Article on SSN with Redknapp saying he wants 2 more midfielders because he only has Faurlin, Barton and Henry for CM at the moment and 'needs at least 6' - nice maths H. (what's Mutch - I honestly couldn't tell from Saturday, looked like he was playing striker first half, then deeper when we went behind. Isla can also play CM) and a striker 'or 2 strikers if Remy goes'. No hint of a playmaker/number 10, sadly, though I would not be surprised if we ended up with Krancjar again, and that he's missed pre season.
I would not be upset by having Krancjar. In a full flowing team with the added quality we have, I think he'd be good there. I rate Krancjar, still.
I haven't a clue but liked what i saw Saturday ... need a midfield genius check your stock. Adel may not go and then it's crying out for him in this system ... a free spirit will always f** over these systems We could be poised for a chess match each match this year ... Taarabt or another needs to tip the board over... Is that what Mutch is there to do? I would play V Spurs and Adel would win us that game .............................Green......................... Simpson Caulker Ferdinand Onunha Traore ........................Henry Faurlin................... ............................Taarabt....................... .........................Austin.... Remy................ I haven't see Isla play so can't comment Dunne Hill Barton, Mutch Hoilett Phillips etc all options from the bench I expect it will be however .............................Green......................... Simpson Caulker Ferdinand Onunha Traore ................Barton Faurlin Mutch................... ......................Austin.... Remy................ We have a very good squad lads if only Taarabt stays
On Saturday there was much more movement and players were in and around the box when we attacked. Over the last few years I have been disappointed that when someone makes a break, or puts a ball through to a player, there has been little support and the attacked it just snuffed out. Krancjar would look much better than last year as he would have more options and not have to constantly knock the ball back or across - whether he is good enough is another matter.
I am sure Niko will come in. I like him and he seemed genuinely pleased on the pitch at Wembley after the game.
Having adel anywhere near the team now would be a time bomb of the biggest order just waiting to go off, give up on him. Kranky was a very good player and I'm sure he still could be, but his fitness was a problem when he came to us and playing him while unfit led to inevitable injuries. But I'd be happy if he came back as he actually wants to be with us. But a creative mid is a hard position to fill for sensible money. Mitch shows much promise with his runs at the defence and link up play, but I'm not sure he's the type to pick up others with slide rule passing. Faurlin looked very comfortable on saturday, clearly not 100% fit, but getting there. My only worry about Ali is his lack of goals. You can't have your creative midfielder only scoring 1-2 a season1, he needs to improve that or he'll find himself slipping down the pecking order. But we looked 100% better as a team than we have since we were promoted 3 years ago, we actually looked dangerous and passed with confidence, signs that we are moving in the right direction. Would have be interesting to hear Flyers negative spin on things.
If you read all the stories going around in the last 48 hours we are still linked to about 150 players (148 of them midfielders). Who knows what is going to happen? (I was going to write "God only knows what is going to happen" but I think that even God will have given up trying to keep up by now. It is getting ridiculous.)
I predict we will 1. sign 1 average striker who we all agree would be a good 4th striker but no more 2. sign 2 more midfielders who we all agree "not sure where they will play. I hope it is not instead of Faurlin" 3. get Krancjar on loan at 11.59 4. Lose Remy We will then all spend the next 4 months saying Charlie is not up to it and we need to convert Matty Phillips,Hoilett,Krancjar or Mutch to a striker
AS someone said we have to give Harold the faith at the moment .. pretty names are just that on a bit of paper. I was very surprised Sat at how calm and controlled we looked and credit to him as I sincerely thought we would be dreadfully disjointed. He calls the shots as is building a team, a squad and a system to survive first and foremost. I can't really see how we say much at the moment will have to wait until a few games in. If we win or lose by then BUT don't cave in and get beat by a big margin if and when we do lose then it must look good. It's winning games or gaining points after all that is all that matters... staying up. based on Saturday we could be doing a lot more than that
He can't have two more CM's, how big a club does he think we are? It would be too big an influx of players. UNLESS, one of them is Kranjcar. Seems a nice guy, and he would slot into the squad seamlessly without disrupting it.
A few random points related to this topic... In the first half on Saturday Mutch played very high up the field and was directly supporting Remy and Austin. That worked very well for the most part but left acres of pitch for Faurlin to cover. In the second half he came deeper (presumably under orders) and was much less effective. Barton could have done more to help with link up play IMO. I was at a party with a Moroccan friend of Taarabt on Saturday evening and he confirmed that a) he still has the instincts of a petulant teenager b) he was still desperate to play elsewhere and c) there was a lot of animosity between him and Redknapp. I'm still a big fan of his raw talent but if he does end up having to stay the boat will be well and truly rocked. As others have said the Krancjar of old would be an ideal solution but as things stand it would would be a huge risk because his fitness problems. We have seen him for long enough now to know that the situation is unlikely to improve.
Totally agree, very little midfielders following into the edge of the box once they have made a forward pass. Leaving us with nobody to pick up the ball after a save or deflection from the opposition defenders. I also agree Kranjcar would look much better in this league - however, he needs to greatly improve his fitness. Last year he just want up to it.
Dave! At last where you been. Of course Adel should be playing. What we need is a 10. But Arry or Hoddle need to do some good work with him. Arry at least won't - he can't be arsæd with anyone he sees as difficult. Don't matter to him that his last outings with Milan were top drawer.
Ravel Morrison, Paolo Di Canio? I love Adel but he's lazy and fat and thinks QPR are below him. His time at the club has drawn to a natural conclusion
