With Gulasci and Brady as good as a done deal and Basso already training with the squad, is anyone else of the same opinion as I that this is now the end of our summer influx of players? They only activity I now foresee is outgoings such as Oli and Ghilas. Potentially Jimmy if Taarbat goes to PSG and QPR up their offer.
I would like to see another keeper hopefully Basso. I think we need more cover in central defence hopefully Ayala and if we lose Bullard we would need a playmaker. Remember our main target this Summer was supposed to be Danns (an attacking midfielder) and we haven't brought in anyone else to fill that roll yet.
Well there's been talk of Ayala for a while now. It sounds like most on here will be disapointed if he doesn't come. I wont be though,i rate him highly but since we signed Hobbs i don't think we need him.Also think it could have meant Chester being a squad player,which would be a big shame,as i believe he could be our best centre back for years.Who knows though ?
Ayala will be next. Basso can be taken as in unless he plays like Gary Sprake @ Leeds in the 70's. Bullard ? IMO, that ship has now sailed. QPR cannot afford DJ Campbell so they have No chance with Bullard. DQPR owners dont want to spend any money. Even Colin has been moaning in there local media at the lack of action. I only expect ""MAYBE"" the likes of Kilbane - Ghilas and maybe McShane leave by the end of august, of the seniors.
i agree, things are coming together nicely, but if we dont use bullard or koren in the middle, dont think wel achieve much...stick bullard in there pulling strings for the likes of brady/stewart/fryatt., and i think we have a top 6 chance..
I hope the Bullard to QPR ship has sailed then we keep him as the Allams will not pay him to play elsewhere which can only be good news for us if he is willing to be here. Although i have heard he is injured after Slovenia? I think AP said on Humberside that Mcshane would be staying and we are looking for a club with Kilbane? I agree i really like Chester, would hate to see him dropping to the bench, i haven't seen enough of Alaya to speculate apart from the one sky game for Derby last year and one City game. I have seen enough of Chester and Hobbs to know that they will be really good together this season.
The exact feeling i have as much as I rate Cory Evans he isnt a play maker and Mckenna is in there to do an Ashbee so unless you have a Bullard/Koren type player in there pulling the strings we will struggle. Having these two on our books currently though does look very strong.
My hope is that NP would be bold enough (with Ayala) to play 3 - 5 -2. With Chester Hobbs and Ayala the back 3. McKenna can then sit and protect with Rosie and either Daws/Dudgeon as wing backs. As most teams now only play 1 out and out striker these days its a formation that can be very flexible with the right players involved. The 4-4-2 is not the best way to play when teams back there defence. Against Blackpool i would suggest 3- 5 - 2 would be ideal. Either way though I do agree that Hobbs and Chester must be played at the back.
for CB's, what NP has planned for chester is the key. if he is to play him as a sweeper as he did for a number of games last season then we need another centre back. however, now we have an effective, energetic and aggressive ball winning midfielder in mckenna do we really need that much protection for what in chester and hobbs is a really sound CB pairing? last season with harper and a sometimes rusty but clearly talented evans we just didnt have the ability to stop teams playing through our middle so we NP put chester in there. COYH
That formation does sound fantastic apart from where does Brady and Stewart when fit, fit in to this formation?
I still think there's a decent chance we'll sign Ayala, we do need another centre back, I also think the Basso deal looks likely. We're still trying to shift Ghilas, Kilbane, Oli and Bullard, I think McShane will probably stay as cover(and because no-one will pay even half his wages). I don't think Jimmy is injured, I hear there's another reason he didn't train with the team on the last day in Slovenia(which may or may not be revealed shortly), either way, we're definitely trying to get rid and if we do, then another incoming is likely.
ooooooo do tell. You cant do that and tease us? I really should have took you up on that £200 bet that Bullard would be here come first game of the season its looking more and more likely.
Why do you keep insisting Ayala will sign, French Tickler? AP has stated that no more permanents will be signed in this window unless something major happens. Ayala is in his last year so Liverpool will offer him a new contract or sell him. Please explain the evidence you have / understanding of the inner workings of AP's mind that refute this.
You'll have to wait and see, but I think we might be paying him a fair bit less than normal this month and he's definitely not as popular as some on here believe.
LOL. I shall worry about Stewart when he is fit mate. Some games will have to be played with different formation. Or how about Brady gives it his all until he drops then Stewart(when finally fit) takes over off the bench.
INDEED. Along those lines. I would say Bullard and Evans with Koren further up. But whichever formation is used its all about movement. What does strike me now is that Hull City have so many options and younger legs. The bench will look very strong as well. No wonder NP has a smile on his face.
