With some good transfer business already done, and seeking to fit two players to each position in a 3-5-2, we currently have (assuming no departures): 3 GKS - Green, Cesar, Murphy 6 CBs - Ferdinand, Caulker, Onuoha, Dunne, Hill, Ehmer (?) 2 RWBs - Isla, Simpson 2 LWBs - Yun, Traore 4 CMs - Barton, Faurlin, Mutch, Henry 2 AMs - Taarabt, Hoilett 4 STs - Remy, Austin, Zamora, Phillips This would leave two cover places in a 25-man squad, one of which would probably be SWP. So just one more signing?
The striker situation is critical in my view. All four are injury-prone to a greater or lesser degree and Remy could be gone at any time. That would really leave us in the stew. I believe we will get one more in, even on loan.
3 GKS - Green, Murphy .......................................Cesar ??? 6 CBs - Ferdinand, Caulker, Onuoha, Dunne, Hill, 2 RWBs - Isla, Simpson 2 LWBs - Yun, Traore 4 CMs - Barton, Faurlin, Mutch, Henry 2 AMs - Taarabt, Hoilett 4 STs - Remy, Austin, Zamora, Phillips Ehmer, Cesar & SWP out. Leaves us with with 2 x strikers & and 1 x midfielder to come in. I'm thinking the only reason Harry has been playing SWP alot lately is that he is window shopping him to either a loan or sale. Cesar has been recalled but hasn't been heard of ............... ( see above ) Who the hell is Ehmer?
Phillips isnt a striker he is a winger ? So we need 2 strikers ?????? That for me is a must ? Dont know who misses out ? Agree
I included Phillips as a striker because I have a feeling that he could play there - just a hunch. Hard to find a place for purely attacking wingers in a 3-5-2.
I'm liking the way the squad is evolving and we look to have a good balance of age and experience. Add to the 25 the likes of Ehmer, Donaldson, Harriman, Petrasso, Sutherland who can be included then we are not doing too badly......
I think we will need a goalkeeper as hopefully Caesar will finally leave, and when he does, we will need cover for either the 2nd or 3rd goalkeeper position. The defence is clearly now extremely well sorted out and should be a firm foundation for the rest of the team. However, I personally would like us to develop at least one of Ehmer or Donaldson this season. The midfield needs some more depth, probably one defensive midfielder and the other more creative/attacking. I personally am not counting on Adel Taarabt staying. Most importantly, we clearly need another striker or two. The Loic Remy situation here is critical and hopefully will be clarrfied very soon. I would also be very pleased if we recruited a new coach who is clever tactically and knows the 3-5-2 system. I wonder what has happened to the Glen Hoddle speculation. To summarise. I am extremely pleased with the progress in both the nature and quality of the signings to date. I am very confident that this will continue and am now quietly looking forward to the next pieces of the jigsaw puzzle arriving, as well as the first games.
I don't think Charlie is injury prone. He was out with an upper body injury on his shoulder from landing badly. I remember it. It could happen to anyone and was unfortunate. And Remy played all of last season and didn't have issues with us.
Thought Remy missed quite a few games for Newcastle with niggling injuries ? Unlucky ? wont know, unless he stays and we see ??
He missed 12 games for them, including 2 for suspension, so 10 from 38 due to injuries/knocks/ niggles of one sort or another. In our relegation season he was out for most of February with a Groin injury. In the last two years he has had quite a few injuries. Austin's shoulder injury does mean that he is more susceptible to a recurring problem, it does leave a weakness in that area.
We certainly need to sign at least one more. I'm hoping Phillips can be converted to striker as well.
With the uncertainty surrounding Remy I think we need a proven goalscorer. If on the other hand Remy decides to commit himself to us then it's a completely different scenario. The dilemma for Harry is how long does he give Remy to make his mind up?
When we played Southend Phillips was played up front and showed then that he isn't a striker. Much better playing on the wing and either cutting in or running at the defender. For large parts of the game we had nobody to aim for in the middle.
It's an unfamiliar role, so it may take time, but I think he has the attributes to become a striker. Can't seen him having the defensive qualities for a wing-back, so there's really no place for him in a 3-5-2?
