Well, you'd have hoped so. I can't understand what's happened to Bassong, but I think Snodgrass has just been found out for the whining Scottish boy with one trick. Leeds fans said he wasn't good enough and I think they were probably right. Disappointed with BJ, although to be honest he does play his heart out. I think he just looks worse in a midfield with someone of Fer's class.
My understanding is he is primarily a left winger, yes, but Hughton usually inverts wingers anyway. Plus, having played at right-back, he would have an easier time of it than someone else. I'd hope it would be Him one side, Redmond or Pilks the other. Incidentally, I think now has to be the time to try Pilks in a 'number 10' role.
He's a left winger but right footed, so he naturally plays as an inverted winger. Looking at his 12/13 season, he spent the majority of the time on the left wing, with a couple of games at RW, CM and LB. Sounds like he'll have the defensive ability Hughton wants from wingers at least. I wouldn't mind seeing Pilks as a central player, but equally it'd be an interesting experiment to play Redmond/Gutierrez, Snodgrass and Pilks and let all three go where they want behind a single striker.
I've often said on this forum that I thought Pilks would be a good option as a second striker or playing off the front man. He has pace, movement, can shoot with either foot and can head decently. To me, he'd give us different options to what we have seen before in that role. Could be worth a punt eh ?
I can't see it personally, not because he couldn't do it, but I doubt he could be arsed to make the necessary movement throughout a match. He barely makes enough movement in a wider position
I'm not too worried about trying a certain role for certain players, just wish the players had more freedom in an attacking sense, to interact with each other and roam a bit more rather than being stuck on their flank and allowing the opposition full back to work them out. A bit more fluidity and freedom could be great rather than just one player (number 10) getting the chance to roam.
Perhaps CH has got Gutierrez in mind as a replacement for Pilkington as he (Pilkington) has been injured fairly regularly. Perhaps Gutierrez is a better bet on the injury front?
I think both Pilks and Snods could do with the competition and JG is the sort of hard-working grafter who will get stuck in if City are in a survival battle. As for Pilks 'having a go' at ACM, I'd rather see a genuine goal-scoring ACM be brought in as an alternative to Wes and Howson.
I must admit I don't see why the ACM needs to be a goal-scorer. What we need is someone who can provided assists, keep possession and pass neatly. We have plenty of players who can score, but not enough who can put them in a position to do so.
Depends how we're playing. If it's two strikers then we want someone to set them up, but if it's a one striker system then the CAM needs to support the striker and that'll include getting into positions to score (and hopefully taking them!)
I suppose I'm greedy, Rob, but I want both those things. Wes is a good playmaker, but he doesn't score enough goals and that makes him a bit of a luxury in the PL.
Well I should clarify that of course I'd take a goalscorer on top of all the above! I just think the priority should be assisting and maintaining possession, because we have to make the best use of all the players on the pitch and it is the part we are fundamentally missing. If only Jacob Butterfield had acclimatised he would have been perfect.
Cedric Bakambu, anyone? http://www.sportsdirectnews.com/pre...ewcastle-for-ligue-1-striker.php#.UtQT2dJdWcB
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