With our new additions, we seem to have midfield talent in abundance. Inevitably, this means a fair few going to be shown the door. My guess is: Riveros Reid Zenden (Unfortunately, was starting to be a bit of a ledge) Malbranque This leave us with: Muntari Sess Hendo Catts Meyler Elmo Richardson(?) Even that second list of 7 seems a bit long, what is everyones theories on the new midfield formation?
I would hold onto every player in our squad atm. Reid can go but the rest on that list need to stay til the summer at least. I'm still hoping Riveros can show what he can do but I fear he may end up doing a Paulo and going to Spain or some other random country. Zenden and Steed provide the experience in the team and would be brilliant squad players although I would be very happy to start with either of them. Richardson is the closest thing to a natural left back so he stays for now. Don't like him in centre midfield, don't like him on the left. Does a good job at full back and had a very good game playing off Gyan. I would consider seeing how he does for the remainder of the season and how the new lads do before letting him go. The summer will be the time when we can fully assess who will take us into Europe and who won't make the cut. Deadwood like Nos, Kilgallon, Reid, Healy and possibly even Colback, Riveros and Angeleri are all under threat meaning we will have a squad in which we would be happy to play every single player there. KTF
Not sure he will let that many go TBH. Brucey does like 2 players for each position, so that should be a minimum of 8 we keep. Then factor in that Catts and Meyler are injury prone? Got a feeling that there may be some truth in the rumours about Steed, so I'm going to go with him and Reid as the only two to leave by Monday night. As for the summer? Zenden would be my only pick, with the remainder staying. Riveros is still finding his way in our league, so needs more time to prove his worth IMHO.
IMO OUT Andy Reid - Needs to go, we are moving forward and he is one of the lads who will get left behind Jack Colback - I know he hasn't realy been given a chance but that tells the story for me, his level like Waghorn is Championship if someone offers us 1m+ take it MAYBE Bolo Zenden - Depends on summer signings, if we sign Muntari along with another midfielder I don't see the point in renewing his contract UNLESS its a player coach Jordan Henderson - If this 20m offer is true take it IN Ahmed Elmohamady - for 2m we wont get a player as good as this lad and will only get better Christian Riveros - has shown for Paraguay he has got good skill and technique just needs time to settle and get his confidence up. He looked good in his 10minute cameo against Blackpool Sulley Muntari - sign him up Stephane Sessegnon - going nowhere Kieran Richardson - gives us versatility Steed Malbranque - has another couple of season's left in him good squad player David Meyler - young up and coming player and good to have in the squad Lee Cattermole - would be madness to sell the captain
Dorset,Which one of your retained list could play that little dinked bal on the run to set up Richardsons second goal at Bloomfield Road? After strikers I think one of the most difficult things to buy is intelligenceand creativity in midfield and youre looking around for who else is like that as consistently for us.Dont it always seem to go that you dont know what youve got till its gone
wouldent be packing many bags till the summer haveing a big squad for the run in might just make a euro spot for us ,get a few injuries and end up thin on the ground unlesss they are on loan with a call back deal
I see your point regarding Steed Dyavvy, it was a brilliant pass and I agree that he is an intelligent and creative player, who works so hard for the team. His problem is his very poor goal scoring record for the club. I remember some time ago watching Brucey on tv being interviewed and Steed was mentioned. Brucey seemed to be really irritated that Steed was not getting enough goals from midfield, which to date is only 2 goals in 89 matches for the lads. After all, Steed scored 44 goals for Fulham in 211 games (been on Wiki!), so I think that is where the problem lies. There have been rumours of Steed leaving and as we all know, there is no smoke without fire. He's been a very good player for our club and has no doubt got a substantial number of assists for us, but I think Brucey wants a goal scoring midfield which is his reason for bringing in our new signings. I think Bruce is prepared to let him leave on that basis.
....As they say at the end of the season results (in this case satatstics) dont lie and youre right about the goalscoring aspect...its just I always look for some brain in midfield as well.....When we played Chelsea I remember Zenden playing a ball and getting it back just before we scored....You might remember just before the second...probably made the goal chance....both these boys more than most are capable of just changing the pace of the game and thats worth a goal sometimes (I love a bit of swank.lifts everybody)....Anyway just read Asamoah cant wait for Sully to arrive "because he has given me so many assists"....Fantastic......One things for certain theres more than a bit of competition for places.....Good times ahead.....By the way Im not far away from you down here in Frome!!!!!
Unless he wanted to go I certainly wouldn't sell Steed. He's the only creative player we've really had this year. When he's absent we don't look threatening. His skill and composure on the ball can spark an attack or quell a threat. Bruce would be made to sell him. He's a crowd favourite. I'd definitely get shot of Reid who I always rated but SB see's something he doesn't like in his game and therefore doesn't feature in his plans. Zenden offers something similar to Steed and his experience around the place, especiially in europe, can only be a good thing for the rest of the squad. I don't really rate Meyler and would only play him as backup to Catts and then only if we needed a hard tackler on the pitch. Jury is still out on Riveros but can't see him being happy when da Silva goes and fear the English game is too fast and physical for him. Hope he proves me wrong tho 'cos he looked a cracking player at the WC. Similarly for Elmo he's yet to convince but with the correct coaching 'Headless' could be a much better player. I've just been discussing my feelings regarding a supposed ÃÆÃââââ¬à ¡ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã20m bid from ManU for Henderson (short version: I'd snatch their hands off). GOES Reid, Colback STAYS Malbranque, Zenden, Cattermole, Henderson, Sessegnon, Muntari, Richardson, Meyler, Elmo, Riveros These 10 should all be capable of providing a threat with Gyan spearheading. Wouldn't be surprised to see Bruce reverting to 4-5-1 until the end of the season and hoping Gyan stays injury free, at least until Welbeck is back and fit
I think Reid will go, possibly Colback if decent offer comes in. Riveros is a tricky one, obviously if you are just judging on what we have seen so far you would guess he'll be on his way in the summer. But, I wouldnt write him off just yet, especially if Bruce decides 4-5-1 is the way forward. I think Zenden and Malbranque will stay
Andy Reid to Blackpool according to SSN. I wonder if us getting Stephane Sessegnon for ÃÆÃââââ¬à ¡ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã6million puts Holloways valuation of Charlie Adams into perspective?
