Given the midfielders put out by Gabbs and Scotty yesterday, there were 6 if you include Ralls who played at LB, what about those that didn't even make the bench? Not the youngsters like Harris and O'Sullivan who can only expect bit parts this season, I'm talking about the likes of Eikrem / Burgstaller / Dikgacoi / Kimbo. Long season ahead, but if we come a cropper against Bournemouth on Tuesday, some will need to be out out on loan - who?
If there are no genuine excuses for Dikgacoi being so unfit then id sack him if we could. If not just get rid on a free. Eikrem - free , Burgstaller - free. Kim id bring him back into the squad if we cant sell him or loan him. I would have given Gunner a free. But promotion is a no hoper this season. Its about survival and we will need players like him on those cold Tuesday nights when we need to fight. Id also sell 2 of our strikers maybe 3. Couldnt care less which ones and bring Joe Mason back. I think id also sell Morrisson and recall McNaughton. 2 many centre halves and a young midfielder having to play left back. Ole has more or less messed up big time. We are not as bad as when Jones left us - but not far off. We need a manager who knows this division like Malky. I doubt Tan will appoint the right man.
One day you'll see the wood for the trees Hilts. You have great knowledge of football but your constant sniping at DJ makes you seem a little foolish. If you really believe DJ let everyones contract run down and he never negotiated to keep any players then your blinkers must be welded on.
Releasing Gunnar on a free would have been an epic **** up. He's probably our best midfielder right now. We have a very strong squad which is only missing a left back imo.
Can't help liking Gunnar, though I did slate him last year. I thought Gunnar had blown up the second half of our promotion season, and was so off the pace last year his days were numbered. He's lacking in any genuine pace, but he's a battler - a hard man you need in this division in the centre of the park - not at bloody right wing for Christ's sake! He always thereabouts and pops up at the right time - his two goals in the league this season reflect that. Adeyemi is all energy and may still have a lot to learn, but him and Gunnar in the engine room will do for me right now. Dikgacoi should never have been signed - he may have been a freebie but he'll be on good wages that could be better spent. He's got an arse the size of a cowshed. Even the Palace fans were saying he can play a bit when fit, but the guy is a million miles off that and doesn't seem to be getting on top of it. For me Eikrem brings nothing to the party. A mistake almost as blatant as Berget was. Him and Berget were both brought in when we were half way through a Premier League season, and both will struggle to cut it even at Championship level. Big mistake by Ole, Burgstaller could turn out the same. He looks the right sort, but the little I've seen of him has been unconvincing. That brings us to Kimbo. Quality, tricky little player with good feet. Has not recaptured anything like the form he showed when replacing Whitts toward the end of that season. Must say I like him for his energy and the way he keeps going, but even a Duracell player like him needs to make some right decisions and stay on his feet instead of falling over when put under pressure. If he gets another chance - and I hope he does - he needs to take it or ship him out as well.
A lot of this comes down to the style of football and the formation we want to play. Ole had neither a style nor a formation. I quite liked what I saw of Burgstellar pre season and in the right set up could be useful. Picks a pass and holds onto the ball which is what we need after 27% possession on the weekend. Gunnar and Ralls have shown themselves to have the appetite and drive for this division and Adeyami will improve. Pilkington and Noone for the right hand berth another 2-3 on top of that and shed the rest. Whitts, Kim and Daehli. That's 9 players for 4/5 places. I've been worried about numbers from the off, but for exactly the opposite reason from when DJ was here. 2 players for every position, an extra keeper and 2-3 versatile players (Masson as a winger, striker attacking midfielder?) gives 26 players. That and a few youngsters should be it!
Before going on to the midfield, the full back question needs addressing. City are short there and with John now not getting a look in and being outplaced by a makeshift midfielder, and not really wanting McNaughton back, City need to find a quality full back to deal with the wide play constantly displayed by the opposition so far this season. What has surprised me since the season has started, given on paper the strength in depth of midfielders is how every game City have been completely overrun by the opposition. Derby being the latest example. even Huddersfield had the better of it. Obviously the management have not got the formation right yet but one has to question the fitness levels plus the lack of pace. Watching yet another lack lustre performance by Whittingham on Saturday is one reason why with him in midfield City will never win a midfield battle. Yes he scored a fine goal, but one swallow does not make a summer. He was at fault for letting the 2nd Derby goal scorer wander around the edge of the penalty box, and be left with too much time to pick his spot. Whittingham was in no mans land and so he cancelled out his goal in one fell swoop. His lack of pace, drive and energy is now too telling. He cannot be picked just because he may score a wonder goal; even his corners/free kicks are now average. City need Dikajcoi fit to enforce the midfield, and prevent the opposition midfield running the show. The they need someone with pace to play through the middle - who?? It has to be Daehli or Kim.with their trickery and ability to slip in a forward; for me it has to be Daehli. Then a box to box man with strength and a bit more speed than Gunnarrsson like Adeyami. 2 wide men ie Pilkington & Noone and not Le Fondre playing out of position. That is therefore a 4-5-1 formation which means who plays up top on his tod? These wideman have to track back beer and help out the beleaguered full backs. For me it has to be Jones or Guerra. I'm sure I am not on my own when wanting to see Guerra get more game time and like many I was staggered to see Maynard trot on and amble around when Guerra was on the bench. What justification was there for that mad decision? Which leaves the potential team as Marshall Brayford, Connelly, Manga, Fabio (why was Ralls picked over John??) Pilkington, Dikajcoi, Adeyami, Daehli, Noone Jones or Guerra If the manager goes 4-4-2 then Daehli may drop out as need an enforcer plus the box to box player.
I don't think any of our players are as fit as they should be at this stage of the season Maybe they should start their daily training routine with a long run. Five laps around Digkacoi should do it.
