Despite the annoying nature of the stop start international breaks, we've had a bit of time to judge the strength of our squad. Personally I'm in dreamland with what Brucie has managed to assemble. Could never have imagined days like this. But it's no time to rest on our laurels. A few injuries have left us a little exposed in a couple of areas. Imo much of the squad looks like it's been built with a 4-4-2/4-5-1 in mind. Top heavy on wingers that can't get a look in and a little short through the spine. As much as I admire bruce jnr, still worries me that one centre half injury means he's the go to replacement. Might still be missing that disciplined centre midfielder that can sit in there, get his foot in and disrupt things. Another number 9 type striker. Gutted by Jela's injury. Short of a like for like replacement. Any thoughts. What would you like to see brought in come January.
Thank goodness - I thought this was going to be about some sort of weird, pervy follow-up to Stoptober and Movember...
CB, a striker, and a keeper on loan. Even without the additions of anyone I suspect that we will stay up comfortably so if money is tight in the budget I wouldn't mind to much if we signed no one.
I hope we don't sign anyone as that would mean Allam sticking to his word, and hopefully that will spur him to stick to his word on other things and he might actually fook off finally.
Even though he hasn't featured much, there is no doubt he has talent, he just needs to beef up (no pun intended), but he still can come good if he gets a run of games.
The squad lacks a striker and has done for ages, an injury to Jelavic was always going to leave us short up front. Everywhere else we've got loads of cover. I'd focus on one more striker in January and that's it. How much we should spend depends on whether Hernandez proves himself between now and them.
Sales / discounts and offers are in full swing. Most of our loaned out players will be back as well for the FA Cup games.
I think Hernandez has done pretty well. It can be difficult for foreign players to adjust to this league as well as living in a new country. I know that sounds like a footballing cliche, but cliches only become cliches because they're true. He's managed to bag a few too, so it's early days, but i'm hoping he becomes a top premier league striker. Jela has been wonderful this season, it's **** that he got the injury but the club say he'll be back soon,so he won't have forgotten how to score.
I think Hernandez has been absolutely ****e, he hasn't really got himself involved in a game, hasn't run a defence ragged, he's hardly touched the ball all the time he's been on the pitch and when he has he's been pushed off it like a leaf in a hurricane. He has however showed the odd bit of stunning technique and of course the ability to pop up in the right place at the right time and stick the ball in the net a few times. Whilst playing absolutely ****e. So there's definitely huge positives there for when he does finally settle and get into his stride, but how long that might be is an entirely different question. Some people take to it instantly, some a few weeks or months, others can take years of perseverance. I wouldn't be surprised if he's a passenger for the remainder of the season but when he does turn it on he's going to make two hells and half a heaven of a player I reckon. Time to start giving him 90 minutes in Jelavic's absence at least anyhow.
I think our striking options are ok, between Jelavic and Hernandez we've got goals. We might need another back up striker, but I'd be more keen to blood youth and spemd the money on the defence. I don't know what some of you want from Hernandez, the lads never played in the PL before, but he's scoring goals. Some strikers need ages to bed in, but he seems to be settling better than most. He'll have 8 by new Year, if he keeps this up. I'm happy with the strikers were using and we really only play with one and a very attacking midfielder. If we can ship Bruce, McShane, Meyler, Quinn and Figueroa in January and bring in a CB and a back up forward player Ill be a happy man.
taking into account that he can't pass unless its to their team, hoofs it, doesn't win headers when he has to challenge someone, no pace, no creativity when in possession - which bit exactly do you consider valuable other than diving in which sometimes comes off and other times doesnt
2 goalkeepers, and harsh on bruce, he is better then mcshane imo, he just doesnt have a catchy song..