what are we missing?

How many/what type of players do we need in order to beat the likes of Fulham? This isn't a criticism of Fulham and I don't begrudge them a win.
We do seem to struggle against teams how don't come at us! We obviously need a player to unlock defences but injuries aside do we just need the one? Think we'd have a decent first 11 with a Mata type.... obviously Mata is out of our league but that type of player is it I'd say, assuming we tie down De Jong and Remy.

Is that what the first 11 need or would You upgrade elsewhere?
Obviously we'd still need some depth in squad but think first 11 is almost there. We're fast, athletic, strong but cannot unlock a team if they don't come at us.

Is the other De Jong the type of player we need?

 

HBA should have been the answer. Then it was that young Abied (?) I always liked tabrat (?) **** I spell like a turnip. That other Yohan from France seems canny.

 

First, a better management team is a must. There's something decidedly Championship about the current set-up, we don't appear to have a broad enough nor varied enough coaching set-up and I just think we constantly seem limited. The coaches are committed, perhaps even passionate, but I just don't feel there's enough ability there I'm afraid. Tactically it's often quite limited. I know it's a half-empty/half-full situation, but in my opinion unless the strongest XI is on the field, we more often than not lose. Is it a coincidence that finishing 5th we had very, very few injuries/suspensions? Take last year, when we had stuttering appearances from Tiote, Cabaye, Cisse, Ben Arfa, those niggles were the reason for demise. We don't ever seem to have a plan 'b'. We also don't appear to get the best out of the players we have, at least not consistently - we seem to reliant on the players themselves stepping up. Not all bad, not a blanket criticism, as there is some good player management - Sissoko to RM was a strong play - but far too many question marks - Cisse/Marveaux/BenArfa/Santon. There's also been some seriously dodgy decisions on standing by players - Gosling, Obertan, Ameobi, Cisse. Players who at times are little short of embarrassment get unlimited shrift from the management team; Marveaux/Ben Arfa, however, seem to be hung out to dry. Not saying I defend those players, and I don't know what goes on behind the scenes, but that's just a face-of-things remark.

Second, probably linked to the above, is a clearer identity of how we want to play. The closest thing we have is a kind of hard working 4-4-1-1, but the "1" behind the striker remains unfulfilled and is in need of a new player. Cabs filled the role, when the management eventually worked out that the strength was unlimited freedom between the two boxes. But we have no-one able to do it, so are constantly flapping with someone either out of form or out of position playing. We've covered it best by shifting Remy back a bit and playing LDJ up top but it's not happened enough and there's no guarantee on LDJ. The only guarantee is that Remy won't be here, so even the temporary filled gap is going to be empty. If this is the identity, not got a huge problem with it, but we need to be clearer on how this sets up, how it plays out with injury as well.

Third, we need a creative leader, someone who can grab the game. Remy does it, that's why he's pivotal. Cabaye did it. Ben Arfa and Sissoko both flatter to deceive, and the latter in particular has no end product. Anita's tidy, Tiote's solid, but in line with the second point we are missing one player and playing with 10 men too often. We need to ignore money and just get the best player we can for this position, whoever that is. Chances are the best player NUFC can get isn't going to break any bank anyway.

Fourth we need much more trust in an attacking formation when we're chasing a game. Whether that's trusting to youth, working on plan b's, or whatever, you should only really approach a match with two identities - one to beat the opposition, one to change things when you're not winning. You can see from the English managers that there are massive shortfalls on changing things - Spurs/Newcastle both suffered the same results, both have similar management. Started out with one formation, ended the games with 4-4-2. Dreadfully limited - again, it kind of repeats my first two points, but it's vital.

Now, arguably the next point is on a par in terms of importance - squad refresh! Sounds mental, but I think apathy has set in everywhere. We have a good spirit, and the players enjoy themselves which is why sometimes we see a performance. But I don't see desire for the shirt anymore. Yet again, echoes of first two points, but is there enough desire in the squad to try and push on? I doubt it. We've got multiple threads on squads, we know the inadequacies, but apart from the desperate need for a creative leader, you're then into 'the rest' and it becomes important to bring in a core of hungry, talented individuals with fire in their bellies. I'd like to see the club embark on a creative talent drive to bring in a proper squad of players, the likes of Ings, Morrison and - of course - Ryan Gauld.

 

I wasn't sure about all this, and there are some clear issues with links between money/desired players. However the two words at the end in bold/underlined have led me to say...................................this

 

For me we need a gifted playmaker and two strikers who have that instinctive golden touch in front of goal.
If we had a Defoe type and Remy with Cabaye we could finish as high as 7th.
Against teams like Fulham they are usually scrappy affairs so quite often we should look to set pieces as sources of goals to nick games 1-0. Unfortunately we are ****e at set pieces so need that putting right on the training pitch... plus we need our defenders to find their shooting boots too... not sure this is a personnel thing or training tbh..

 

Two other words could be 'Team Spirit'.

 

So essentially we need Ryan Gauld, Danny Ings and Jordan Rhodes. Its good we're all singing from the same hymn sheet

 

I'd like to see Jordan Rhodes at SJP,but he's not French so that's never going to happen.