were do you think bruce is going to use him?? Last night he was playing just behind the striker which is probably his best possition, but i quite like the idea of him at left back. I feel sorry for the lad because he never seems to get long enough in one possition to make it his own..
I think he will be kept as he's one of the only left footers in the squad. However Bruce may decide to cash in if a decent offer comes in (he's on the last year of his contract I believe)
If we are going to keep him,play him as the left winger we are crying out for,we have plenty of cover for the left back position,and if he cannot hold down that position flog him,how many chances do we have to give him.
Left wing for me if he gets a game. He's pacey, can beat a man, alright at fizzing a cross in, just needs to cut down on the number of **** ups he makes!
I had high hopes for the lad when he signed which to be honest, he's never quite attained as yet. Hopefully he'll push on this year though I fear his chances may be limited.
Last season he started as left back, after some convincing by Bruce, but that didn't last long. He was used all over the place instead. Did Bruce decide he wasn't got enough at LB or did he desperately need him elsewhere? I think we'll see him back at LB now that we seem to have enough cover in midfield. I think Bruce has a lot of faith in Kieran, which is why he's not panicking too much about the left hand side.
One thing is for certain - he ain't no left back. Positionally he is awful and he couldn't tackle a granny. Commits too many silly fouls due to poor timing for tackles and as a full back, that is a disaster waiting to happen every time. Also, he lacks the concentration and discipline to be a central midfield general. He has 2 positions for me. Wide left, where his pace and attacking instinct works well or his best position (and I said this after the Amsterdam Tournament when he played really well in the role) is as an attacking midfielder/supporting striker. If he isn't going to be utilised in those roles, then a decent offer of say £5m + and I'd let him go. However, contrary to what many people on this board think, I am not anti Richardson, just not a fan of KR the left back. As a squad, we are better and stronger with KR in it than not but he has to be played in positions that can best use his talents or moved on and new faces brought in that can be better utilised.
Thing is Cest, a lot of wing backs can't tackle, but one's with pace and the ability to get forward are valuable. I thought he was improving all round in the role, prior to the injury crisis and him being forced back into midfield.
Lads. Whether we agree or disagree about KR the LB, its irrelevant as do any of you really think it would be a good idea to drop Bardsley from LB? He looks very assured and very comfortable in that role and scored 3 goal of the season contenders last year AND scored again last night. Left back suits PB perfectly IMO as he is a cool customer at the back and as a pure defender, I dont think there is better player at the club at the minute. KR is never going to be able to oust PB from the position unless of injury or suspension. However, we DO have a vacancy at left midfield, where KR's attacking instincts would be better served surely? Pile our money into getting Welbeck permanently with a £15m offer and give KR the left wing berth? Tell Zog to do one and let the craas or villa squabble for his signature and £60k per week.
We need a left footed player down the left side, we'll all agree on that, as it stands we have Ricco and Vaughan who are left sided, and a few young 'uns. Vaughan hasn't the pace to play wide left, and it's not his game anyway. If we play 4-5-1, Ricco on the left, i'm happy Bardo left back, but Ricco has NEVER performed as a left midfielder for us. Maybe the competition will bring out the best in him, he was a very exciting, and goalscoring player at United, if we get that we're on a winner. He's been here 4 years, he needs to step up, anyone can see he has ability, we just need to see it, such a shame when he got injured, he was really looking the part, at last.
Unless we sign an out-and-out LB then as you say, surely Bardsley keeps that position. The amount of times I've seen Richardson blatantly chop someone down in centre midfield because he's been caught napping out of position would be disastrous if the same happened in and around our box. I'd be happy to see him get a fair crack of the whip tearing at defenders down the left because let's face it the one thing his has got going for him is out-and-out pace. With his versatility I agree that our squad is a better one with Richardson in it, but I do feel he needs to find a position and stick to it, that position surely has to be LW.
--------------------Mig------------------------ Brown--------Titus--------O'Shea---------Bardo ------------Gardner----Catts/Colback----------- Larsson------------------------------------Ricco ----------------------Sess---------------------- ---------------------Gyan----------------------- Maybe?
A decent line-up on paper BB, also with a very strong bench. With the extra numbers we've brought in in midfield the options are endless really as to who plays where and what formations Bruce plays. I'd like to think we haven't finished our transfer activity yet, I'd be awer the moon if we get Wellbeck in and I'd love to see Wickham chucked in at the deep end. Good times ahead this season I reckon (hope!)
I agree mate. You got through that team in 5 lines. Back 4, solid throughout. Deep/defensive midfielders, both grafters and ball winners, Gardner with a good range of passing and the ability to burst forward. Good delivery from Larrson, pace as well as cover for Bardo from Ricco. Sess and Gyan, 2 flair players with the ability to catch people out and make things happen. As you say, the options of th bench will be strong in all positions, Whickham being the notable option (as he settles in).
