I think we all pretty much agree that we require new central defenders and someone to create more chances from midfield for our strikers. We also need a winger(s) to play the ball in the box early so our strikers can actually attack the ball for a change.... For me, we need a couple of Clint Hill/Shaun Derry types at the back. Obviously I am not saying them specifically but this is the sort of player that we need, i.e. no nonsense, nasty, dirty, hard as nails, kick it in the stand and sort it out later type defenders with a bit of ability to boot. Most teams have at least one if not 2 of these but we don't even seem to pull jerseys (on the sly), we are simply far too nice. As for midfield, we desperately need an Andy Reid type player to play along side the all action style of CS or a Danns type player and also another decent winger to compliment Anderson who is the first winger that we have had for years who understands proper wing play, i.e. deliver early and get in the box when the other winger has the ball (Joe Bryan fits this bill for me).... Discuss....
We need a captain who can fire the rest of the team up - it's too quiet on the pitch, which is fine when things are going well, but not when we need a kick up the arse (which every team needs every so often). Ideally he should also be a great centre back.
Carey is the only leader at the club, oh for a Shaun Taylor figurehead to put the players under the cosh.
Cisse from wherever he's gone, because its a classy defensive midfielder we need to help us stop giving goals away. Danns would be a popular choice for the creative. I agree with RR, all great captains come from the back 4 and its a new centre half we need. Maybe Del can pick up an ageing international from the Prem
Nick Powell from Man Utd would be a fantastic player to land on loan. He's got a bright future ahead of him at Man Utd, is a commanding attacking midfielder for his age, and I'm sure Fergie would be more than happy to let him go out for some first-team experience. He's already banging in some fantastic goals for their reserves. John Mensah would have been a fantastic captain and central defender for us, but I think he's already signed somewhere. I wanted us to land Jonathan Spector two years ago as he had some real promise at West Ham. He's done really well at Birmingham, but is out of contract in the summer. I think we land him for cheap and he'd make our defense solid.
You must have watched Chelsea v QPR to post this. I agree that we need at least two defenders and a holding midfielder a la Hill and Derry. Except that while I quite like Hill, I just do not like the way Derry plays. He is in my opinion a poor man's Joey Barton/Bowyer/Savage/Michael Brown etc, players who tread a line far too close to nastiness and viscous aggression. I don't want such at City; one can be very hard but not malicious like the aforementioned. As for the other central midfield we still need a "Tin Opener" and wingers who can cross a ball like Baldock did for Anderson's opener v Peterboro. From goal-line he stuck it up on the penalty spot for an incoming player with all defenders facing their own goal. albert would do well to watch that goal and learn to put it into that sort of space rather than coming inside and shooting weakly with left peg.
I have thoroughly disliked Shaun Derry and Clint Hill for years but I absolutely fully agree that every team needs one or more players with that sort of mentality/aggression because it's been lacking at City for donkeys years. Leader/mentor/captain/and an up and at 'em attitude.
Carey not a leader - he's passionate about the club, but we need a captain who can organise, motivate, lead by example, is great in the dressing room, and can fire players up when they need a kick up the arse. Unfortunately this maybe harder to find than a good centre back/defensive midfielder.
A little grrrrrrrrrrrr is required for the midfield and central defence. Previous applicants need not apply (unless your name is Cisse)
Prem - You moan about others with repetitive 'Threads' - so why come up with this because we've all been here a 100 times. You are correct about the kind of players we require. To a man on here and more importantly McInnes himself last MAY said we need these kind players. To think, all of a sudden, that McInnes is capable of bringing in the right calibre of players - sorry it beggars belief.
I have always liked the look at George Boyd from Petersborough who I thought was frozen out earlier this season because he would not sign a new contract. Don't know if this has be resolved but in midfield if we can't land Danns I would like him. But Woolford could also play more central and IMO could do a job there. As to Shaun Derry I tink he's a dirty annoying bastard, we might be missing that sort of player but he is also past his peak.
Cider, as far as I know, the Chelsea v QPR game wasn't on the tele last night so no, I didn't see the game but I have long thought that he was the TYPE of player we have been lacking. With one notable exception, we never used to get much change out of that Crystal Palace side and he had a lot to do with that... Shaun Derry TYPE players polarise opinion, like Warnock - you hate him if he's playing against you but you would be glad to see them in your team although I do agree that this particular individual does push it too far sometimes. Redprintt, I haven't seen "lots" of threads like this but anyway, the difference is that with the window open, we can now do something about it. As for Del bringing in the right sort of players, I think he has done pretty good so far and I have no doubt that the plan was to largely finish the job this coming summer however due to the deficiencies of some, SL will have to sanction a couple of permanent signings ahead of schedule. I just hope that they are available...
You're right Prem insaying that this transfer is critical in our future, and the type of player that you would like is certainly out there somewhere but can we attract them giving the fact that we will be in the mix with many other clubs more capable of paying the wages.
