It never rains but it pours..

[SandyMcBlade]

Looking at the team as it stands we do seem a bit top heavy in midfield, and goalkeepers aside the lads you read about that are coming through all seem to play in the same area.
On the one hand I'm glad to see us so strong across the middle of the park, on the other hand, you've got to wonder how on earth the lads who are coming through are ever going to get a game?

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Looking at the team as it stands we do seem a bit top heavy in midfield, and goalkeepers aside the lads you read about that are coming through all seem to play in the same area.
On the one hand I'm glad to see us so strong across the middle of the park, on the other hand, you've got to wonder how on earth the lads who are coming through are ever going to get a game?

That's one of the reasons I reckon we might see a few exits, or loans out. While playing some of the youngsters at the end of the season was great to help their development, it also significantly raises the prospect they could be loaned out to decent League 2 outfits, rather than scraping the non-league barrel. Being able to show they already have league experience at a higher level will help that - I can see the likes of Khan, Calvert-Lewin being loaned to the league below. I think the pre-season games will help determine which to help in and around the immediate first team, and who to loan out.

That said, I'd be amazed if come the end of the season one or more of Doyle, McGinn and Cuvellier haven't been moved on.

 

[Fazak]

I fully agree but we are four weeks off the beginning of the season and a lot can happen in that time as squads at all clubs get firmed up and players, that might be of interest to us become available e.g. at Southampton. Equally I am sure that there will be players leaving the club over the next 2 or 3 months.

I am more concerned at the way we are sometimes quick to turn on apparently promising young players who, through no fault of their own , do not make the progress that everyone hoped they might at the desired pace e.g. Di Girolamo, Long. These are talented young lads who thrive on confidence so let's not subject them to destructive criticism before they have had time to develop to their potential. My pot is half full and, provided the players don't take any notice of the baseless betting predictions and keep their feet on the ground I think that we may be there or there abouts come May 2015.

 

[Esablade]

On the OS team page it lists Murphy, Diego, Baxter and Porter as strikers...got McNulty down as midfield mind...!

http://www.sufc.co.uk/team/

 

[wizadry]

On the OS team page it lists Murphy, Diego, Baxter and Porter as strikers...got McNulty down as midfield mind...!

http://www.sufc.co.uk/team/

There's a thread on how shite the OS is,but as someone has allready pointed out thats the least of our worries,don't mean to get you two at it again,and you know who you are

 

[sheffielder]

I just don't understand the title

 

[SandyMcBlade]

Fair dues Sheffielder,
What I'm trying to say is we seem to be bringing in players for positions in which we already have strength in depth, plus they are also the very positions in which most of our promising young players play.
If we do get promotion this season it's obviously going to be even harder for these young players to break into the first team next season in the Championship, and if they are only going to get a very limited chance to get first team experience how can they develop.?

As for the title,
we were a bit light in midfield but now I'm wondering where we are going to play them all...

 

[blade too long]

blades return with the FA Cup for the first time in 1899
we borrowed the the texas to colorado stagecoach to show it off
how many in bowler hats were 20 a season goal scorers worth a few bob , literally

 

[Proposition Joe]

Has somebody slipped some of Paddy's special cough mixture in blade too long's cocoa?

 

[Bladesway]

Is it raining? Is it pouring? Is it either or is it neither?

 

[S5Blade]

I don't get it? Its not raining or pouring. Its actually been pretty sunny. Do I need to go and buy an umbrella?

 

[sheffielder]

Fair dues Sheffielder,
What I'm trying to say is we seem to be bringing in players for positions in which we already have strength in depth, plus they are also the very positions in which most of our promising young players play.
If we do get promotion this season it's obviously going to be even harder for these young players to break into the first team next season in the Championship, and if they are only going to get a very limited chance to get first team experience how can they develop.?

As for the title,
we were a bit light in midfield but now I'm wondering where we are going to play them all...

