I think it all boils down to this. Really the only 2 DM's we have are Tettey and Johnson, if either are injured or out of form we've got Howson as cover, who doesn't suit that role, or Fox, who Hughton seems not to rate. Whether it's someone like Bridcutt coming in to provide cover and competition, or someone like Biglia to come in as a new starter, another DM is needed, if not 2. Personally I'd prefer both coming in, so we've got a pair of hard as nails players for playing the big teams, or the option of 1 or 2 more creative players when we're looking for a win. I do agree Johnson has been brilliant, but when he's suspended/injured, we need more than just Howson to step in, and I'd rather see a quality replacement to provide genuine competition to him and Tettey. Even if the newbie isn't always starting, the competition should make an even better player of Johnson and Tettey.
Trouble is we can all get carried away about new signings but some clubs have shown that a revolutionary approach doesn't always work. The question CH will have to answer is does he think he has a squad capable on moving on. Not far but far enough to make relegation a possibility not a probablity. I will play devil's advocate and say there are perhaps 5/6 of the current 17 on the team sheet each week who are capable of, with the addition of fresh blood, helping us to feel more secure each game. They are: Ruddy, Martin, Turner, Johnson, Snodgrass, Hoolahan. I feel happy with those guys as making progress next season. Others may think Bassong and Pilkington could be added. Some might think I'm being hard on Holt. But remember before you send the ricin through the post, I am playing an advocate here. Trouble is even allowing for those three and adding RVW, that's only 10. Clearly the Murphy's and co are probably too immature at this stage so it is going to take a big influx of players to move us on. So I don't think it is just a question of a defensive midfielder or winger. I think it is a transfusion needed. Or will CH and the board be happy with a repeat of this season?
I don't think we'll transform into a comfortable mid-season side over one summer. To try and explain my thoughts, I'm assuming there's 5 tiers of players: A-League Winning players like RVP, Suarez, Bale B-Champions League Contender players: Oscar, Ramires C-Europa League Contender/top half players: Michu, Cabaye, Snodgrass D-Solid league survival players: Russell Martin, Johnson, E-Relegation fodder: ie most of Reading's squad Their not exclusive categories, but they'll do for now. At the moment our squad consists of a few C's, a lot of D's, and an equal number of E's. This summer we need to turn as many of those E's into C's as we can. However, a C player is probably ~£5m, so we're not going to be able to afford the 8 or so players of that ability we'd like to be truly comfortable. However, we may bring maybe 3,4 of that ability in, and try and turn the rest into D's. For me, I'd like a C class DM, CAM and LW, and take a D class CB, LB, ST and second winger. Based on that, I'd expect next season to consist of still flirting with relegation, but to a lesser extent, maybe more like Fulham have been this season. Next summer, another change of the remaining E's, and a few D's into C's should give us a platform to seriously threaten the top half. That's my plan anyway. Thoughts?
I don't agree we need that many new players. New 'C-class' DMF, Winger and Left Back to join RVW, Bassong and Ruddy in that class, plus a D class striker such as Kamara and we will start to look a quality outfit. A definately think we need to focus primarily on quality not quantity. Players like Garrido, E Bennett, Becchio and Howson (further up the pitch) would still have a role to play despite being E Class, but would make perfectly adequate cover for a push to reach Fulham/ West Brom's level of security.
We've got the defensive Nucleus of Ruddy, Bassong and Turner which is a solid backbone we need some left backs and another centre back. In general I'm more then happy with the defence. The Midfield for me needs creativity it's crying out for it, we need a cultured midfielder in the attacking mould with the awareness to spot opportunities and a deep lying playmaker who can tackle who is glue who binds the team together, also a bit of competition for Pilkington wouldn't go amiss. To put it bluntly our midfield lacks vision and solid passers of the ball, we need players who can bring everything together I'm very happy with RVW but I'd say we need improve with our back ups and bring some more quality in, we need players who put chances away. In answer to your scale DH we need a lot of C's even if it only means bringing 5-6 players to the team it will still make us a lot more powerful.
I think the main player you've missed is Whittaker, I love Russ as much as anybody but he will only ever be a grafting D. Whittaker injury free is a C (see DH ranking system) and if injury free next season will be like Ruddy in being like having a top class signing after their absenses. I want Biglia, which would raise another question as a C would he consign Johnson a D to a year of bench warming and frustration? Or would we persist with 2 DM's? (I bloomin well hope not, except top 6 maybe.) I think if we had more of the ball and worked it better, then a number of our existing players may polish up to D/C level. I'm thinking E.Bennett, Pilks, well actually the whole attaching bunch including fullbacks on the hoof. I think focus on maybe 2 C's; Biglia + AN Other and then some D's in area's requiring cover LB, CB, LW and LB (Garrido or another if we don't take up the option on him.) I don't see us having more budget than that. 2 x C = ~£15-20M, 4 x D = ~£10-15. But then I have no idea of our budget. But the emphasis should be on evolving to have as many C's as possible. Who ever we buy it had better be to help create more or RvW will not get a sniff. OTBC Bah!
i cannot see what Wes brings to the team for you to rate him so highly. he is, at best, adequate. but his main attribute in the PL is running sideways before losing possession. a replacement for him is a main priority. sorry to say it but he is playing at a level above his ability.
I think you could certainly add Whittaker to your list and leave Hoolahan out of it. Would also love to see what Buuterfield is capable of, as CH bought him when he was injured, so must have seen something there. I would love to see a creative midfielder in the mould of Fox, but who can also help out defensively and some competition for Pilks, as he has tended to 'coast' in some games this season IMO. I REALLY hope that CH and the board will NOT be happy with a repeat of this season!!!!
My general feeling is that Butterfield was already arranged by Lambert. I also think he could be decent, but rumour has it he's not at all popular at the club. In terms of who is a C etc, I don't see Hoolahan as being one but I see an on-form, rested Pilks as comfortably being there. I'm not sure what Russ has to do to win some people back, but I think we have two brilliant right backs. Definitely don't agree that Garrido, Elliott Bennett or Howson are E's!
Absolute rubbish eadie. He plays in an unforgiving position sometimes, an attacking midfielder will always lose the ball, but it's worth it because of the magic he can pull off at times. I actually think he is the man to be supplying RVW next season, when has Wes really played with a mobile striker who had intelligent movement? That's the ideal forward to be playing ahead of him I would think rather than being lured out wide so he can knock one in the box for Holt. The reason he runs sideways at times is because playing a through ball into Holt will end up as a sigh from the crowd because Holt is not mobile enough. In League 1 he showed he had great vision and linked up really well with Chris Martin, I think he can start using his vision again with RVW ahead of him.
out of interest, where is butterfield now? is he still a palace, or is he back with us. answers on a post card..
He's been tweeting about being back in Norwich, seemed to be using twitter to borrow a hairdryer from Kei Kamara...
Haven't got a clue, seems such a waste. Came with so much anticipation from me, heard so much about him coupled with his age I was really looking forward to seeing him play. Maybe when the inevitable summer clear out happens he might be given a fresh chance with a newer looking squad.
Howson is perhaps the most frustrating of those 3, as he's constantly played out of position and disappoints in that role. He's certainly not the player he was last season, but if he could recapture that form somehow then he's definitely more than an E. I'd like to see a central midfield of Johnson holding, Howson with the freedom to go box-to-box and get thoroughly involved in attacks, and Hoolahan or AN Other as CAM. Bennett seems to be very much a confidence player, who's doing ok now but isn't someone I'd necessarily trust to hold down a wing position for a whole season, especially not when he's got Snodgrass ahead of him in their natural position. He's probably more D/E borderline depending on form.
