Does a fit Moose make us at least Playoff contenders?

[mattbianco1]

Well I can’t disagree with the facts and that is that we are at this point capable of a playoff position.

Im thinking more along the lines of consistent performances over ninety minutes so far.

If we did make the playoffs with how we are playing and went one further and reached the Prem, we would be seriously in the shit with our current inconsistencies.

Attacking wise, we are scary at times. When it clicks its lovely.

Defending wise . If we stop making stupid mistakes at the back, we could easily finish too 2.

Let's hope he can sort the defending out and not go 2000s Real Madrid and just try to outscored the oppo

 

[ancientblade]

i dont think even a fully fit mousset can get us in to the play offs without at least 2 good loan signings in january mind how much did he cost us 9m ? mcburnie and brewster should hang their heads in shame at their performances for the combined fees of 43m they cost the club

 

[Hagansbootlaces]

A fit Mousse is a threat, the problem as we all know us keeping him fit, add in the possibility of picking up impact injuries from tackles not just muscle strains/pulls etc its a big gamble, and to be fair to Mousse every other player poses an injury risk to some degree.

If you look at the potential current and future impact, Mousse and Ndiaye, are subbed on a regular basis, they both deserve to start games, but means we 'lose' two subs on the bench as cover, has an effect on changing the shape or tactics during a game.

Fast forward to the January window, do we keep Burke as the only like for like swap, speed wise for Mousse or look for cover/replacement for Mousse, strikers don't come cheap, as we know! Big big chunk of funds to fill that role, which then has an impact on whats left for one or two wingers, especially if MGW is recalled.

 

[yorkshirecoast]

We have nobody else in our squad capable of scoring Moose’s first against Barnsley. It’s such a shame he is always injured.

 

[Numpty's Dusty Ruts.]

I don't get all the excitement and enthusiasm for getting in playoffs. All that means is more expense + misguided hope = empty wallet + awful hangover!

 

[Hagansbootlaces]

I don't get all the excitement and enthusiasm for getting in playoffs. All that means is more expense + misguided hope = empty wallet + awful hangover!

And unless there is a dramatic or sudden loss of form it means facing at least one of, Bournemouth,Fulham or WBA, hope won't be misguided!

 

[Badger Blade]

Can't understand why some of us blades are moaning about the defence one week midfield the next and then the strikers week after that. 3 pts off the play offs as it stand yes we have issues to sort out but when we do how many of us will still be moaning. Come on fellow blades were not the complete package yet but I'm for one is confident come may Slav will have us firing on all cylinders Rome wasn't built in a day. But Hillsborough was that's why it's a shithole and falling apart UTB

I think it's down to the frustration of us finding a different way to cock things up every week! If it's not a goalkeeping error, its someone falling asleep at the back or someone missing the goal when it's easier to score.

 

[Bert]

As Bert sees it, there's no such thing as a fit Moose.

 

[PokerBlade]

I have no doubts about Moose's ability. He's Premier League quality, and we've seen him do it at that level. Him being fit and in a good state of mind for the rest of the season...that's a concern.

Ndiaye looks like a gem in the making, and we've got Sharp and McGoldrick as back up. Even ignoring whether our other strikers might get their act together, up front wouldn't be an issue for us with those four fit.

I know the feeling's still overall negative but for me we can't understate the fact that we're actually scoring goals again, and should be scoring more but for a bit of sloppiness. I know it's painful right now that we still hit the self-destruct button at least once per game to gift a goal but the fact we're actually scoring is a huge step forward from the team of last season and even the start of this one that looked incapable of it.

The problem right now is the midfield. Fleck and Norwood still can't be dropped even when they under-perform. We still look uncomfortable with the new style and we're trying to overplay it in some areas and underplay it in others. We give the ball away so cheaply in our own half at times trying to force difficult passes or not just smashing it clear when needed. We've got defenders trying to nick the ball when they should clear the man out, and then panicking on the ball at 3-1 up. I don't know what to change there or if it's new personnel needed or more time learning their roles, but it isn't miles away from being good enough given the standard of the division.

 

[Hagansbootlaces]

I have no doubts about Moose's ability. He's Premier League quality, and we've seen him do it at that level. Him being fit and in a good state of mind for the rest of the season...that's a concern.

Ndiaye looks like a gem in the making, and we've got Sharp and McGoldrick as back up. Even ignoring whether our other strikers might get their act together, up front wouldn't be an issue for us with those four fit.

I know the feeling's still overall negative but for me we can't understate the fact that we're actually scoring goals again, and should be scoring more but for a bit of sloppiness. I know it's painful right now that we still hit the self-destruct button at least once per game to gift a goal but the fact we're actually scoring is a huge step forward from the team of last season and even the start of this one that looked incapable of it.

The problem right now is the midfield. Fleck and Norwood still can't be dropped even when they under-perform. We still look uncomfortable with the new style and we're trying to overplay it in some areas and underplay it in others. We give the ball away so cheaply in our own half at times trying to force difficult passes or not just smashing it clear when needed. We've got defenders trying to nick the ball when they should clear the man out, and then panicking on the ball at 3-1 up. I don't know what to change there or if it's new personnel needed or more time learning their roles, but it isn't miles away from being good enough given the standard of the division.

another question to ask is where or how does Berge fit in, as you say Ndiaye along with MGW and Mousse are clearly worth their places, Ozzy, Fleck and Norwood the current Midfield 3, who drops out to make room for Berge.
Ozzy currently offers way more, not as skilful, doesn't have the range of passing but more than makes up for it in sheer effort, pressing the position and current top scorer in the midfield

 

[PokerBlade]

another question to ask is where or how does Berge fit in, as you say Ndiaye along with MGW and Mousse are clearly worth their places, Ozzy, Fleck and Norwood the current Midfield 3, who drops out to make room for Berge.
Ozzy currently offers way more, not as skilful, doesn't have the range of passing but more than makes up for it in sheer effort, pressing the position and current top scorer in the midfield

I'm still not sure what type of player Berge is supposed to be.

