Reliably informed we've made enquiries about the Burnley skipper (yes, another club captain!). I've not seen much of him to be honest. Anyone any thoughts? Yet another midfielder but if he's a bit more defensive then he could be perfect. Swansea were linked with him in January so they obviously felt he'd fit well into their style.
Just don't understand why we would need another central midfield player. We have Howson, Butterfield, Fox, Johnson, Smith, Surman, Crofts and technically Hoolahan (have I missed anyone?). Personally, I'd like to see us move for someone like Matt Phillips or Tom Ince. Not opposed to Chris Burke either. The lack of real pace does worry me a little. A few more defenders probably also needed.
See me personally would splash the cash and get both Ince and phillips! But old ollie has a stupid valuation of them and that's why no one has moved for them. I think hughton will be looking to play 5 across the middle of the park a lot of the time next season.
another midfielder we got to many already we need an extra striker or two so we have more force up front this season we need a striker that can take there chances. we had lots of chances that we missed last year we need to take them chances or we are in trouble.
I think the priorities are a quality LB to replace Drury and a quality striker to replace Wilbraham. I wonder if the McCann enquiries happened prior to Butterfield signing. Wearing number 6, is McCann a DMF?
We have just watched Euro2012 where the successful nations (although England for some reason went UP in the reankings) flooded midfield. Is this going to be the new style for English clubs? We tried it, successfully at times, last season. If CH is proposing this style then I guess he would be looking at midfield players first.
A defensive midfielder would not go a miss All this "we dont need another midfielder" is tosh in my view if someone coming in improved the squad He also has experience of playing in the pl from burnleys season they had 2-3 years ago
Sorry but this "too many midfielders" talk is absolute nonsense im afraid because we have several mids who lack in part of their game. Fox: has quality-lacks pace (keep) Crofts: has strength-lacks pace and quality (sorry..sell) Smith: same as crofts (sorry...sell) Surman: same as fox (keep) Howson: quality with a little pace (keep) Butterfield: not seen much but said to have real quality Johnson: has strength and can produce quality-lacks consistency (keep) I really think we need to spend a bit on a top player. Look at QPR £5 for Park! Yes I know he is 31 and his wages would be loads but thats the sort of player we want...he has it all! We need to find a 26-29 year old who has pl or similar experience and quality to go with it. Hughton brought in Cabye and Tiote did he not for newcastle for relatively small amounts (consierding what they are worth now). They are the type of players we need to IMPROVE. Same goes for the defence (get rid of ward anf barnett) and the attack (get rid of chris martin and wilbs has gone).
We have someone as good if not better than Park already -- Howson. Also, as people come in, we can expect some to leave, but they aren't going to be abruptly "shown the door". CH was asked last week about more goings as well as more comings and he made it quite clear that he's not going to rush into hasty assessments and judgements about players who have done the club proud and got us where we are. The dressing room togetherness is a huge factor in our progress; hard to build, easy to destroy.
Its hardly nonsense, we have too many central midfield players. Ok, if we move some on then there's room but as pointed out already, Hughton isn't going to let anybody leave yet. We have a budget and I for one would rather see us inject some pace into the team. Quick players pulled us apart last season. I don't actually think we need to add too much. We have 4 strikers who are good enough in Holt, Jacko, Morison and Vaughan (assuming they stay fit) albeit as we have lost Wilbraham we should probably replace.
I can't believe people are seriously suggesting we don't need any more midfielders and should stick with what we've got. I'm imagine Crofts will probably move on - even Lambert didn't play him a lot last year and he's one of his players - and Korey will possibly go out on loan at least. We were pretty lucky with injuries last year and usually had almost a full deck to play with, however we shouldn't necessarily expect the same this season and get try to as much quality in as we can. I'm not saying buy players for the sake of it, but if Hootun and Chester find a player they think will strengthen the squad then why on earth not bring them in? I rate all of our current midfielders, but i'm not saying there aren't better ones out there who may become available. Bradley Johnson could be upgraded, and as much as I really rate Foxy and Surman if better players became available why not add to the squad to give them competition for their places?
Yes, I wouldn't be surprised to see Crofts leave. I think Johnson was becoming a better player towards the end of the season and would like to see him stay, as he adds some 'steel' to the midfield. I think they're back for pre season training on Monday, so expect developments in the next few weeks.
i think we should sign some more staff to speed the half time service or get all those not playing to lend a hand would sell more .....and we could get to speak to the players this would increase compo for places , not in the team you serve the punters beer
Come on lads - get real!! Sell Barnett and Ward - that leaves us with 2 recognised central defenders one of whom is returning from a long term injury and neither of them have played more than a handful of games in the Premiership. We have 3 recognised proven full backs one of whom is recovering from a long term injury and another has never played in this Country before and has got to get used to the pace. is the prime concern really what further midfielders and strikers we need?
i would move Wardy on really not good enough and my old heart cant stand the pressure of him on the ball anymore lol!, but would keep Barnett think he just needs guidance is a good tackler just needs to row z when in doubt, for some reason he does not do that and gets caught
After villa away I never wanted to see Barnett put the yellow and green on again. I haven't really changed my mind. He's reasonable at winning the ball in the air but has no accuracy. Other than that his game is poor.
have to say, i totally agree with people who think we need another midfielder and certainly a defensive minded one. we really do lack quality in that position. bit worrying if people can't see that!
I make it that we have 28 "first team" players on the books at the moment, including K. Smith, Francomb and Adeyemi. Are the rules about squad size the same as last season?