I still think the midfield is coady short and I know u am in the minority but I don't see two upfront

 

[wizadry]

I still think the midfield is coady short and I know u am in the minority but I don't see two upfront

I know what your saying regarding coady, but when it comes down to it,one of cloughy's midfield signings might end up been better than coady,so i suppose we will just have to wait and see,although admittedly he will have to be good.

As for the two upfront,i think he will do it quite alot depending on who else we get in,but to be fair,we could set up in a number of different formations next season,and that is detriment to the way cloughy has gone about his buisness.

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

Looking at the team as it stands we do seem a bit top heavy in midfield, and goalkeepers aside the lads you read about that are coming through all seem to play in the same area.
On the one hand I'm glad to see us so strong across the middle of the park, on the other hand, you've got to wonder how on earth the lads who are coming through are ever going to get a game?

Easy: play 4 - 6 - 0

or maybe 3 - 7 - 0

 

[Will Brammer]

I think McGinn will be on his way out this transfer window to be honest or in January

 

[bartman]

I still think the midfield is coady short and I know u am in the minority but I don't see two upfront

I agree...i see the same formation as we ended the season with the odd game,like Gillingham away,where we may switch to a 3-5-2. With the midfielders we have in,I'll be surprised if we don't pay 5 in midfield in the majority of games.

In view of this I can see us going into the season with 3 strikers(Porter,McNulty and 1 other) with NC relying on goals from Scougal,Flynn and Murphy.

I can't see Coady coming in now as priority will be a right back (Alcock?) and another striker (O'Grady ?)

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Fair dues Sheffielder,
What I'm trying to say is we seem to be bringing in players for positions in which we already have strength in depth, plus they are also the very positions in which most of our promising young players play.
If we do get promotion this season it's obviously going to be even harder for these young players to break into the first team next season in the Championship, and if they are only going to get a very limited chance to get first team experience how can they develop.?

As for the title,
we were a bit light in midfield but now I'm wondering where we are going to play them all...

I think McGinn's days are numbered and maybe Doyle and as he lost Coady that's why he's gone for Wallace and Basham. Campbell-Ryce is probably cover for Murph and Flynniesta and Davies can fill in all over the place. As you say, doesn't give much scope for youngsters coming in but as we've debated since the academy started, there's never a good time to blood them in. I do think though that if they show something in training and the U-21 games etc, they will get some kind of chance with NC whether it be cup games or bench places.

As discussed elsewhere, it'll be interesting to see where he plays Scougs this season, I think he'll be behind / alongside the striker which means no place for Baxter IMO. If McNulty has a decent pre-season, god knows

 

[SandyMcBlade]

Playing people out of position worked last season but the worrying bit is that usually apart from a few exceptions the reason midfield players are played in midfield is because they aren't quite good enough when playing in either box..
Playing a midfield player at center forward or full back/center half is usually settling for second best.and we have a lot of midfield players.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Frankly it's too soon to be worrying about things. It's not even cloudy, never mind pouring.

Maybe the Billy Sharp situation has yet to unwind at Southampton. Maybe the O'Grady situation is unwinding at Barnsley. Maybe both will be here before the season starts.

We do need a full back and not only that, we need further cover as well. I would have loved to have seen Hill stay as a squad member though I do hope to see Kennedy getting playing time too.

We may well play 4-5-1 all season but we need cover for injuries and tactical/ fresh leg changes each game. We need four strikers and opinions vary whether Baxter should be one of them. Opinions also vary whether Porter should be one of them, but he is of course. Murphy can play up top if need be but has to be planned as a wide midfielder/ wingman.

I'd love to see Diego getting his chances but I can't see that it's planned he will be one of the "four strikers" in a serious promotion attempt. If he emerges during the season, that's a bonus. Similarly the "Ched situation" has to be treated as hopeful and speculative for returns this season anyway, even if he does sign. Personally I don't think he has the character or the determination that Clough demands, though he may have changed these past couple of years.

