With all the hype over MON joining and young Noble scoring I forgot about the forgotten man, Campbell. After Mcleans showing yesterday could he be the answer to our left side? If we assume that Campbell comes good and Mclean is the answer what team is our best, even before new signings? If we have Mclean on the left and Larsson on the right and play a 4-4-2 with Campbell and say Wickham up front, what do we do with Sess? Who are our best CB pairing? Lots of questions, anyone know the answers?
Whatever else, I'm looking forward to Campbell returning, in the hope that he can pick up where he left off. McLean - too early to make a sound judgement, surely? After all, it was but a "cameo" as they say. Very promising, though. Sess? Well, is it true that he wants out? I like Wickham - I think he'll make the grade.
All those can be answered in one word "competition" mate, if or hopefully when Campbell comes good then it'll be good competition for the front men. McLean has had 1 game so will reserve judgement on him until he does it consistently but, again it's all extra competition for the first 11. The CBs are my only concern as there is very little competition for places so it'll be Brown and one other, still think Bramble may be going the journey and is not up to it. Fair enough he did okay yesterday but, is still an accident waiting to happen.
Looked like I was right about MON giving Sess a free role. (Which he handled very well imho, his shots at goal aside.) I can't see why this can't work against most teams. If you noticed when he was receiving the ball he was attracting two or more defenders to him, makes me think the oppo's have taken note of his skill. This knowledge could be used tactically to our advantage as well. (Bloody hell back to talking tactics how refreshing. ) McClean, great start and I think he may get his chance from the off next game. The ball is quite literally in his court, to prove he can do the business over 90 minutes, on a regular basis. I liked the way he didn't switch off as well and went chasing the ball to stop any break by Blackburn.
We seem to have a promising crop of young players, and it will be interesting to see what kind of impact they have in the course of the season...
Some of these promising kids coming through does remind of the time we threw in Arnott, Rowell and Elliott....it worked then....it just might now
Hmm, am I the only person disappointed in O'Shea, I really thought he would be great and he is at best very average, Hutton and Onouhura were better. Brown can be very good but his mistakes few though they are cost goals. So if I am honest I am not too happy about the back 4, I suppose McBardo and Rico fit into there somewhere as for Titus and Turner??, Samba was the best defender on the pitch yesterday by miles (and Rico though he did not score best attacking player!) As for midfield, Larsson on the right and Sess/McClean on the left s/b Ok. Centre midfield is a problem we have Catts/Jack/Meyler as the defensive choices and Vaughan/Rico as attacking CMs? Still not sure we are say as good a Everton were a few years ago before their good midfield players left. Strikers is our main problem, Bent/Gyan/Welbeck we had this time last year, and currently nobody on our books is anywhere them. Will Ji/Connor/Ryan make the grade??? will Campbell make a good comeback, I'm discounting Bendtner cos' unless MoN can put a rocket up his arse we do not what him, the gooners delighted to get rid. So to answer your question Syd I still see our main problem as goal scoring and I expect that MoN does too, so it is over to Eliis Short our beloved owner to see how much cash he will stomp up for strikers, at least one in the Jan window to lead the line, then Connor/Ji/Ryan/Frazier can compete for the other spot. Then if gardner is falling by the way side sell him and get another creative midfielder and I cannot see much more money being released than £20m.
Was always doubtful about O'Shea mate and, if I'm honest Brown as well. Brown has definitely proved me wrong however, O'Shea has done exactly as I thought.
Sunderpitt I think you have summed things up very well. I think the next few games will show us where we are and what our best side/formation is. I agree on the defense. I would have Bardo at RB as he is a better player than Oshea both defending and attacking. Brown needs a better partner (someone with pace) and we need a left back, Richardson is wasted there. Interestingly if you look at our goal difference we are one of the only teams outside the top 6 not in - figures. With a bit of tweaking we could have a very good back 5. I would keep the same team next week, keep a winning side and winning mentality knowing that we have players like McClean who can come on and make things happen.
