On to the next game is the obvious answer but yesterday posed even more questions about the New Year. If yesterday's game proved one thing it was that football can beat grunt. We need to wise up because we're clearly not at the races competing with skillful sides. There s only so far that Warnock can takes this squad and we could be at the crossroads. That's not a criticism of Warnock, just a growing realisation that we need some quality in the side and not just rely on injured players coming back - we already know what they can offer. This first half of the season has been massive for City but the second half will be tougher without some match winning quality to call on. I see Warnock has mentioned looking at 4 or 5 Prem players to bring in on loan and expects to get 2 of them. I hope they're the right sort we need. It looks like Tomlin is a redundant playmaker in Warnock's eyes who can only be picked when everything is right for him - we can't live with that. We need some quality that can play week in week out to supply Zohore, Hoilett, Kadeem and maybe Healey who could be a surprise package in the run in.
We do have some skillful players Sparks, the front 3 for starts. To me our Achilles is the mid-field Ralls has been Mr. consistent this year but we can't play with 3 Ralls type players. I rate Tomlin but he's not getting the game time. We have missed Morrison more than we thought we would, he has turned out a bit like Hudson, not really noticed until he is out. How close is Jazz to full fitness, our FB's will always struggle against good wingers. We all said that top 6 by Christmas was our aim and that's been done. Let's hope that Warnock gets the 2 or 3 players to fill in the gaps, I still think we can get in the top 2.
Dai - we do have skills up front but no real playmaker to feed them. Tomlin was supposed to fill that spot but for whatever reason, Warnock won't pick him. It seems that everything has to be right for Tomlin to play - the right sort of opposition, the right sort of pitch conditions, the right sort of timing - I'm getting fed up of it never being bloody right. Ralls is doing a fine job in the middle with Bryson and Damour running around all game but not really producing anything. Gunnars is missed but he's no playmaker. The back 4/5 is more than adequate but we need someone to pull the strings to link the back to the front. It may not come cheap but that's the problem area to sort.
Sadly I’ve seen enough in our games this month (a win notwithstanding) to suggest unless there is an injection of pace, quality, creativity & attacking intent plus ability City will have an average second half of the campaign. That’s a lot to ask for but can I just throw this into the mix. Were Warnock’s preparation and tactics right in these 2 recent games? City played into both opponents hands with a wrong team/formation and safety first game plan at Bolton and didn’t do enough to blunt Fulham’s predictable passing inside the full backs and storming their way through central midfield.
I also thought Warnock was too defensively minded at Bolton. Halford starting was over the top in the safety first stakes and showed far too much respect. There was no need to go gungho against them but it was an open invitation for them to boss us. Against Fulham it was the lack of quality in our side that showed more than his starting selection. Combine that with poor shows from Mendez and little support for Zohore because the Ralls/Damour/Bryson combo were far too busy trying to contain their midfield. I thought he should have put Paterson on for Mendez rather than Hoilett and about 20 minutes earlier as well. It was probably too cold and wet for Tomlin.
I still think it' s the left flank that needs bolstering. The right will look after itself. Coming to think the consensus is right about needing a controlling playmaker in the centre of the park. Interesting to see who the "premiership quality" players Warnock has his eye on are.