Ideally we need the men in for friendlies but not essentially.

 

[BushBlade]

I doubt we'll have four strikers if we're playing 451 or 433. What decent striker is going to come and be third or fourth choice behind whoever we sign and McNulty?

Diego isn't an out and out striker, he's an attacking forward who can play across the 3 in a 4231, more akin to Murphy. I can't see him playing as a lone striker, more as a number 10, as a rival to Scougall/Baxter, or in place of Murphy or Flynn.

 

[Woodwardfan]

I doubt we'll have four strikers if we're playing 451 or 433. What decent striker is going to come and be third or fourth choice behind whoever we sign and McNulty?

Diego isn't an out and out striker, he's an attacking forward who can play across the 3 in a 4231, more akin to Murphy. I can't see him playing as a lone striker, more as a number 10, as a rival to Scougall/Baxter, or in place of Murphy or Flynn.

When he signed McNulty, Clough said the lad would have to bide his time amongst a "strong strikeforce of four". Recently Clough said we could get by with what we have if we had to be patient as other scenarios worked through.

I take your point about the 4 strikers vying for one spot though and the likelihood is he that would choose to play 2 up front but will settle for 1 if needs must. Or maybe, in fact probably, he will mix it up depending on the fixtures.

 

[BushBlade]

When he signed McNulty, Clough said the lad would have to bide his time amongst a "strong strikeforce of four". Recently Clough said we could get by with what we have if we had to be patient as other scenarios worked through.

I take your point about the 4 strikers vying for one spot though and the likelihood is he that would choose to play 2 up front but will settle for 1 if needs must. Or maybe, in fact probably, he will mix it up depending on the fixtures.

Can't see how he's going to fit Scougall in the side if he's playing two up front. He may vary it a little but we will have a 'default' formation of 4231 with Murphy and Flynn/JCR either side of Scougall/Baxter.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Actually I am perfectly happy to watch 4-5-1, perhaps not 4-2-3-1. Last season it was exciting watching the midfielders pouring forward on any occasion it stuck with Baxter. No team can defend against that and when we don't have the ball we should be very solid, and were apart from 20 minutes at Wembley for some reason.

Whether it is Baxter, McNulty, Sharp or Porter doing the front role our fans need to be patient and understanding about the formation, particularly in home games. When Porter's up front there is a tendency to knock the high ball forward, not that he wins any.

I sit near blokes who shout at Baxter for not winning headers up front, not running onto through balls and even when he holds the ball up and waits for runners. Somehow they find the opportunity to say he is overweight and lazy. Whether we like it or not, the fans' concerns transmit to the players and it makes it hard work. Sharp will suffer exactly the same criticisms but maybe O'Grady would do a bit of everything but some things not so well. Suarez with a gum shield would be ideal, but he's just gone to Barca. Brian Deane would be perfect, but he's too old now. It's up to Clough to identify the main man to do the job, if he wants just one up front. I hope he does, we've loads of goals from midfielders, bring it on.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

If our young players are good enough then they will get a chance, no matter how many senior players we have on the books. It's as simple as that.

I get fed up of hearing "we are blocking our young players getting to the first team"....clearly if they don't get in then they're not good enough. That's particularly applicable to a League One club. It's not like they have to break in at the highest standard.

 

[TarquinDelouche]

It's been raining for about an hour. Not pouring, just gently raining. Therefore, this thread is a lie.

 

[BushBlade]

Ba

Actually I am perfectly happy to watch 4-5-1, perhaps not 4-2-3-1. Last season it was exciting watching the midfielders pouring forward on any occasion it stuck with Baxter. No team can defend against that and when we don't have the ball we should be very solid, and were apart from 20 minutes at Wembley for some reason.

Whether it is Baxter, McNulty, Sharp or Porter doing the front role our fans need to be patient and understanding about the formation, particularly in home games. When Porter's up front there is a tendency to knock the high ball forward, not that he wins any.

