticks with what has worked this season. Why change anything ?
Here, hang on - I said we'll beat Brizzle and Cardiff and get promoted. I just know we'll lose on Tuesday.
I thought Rosenior was one of our best players last year, and this year he hardly gets to sniff the pitch. Is there a future for him on a Hull Prem squad?
According to The Sunday Star(yes I know its the star) Where going to offer £1m for Kieron Westwood. Its probably lazy journalists putting two and two together .
Assem allam was on egyptian tv just now talking about Hull city being close to promotion he was asked about new players and the status of the egyptian loanees from Al Ahly he said there is still no official decision and they are more focused on the next 4 games right now but Gedo is the most likely to sign permanently from Al Ahly and no mention about Fathi
Load of bull. There were a few articles linking us with him when Stockdale was recalled, but Bruce denied it. We'll be getting Stockdale on a permanent deal.
He was just a big kid...19/20...and still learning when he was with us before. He's a totally different player now...has scored some amazing goals at AZ to go with his speed and strength. And he has learned to head the ball which he was largely lacking before. Still only 23...would love to see him back putting real pressure on those Prem CHs.
