I wasn't at yesterdays game but from what I've heard and watching the highlights it looked like the same as I have been watching all season. I really think we are just one good midfielder with a bit of quality and a few goals in him away from a team that could walk away with this league. We are more than good enough to compete with the others home or away but those missed opportunities like we saw from Tabb yesterday will cost us dear if we do not do something about it in January. This league is there for the taking and with even higher riches soon to be available with the Premier leagues next TV deal coming we should push the boat out and get in a central midfielder with real power and presence and a goal threat. Such players are of course hard to find and very expensive but we are so close to being good enough that for me this final piece of the jigsaw is an absolute must. Our current set of midfielders are all hardworking and committed but we need someone who is a class above, the question is who could we go for ??
Valid argument Anglian! And will ME put his hand in his pockets and see the sense of such a big investment? Very tight control of club finances is at long last pulling us slowly out of the mire. In my book, yes we do now need such a goal-scoring presence. For all their huffing and puffing and improved performances, Tabb n Skuse dont do it for us in that dept.
I'm guessing you're thinking of somebody along the Jon Williams type of player, a quick and technically proficient player, with an eye for a pass? His type is very difficult and expensive to purchase, so realistically, we'd only be able to bring in a loan player who possesses the quality you're talking about. I agree that our midfield ranks might need some more creativity, but with our cost-cutting and off-field financial management taking precedence right now, I think we're going to be restricted in who we can get in. I'd argue support in defence, particularly if Mings is leaving, which he shouldn't, and perhaps another striker (try to offload Bajner and Sammon) should be among our primary concerns. With regards to creativity in midfield, Kevin Bru can be inconsistent, Teddy Bishop is still finding his form at a senior level, and Darren Ambrose seems to be continually struggling to reach an acceptable level of fitness. But I think we should persevere with these players though, as Bishop in particular, could potentially be a very good player, and he needs games to realise this. I think the squad is well-balanced and deep enough to cope with a couple of injuries, as our form over the past few months suggests. But with FFP regulations hopefully kicking in (somehow I doubt the punishments will be meted out), a few of our promotion-chasing rivals should be banned from making any transfers in the upcoming window. This, coupled with the tightness at the top of the table, should lead to us pursuing a couple of players in the winter.
I wouldn't be against strengthening the midfield, I think Bru and Bishop need to be given some experience, they both look decent players at this level particularly Bishop. And if Skuse steps up and performs with a bit more intensity we should be fine in that department. It'll be interesting to see if we ever play with wingers, I'd like to see Henshall given a bit more of a chance, we don't really have anyone like him with direct running down the wing like him. For me I'd say we could do with another quality striker someone a bit more mobile a Connor Sammon with a bit more quality And we could do with strengthening at RB, not a fan of Chambers there, I'd like to see Hewitt given more of a chance but if not it's certainly a priority position.
From what I saw at Bolton, we were certainly missing something, but quite what I am still scratching my head. I guess if Williams was to come back, and play further forward with McGoldrick/ Murphy that could be different gravy. McCarthy seems to feel he's better as one of the midfield 3 - I'm not sure, chuck him further forward maybe. Anderson/ Tabb both add workrate galore and played in their actual positions certainly offer a decent amount. However, a slight upgrade to both / them playing slightly better would be ideal. I guess we missed S. Hunt yesterday.
I don't understand why after a draw away at Bolton we now need to bring in new players....Mick seems to have things under control imo.
Crimson Plum: For me, this isn't a reactionary opinion simply based on a goalless draw at Bolton, which, I believe, is a good result. It's more in line with the fact that, for a club now making a serious claim for promotion; we need a little bit of spark in midfield and some cover for what looks to be a long season. Some of our promotion-chasing competitors are in line for a transfer ban this winter, if the punishment for breaking FFP is adhered to, so this gives us a brilliant opportunity to get ahead of our rivals with some fresh arrivals. We've languished in this division long enough, and I hope that if Mick McCarthy identifies a few realistic signings, whether they be on loan, freebies, or costing a nominal transfer fee, I'd like to think our board would support him. Now I'm not advocating a complete overhaul, or even buying in four or five new players. We don't need that. We've lost one game in our past 17 matches, an incredible achievement. But what we do need, as others on here have pointed out, is somebody like Jon Williams in midfield, to give us that creative edge, and arguably some cover in our defensive and striking positions.
The point I was making was that I don't think for a minute that we should bring in a number of players , that is completely unnecessary, what we need is one quality player in the center of the field to take us to the next level and bring the best out of the others
Weighty Skuse was fantastic at Bolton. Granted he isn't always, but from what I read he was very good vs Leeds. Only caught the final 25 vs Charlton and again he was good!? He does appear to be a guaranteed starter even when he isn't firing though........... competition needed. Collison hasn't worked out, so we need one more in.
