We really need some quality in our team, still too much huff and puff and no end product. Ross showed genuine quality with his goal, which is why he's sought after. Looking at our midfield yesterday, once again there's work rate and little else. Green simply isn't good enough, gives the ball away far too often in dangerous areas which invites pressure. Murphy sits back a bit much, and doesn't look for the ball often enough. Far too many short square passes, almost playing it too safe. He needs to man up and show more desire to dominate play. Not settled into the Championship just yet. Austin plays the holding role so well, yet even though his work encourages allowing the other midfielders to burst forward, this isn't really happening. We aren't getting enough shirts into the opposition box and it shows when crosses go in only to find one Leeds against three defenders. So many midfielders yet so little penetration, how I wish we could get rid of at least four and bring in some quality. I am very pleased with our unbeaten start, but in truth we should have beaten SW yesterday, they are not that good. We just lacked that killer ball, that bit of vision, instead getting involved in a battle that saw us slip down to SWs level. A centre back remains the priority for sure, but boy do we need some quality in midfield. Clubs like Watford, Reading and QPR are very capable at creating chances for their strikers, and if we can add this to our desire and determination, we will be in with a real shout of the playoffs.
Maybe Diouf could do the playmaker role at the tip of the diamond, McCormack up top alongside Poleon, Austin at the base, Murphy and Hunt at the sides. Not great i know, and still no pace there (apart from Poleon), but until the likes of Green, Norris, Pugh are moved on and a winger or two are brought in, we'll have to make do with what we have, which isn't much. At least Diouf and McCormack, and to a lesser extent Murphy would provide a bit of guile, Poleon and Byram when he eventually returns, some pace. Not sure what Hunt brings to the table really, but it's either him or Tonge so not much choice there, but you can only go so far with a team of grafters like we had yesterday. Maybe Diouf can provide that creativity.
Poleon is nowhere near good enough yet. He is knocked off the ball and his stride way too easily. He turns into trouble, takes too many touches and makes stupid runs. Hopefully he will improve but it won't be this season.
I only put him in there for his pace, apart from him there's no one, it just becomes pedestrian. There needs to be someone who runs on to a through ball, and there's no one else who can do that.
I wasn't too impressed with Poleon to be honest. Has a long way to go still I think but shows better potential than the likes of White. For me, I reckon getting a winger in is becoming more of a priority than a CB which is stupid. We are really struggling for that bit of spark, a normal 442 system would benefit us far more I believe
Priority for me would be a natural goal scorer followed be a creative pacey midfielder, then a centre back. The only problem is a decent midfielder and striker together is going to cost us the best part of 3 million and if that means selling McCormack then we will still be one short. In regards to a CB being third on my list is the fact that once Byram is back we can use Peltier in the centre alongside Pearce and we really need to get Poleon out on loan to a Div 1 team until Christmas, take him back the start of January give him another couple of appearances and see if he needs to go out on loan again.
Totally disagree about Poleon the lads 19 and the second best striker at the club imo got a lot to learn still sure,but his pace scares the hell out of defenders and the team would be weaker without him even if only used as a sub as defenders tire.
Green is normally fairly solid to be fair, he had a shocker yesterday though. I don't think of Austin as a holding player, and both him and Green really need to work on their passing. Murphy will come good, he does seem slightly withdrawn at the moment but it's his first taste of Championship football and he'll begin to express himself more in time. Agree with Josh though, I think 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 (with McCormack pressing on from midfield) would suit us more. We congest the middle too much at the moment, which makes us vulnerable from wide areas and means we struggle to find incisive passes because everyone's in the centre of the pitch. If we sign just one winger and then use Varney wide left it'd be a start, at least then we'd have an outlet. Peltier's looking pretty decent at RB though, maybe Byram could provide the width and pace we need higher up the pitch when he's back?
I think we have a few talented players in our team that are being let down by the "grafters" with very little else to offer. A bit more quality in the team and we'll see the likes of Poleon, McCormack, Byram start to really shine.
What's happened to little Dawson, the Turners, Lenighan and Charlie Taylor? Plus when we get Byram back, that sorts out a right back or midfield role and lets us lose one of the others. Anyone get the feeling the old hands are playing to remain in the shop window? Seems too far-fetched to me, and I'd prefer to see a number of kids in there. Then again, look at how Nill-goal are doing. Our start is solid enough, and probably on realistic target, but I can't help feeling there is more available from the squad as it stands
I'm impressed that you could type accurately through all the tears, TC. At least you've got consistency so far this season. You can't hope for much else.
