Following on from Super Kev's loan to Bolton, it looks like another Bluebird will be joining him shortly. Could it be that Dougie Freedman has realised that promotion is only assured if you have players who are not scared playing? http://www.sportsdirectnews.com/pre...bolton-waits-on-gestede-deal.php#.UnuJitJFDmI
Yes, Rudy gets few chances now and even fewer when Corny gets fit. Good luck to Rudy if he goes. A regular game in the Championship will be good for him and, with the right service, he will score a goal or two. He will know not to expect great crosses from McNuggs though.
That makes sense with Pulis already saying he wants to sign Jordan Rhodes from Blackburn in January. Has Joe Mason gone to Bolton on loan with Corney now fit? Note - Bolton now 7 games undefeated since McNuggs went there. 4 wins and 3 draws.
I still can't see a spot for Joe unless Malky has another rush of blood like he did when putting Noone on on Sunday. Mutch playing just behind Campbell is going to be a good combo, and I can't see Joe starting out wide. Hope he gets a shot at it though at some point
Spark! I think Malky will initially use the lad for early F.A. Cup games. When we bag or get near to the safety point in the league I can see Malky experimenting a little more.
Sparks Same 100% record as in his last 4 seasons with us. Nevertheless still a great defender at Championship level who always had Zaha and most other wingers in his pocket.
I think the first part of your last sentence is correct for his first five years with us. The last couple of seasons he's been very iffy for me on a number of accounts. Defensively sound in the main and can get forward quickly, but runs out of thought process when he gets there. His final ball is non existant and we often lost posssession as a result. Still, you can't take away the great history of the guy with us, and if he can get away with his deficiencies at Bolton, the very best of luck to him.
Always good one on one with his winger (I struggle to think of any that could beat him at Championship level) but agreed on poor distribution and terrible once over the half way line. If they are focusing on what he does well and that has helped their results and climb up the table then he is doing a good job for Bolton. I feel he knew his limitations and that played on his mind as he could see us improving as a team and club. This probably affected his performance in the attacking part of his game. Regular injuries in the last 2 seasons did not help either. Despite all this he will always be a legend at the club for being there when our progress started in the Championship right up to promotion, the high and lows at Wembley, his 100% commitment, Zaha in his pocket, versatility, hair and song. My favourite memory is him having to cover at centre back in a home game against Preston. Hume and Parkin were running riot but Super Kev then proceeded to mark the Beast out of the game.
I could mark the Beast out of a game. McNaughton was a good player for us and has his qualities. Defensively he may be better than Taylor but just not good enough on the ball for the PL. Though if needed he could do a job. Joe Mason should be on the bench.
You might well do Hilts but he, along with Hulse and the guy from Leicester (whose name I can't remember - not Nugent) always seemed to do well against us. I hope Joe gets his chance with us but would you have had him on the bench over Corney, Bellers, Noone and Kimbo on Sunday?
Steve Howard I think is the Leicester forward. Id have him on the bench instead of Gunner. Joe is a different option. He can play up front or behind the front man. He is also comfortable on the ball. I think we need to see if he can play at this level. I reckon he can. Gunner has struggled big time this season and Cowie has taken his chance. Mason now should get his opportunity and Gunner needs to prove himself if injuries or lack of form brings him back in.
That's him Hilts. A right pain in the backside. I wonder if Gunnar's head has been tuned a little by Iceland's World Cup efforts? Now that is over it is up to him to step up to the mark and hsow he can do it in the Prem ....... or not. As ITI said earlier, Joe and others should get a run out in the Cup. Apart from that he has to keep doing it in training and Dev Squad games to show Malky he is worth a chance in the first team.
Cowie certainly has taken his chance. Has a number of limitations but has definitely earned his place in the match day squad. We have a lot of similar players for the wide midfield roles or to play just off the striker. Bellamy, Odemwingie, KimBo all fit the bill with Joe a similar option. Noone gives us something different, and it's a couple more like that we could do with. We need to bring Joe along as this may be Bellamy's last season.
I think this WILL be Bellamy's last season - I think he's had it a frontline player at this level now. I haven't been impressed at all by what I've seen of him this year. I know we're not necessarily playing his sort of game with Malky's concentration on defence, but he seems to have lost that zip that marked him out as exceptional. The quickness of thought is still there, but the legs needed to actuate it seem to have vanished - either that, or he's been played in totally the wrong position for his current ability. The will to battle is one thing, but the ability to turn it into a meaningful contribution in a game is another matter. Don't think he possesses the other qualities in his armoury that the likes of Giggs has shown as he's got older, and "off the shoulder of the last defender" is probably his best option now - he certainly can finish off a move. Problem for him is that with Campbell and Maynard in the squad, his opportunities in that role would be very limited. I'm not writing Bellers off in any way and I'm sure he will play an important part this season, but given what we are seeing right now, I don't think another season at this level is on the cards.
Got to agree there Sparks and Bellers has more or less said the same himself with an eye on a future coach/manager role - the Welsh Roy Keane maybe?????
I think there are better options than Gunnar but I think he is still not 100% fit, no long throws from him this season so still troubled with his shoulder.
