There's no doubt about it we are in the mire so deep that our lungs have adapted to be able to breath the **** that has accrued this season. This is my assessment of the players thus far this season... David James - Experianced and generally solid. Ok so he has cost us a few points but he has saved us some too. The Donny game at home springs to mind and his one handed stop from a Billy Sharp snap shot which was going in the top corner. Should be kept on as a coach if possible. A better option than Gerkin in my opinion. However, I would like to think that next season Deano will step up to the mark and hopefully will have learnt a lot from Jamo. Jordan Spence - A big let down this season - Goodbye this summer! Looks like he has attitude problems and I'm not sure he's capable enough to compete even at Championship level. Would be a waste of money to sign him to be honest when we have Foster, Ribs, Skuse and Edwards who can play right back. Richard Foster - Reasonably impressed so far. Quick, fit and skillful - everything that is needed in the modern day full-back who is expected to both attack and defend. He looks to have a bit of a hit and miss delivery with regards to crossing but it is something that can be worked on. I have to mention Ribs though - tons of talent and I would consider having him at right-back and Foster at left-back next season. Liam Fontaine - Our leader and rock at the back. Quick, skillful and decent in the air. He has a key role to play in the re-built team next season. Glad he signed a contract, one of the best centre backs in the league. Lewin Nyatanga - Pains me to say this because watching him for Wales in years gone by I thought he would be premier league quality by now, however, he is a run of the mill Championship centre back. Generally solid but prone to lapses in concentration. I would retain him as back-up next season. James Wilson - The talent is there no doubt. I find it strange he hasn't featured much under Del. He has all the qualities to play at a higher level one day (hopefully with us). Would like to see him and Fonts as the main pairing next season. Stephen McManus - Haven't seen enough to form an opinion. Agree with Redprintt though - two lefties at CB doesn't balance the back four. The jury is out as to whether we should make a formal approach to buy in the summer. Louis Carey - Great servant and leader. Keep him on as a coach. We need to look beyond Carey now. Damion Stewart - Sell him or release him come the summer. Not good enough - enough said! Ryan McGivern - Not my cup of tea to be honest. I like my full backs small, quick and skillfull - he's none of these. Reliable enough but I wouldn't be knocking at Mancini's door to sign him. Good delivery however. Jamie McCallister - Too injury prone and possibly too old. Great servant but maybe we should say our goodbyes and good luck at the end of the season. Marvin Elliot - I like our Marv - hasn't hit the heights of his first two seasons but always committed to the cause. Really needs to work on his passing this summer. His distribution is awful for a centre mid. Keep him but maybe a back-up player next season? Neil Kilkenny - Hot and cold. On his day very good but needs to play with two defensive mids protecting him and the back four. Del wants to play 4-4-2 so maybe Killa will be an impact substitute next season? I would keep him though. We need a better creative mid though who can work box-to-box. Martyn Woolford - What a let down! Really excited when we signed him because I was always impressed with him whenever I saw Scunny play. On his day creative, clever and an eye for goal. His confidence is shot though and I think a change of club comes the summer is to the benefit of all parties. Cole Skuse - Two words 'solid' and 'committed'. Should be retained because he will give you 100% and is useful as a utility player. Not sure whether he would make the first eleven with new signings but will be there or there abouts. Yannick Bolasie - Adomah mark 2 - Will get better game by game by gaining experiance. I expect him and Albert (if no big club comes in) to be tearing teams apart next season. Jamal Campbell-Ryce - Let him go this summer. Has blatantly fallen out with Del and unlikely to get a look in anyway with Adomah, Yannick, Pearson and Foster who can all play on the wing. Kalifa Cisse - Definite keep for me. Very good defensive mid at Championship level and has proven himself at prem level. I would like to see Kalifa and a new creative/box-to-box mid start next season in a 4-4-2. Stephen Pearson - Good, shrewd signing by Del. Needs to watch his discipline but has good qualities such as pace, tackling and his distributions isn't too bad. I would expect to see him on the wing more next season with Yannick as his understudy. Albert Adomah - Need I say more - Our star man. P.S. If you're a premier league scout he's ****! I wouldn't waste your time coming to see him Jon Stead - Don't know what's happening with Steady to be honest. Always gives it his all and was one of our stand out players last season. Him and Brett would make a good partnership. At least that would be my pairing next season if I were Del. Ryan Taylor - Perhaps keep for one more season?? Haven't seen enough to be convinced. Looked ok when he came on against Hull earlier in the season and looked to strike up an understanding with Brett. David Clarkson - Sorry David I will always remember the tekkers for that goal against Leicester last season but with Stead, Taylor and Pitman in my personal retained list I would have to let you go and buy another striker. Brett Pitman - Number one striker for me but needs a partner and usually plays well with a big guy which would be Steady for me but Del may have other ideas come the summer. Chris Wood - Scored a hat full of goals for Brum but hasn't impressed me thus far. Maybe it's down to the crap service we provide him but I don't see what he offers us that Stead doesn't!?!? In conclusion then next season: GK - Gerkin RB - Ribs CB - Fonts CB - Wilson LB - Foster RM - Adomah CM - New signing CM - Kalifa Cisse LM - Pearson or Bolasie CF - Stead CF - Pitman Therefore not too different to what we already have but I feel bringing Ribs and Wilson into the fold would be like two new signings but if money allows I would like to see a new centreback to increase competition. A definite new left back. A centre mid who is creative but box-to-box to enable us to play 4-4-2 and a new striker to add competition there too. A whole pre-season with Del and I think we'll see a whole new City next season. Just hope we are still a Championship club :/
I like your assement,a fair and balanced view,some areas of thought... Jamo...coach /player..he is a plus.. Spence...get rid.. Nyatanga...back-up.. Wilson...first team.. Stewart...gone.. McGivern...gone.. Woolford...gone.. Bolasie...brainless,but good impact sub.. Taylor...deserves more time.. Clarkson...deadman walking.. The rest you are not that far out..
Good assessment,however DJ is costing the club far to much,yes has been a great keeper but we did not need him when we had gerkin and the lad now at Pompey. I agree with your opinions good shout.
