I just wanted to gauge other peoples opinions and see if they agreed but the more games I watch the more I sense the that the right back position really isnt that strong. Maybe the reason for that view has been how impressed I am with Olsson but if we do manage to stay up they I would really highlight right back as a position which needs strengthening. What does everyone think? I am very frustrated following the last 2 weeks but thought I would try and discuss something I had noticed which isnt focussing on Hughton!
I think it's definitely an area that needs strengthening, that's something CH should have done in the transfer window
IF we stay up, there's clearly plenty of room for improvement. I could envisage us immediately targeting the following: 1x RB (first choice) 1x CB (first choice) 1x creative/attacking CM (first choice) 1x creative/attacking CM (for cover/competition) 1x holding CM (for cover/competition)
Agreed, forgot about that. Maybe a youngster to provide a bit of hungry competition for Hoops and Ricky.
I agree. What we've seen since CH took over is a (perfectly sensible) policy of addressing the principal positional weaknesses in turn. RB was the defensive position of least concern at the start of last season; LB was weak and is now much stronger (Olsson and Garrido), likewise CB. The fact that we now regard RB as in need of strengthening just illustrates the success of CH's team strengthening strategy.
Start of 2012/13: back line weaknesses in order of seriousness (1) LB, (2) CB, (3) RB, (4) GK Start of 2013/14: back line weaknesses in order of seriousness (1) RB, (2) CB & LB, (3) GK As far as midfield and attack are concerned, I'd argue the same process has taken place but we've struggled despite it (for a number of reasons).
That's the difference between the strengthening strategy of the players (which I would say is the one big success for Hughton) against the strengthening strategy of the team as a whole (which is the biggest difficulty)
I really don't know what we are doing wrong when it comes to scoring. We are creating chances but now every opposition goalie plays a blinder against us. I think that the problem with the RB position is that Whittaker and RM love to go forward and can leave us a bit exposed at the back, while the interplay helps to create good numbers going forward and of course more chances.
We will also need a new left winger. Murphy is close but not ready to hold that position on his own and Pilkington isn't capable of playing a full season.
But you said that it illustraited the success of his team strengthening stratagy. I would say that less points, less goals (At least for us!) may illustraite that the strengthening may only have occured on paper. The reality is that on the pitch things are going backwards. Is Bassong better than Ward undoubtedly, ditto Olson over Tierny. but given those significantly improved players can we really use the word successfully when the results suggest very much otherwise? Bah!
Now, now, you are being perverse! Here's what I actually said: "The fact that we now regard RB as in need of strengthening just illustrates the success of CH's team strengthening strategy". I.E. what was regarded by everybody as NOT a priority has now become a priority; what was relatively strong has now become relatively weak. Are you disagreeing?
I think General that we have strengthened personnel wise - our squad is stronger (on paper) than before and you can see that in most positions an improved player is now in situ. The trouble is that all around us has strengthened too and thus our strengthening is only relative to our team and not the division we play in. It's always been a tough league but this year with both the title race and the relegation battles wide, wide open one could argue that it's tougher than ever this year and that's what we appear to be finding.
Russell Martin is a great player! Although if HSV get relegated from the 1. Bundesliga we should go in for their right back, Dennis Diekmeier.
