I do worry we won't replace Long. Even if we get Rhodes, he's a good player but nothing like Long. We already miss Longs pace and energy. Welbeck would be perfect but surely won't come here. Can't think of anyone else who makes those annoying runs like Long does.
Ince has looked like providing that pace and energy, as did Aluko against Lokeren. They can both provide it in forward positions. Quinn and Meyler offer it a bit deeper with Elmo and Robertson on the flanks both as energetic as they come. If we have Jelavic staying around the box as a physical presence I feel we have have plenty of pace and energy with Elmo, Robertson, Ince and Aluko all playing around him. Last season we had Figueroa on the left for the most part, and while he had good games he rarely burst past defenders to get in behind. We really lacked penetration on the left. Robertson has added that to the squad for better balance, we now have greater threat from both flanks which creates more space as teams can't just double up against Elmo on the right so easily. I'm perfectly happy with Jelavic leading the line all season if we don't get Rhodes. He has a stronger group of players around him now, even with Long gone, and we're playing the 352 in a more attacking manner (closer to 3412 now whereas last season it could've been seen as closer to 532 when our wide players and all three in the middle seemed to play deeper). The big problem would be if Jelavic got injured, as that'd just leave Sagbo for the physical role.
Giroud might be out for a few months, Welbeck could be what they need up front to bring all their midfielders into play.
With Aluko looking like he was approaching his best form against Lokeren and Ince also being even quicker than Long up front and having a good goal scoring record I don't think we should be desperate to pay Blackburns price for a striker who is unproven at the PL level. Jelavic is a very good striker and is now getting the support he needs from both wings with Robertson and Elmo taking on defenders and getting good crosses in. Robertson's crosses have been brilliant so far. Quinn is again showing what a great playmaker he is and Hudd can deliver the killer pass. Not to worry if we miss out on Rhodes IMO.
If we make no further transfers we still have a decent squad for Bruce's preferred formation: ----------------------- McGregor ------------------------ Harper ----------- Chester ------ Dawson ------- Davies ----------- McShane ----- Bruce ------- Figueroa -------------------------- Maguire Elmo ---------- Huddlestone ----- Livermore ----------- Robertson Rosenior ------- ?????????? ------- Meyler ------------- Brady --------------------------- Quinn --------------------------- Boyd -------------- Ince -------------------- Jelavic -------------- Aluko ------------------- Sagbo That provides 2 players per position, and up front we have 2 fast/agile forwards and 2 who're bigger/physical. The gap for me would actually be in central midfield rather than up front, as if Huddlestone is injured we don't have anyone else like him. Quinn could drop back there but I really see him as better ahead of Huddlestone/Livermore and behind the two forwards.
Aluko doesn't make the runs Long did, and Ince looks more like Aluko than Long from what I've seen so far. We haven't got anyone who makes those runs with his pace. I aren't talking about wingers who sometimes play up front and look a bit lost, I mean a natural striker who knows when and where to run behind the defence.
So we take ages to sign some players yet when somebody wants to buy one of our players we worry that they will change their mind?
Just a thought .. wonder if sako at wolves has been considered .. seems to have an eye for goal, big powerful lad too
I'm hoping SB tells Blackburn to f'ck off and spends the money on loans! You'd still have to pay Rhodes wages as well as the stupid fee! Come on Brucey pull a loan out the bag! Can't wait for deadline day.
Sky reporting he wouldn't be allowed to go to one of last season's top 6 on Gillette Soccer Saturday last weekend.
Latest reports have them sniffing round QPR. I hope they do as it would be funny to watch 'our 'arry's' bright red face become even more red when his rich owner shoves that new contract us his arse when he fails hugely again.
I really quite surprised people can say they're "worried" when for my money this is the strongest City squad I've ever seen. Even if we sign no one else we've better attacking options now then we did at the start of last season and we did ok!
Kostas Mitroglou at Fulham? He's back from injury and played in the world cup...a loan might be a good call. Olympiacos are trying to get him back apparently.
