Gaps in the squad - Priorities

[Sothall_Blade]

Weir has said that his priority for this transfer window is to fill the gaps in the squad. So what are they? Assuming that he intends to stick with the style and formation that we've seen so far, I would say the priorities are as follows:-

1) Number 10 role as a replacement for McDonald - This appears to be Baxter and as I hoped he sounds like a genuine specialist in the role rather than the retrained central midfielder that McDonald was.

2) Lone striker role as an improvement on Porter - Taylor has been tried in this position but reports suggest that he's not well suited to it. Again I think we need to sign a specialist who can play alone up front, be more mobile than Porter and most importantly, score goals.

3) Left back as an improvement on Williams/McGinty - Weir has stated many times that he wants his full backs to get forward and overlap as well as being a solid defender. None of our current options fulfill both these requirements. I would say we need such a player before the window closes but we don't appear to be linked with any.

4) Right back as an improvement on McMahon/Westlake - As per left back, although not quite as urgent as McMahon may be adequate enough once he gets fitter. I also think Coady has all the right attributes to play as an attacking right back if required.

Others (including Weir) have said that we need more cover at centre back but I don't see that as a priority at all. We already have Collins, Maguire, Hill, McGinty, Coady and Kennedy for that position which should be good enough when we have other more glaring weaknesses.

I'm not sure that just signing Cuvelier and Wilson will be enough.

 

[shorehamview]

We can afford to sign whoever we want now, because after Tuesday we'll be fucking loaded. When the mystery investor is revealed we'll be spunking money away left, right and centre, and we won't give a shit because we will have our very own Magic Money Tree in the car park.

 

[MBoreman]

If Cuvelier comes in, then we'll need a ST first and foremost, and hopefully a quality LB as well (Scott Laird style?), obviously other areas can be improved but bringing too many players in at once never ends well. Massively agree on the CB point, I don't see the issue, always think Hill is a good back up at this level, as well as having the options to give the young lads a go.

 

[SwissBlade]

1) to replace KMac - ha! Already done. Baxter to fill this slot
2) we might need to see how the formation plays out now plus if we manage to snare Wilson and Cuvelier then this problem might just o away.
3) MacFadzean?
4) I'd say this is a bit more of a priority
5) consistent wingers
6) pacey centre half to play alongside Harry, Collins isn't getting any younger

 

[sheffielder]

For myself personally, if there is enough money to bring players in then equally there should be enough money to pay players off.

I would be telling Williams, Doyle, Porter and Hill to find new clubs and we will pay any shortfall. In Williams case I would pay him off and just get him away from the training ground. I would be half tempted to get rid of Collins as he for me is still one of the experienced player I hold accountable for last year.

The one thing this team has sadly lacked is a captain, a true leader like Morgan. Doyle is the best of a bad bunch.We need a good left back, Centre half, Central midfielder to replace Doyle, a striker and winger.

Of course if it is true about the game changing money, we should be able to attract players who can't get into premier league 25's as there isn't much money at Championship level either. I am not sure how much game changing money is but one things for sure, we shouldn't need to sell who we want to keep.

 

[Pedro Verde]

What was Collins responsible for ? Our problems last year were not in defence it was scoring goals Collins and the defence were responsible for a lot of clean sheets we needed to turn the 0-0s into 1-0s
I dont know where you get the idea that theres not much money about in the Championship, plenty of clubs spending to try and reach the cash cow of the Premier League

 

[sheffielder]

1) to replace KMac - ha! Already done. Baxter to fill this slot
2) we might need to see how the formation plays out now plus if we manage to snare Wilson and Cuvelier then this problem might just o away.
3) MacFadzean?
4) I'd say this is a bit more of a priority
5) consistent wingers
6) pacey centre half to play alongside Harry, Collins isn't getting any younger

Good shout on McFadzean, when you're having 70% possession at home your left back shouldn't be Hill or McGinty

Having attacking fullbacks will help number 5

 

[SwissBlade]

We don't need to be spending big on wages, we really shouldn't. Just being decent players in from this level. The money should go on the academy and the scouting network. Look at Southamptons model, uncovering and nurturing gems which they then sell for ridiculously high fees. In the meantime developing a squad which can drive up the divisions.

Collins was one of the better players last season, but against Bradford he looked to have aged a lot, less pace and seemed slow to react.

Doyle on the other hand looked better

 

[SwissBlade]

Good shout on McFadzean, when you're having 70% possession at home your left back shouldn't be Hill or McGinty

Having attacking fullbacks will help number 5

It wasnt my shout, it was mentioned by a few in preseason/ last season, but it is a good shout. In this formation of 4-3-3/-4-5-1 it can also be flexible to allow 3-4-3/ 3-5-2... Harry-Collins-Doyle can slot together when both fullbacks attack. But. i Wouldn't be confident without any pace in that back 3.

