What positions need strengthening still ?

mightymoyes · November 25, 2015

Gwladys Nights said:
At least one goalie, possibly two.

We're probably sound across the back to be honest. Wouldn't mind an upgrade on Browning as sub right back but it's a sound enough option given that Seamus doesn't get injured often. I would add Ron Vlaar for free if he can pass a medical.

I'd love to see a playmaking Arteta type in center mid again but the personnel we have there now works well enough for our system. And we have loads of them.

We don't need a number 10. That's Barkley's position. And we have acceptable back up options there (Kone, Naismith, Cleverly, Osman, Mirallas).

The font four seems to work really well but given that our first, second, and third choice left mids with everyone fit are probably Kone (sound but 32), Cleverly (useful but uninspiring), and Pienaar (33, crocked) we could do with spending some money here. Yarmolenko's the dream, of course.

Lukaku is the black Drogba but I'm not satisfied with his back ups. Kone as mentioned is 32 and after that it's Naismith, who has his virtues but isn't a number 9. Then this Rodriguez randomer who will obviously never start more than 10 league games for us and if he does I'll eat Kenwright's knickers while they're still warm and upload the video to GOT. We wouldn't be loaning Henen to Fleetwood if he was any good and Conor McAleny only has a few weeks left til retirement. Let's spend some money here when we can.

Once we can i) have some confidence in the man between the sticks ii) field a second wide man with the same impact as Del (though not necessarily the same style) and iii) afford to rest Lukaku occasionally without neutering the team we can have a proper go at top 4 and a cup. As things stand we're going to need the stars to align pretty well for us to achieve anything (though that does sometimes happen).

whats your logic behind this?

toffeejack · November 25, 2015

chairman, GK, winger, playmaker and backup striker.

Zatara · November 25, 2015

Goalkeeper to replace that donkey in goal.

Left winger to compete with Kone

Striker to compete with Lukaku

ilikecheese · November 25, 2015

Zatara said:
Goalkeeper to replace that donkey in goal.

Left winger to compete with Kone

Striker to compete with Lukaku

You realize Kone isn't actually playing a 'winger' position, right? Do you actually watch us play?

It's like folks saying we play two DMs...we clearly do not...but I reckon the 'formation' says we do even though the product on the field is obviously different.

Garrick · November 25, 2015

We really need another guy to cover the right side of the backline, both Stones and Coleman.

Galloway and Funes Mori are both more at home on the left, and Browning and Pennington just don't seem to be finished products quite yet.

USABlue · November 25, 2015

long term GK as Tim's getting on, someone to play on the left whether that be a traditional out and out winger or a peinaar type. as Garrick said possibly some extra cover on the right side of defense.

all this in the summer of course as Bobby doesn't tend to spend much in Jan and any first team quality GK or left sided attacker will cost significant cash

Arteta2391 · November 25, 2015

GK LB CAM

LinekersLegs · November 25, 2015

I wanted a backup RB last summer and this but next summer don't think it will be as necessary given we have several youth options that can be played there - Browning, Pennington, Holgate and Kenny - the first three probably being CBs long term but needing game time as fullbacks before moving over.

Goalkeeper seems the most pressing concern with 2nd choice striker not far behind.

Kone and Cleverley have done well on the LW to date plus Mirallas seems to like that wing and so we might have ready made solutions for Pienaar's decline, especially with Dowell developing.

Perhaps a central player who can fill in for Barkley at AM, especially if Ross's eventual position is deeper in midfield. If they could play all acorss the front three that would be bonus.

weltonblue · November 25, 2015

Keeper......simple

Mashtray · November 25, 2015

spend all our money on Yarms and play him at left or right wing, switching with Del, and a top top keeper.

for now No10 was my concern but i dont think anyone thought barkley would have such a a blinder so far.

although if you wanted to drop barkley in deeper box to box role along side Mccarthy and get a top no10 in. then im ok with that too.

Nymzee · November 25, 2015

Gwladys Nights said:
We wouldn't be loaning Henen to Fleetwood if he was any good

Another misinformed Blue it seems...

Groucho · November 25, 2015

weltonblue said:
Keeper......simple

Yep, I'd throw all the cash at a goalie, and perhaps whatever we can do to get Yarmolenko, we should do because all the cool kids want him.

Hantakun · November 25, 2015

Groucho said:
Yep, I'd throw all the cash at a goalie, and perhaps whatever we can do to get Yarmolenko, we should do because all the cool kids want him.

Looks like Dynamo Kiev have a more than decent chance of making it to the champions league knock out stages after beating Porto last night. That won't make it easier for us to land Yarmo in the January window, unfortunately.

Groucho · November 25, 2015

Hantakun said:
Looks like Dynamo Kiev have a more than decent chance of making it to the champions league knock out stages after beating Porto last night. That won't make it easier for us to land Yarmo in the January window, unfortunately.

Well Ross is in form so that may be no bad thing.