Interesting article but pigeon holes Bobby a little, it doesn't address how he has transformed us defensively also or his attacking tactical nous such as Lukaku wide right against Arsenal.
Good read tough.
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Good read tough.
Greek Fisherman
Player Valuation: £8m
It's exactly what we need. Too many of our central midfielders aren't creative nor do they score anywhere near enough goals.
As good as we all hope Ledson will one day be, a 16yr won't get a run over Lundstram who isn't even mentioned.
I'll believe the whole Baines to midfield when I see it, and see it work! Based on loose comments made last yr and a comparison to Lahm.
We have solid defensive mids but lack a quality, goal scoring, box to box player, as well as an attacking mid to support Barkley.
B
Big Fat Sam
Guest
Odds on Osman starting 20+ Premier League games this season?
Out of all the midfielders mentioned only 3 are under 25, agree with you on most of it but I'd like to see a couple of youth guys bumped up to get the help off the likes of barry anf osman etc
kevdotbadger
Player Valuation: £2.5m
McCarthy is not a 'good all-rounder', he is an incredible all-round.
Toffeelover
Player Valuation: £80m
That is a very good article, great read.
AS for some asking about wingers, we have McGeady, Mirallas, Oveido and pienaar who can all play there. The subject of strikers is awkward, there is we believe the pursuit of Rom but what about the chase for Hennen, what has happened to that?
this is the season for barkley to show us consistently he can be our number 10 he has it all, just needs to take a grip of games and start dominating teams on a regular basis, saying that gerrard wasnt a prolific goal scorer in the league took him about 7/8 seasons before he hit 10 league goals in a season, barkley will develop that side of his game more in time, we have to put our trust in him now and let him off the leash
It will be interesting to see how Barkley does this year. He was a bit inconsistent last year, and with his England breakthrough there won't be any sides failing to prepare for him. Hopefully he'll continue progressing and both add to his game and avoid the second season slump.
I think if Pienaar was playing at the level he was a few years ago then I'd feel a lot happier with the midfield. As it is I agree that we could do with a playmaker to take the strain of Barkley.
FTY
Player Valuation: £70m
????
Is it me, or do people generally regard Naismith as a striker? I thought we signed him to play in that #10 position to try and create the chances for Jelavic? He's undoubtedly got a good football brain and a nice touch. Maybe he could fill in that role now and then.
I don't think we're bad off for numbers at all:
Gibson, Barry, Besic, McCarthy + youngsters offer plenty of options in the holding positions
Pienaar, McGeady, Barkley, Mirallas, Osman, Naismith + youngsters is 2 for each of the attacking midfield positions, and of course that's discounting Oviedo as an option. In terms of numbers we're fine, but I think a bit of extra quality in the attacking positions would be great, especially out wide, unless Kennedy or someone can progress this year.
I don't think we're bad off for numbers at all:
Gibson, Barry, Besic, McCarthy + youngsters offer plenty of options in the holding positions
Pienaar, McGeady, Barkley, Mirallas, Osman, Naismith + youngsters is 2 for each of the attacking midfield positions, and of course that's discounting Oviedo as an option. In terms of numbers we're fine, but I think a bit of extra quality in the attacking positions would be great, especially out wide, unless Kennedy or someone can progress this year.
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