Winter transfer window

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Fair enough. Still got a hole at CDM. He can't play both positions......

not saying he can. I’m saying he can cover both. Ideally I’d have a starting CDM who blows other options out the water. But he covers both better than our existing cover options and would be good long term considering our left backs are made of glass
 
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not saying he can. I’m saying he can cover both. Ideally I’d have a starting CDM who blows other options out the water. But he covers both better than our existing cover options and would be good long term considering our left backs are made of glass
That would work.

I have very little confidence that the club will bring in what we need. I live in hope however.
 
They can but his data doesn't show lots of interceptions, blocks and tackles etc.

May move the ball quicker but that's Dan Neil.
Fair enough mate. I am certainly no data expert. One of the things I like to see is player blocking passing lanes (as we call it). In other words reading the game and preventing the forward passing option. It is a massive part of how we try to get midfielders to delay the counter attack. It is a tough coaching gig because we are asking players to forget possession until the shape can be found from your teammates. Bloody effective though if you can do it. Evans was very good at it. Like I say, just my opinion, lots of ways to play the deeper role in midfield.
 
Fair enough mate. I am certainly no data expert. One of the things I like to see is player blocking passing lanes (as we call it). In other words reading the game and preventing the forward passing option. It is a massive part of how we try to get midfielders to delay the counter attack. It is a tough coaching gig because we are asking players to forget possession until the shape can be found from your teammates. Bloody effective though if you can do it. Evans was very good at it. Like I say, just my opinion, lots of ways to play the deeper role in midfield.
To be fair mate, when you watch our lot it’s like trying to block shipping lanes
 
We have no fit left backs, and we have no cover for Clarke
We currently have 7 players out injured from our squad of 29, meaning we have enough for a full bench and 2 reserve players.
Of the 7 injured players, 2 (Huggins & cirkin) won't play again this season 2 (Evans & Embleton) haven't kicked all ball yet this season. Alese and Dack are notoriously injury prone so it's really only Roberts that we can rely on to be added to the squad
Of the 22 players we have remaining, 4 (Hemir, Burstow, Mayenda, Bennette) aren't yet good enough to start games and the jury is out on another 5 (Aouchiche, Pembele, Triantis, Matete & Rigg) and certainly shouldn't be relied on to contribute to games on a consistent basis.

Once you look passed our first choice XI there is very little in reserve
That's the point I've been making about Beale and his selections. It's not like he's making a huge number of calls. He's got very few options.
 
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That would work.

I have very little confidence that the club will bring in what we need. I live in hope however.

without wanting to be too defensive of them, I don’t think bringing in what we need is as easy as we would like it to be in January. Jury for me is going to be in the summer. We need a much better window than last summer, and it will likely be the window where we replace the likes of Clarke and Neil. The first summer window with proper money to spend.
 
To be fair mate, when you watch our lot it’s like trying to block shipping lanes
<laugh> Can be at times mate. I think sometimes we are slow to react to losing the ball in and around their box. Then before you know it Ballard or Onien are having to come out to engage the midfield runners. I think (and I say this with a tin hat on) Beale has addressed this to an extent with a bit more structure to our setuo, but at the detriment to our fluidity. It is probably a balance that is hard to find, and is so dependant on that deeper midfielder. Give me just one signing in Jan and it would have to be someone who can improve us in there. Mind you I want 3 at least.
 
<laugh> Can be at times mate. I think sometimes we are slow to react to losing the ball in and around their box. Then before you know it Ballard or Onien are having to come out to engage the midfield runners. I think (and I say this with a tin hat on) Beale has addressed this to an extent with a bit more structure to our setuo, but at the detriment to our fluidity. It is probably a balance that is hard to find, and is so dependant on that deeper midfielder. Give me just one signing in Jan and it would have to be someone who can improve us in there. Mind you I want 3 at least.
You see I must sit at matches and just see what I want to see. I could never discuss tactics to this extent.
 
You see I must sit at matches and just see what I want to see. I could never discuss tactics to this extent.
When I am at the match I am just a daft bloke cheering and calling the ref. I am still like a bairn who used to be in awe of Roker floodlights and the players on the pitch.

I did my coaching badges and it changed how I watch footy on telly. It is a bit of a bloody curse to be honest. I dont enjoy telly games as much as I should, because I am looking for formations and tactical changes. When I am in the crowd, and have had a couple, it is loads more fun.