Gower and Leon should handle the holding role. Allen, Agustien and Bodde can play the midfield role that switches from holding to advanced. Dobbie, Harley and Orlandi specialise as the advanced midfielder. Every single one of those deserves a shot at the Premiership and can do a job at that level from what I've seen. I really don't see why we'd need another midfielder when we have 8 players for 3 roles, especially not when it means one of Dobbie, Allen, or Britton be left out of the starting lineup. Current Tactics SC.... LW...............AMC......RW MC............ ..............DMC DL.........DC.........DC....DR GK Current Squad GK Moreira, Cornell DR Rangel, Alfei DL Taylor, Richards DC Caulker, Monk DC Williams, Tate DMC Britton, Gower MC Allen, Agustien, Bodde AMC Dobbie, Harley, Orlandi RW Dyer, Routledge, MacDonald LW Sinclair, Cotterill, Butler SC Graham, Lita, Moore, Beattie For me the only place that looks weak in cover is our goalkeeper and fullbacks. Anything beyond strengthening those positions would be a bonus for me at this stage, it's more about getting the cover because we should have our first XI in place by now and maybe strengthen further in January if and when we spot new weaknesses.
While I agree with your sentiments Chris, as Ivor and a few others (myself included) have been mentioning for a while there were times when our midfield was overran by big, physical players who could also play a bit. There's going to be more of them in the Premiership, so I think it's just a bit of worry that this'll happen on a regular basis. I rate Leon and Joey to step up, but I would still like to see a big hard midfielder brought in to bring a bit of steel if and when it's needed. As you say, full backs are important as is keeper, and I'd rather we strengthen there first, but I still wouldn't be averse to seeing another "all action" midfielder brought in.
Parker is the obvious choice bit will be far too expensive, out of the six options would have parker then ramsay and forget the rest
No-one knows as no-one has seen him, but Adrian Tucker (the GK Coach) rates him and was in the press recently saying how much he's come on.
Chris i agree with you. we have plenty of players to play a holding role. Who knows they may even excell and prove some doubters wrong. Where i am worried is the lack of cover at full back and no first choice keeper. we have more than enough central midfielders who ar adaptable. what i do want is brendan to sign a new keeper (another one) and a versatile fullback capable of covering both left and right.
I'm not saying we couldn't do with one more midfielder in an ideal world, but I really think fullbacks and keeper must be dealt with first - let's get cover for where we have none and THEN worry about improving a position we have competition in. Personally I'd like another 6 players to arrive before the season starts but I think that's being a little too ambitious
Scottswan - bang on the money - definitely need that physical presence. Both Forest and Reading mullered us in the middle of the park and we were fortunate to hang on at times. Barca rely upon the anchoring qualities of Busquets - we need an equivalent So, who could that be.....?
It's a tough one isn't it? Marcos Senna would have been absolutely perfect, so it's a shame that didn't go anywhere, but someone in the mould of him. Nigel Reo-Coker was available on a free, has anyone signed him? He can tackle, pass and has a good engine on him...
Well as I've been asked, I'd favour either Agustien or Bodde depending on the latter's fitness. Our midfield is blessed with silky skills but that doesn't necessarily help you that much in the Prem. Remember how brilliant Gomez was for us? At Wigan the fans boo him every time he touches the ball. I fear for the likes of Allen and Britton in the Prem because it's a robust, physical league as Gomez learned pretty quickly. Personally, I can't see Agustien getting muscled off the ball can you?
Agustien played holding role yesterday and was excellent. Like a new signing and imagine he will figure there if he stays fit
I heard his name on the radio a few times so it's nice to see he got a good run out and impressed! From what I've seen I rate the guy immensely...here's hoping he can do it when it matters.
Hit The Road - given Augustien/Bodde's track record of fitness, would you look to sign for back-up? If so, who makes your shortlist?
Augustien looked solid against Celtic. His distribution was sound except for a couple of over hit long passes. That will come good with game time. He offered a physical presence that Joe and Leon lacked. They worked hard enough and kept involved but a number of times they were just eased off the ball by stronger players and this something both players are going to have to work on. Ball retention is critical to our game and we can't afford to lose the ball cheaply in the Premiership because it will be hard work getting it back. If they were both fully fit, Bodde and Augustien would be a huge asset to us. Fingers crossed.
To be honest I'd gamble on Bodde or Agustien being fit as other areas need strengthening first. I really worry about quality cover at the back if any of our 1st choice back 4 are injured.
I think Augustien staying fit is a (relative) safe bet, as he was fit for most of last season and seems fitter and stronger now than we've ever seen him. Bodde is more of a longshot, but I'm a big believer in the power of the mind. If his head is right, he'll be fine. If he doubts his knee 0.1%, then he'll be in trouble. Having said that, while I was sceptical on his previous returns I do have a really good feeling about this one. He's been in training for what seems like forever now, so if his knee WAS going to go again, you'd have expected it to have happened by now. Cover for the back four is important, agreed HTR, do you think Brendan is holding our remaining long term loan slot for a LB? Tate can cover RB, as can Jazz imo, and at CB again we've got Monk and Tate who may well prove themselves for us yet, so LB is the most important position for us to be seeking cover for.
Hasn't Tate filled in at LB? Play off final springs to mind when Taylor was suspended? Whatever. He wouldn't be my ideal choice anywhere in our back line in the Prem. Tatey.
