Just a quick one really. Everyone is banging on about strikers, how we need this and that but to be perfectly honest I think other than Adebloa (looks likely) we wont see any other additions in this area. In fact we don’t need to make any more additions in this part of the side. Matt Fryatt- Don’t need to give him any introduction, seems to be a fans favourite already. However it would be interesting to see if he didn’t carry on his hot streak how many people would jump on his back and say “he is a league one player who only scores tap ins”. But for the time being he will be our number 1. Simpson and Mclean These next two everyone on this board lumps as “at the same level” I find this very annoying as Jay Simpson is a quality striker in this league as his upbringing at Arsenal and 12 goals in a season for QPR suggests. Whereas Mclean is a league one player with a bit of bulk about him, his first touch is horrendous. At best he is a tryer who will act as good cover on the bench. Then big Dele comes in to give us the target man approach when needed. If we are two nil up at Leeds for example and NP wants to shut up shop and have someone up top to hold the ball up, then here is our man. So now here is my point we have two quality players in my eyes for this level in Fryatt and Simpson. With a full preseason with NP behind them they should have all they need to fire on all cylinders. The problem with our strikers force is the major lack of creativity (minus Stewart) in the midfield. The singings we should be demanding and discussing should be in our midfield not up top this is where our problems lie.
I think you're right, Simpson and Fryatt can fire us up this league. We have problems in other areas.
I think that the majority of the Tiger Nation will agree with you. It was blaringly obvious from last season that midfield is our weak link, especially after Stewart got injured our creativity dropped tremendously. Add to that we need a bit more steel or at least someone that can tackle and distribute the ball effectively. If we address these issues then I think we will start scoring a lot more goals than we did last season and be closer to those play offs.
Andy Reid on a free, along with hopefully Danns and Norris if he aint signed for Pompey as stated elsewer, i think thatd be our midfield sorted. then onto solving the GK and CB area.
Agree with this. How Simpson and McLean can be on the same level is beyond me. Simpson is a better finisher, has a better goal scoring record in the Championship and is underrated with his passing. Although McLean edges it in terms of pace and works alot harder, the man we signed from Arsenal has far better quality; let's not forget Simmo is 7 years younger as well. Will be interesting to see if the Adebola deal does actually come off. I sincerely hope not, but after seemingly having the deal wrapped up we haven't heard anything from any sources since. Much prefer Howard or Iwelumo
A lot depends on how quickly young Cam Stewart recovers from injury as to how well be do next season IMO, with him getting decent crosses in a guy like Adebola would be fine. Without a target man we must break down teams thru the middle and the likes of Harper, Cairney & Evans haven't got that ability.. this is why Koren is so frustrating.. you know he could do more but dissappoints.. so yes, big fella + midfield general.. bung in Ayala & Hobbs and a keeper or two and I'll be happy too..
to see the best from Robert Koren he needs to be taken in from the wing and played in the centre / behind a striker, he's wasted out wide In my opinion
I take that site with a large pinch of salt, it's full of muppets and there's a narrow string of decent posters like your good self and bigpig and a few others, but outside of that, its a waste of time. I don't take it too seriously and I've been happy to play with a few, but FLG pointed out recently that I should probably avoid it for the sake of my blood pressure. On reflection, he's probably right, I get little enjoyment from that site and I really can't be arsed any more.
Cumbrian .. spot on get a big guy in like Adebola on little money for Plan B and sort the bleeding midfield out FFS. As for the HDM message board - stopped posting on that rubbish ages ago. Full of muppets such as eastyorkshire whites, Billy and eggchasing WUMs. Only need to look at the quality of the hundreds of childish posts by parochial eggchasing red & white, black & white numpties slagging one another off - the main thrust of the argument being, you're rubbish , no you're rubbish, no you're rubbish..
When is Cam back? I also hope for the sake of the side if Koren is still here next season he is played in the middle of the park. (i know this wont happen but can you imagine the creativity and flare with Bullard and Koren in the middle)
He's not due back until October or November, but he's already out of the protective boot and has been back in the gym and the club think he's running a bit of schedule with his recuperation.
Good news. I am i the only one who would like to see Cairney and Devitt given a bit more time? Both have in the past looked promising?
yeah true in that case if this was to happen i could see 4-5-1 with a holding midfielder (Harper?) giving Bullard and Koren the free role (Taarbat esq)
Would all those who still Jimmy will be with us next season, please form an orderly queue under the 'stupid' sign, thanks.