 

[Alan Birchenall's hair]

I'm still not sure what type of player Berge is supposed to be.

A 'traffic cone' type of player....

 

[BettingBlade]

another question to ask is where or how does Berge fit in, as you say Ndiaye along with MGW and Mousse are clearly worth their places, Ozzy, Fleck and Norwood the current Midfield 3, who drops out to make room for Berge.
Ozzy currently offers way more, not as skilful, doesn't have the range of passing but more than makes up for it in sheer effort, pressing the position and current top scorer in the midfield

Right now, Id drop Fleck and Norwood for Bobby Ford and Nick Montgomery. Berge walks back in in front of them imo. If for no other reason that they are both slow, ponderous and soft as shit.

 

[Hagansbootlaces]

Right now, Id drop Fleck and Norwood for Bobby Ford and Nick Montgomery. Berge walks back in in front of them imo. If for no other reason that they are both slow, ponderous and soft as shit.

Well Berge either plays centre mid or right mid, right now we need imo a centre mid, to do a job, not just going forward but breaking up play, shielding the defence, the old fashioned classic type of midfielder that loves a tackle as much as passing the ball, all due respect to Berge, I don't think that's him, hope he will prove me wrong.

 

[SouthportBlade]

We play two sitting midfielders, in very simple terms have 2 jobs.

1) On the ball > Keep the ball / Get the ball to our front four
2) Off the ball > Get the ball back / Protect the back four

We are averaging over 60% possession, and since the transfer window have seen good attacking play and fair share of goals.

We are however still soft as shit without the ball. In Norwood, Fleck, Berge, Hourihane (Guedouria who knows) we've no one who can tackle or break up play or is remotely strong / athletic. Making point 2 a massive issue.

Not saying he's the answer, but the closest we've got in the squad is actually Regan Slater! Who I'd be very tempted to have in and around the squad.

In January sign an athletic ball-winner, who's comfortable in possession and pair them with any of the names above and think you'll have a much stronger spine of the team. Disappointingly, the lad Vieira was probably the ideal candidate for that role...

 

[blades14]

Mousset playing well in the last year of his contract? Doubt he will get better paid elsewhere in England but wouldn't be surprised if he signed a pre contract in January to a French club. Would be just our luck if that was the case

 

[Hagansbootlaces]

Mousset playing well in the last year of his contract? Doubt he will get better paid elsewhere in England but wouldn't be surprised if he signed a pre contract in January to a French club. Would be just our luck if that was the case

January window could raise a few questions, stick or twist with a few players

 

[ancientblade]

We play two sitting midfielders, in very simple terms have 2 jobs.

1) On the ball > Keep the ball / Get the ball to our front four
2) Off the ball > Get the ball back / Protect the back four

We are averaging over 60% possession, and since the transfer window have seen good attacking play and fair share of goals.

We are however still soft as shit without the ball. In Norwood, Fleck, Berge, Hourihane (Guedouria who knows) we've no one who can tackle or break up play or is remotely strong / athletic. Making point 2 a massive issue.

Not saying he's the answer, but the closest we've got in the squad is actually Regan Slater! Who I'd be very tempted to have in and around the squad.

In January sign an athletic ball-winner, who's comfortable in possession and pair them with any of the names above and think you'll have a much stronger spine of the team. Disappointingly, the lad Vieira was probably the ideal candidate for that role...

i dont think weve a lot to lose by giving regan slater a chance in midfield at least it would give us some bite in there were not going anywhere if we continue playing norwood and fleck together berge is the big miss for us imo despite all the negativity on this site about him he would suit slavs system much better than wilders flat 3

 

[Hagansbootlaces]

i dont think weve a lot to lose by giving regan slater a chance in midfield at least it would give us some bite in there were not going anywhere if we continue playing norwood and fleck together berge is the big miss for us imo despite all the negativity on this site about him he would suit slavs system much better than wilders flat 3

Might be wrong, and it is a couple of months ago, but didn't someone on here say Slayer was injured?

 

[ancientblade]

Might be wrong, and it is a couple of months ago, but didn't someone on here say Slayer was injured?

not another one

 

[Hagansbootlaces]

not another one

Maybe it's me and 2+2 =5

 

[ancientblade]

be a big month for us january imo 3 need to go out on loan and slav to bring 3 in which i think he will do nowt much in this league fulham will win it and bournemouth sure to hit a sticky patch soon we were unlucky not to get owt down there

 

[Now and again]

Attacking wise, we are scary at times. When it clicks its lovely.

Defending wise . If we stop making stupid mistakes at the back, we could easily finish too 2.

Let's hope he can sort the defending out and not go 2000s Real Madrid and just try to outscored the oppo

Agree pal, when it works we absolutely look the part. It’s just so hit and miss at the moment.

After the comeback against Stoke it was just so deflating watching us against Millwall.

Be nice if we can play to our potential this coming Saturday.

 

[haich1889]

It's like saying 'IF' Saturday would follow Tuesday!! It's a fictitious scenario so no point giving an answer. He hasn't played 90 mins in a 9 yr career so more chance of me going to Mars (the Planet).