Anyone a little confident about our chances next year? I think we're maybe a couple of players short from being a (hopefully) top 10 side. If we the repors are true and Berra comes in, I think we would only need a RB (stearman) and then I would be very happy with our squad of players. We've got 2 hard, workman like midfielders in Skuse and Hyam, with the creativity of Wordsworth. We've got pace in Taylor and Anderson and maybe Edwards. We've got a big man up front in Murphy. And a pretty solid defence. I know Mick wouldn't try this, but I would love to see him play a 4-3-3 formation with pace in the wide areas and really go at Reading at the start. With this it shows our intention of what we want to this season, and with them being newly relegated could give them a shock; because I don't think they'd expect a struggling championship team last year to come away from home against a former premiership team with a 4-3-3 attacking line-up. What do you guys think?
I'd love to see us atleast try out a 4-3-3 even if it's against Stevenage but I think MM will stick to his guns with 4-4-2... as it did the job for us last season, but a bit of flexibility would be a great asset I still think we need another wide player.. I would rather see Tabb in the middle alongside Hyam or Skuse with Anderson & Edwards our only 'specialist' wide players with Carson as back up. I am also quietly confident that we'll be competitive next season but I'd fancy us to be midtable for most of it... which will be an improvement from the previous couple of seasons
I agree, Quietly confident about things, I think this is the first time for years that all the transfers have made sense to the majority of fans, yes they are freebies, but they are really good freebies. All we need is the RB & CB positions beefed up a bit in regards to depth, Gerken to come in to push Loachy and we are there. Lastly, I know we don't like the dreaded 'loan' word, but our season could certainly hinge on MM using this wisely with good talented youngsters to complement the squad.
" I would rather see Tabb in the middle " - have a feeling Mick was a big fan of Tabb wide left, and think he fits our hard to beat approach. I am not whatsoever convinced about Cressy defensively at times either, so Tabb at least offers a major shield. I think if our tails are up and flying, we could go for an orthodox 4-4-2 though! I'm a lot happier with our squad for sure, however, look at the quality in the division and it's tough to work out where we will come! Reading - have a feeling they'll be the team to beat. QPR - Warchest........ Wigan - Not sure? Brighton - consistently top 10, will be again I think. Leicester - have ££££ and could do better. Bolton - finished the season well, and will do better. Forest - Davies know the division well, turned them around to some extent. Blackburn - I think they'll do better too That is ONLY eight sides too! It's such a mad ridiculous division, I really do not have any idea where to place us!? Birmingham are my tip to be the next " big club " who could drop!
Totally agree about Birmingham being the next club to drop. Regards the 8 sides, Wigan have bought well, certainly better than i expected and i reckon they could there or there abouts. Reading and QPR haven't really done anything apart from trying to get rid, so will struggle at the start but will pick points up later. Leicester, I reckon Pearson is the problem with them bottling. Brighton will be mid table at best Forest and Blackburn, both will decent sides but not challenging the top 2 Bolton, I reckon could win it this year. As for us, Top ten minimum, but i have a hunch we could be in for a playoff spot.
Just a note about Skuse he is a workman like defensive midfielder but he also has real pace when he decides to use it he played at right back for a while and was a relevation so if you have problems at rb play him there and you will see a potentially good RB. Thinking back Bradley Orr started in Midfield and only became a really good player when dropping back to rb there could be a precident there.
I'd like to think we were moving away from having to play guys out of their natural position ,as in the long term(eg Carlos) it doesn't work.
I think some players can adapt to different positions and be just as good. obviously it doesn't work with all, but some players can do it.
Agree with you Guru-when it's necessary, but I'd rather we played our best eleven in their natural position which I think is MM's style.
I'm confident that we'll be top 10 next season but comparing the quality of our squad to alot of others in this league, I have to say it is very average if not poor. All our players are very solid and likely to be a good 7 out of 10 most matches but where is the real quality in that squad? If we had the squad we've got now this time last summer I'm sure we'd all be fairly worried because there really is a lack of quality in there. Our strength is that Mick has a great track record in this division and has always got the best out of average players. I'm optimistic that we'll do quietly well next season, as we'll be solid and consistant (which not many teams are) but looking at our squad on paper it is very average (apart from the fullbacks) and if Mick were to leave tomorrow I'd be worried because I don't think there are many managers capable of gettin as much out of this set of players as Mick can.
I am very pleased with the way that Mick has conducted his transfer business with the minimum of fuss and without the 'Soap Opera' that we have witnessed all too often in previous years. He knows what he wants and more importantly the team he is assembling will know exactly what he wants from every single one of them. I am looking forward to watching them tomorrow night against Crawley and I will be excited to see how the new boys get on. Much to be pleased about so far
I want to see us stay in the top half of the table for the majority of the season. That is a realistic ambition and a season spent not looking over our shoulders would be an improvement on recent years. Mick is building a 'Mick' team and it will perform as his teams always do. Solid, hard to beat and capable of picking up points even when outplayed by classier players. Aiming for three points in home games and one from away matches will lead us to a good final position in the table.
Sorry a ps on Skuse he is a very versitile player and at a pinch can play at Right CB or indeed at RM where his pace is an advantage but most City fans will say that it was as a Right Back that he really shone at Ashton Gate.
