Apparently people having the opinion that a system utilising an attacking midfielder and either RvW or Hooper would work better than playing both up front together is immediately sensationalised into 'hitting the panic button'. I'm noticing this more and more from certain people on here when it comes to any expression/line of thinking that even slightly deviates from their opinion.
I'm not singling anyone out in particular, but there does appear to be a bit of general concern and sudden reining in of expectations (which actually might be a good thing as it turns out) in the air since the Braga game. I've not watched any pre-season either, and didn't know anything about the Braga game until the following morning but when you read some of the comments on the pre-season thread anyone would think we got turned over 5-0 in our first game of the season again. Results and performances count for absolutely nothing in the summer, if they did then Simon Whalley would now probably be in the England squad after the blistering pre-season he had for us all those years ago but unfortunately for him (and us) as soon as the first whistle of the season blew we found out he was crap. Pre-season is about fitness, getting your first touch and shaking off the cobwebs after a summer on the beach and anybody who pays any attention to the results are merely wasting their time if you ask me.
On this topic, I think we might see a diamond-esque formation at points this season given Olsson's pace and Martin's improved positional sense (possibly the most improved player in my book compared to his 2011-12 season, which I firmly put down to Hughton's coaching). I know the argument is that we're very exposed on the flanks, but if we can keep the ball the fullbacks won't be exposed so often, and both Pilks and Snodders can be relied upon to work hard to cover across if we do lose possession: _________Ruddy Martin Turner Bassong Olsson __________Fer ____Snods_____Pilks ________Hoolahan ______RvW___Hooper Looks dangerous to me.
not sure about the panic button thing - didn't someone say they didn't think they could play together based on 45 minutes of a friendly? i'd say that's a bit naive at best. the good thing about both our strikers is that they can both drop deep. hooper is very underrated at this. people think he's just a poacher but he can do much more. i've not seen rvw playing deeper but he started his career there.
Can I be the first to go on record and say that RvW and Hooper will be fine together and in all probability develop into something special. Even if they don't we still would have two potentially excellent forwards to lead the line which is one more bite at the cherry than we had last season.
i don't think hoolahan will play if we play two up front. seeing all these different formations and selections shows we have so many options so we won't have a 'best' team, similar to under lambert. team selection will change regularly depending on who we play or whether we are home or away
yep. much will depend on how fer gets on. i personally think he's our best signing this summer but he will need to get through a lot of work if we play two up front!
He was pretty poor in my opinion for Middlesboro last season, shame really because before that everytime i saw him he always impressed.
Nothing like being taken out of context is there? I'll stand by what I said, if people genuinely think they are qualified to make a judgment on our two new strikers and whether or not they can play together or not based on 45 minutes of football in an entirely meaningless game then they either have some kind of super-power or they are over-reacting, and I think I know which it is. And like I said this wasn't a dig at you in particular at all, merely anyone who has made such a general statement on the basis of virtually nothing at all
I'd still like us to sign Matej Vydra but would we have enough cash for a AM if we signed him or Quags?
In all honesty, I just can't see either RvW or Hooper coming/being bought to sit on our bench. Which is why I've been harping on about formations and what we need behind them, in central midfield. I can see Quagliarella being brought in as well to provide top quality cover and competition.
I'm still struggling to comprehend exactly why Jacob Butterfield was brought to the club and what his best position is - if he ever gets a proper game in a yellow shirt. I seem to recall in the distant past, (along with the seven year plan ) that he was signed as a sort of "understudy" to Wes Hoolahan. In which case a large chunk of this thread - all the talk of a new CAM, could well be irrelevant?
certainly not ripped up any trees. just feel as he's aged under 21, if you get him in the right environment he could be a potential superstar.
Where has anyone said that they are "genuinely qualified" to do this? I included in my comment that it was indeed simply my gut-instinct and even confessed that yes, it was on the short time in a 'meaningless' game that I saw them utilised together. I don't know what else I have to go on, as the only time I've ever seen either of them play (apart from that friendly) is in a lone-striker role. Before accusing people of taking things 'out of context' I think you should consider your own retorts Munky bor.
by the way, i just had a quick look at james nursey's twitter feed and he admits he's based his judgment of rvw on a lack of goals in pre season
nonsense. every player has to earn the right to play, no matter who they are. we aren't a non league team signing internationals - we're a premier league team signing internationals! they'll all know they are not guaranteed starts. sometimes they'll both play, sometimes only one of them will. you never, sometimes neither!
