Saw this and thought what a wonderful idea for a thread, new news http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12876_7126996,00.html
Jonathan Hogg is set to seal a move to Watford, penning a three-year deal The 22-year-old midfielder was on loan at Portsmouth last season - anyone know if he is the creative player we have been looking for?
I hope so. Although 1 goal in 30 professional appearances does not inspire confidence. Although i wish him the best of luck and hope he can make a name for himself.
I signed him on FIFA and he was pretty damn good, pulling the strings in midfield A lack of goals in professional matches doesnt mean he isnt creative, Don Cowie didnt exactly light up the scoring charts but weighed in with the assists. Strengthening of the squad is always welcome, even if we already seem to be well covered in the areas we're strengthening in. Best of luck to him
That is true, but we have all been saying that the problem is not the creating chances, its taking them.
We need the creative midfielder to make those passes into dangerous areas, most chances on Tuesday in particular were crosses that our small front line stood no chance of getting in on the end of. Sharp decisive movement and passes slipped in to feet is what we need with our current forward line IMO!
Good point but the general consensus is that Jenkins and Eustace as a midfield partnership isnt creative enough, hopefully Hogg will provide more balance (assuming he's any good ) His signing raises another point - where does this leave Josh Walker? By my counting he's now 5th in the central midfield pecking order: Eustace, Jenkins, Hogg, Buaben (when fit) are all infront of him. At the very least he'll leave on loan, but if i was him id request to leave outright.
What about Walker?? does he not fit the bill?? Or Whichelow?? Or Mingioa?? Mingioa scored on his debut and was causing havoc at the end of last season, whichelow was a great pacy player who would attack defenders all day and all night. Mooney seems to think that Walker was good on tuesday. Why buy more players but not give the juniors a chance??
There is a time and a place to blood the youngsters and a start of a season is not the right time IMO, yes when we are safe, towards the end of the season bring them on give them game time. Not a dog fight yet but you want men on there not boys who are all too easily pushed off the ball as was on Tuesday night.
We have been building a larger squad which will be to our advantage when the winter, injuries and suspensions kick in. The problem is in the meantime, how do we keep players match fit? I think that there will be lots of behind closed doors friendly matches, better than reserve games that get postponed at the drop of a hat.
Whichelow is more of a forward player (2nd striker or winger) and Mingoia doesnt seem to have the physicality to play regular Championship games. No doubt both will go on to be important players for us, but neither is the answer to the central midfield problem.
Ok, thats your opinion which is fair. But i would have to say that Whichelow has had the time to adapt and has played 19 games and even scoring 3 goals. Why not play him instead?? Or Mingioa who has only played a handful of games but also scored a couple. They seem to have the makings of good players and can only be better than Ross Jenkins (played 72 scored 2)
But we are all complaining about a lack of creativity! SD seems to be starting with 4 defenders, 2 defensive central midfielders, 2 wingers and 2 strikers. Meaning we have 6 defending but only 4 attacking! Its not too surprising we have not scored goals when we are attacking a wall of 4/5 players with the same 4 players week in week out.
As BBT has stated Mingioa has not got the physicality to cope with Championship, yes an impact player but not from the start. Matty is a different kettle of fish, he can start but SD does not seem to play him. I class Matty is a forward though not a midfielder.
4 players committed to attacking isnt unusual, in the current system we just need a central midfielder whos a little more adventureous than Jenkins. Of course we can discuss formations to death but with Hogg and Weimann in, i think 4-4-2 might still be the best option.
I know its not uncommon, but we are struggling offensively of late and for that reason i think the balance should be 5 defensive and 5 attacking. Even if the 5th attacker is a roaming player who goes where he is needed. I think 4-4-2 is a good formation with AW and maybe Hogg IF he comes.
442 with JE holding and Hoggy being the link, box to box player flashing passes to our forward line and scoring upteem goals! Well I can dream