Bergen Blade has mentioned the importance of attacking fullbacks and he's spot on. The formation should be flexible enough to attack and defend.

 

[sheffielder]

What was Collins responsible for ? Our problems last year were not in defence it was scoring goals Collins and the defence were responsible for a lot of clean sheets we needed to turn the 0-0s into 1-0s
I dont know where you get the idea that theres not much money about in the Championship, plenty of clubs spending to try and reach the cash cow of the Premier League

It is not always about personal performance; for me Collins is one of the senior players who let us down in terms of helping the youngsters through bad times. He was constantly berating Harry and George for their mistakes yet wouldn't have any of it when it was his mistake (ask Hill). Our senior players let us down overall last year and I wish we could wave the wand at most of them. We need a fresh start and I am hoping this money will give us that.

In the championship, outside of Forest, QPR, Watford and Wigan there are not many clubs splashing the cash. If the money is true then we will be able to compete when the window shuts

 

[sheffielder]

We don't need to be spending big on wages, we really shouldn't. Just being decent players in from this level. The money should go on the academy and the scouting network. Look at Southamptons model, uncovering and nurturing gems which they then sell for ridiculously high fees. In the meantime developing a squad which can drive up the divisions.

Collins was one of the better players last season, but against Bradford he looked to have aged a lot, less pace and seemed slow to react.

Doyle on the other hand looked better

Southampton model is a good one to go down. They bought players like Barnard and Lambert to get them out of this division and brought in good experienced players to mix with the youngsters. It really should be the model we go down. I would much prefer us to be picking off the good players of this division like Baxter. I do however feel we should bring in a loan to give us an immediate lift

 

[SwissBlade]

On Collins, I take your point, but I suppose all of the players need to share the responsibility.

Southampton model is a good one to go down. They bought players like Barnard and Lambert to get them out of this division and brought in good experienced players to mix with the youngsters. It really should be the model we go down. I would much prefer us to be picking off the good players of this division like Baxter. I do however feel we should bring in a loan to give us an immediate lift

I don't think we need loanees to get an immediate lift. We have Baxter, if we get a couple more in then we have the lift we need.

Plus this division is shite.

 

[sheffielder]

On Collins, I take your point, but I suppose all of the players need to share the responsibility.

I didn't just say Collins originally.. I heavily included most senior pro's who have been here the last 2 years

 

[Bergen Blade]

It wasnt my shout, it was mentioned by a few in preseason/ last season, but it is a good shout. In this formation of 4-3-3/-4-5-1 it can also be flexible to allow 3-4-3/ 3-5-2... Harry-Collins-Doyle can slot together when both fullbacks attack. But. i Wouldn't be confident without any pace in that back 3.

Bergen Blade has mentioned the importance of attacking fullbacks and he's spot on. The formation should be flexible enough to attack and defend.

The 4-2-3-1 has two, more holding central midfielders, which should enable the full backs to go forward. As the widemen aren't actually playing as wingers, more buzzing around the striker, we do need the full backs to contribute.

Williams got forward well, but then showed his limitations by just passing the ball backwards again. Westlake had a good first game, but has been unwilling to get stuck in in some key situations. McMahon, need to see him again this season, as I'm giving him too a clean slate, but he must really show a lot more compared to last season. McGinty, I doubt he'll be a long term answer. Hill would be solid, but is too limited for the role. McFadzean would be interesting, in my opinion. I can see it becoming more difficult to get a shirt in the attacking midfeidl positions when we're done shopping and his best chance may be left back.

To sum up, I think Weir has some thinking and work to do before he'll be happy with what he sees from our full backs.

 

[SwissBlade]

I didn't just say Collins originally.. I heavily included most senior pro's who have been here the last 2 years

Apologies, I know, I've just focused on Colins.

With the exception of Doyle and Collins, I agree on the rest. But I'm only basing my opinion on one game this season and that's all I've seen since Xmas.

 

[Guesty]

Collins has a tendency to collapse towards the end of the season too, something we should keep an eye out for this time around! For me he's a good defender at this level and one of our better plays, but he does seem to lack leadership and presence. I certainly wouldn't be upset if he remained first choice at Centre Back this season though.

 

[SwissBlade]

Collins has a tendency to collapse towards the end of the season too, something we should keep an eye out for this time around! For me he's a good defender at this level and one of our better plays, but he does seem to lack leadership and presence. I certainly wouldn't be upset if he remained first choice at Centre Back this season though.

I think we've relied on him and Harry too much and not really had a back up to relieve them

 

[Guesty]

That's certainly true, and we had the same problem with McDonald/Doyle in midfield. No respite when they're shattered, no threat to their position when they're out of form. The midfield pair in particular seemed to get very complacent.

