Another missing ingredient.

[highpeakblade]

Just looking at our squad as a whole and how we have played this season and then looking of what we have been missing and where Paynter fills to void.

One thing we all know we lack at the lane is height and strength, credit where due Harry and Collins fling themselves around in the box for set pieces and the former of the two has banged in a few goals as a result this but overall and it has been noted on here more times to mention that we lacked height and strength in our squad other than the two CB's and Chris Porter.

Looking at Paynter he likes to get his head on things and scores a few goals by doing so which is definitely something we have been missing. Since Clough has come in the quality of the crossing has increased game by game however we have had most of our success with lower drilled crosses as we've not had anything really to aim for in the air other than porter.

Should the quality of the crossing continue to improve from Murphy, Flynn and McGinn then I can see Paynter getting a few in the air because this is what he is all about, we saw this at Donny with the quality being delivered from Cotts

Another powerhouse from midfield, if possible another biggish lad who is able to play physical but is agile enough to plow forward would be another good addition and another threat from set pieces.

Anything else tactically / technically that you think we are missing ?

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Bit of pace at the back. Mainly in full back positions.

 

[jezzablade]

My worry is defence when either Harry (soon) or Collins get suspended or injured we only seem to have Kennedy (clough likes Kennedy apparently) in spare as Hill is really too small for cover there for any length of time. I know we can use the emergency loan system but wouldn't a defender who can cover the whole back line be better? Other than that Paynter is a decent signing to compete with Porter.

 

[GRENO]

A central defender with some pace to replace Collins, (Kennedy is not the long term answer).

A left-back who can pass and cross the ball as well as defend.

 

[sheffielder]

Personally, there is not much more I would do right now. It is proving difficult to get players of any quality so think we should see what happens on January 31st. If Paynter is what we found upfront, then who are we going to find for the midfield and outwide etc; so are we not better with what we have in Cuvellier and Brandy?

Clough is generally using the same 13/14 players every week and I don't see him going for any players that don't fill needs. I think and in some way hope that bringing White back will be it for this window. I am and was always in the minority that this team is good enough so let the fringe players have their chance to prove there is a place for them here next season.

 

[boo radley]

Is Saturday Kitchen on?

 

[Bergen Blade]

Anything else tactically / technically that you think we are missing ?

It's the ideal scenario when you get the lead early in away games. As the home team has to push forward more they also have to give up more space and if you're determined enough you can punish them on the counter attack.

One important attribute in this scenario is pace and the ability to run on the ball. It's a pain in the arse for home teams who are losing if they have to chase after pacey runners.

Against a poorly motivated Aston Villa it proved enough to have Murphy (and to an extent Flynn) doing this. When we swapped our main outlet for another solid option, Coady, we lost the ability of someone running on the ball, and someone able to run onto a ball.

Indeed I think our starting eleven was one of the slowest in the league, and that is not good enough. When Flynn, although not quick, went off we also lost our only natural wideman, and we conceded the second minutes later.

There's a fine balance between getting things just right and messing it up completely by a change or two. Unfortunately I think we got it wrong today. Clough should be looking within the squad for quicker and more attacking options than today's XI, and if he's not happy with them he needs to make a couple of signings pretty soon.