Before this afternoon's game leads to a flux of euphoria or depression, I'd like to have a serious objective discussion about City players this year and last year in terms of performance. Looking at last year's team, I think it was a mixture of CL players (eg. Tierney, Fox, Whitbread, Barnett, Lappin, Wilbraham, Jackson, C.Martin) and CL-PL 'in-betweeners' (eg. Hoolahan, R.Martin, both Bennetts, Howson, Surman, Pilkington). The only players who would have been likely to be seen as PL standard were Ruddy, Johnson and Holt (because of his leadership and his 14 goals, though I think 5 were penalties). Of the 'in-betweeners', I would now include Hoolahan and R.Martin as having achieved PL standard this year and though still young, Pilkington and R.Bennett show promise of being able to move up. To these, CH added PL players in Bassong, Turner, Garrido (though some might see him as an 'in-betweener'), Tettey, and Whittaker. Snodgrass, who was the only real addition to the attack, was not a PL player when he arrived, but has, IMO, shown himself to be one this season. For those who want an independent assessment of our and other team's players I recommend the following site: http://www.whoscored.com/Teams/168 In order, our 12 highest rated players are Snodgrass, Johnson, Ruddy, Bassong, Whittaker, Tettey, R.Martin, Turner, R.Bennett, Hoolahan, Pilkington and Holt. I think that is about right, though it obviously does not include factors like the leadership of players like Holt, Bassong and R.Martin, which would move them higher, IMO. I do think that CH should have strengthened the attack further (he tried, but didn't succeed until January, and then in only a minor fashion). As a result, the team, rightly or wrongly, gravitated to its strengths, which were defensive. I think that the signing of RvW is a recognition of this by both CH and the club. Last year PL made the most of the new excitement of being in the PL that fed off the 'hunger' of his CL anf D1 players, and that was always going to be hard to reproduce this year (the major factor in the 'second season syndrome'). There was also the good fortune of winning 2 away matches after the opposition (Bolton & QPR) lost players through stupid red cards. I think PL knew that this year was going to be difficult and that was at least a part of why he left. What he has done at Villa does not convince me that he would have done better than CH has here. The top 12 Villa players he has now rate considerably higher on the WhoScored ratings, but they have still struggled this year. This is also true of teams like Newcastle and Sunderland this year. IMO, too much emphasis is put on managers and not enough on the performance of players. I do think things will move on next season because RvW and other PL quality players will be added and the 'second season syndrome' will be a thing of the past. Now, let's get today sorted! OTBC!
Garrido is definitely an inbetweener/champ player. Tettey im afraid, has also been found out as championship standard since his good start. He panics under pressure and cant pass for sh1t. For me he is someone who should already be replaced by someone with quality (unless he does a Dickson Etuhu and becomes quality over a summer).
I was unsure about Tettey myself, Bedford, but I think he hasn't been helped by being in and out with injuries. I think he needs more time to show what he can do.
Holt has become a liability, should have got a red against Villa for the boot in the groin, not just my opinion, the guy doing the commentary on Wiziwig said, and I quote , "That was deliberate from Holt and If the ref had seen it, a straight red ". Having said that, would love him at our place, mind you would love anyone at the moment.
I think his statement to the press this weekend means he has been unhappy for a long time this season. I have criticised him recently, justifiably I believed, because it seemed he just wanted to hurt people. But today, with support and ball in the right place, he had a very good game. But the press outburst signals, to me, someone who isn't going to be here next season. My favourite bet would be Holt plus money for Hooper in the close season.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8708216/? Personally I wouldn't read too much into it. Yeah maybe he was frustrated at times but so what. Maybe he will be off but I dont see much in this
I hope this season has hit home with fans that we're not entirely out of the woods yet as Premiership club, our survival pends on the squad continuously evolving and upgrading. We don't really have luxury players like a lot of established clubs in this league we have to work as unit, this season some players haven't worked as unit or struggle to meet the required standard, I'm going to stick my head out and say there has been times we haven't put enough effort in and chased the game.
Holt is definitely one to keep for me. I have no idea why people complain about him. I like the website
I'd agree with this to an extent. I think with the CH regime he asks a lot more of all players from a defensive point of view. Now some of the more attacking players have found this very hard e.g. Pilks and Holt. It has taken away from their attacking side so has often led to some frustration. The way CH likes to play everyone has to work hard defensively and be more disciplined. Now Im sure many will argue the merits of this and maybe the balance is wrong but that is how its been
Me to, I don't get the idea that because we bring in a new striker we should get rid of out previous best, Holt might fall done the order but we still play stoke and west ham where his strength is invaluable, i also feel he is underrated with the ball, his crosses are usually very good, just a shame he's not the one on the end of them.
I agree whole heartedly, he's got better feet than Jackson, Becchio and Kamara. You give him the ball with people to pass to he'll find them.
We've already lost Martin, I imagine Vaughan will follow up soon since we'll get some money for him and Jackson will most probably go to a Championship club. As well as RVW we'll need to bring in two extra forwards and keep hold of Holt & Becchio. It might be worth checking over Vaughan again as his had a fairly good season but how will that transpire at a Premiership level?
I think we will need to replace Jackson if he moves on, but then the emphasis should be on an AM. Howson has finally started to show he can play that role, but we need another to replace Fox (I know he's a great passer, but that isn't enough in the PL). If we went for Van Drinkel, he wouldn't count in the 25 squad as he is 20. If Garrido signs, we still need another LB (Danny Rose?), a CB to replace Barnett (Davies?), and another DM would be good. Given Surman's injury problems, a replacement there may be necessary as well.
