Before he moved I actually rated McCleary. Since we've struggled for wingers since Gradel went that's the most pressing issue for me. Sort the defence out all you want but we've still not repaired the bit of the team that was actually working. Vaz Te tore us a new one. Don't remember too much about him though. Konchesky was good for Leicester when I was at the Crisp bowl - no chance. Sol Bamba - absolute machine, again, no chance. I don't remember much of what I've seen to be completely honest. It's been a tough year.
Ups and Downs I can do with, normally with the downs you know there'll always be an up. At the moment I'm not so sure. It seems either we're heading for being under bates forever (you just know he'll live to be 120), or he's going to liquidate us out of spite when it all goes wrong. Also the asset stripping, which is how he makes his money, is a nice bonus.
Come on, what one player would make you hope (or even expect)... For me it would be Smith or Woodgate, I know they are has been's who are injury prone & it would not work out (but I would just start to hope).
OP - there was a thread on here recently with a french guy from Rennes. Getting him would make me sit up and listen We need a lot of players though, practically every position, but most importantly we must have a spine that makes us solid, some peripheral players that makes us more solid, and then some pace and creativity that gives us an edge. Then we need squad players who are backups to these players but who are good enough to actually push them so they have to try their best every match In terms of 1st team so far (and assuming Snodgrass and McCormack and White and the transfer listeds will leave), we have: Spine - Lonergan Pearce need DM, CM and Striker Peripheral - Lees - need LB, RB, Creative - none - need RM, LM Pace - none - need Striker Now of course the spine players could also be creative and could have pace and that gives further options, but overall, we got nowt a tthe moment and Warnock off on his hols and Bates says no-one comingin til end July So we are where we are If we have the same summer success as last year, how do you think you are going to feel?
If we get no re-investment, it will be a down in more ways than one.... I think the kids coming through are very good, if Lees and White are indicators. The Turner twins could be influential and Taylor looks set to play a part. But you are right, we need some solid foundations and experience to build them into. Fingers crossed...
I really like the look of the Turner boys, Thompson and Taylor (all 4 were brill in pre-season matches last year and did well enough when given opportunities this year, sendings off aside), plus Gimpel is a future player (give him 3 more years), and we have not even seen Lenighan or Byram. I don't have the same feelings about Lees, I think there is something missing, but I am very worried that we are letting our other talent go such as Howson and White. If these youngsters were played and we had a price system that matched such a level of ambition (ie season tickets and prices were half what they are now), I would be very happy. I would see it as a long term project and I think with the right marketing we would have a mostly happy set of fans. The issue is that we are paying top whack, we are not getting top whack players though, and everything is very short-term (stuff like promotion this season is a MUST! is just rubbish) Get the fans back in the club, get real players playing for the club, have a long term strategy on player development and style of play so all players are coached in the same manner and only players with the relevant skills are taken on, concentrate on football industry not peripoheral industries (hotel, banqueting, casino, insurance, travel, credit cards, radio, restaurants etc- what the hell have they got to do with the brand LUFC and the industry we are involved in?) and I would be very optimistic for the future of our club (the team would take care of itself and we would finish up wherever we finish up)
Max Gradel would make me sit up and take note. Or any player in a similar mould - pacey, creative, niggly winger with the ability to hassle fullbacks, create opportunities and chip in with goals.
Not to mention covering his own fullback when necessary... which it often was with a certain George McCartney!