I sit near blokes who shout at Baxter for not winning headers up front, not running onto through balls and even when he holds the ball up and waits for runners. Somehow they find the opportunity to say he is overweight and lazy. Whether we like it or not, the fans' concerns transmit to the players and it makes it hard work. Sharp will suffer exactly the same criticisms but maybe O'Grady would do a bit of everything but some things not so well. Suarez with a gum shield would be ideal, but he's just gone to Barca. Brian Deane would be perfect, but he's too old now. It's up to Clough to identify the main man to do the job, if he wants just one up front. I hope he does, we've loads of goals from midfielders, bring it on.

xter

Actually I am perfectly happy to watch 4-5-1, perhaps not 4-2-3-1. Last season it was exciting watching the midfielders pouring forward on any occasion it stuck with Baxter. No team can defend against that and when we don't have the ball we should be very solid, and were apart from 20 minutes at Wembley for some reason.

Whether it is Baxter, McNulty, Sharp or Porter doing the front role our fans need to be patient and understanding about the formation, particularly in home games. When Porter's up front there is a tendency to knock the high ball forward, not that he wins any.

I sit near blokes who shout at Baxter for not winning headers up front, not running onto through balls and even when he holds the ball up and waits for runners. Somehow they find the opportunity to say he is overweight and lazy. Whether we like it or not, the fans' concerns transmit to the players and it makes it hard work. Sharp will suffer exactly the same criticisms but maybe O'Grady would do a bit of everything but some things not so well. Suarez with a gum shield would be ideal, but he's just gone to Barca. Brian Deane would be perfect, but he's too old now. It's up to Clough to identify the main man to do the job, if he wants just one up front. I hope he does, we've loads of goals from midfielders, bring it on.

Agree about last season but Baxter isn't a natural striker so isn't always going to make the runs. I think someone like Sharp would do the role a lot better, because it's what he does. I'm not convinced our lone striker has to be a big man, just solid and hard to knock off the ball.

As you say, with a big striker there is a tendency to hit it long whereas we want to see more of a passing game. The balls to our striker should be to feet where possible, not launched towards his head. I can see the obvious advantages of a big man but at L1 level, it's hard to find one who's also decent on the ball. I'd take ability on the ball and clinical finishing over height and strength. Eg, I'd rather us sign Sharp than Sammon.



Edit: on the strength of your Suarez with gum shield comment I think we're basically on the same page.

 

[sitwell]

some of our rivals and neighbours can hardly field a team yet ,loads of time yet. Last season finishes tonight.

 

[SandyMcBlade]

I know what your saying about Sharp, we saw last season that we are capable of goals from out side the box, but only Porter seemed capable of scoring goals in the box.
It's a goal poacher, a chocolate liner that we need and as I've already said that's definitely not your every day midfield players territory.......
Some one who can score the Baxter at Wembely type goal on a regular basis is exactly what we need..

 

[sheffielder]

I know what your saying about Sharp, we saw last season that we are capable of goals from out side the box, but only Porter seemed capable of scoring goals in the box.
It's a goal poacher, a chocolate liner that we need and as I've already said that's definitely not your every day midfield players territory.......
Some one who can score the Baxter at Wembely type goal on a regular basis is exactly what we need..

Personally I think we need someone who offers us pace and movement. Currently we have :-

Baxter - Skillful
Porter - Al rounder
McNuts - Poacher

O'Grady appears to be the perfect compliment to the guys above, however if it's Sharp I still think he could fill his boots with this team

 

[wizadry]

Personally I think we need someone who offers us pace and movement. Currently we have :-

Baxter - Skillful
Porter - Al rounder
McNuts - Poacher

O'Grady appears to be the perfect compliment to the guys above, however if it's Sharp I still think he could fill his boots with this team

Porter,all rounderWhy would we need another striker if that was the case