Sources: Bristol City open talks to sign Douglas after Leeds green light https://www.footballinsider247.com/bristol-city-in-talks-to-sign-leeds-united-star-douglas/
This is great news IF he can return to his former energy and fitness. An ACL injury is one of the worst types of injury a footballer can suffer. Weimann's game was mostly about pace and energy - which puts a huge strain on that ligament. Lets hope our medical team have done good this time for a change.
Good news if true, I have not always been a massive fan, mainly because of playing him out of position as a midfielder, play him wide or as a striker. But at least you know what you get, a super good engine and 100% commitment and that was something sadly missed when playing some of the now departed.
Would be nice, I would like to see James and another central midfielder that Pearson spoke about which has to be our main priority, it is an area that has been left wanting since our promotion season.
There were a few on here that were very critical of Weimann last season saying they didn't think he was good enough etc. , which I found odd. I for one knew we would miss his pace and energy last season, and so it proved, sadly..
James would be a very good addition. Then we need to solve the biggest conundrum of all, a striker..! Something we do not have a great history of success in.
Yes and I was one, he was being played out of position as a midfielder, he never is, was or will be a midfielder, playing him + Paterson only sought to weaken an already weak midfield.
Do you see him as an 'out and out' striker then Jiffie? I thought that playing him in midfield (central, not wing) made best use of him - hitting the opposition on the break with his pace. He was never a prolific goalscorer - even for Derby - so playing him up front alongside either Diedhiou or Wells wouldn't seem best use of his skills (his pace and engine). He could also track back from midfield and disrupt attacks by buzzing around them like an angry wasp. He wouldn't be able to do that if stranded up front. Not trying to be argumentative - my genuine opinion.
The midfield ever since promotion needs structure, it needs leaders, it needs organisation and it needs players who can win physical battles. Weimann IMHO is none of those, he and Paterson had/have no idea about tracking midfield runners, they both bombed on leaving us totally exposed, he cannot tackle, not because like Paterson he is too lightweight because he lacks the technique and gives away far too many fouls. I personally see him as either an out and out striker if needed, out wide or another number 10 option. We desperately need to get the midfield right this season, we cannot carry on seeing us being totally beaten up week in week out especially by the relegation fodder (of which we are in danger ourselves of becoming) all because there is nobody directing operations and everybody playing their own individual game.
Things are starting to develop in the search for new players and as you say jiffie the need for a strong midfield is essential. If there was one thing I want to see next season it is a visible consistent commitment to wearing our shirt. Over the last few years I grew tired of poor performances and the inevitable excuses offered up by those who should have known better. Pearson needs to get a firm grip on the players before the season kicks off but also needs to open up dialogue with them at the same time to keep things under control.
Report: Rangers and Celtic could now miss out on Barry Douglas https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/06/15/report-rangers-and-celtic-could-now-miss-out-on-barry-douglas/
You didn't answer the question...which was, do you see him as an out and out striker? You say now that it's good that he's signed a new deal, so where would you play him?
You need to go to Specsavers. "I personally see him as either an out and out striker if needed, out wide or another number 10 option". But I will attempt to make it simpler for you. 1. OUT WIDE. 2. Striker or number 10 option (if needed). 3. Impact player from the bench (and boy we could do with some of them).
Oh yeah, missed that bit amongst the jargon!!.... IMO, so long as we have others in midfield to create and cover, I would have no problem with him being there....but I get your gist regarding playing out wide too.
Well we can dream, we haven't had that (certainly not consistently) since promotion. Pearson is a defend from the front sort of coach, Wells has improved, but especially Semenyo is poor defensively, we need to be careful as to how many players our dream world midfield end up having to cover for, otherwise we will be same old, same old.