In -same as in the summer Left back, Central defensive midfielder. Given the way Rangel is playing I don't think we need worry about a replacement this season; he's surprising me as I thought he'd need some rest periods but he's been great. IMO We still have Tiendalli and Jazz to fill in when needed but Kingsley is still an unknown quantity. I'd like us to try to buy in a left back as well - and if that means releasing Taylor so be it. That won't happen though as he's too close to Monk & he may have had enough time to come back from injury by then! Who will go? If any. Carry on like we did against Everton and the way we've surrendered territory in most of our other games and I fear we will lose Bony. (I know we're 6 and brilliant ... but we're not and his body language shows he's frustrated). David Cornell needs to get playing time and I think we should lend him out with a call back clause, same for Shehan. Will we hold on to Donnelley - a player who really needs to find a team he can play in.
Someone was interested in Gomis , I say we ditch him if they are still interested ( unlessBony leaves ).Otherwise Im good with whom we have....cheers bob
Not sure Bob as it's all speculative. I think we need some depth for sure. Few things I disagree with: "Bony - his body language shows he's frustrated" - Not the Bony I'm watching. Seems no different to last season to me. If he scores a hatful over the next few months it might be hard to resist a bid but Clubs tend not to buy in January unless they're desperate - and prepared to pay over the odds. Rangel is becoming a liability - yes he's a very good attacking fullback on his day and links better than anyone with Dyer but as I've posted before imo he's increasingly losing the ball upfield. No problem if you have the pace to get back but he just doesn't any more. A great servant for us and I love him to bits but we need some quality in that position.
Priorities for me are: - a good, naturally defensive midfielder (allowing Ki and Shelvey to compete higher up the pitch); - a good left back (short term, to allow Taylor some rest between games, long term, to reduce Taylor to cup games/league cover); - a different style winger more in the Chadli mould (we've got the small, quick, tricky wingers, I'd love us to have a larger, stronger winger to complement the good options that we already have).
Yes, I agree never he did fair play. But that's the first time this season I've seen him do that. Lost the ball foolishly upfield and did track back - first time this season. Look, it's hard to knock anyone in the defence - look at our record. But I just feel we need some strength in depth in that position. Not sure about Tiendalli or Jazz there.
I led the pack in the summer wanting Rangel , gently , eased out ....Rangel has proved me wrong so far .Mentally , he seems to have hit another gear...age will do that to you . Physically hes holding his own . Playing very well ino
Funny how people see things differently I guess. I suppose if Rangel was replaced we'd be less effective going forward that side unless we sign a defender who is comfortable doing that. When Tiendalli plays he always slows it down with a back pass.
At least Taylor gets back. My main beef with him is that he positions himself infield too much, leaving a noticeable hole for the long diagonal.
Agree with that, don't know why he keeps going inside and the space at times for the winger was very big. Pinnar had acres of space when he came on and it nearly cost us last minute when the ball came in.
Think the lad is getting back to where he was before his injury, really improving an great to see. Just needs to work on his positioning.
I don't think any of our players is perfect. Part of being a fan is highlighting their shortcomings. They've all got 'em.
While Taylor is improving game on game, he still has a way to go. Not convinced with the support/supply he gives his winger, although he is starting to get much sharper into the tackle which is pleasing. He is starting to pass to the midfielders/winger a bit more now rather than his usual pass to Williams, but this needs to happen with even more regularity. Needs to work on pass accuracy/selection and back himself to thread some needles, he's seems to have a fear of going for passes that are less than 100% probability, this can hurt our momentum during a match. Not sure if he either doesn't trust himself to make the pass or if he doesn't trust Ki/Shelvey to control the ball and not concede possession, but we built a style around being 'brave' to make those passes, he needs to do it more. Not convinced he can be a consistent Top 8 Premier League player, which is the level that we're looking to break into. He'll get the chance to prove himself though. Regardless of whether Taylor is up to it or not, a Premiership-ready left back is needed as competition/back up for him at the very least.
Taylor's coming along just fine as his ""reabilatation"" continues. I think Montero will be good for Taylor in thw long run.Same as aswandam , a lot of unjustified flak shot at him as he continues to play with the 3rd best defence .