 

[mattbianco1]

If Cuvelier comes in, then we'll need a ST first and foremost

Season ticket ?

 

[MBoreman]

Season ticket ?

Haha, that's exactly what my brother said! I typed LB first, so thought i should carry on the theme.

 

[Harry's Game]

Creative Midfielder to replace MacDonald

Attacking Midfielder to replace Murphy (who is shit)

Holding Midfielder to replace Doyle (see Murphy reason)

Goalscorer to replace .. Errrm errrr.. Well just goalscorer will do actually.

 

[Reedy1889]

We need a central midfielder! the Coady & Doyle combo doesn't work for me, neither are the type of players to make the late runs forwards when required also neither have the vision to see when to and perhaps the quality to hit a 'killer' through ball. Maybe Cuvelier could be the man to play in the central midfield position he seems to have the skill set.

Maybe not all at once but we need to be thinking of replacing and moving out both Flynn & Murphy, neither offer anything positive to this formation style were obviously trying to implement.

We are in need of an attacking full back more so left sided i think somebody able to get forward often and provide an outlet and hit good quality crosses.

Obviously we need a striker, Callum Wilson would be ideal! has the pace, trickery & finishing ability to be effective in this league and possibly beyond.

 

[Kev Gee]

We need 2 PROVEN goalscorers.
IF we dont score goals then we will be relegated.

A good centreback to give competition to Maguire & Collins.
2 Pacy fullbacks
2 wingers.

Infact fuck it, 9 players. The only ones safe would be Baxter & Long.

 

[sheffielder]

My new wish list

Luke Freeman - Left Winger
Callum Wilson - Striker
Florent Cuvelier - Midfielder / can also play wing I undestand
Anyone to replace Doyle - Midfielder
A Captain
A Left Back

Can Leave

McMahon - Just play football you cock
Hill - doesn't fit with the style of football we want to play
Williams - see McMahon and Hill combined
Flynn - You don't fit as a player in the front 3
Doyle - You're no captain

On the Wire

Murphy - there is a player in there somewhere
Taylor - You need to show something

 

[Harry's Game]

My new wish list

Luke Freeman - Left Winger
Callum Wilson - Striker
Florent Cuvelier - Midfielder / can also play wing I undestand
Anyone to replace Doyle - Midfielder
A Captain
A Left Back

Can Leave

McMahon - Just play football you cock
Hill - doesn't fit with the style of football we want to play
Williams - see McMahon and Hill combined
Flynn - You don't fit as a player in the front 3
Doyle - You're no captain

On the Wire

Murphy - there is a player in there somewhere
Taylor - You need to show something

Re "On the Wire'"

It's too early to tell on Taylor although early signs are not encouraging... Murphy, if there is a player in there then he is hiding it very well, nine months in and I am still waiting for him to have a good game for us.

 

[alcoblade]

My new wish list

Luke Freeman - Left Winger
Callum Wilson - Striker
Florent Cuvelier - Midfielder / can also play wing I undestand
Anyone to replace Doyle - Midfielder
A Captain
A Left Back

Can Leave

McMahon - Just play football you cock
Hill - doesn't fit with the style of football we want to play
Williams - see McMahon and Hill combined
Flynn - You don't fit as a player in the front 3
Doyle - You're no captain

On the Wire

Murphy - there is a player in there somewhere
Taylor - You need to show something

I'd sum it up about there. Doyle/ Coady too similar and don't offer enough. Another poor loan I suspect. Full backs aren't great but would be lower priority. Hill is a good defender but poor distributor.

UTB

 

[Reedy1889]

Re "On the Wire'"

It's too early to tell on Taylor although early signs are not encouraging... Murphy, if there is a player in there then he is hiding it very well, nine months in and I am still waiting for him to have a good game for us.

only a few games into the season i know, but today when Taylor had the chance to show his qualities he did bugger all, slowly beginning to wonder if Bournemouth's fans views of him are somewhat correct afterall. Murphy is a big dissapointment for me, had big hopes for him but seen nothing as yet.

 

[alcoblade]

only a few games into the season i know, but today when Taylor had the chance to show his qualities he did bugger all, slowly beginning to wonder if Bournemouth's fans views of him are somewhat correct afterall. Murphy is a big dissapointment for me, had big hopes for him but seen nothing as yet.

Throw in Flynn, and the verdict on Scottish football is looking dismal.

UTB

 

[sheffielder]

I thought Murphy looked better today, until the final 3rd. Then again you could say that about all of them

 

[Reedy1889]

I thought Murphy looked better today, until the final 3rd. Then again you could say that about all of them

i thought he seemed to be unsure on what he was going to do when he was squared up against his opposition full back, and by the time he probably had an idea of what to do next he was knocked off the ball or ushered out of play. He doesn't seem to possess much skill, maybe it's just me but that's how i saw it