Summer transfer rumours, speculation and out-and-out b*ll*cks.

[UsualSuspect]

CM has been our biggest problem over the last couple of years. We've had nowhere near enough quality, or stamina (since age caught up with Stans pins) to play 2 in the middle. Nor have we had a really quality playmaker to have 3 in midfield and sacrifice a front man. So yeah, under O Neill we just fell short when it mattered. Under Houllier, with the loss of Milner in the middle, we were completely overrun.

We've got decent enough defenders (when they want to be that is), good strikers and a solid keeper. We just need someone influential in the centre who can make things tick. For a couple of years, Parker would do the trick. I don't know if we can really expect a younger, cheaper, foreign alternative to have has much influence on the team. Maybe, but Parker besides his quality is respected in this league already, and is a ready made captain. Something that as of now, we're sorely lacking. I don't think Dunne should get the job, nor can we give it to Petrov, simply because he can't play every week, or for a full 90 now.

Great post

We have to play 4-5-1 becoming 4-3-3

Delph has to start ahead of petrov

[eastie]

Would still like to see young Ciaran given a go in the specialist DM role. He's a big lad with a physical presence that would give us some much needed height in midfield and protection for the back 4. He's comfortable on the ball too, could see him being quite Viera-esque.

.............................Given.................................

Young...........Collins........Dunne.........Warnock

.....................Makoun....Clark.........................

Albrighton.............Ireland................N'Zogbia

.............................Bent.................................


Team to start against Fulham, although I expect Petrov to be in instead of Clark.

I think that team is roughly the best we can hope for, I would like to see Delph instead of Clark.

agree with that delph just slightly edges clark but both would get in my team ahead of petrov.

[Irreverent ad]

Edit

[James]

.............................Given.................................

Young...........Collins........Dunne.........Warnock

.....................Makoun....Delph.........................

Albrighton.............Ireland................N'Zogbia

.............................Bent.................................


This would be by no means a weak team, but lacks an obvious captain, and we're still short of real quality in depth IMHO. Clark can cover LB, CB and DM, but only one at a time, Gabby can cover RW and ST but only one at a time. There is no obvious cover for LW. When injuries and suspensions kick in, we're awfully lightweight.

[citizenDJ]

.............................Given.................................

Young...........Collins........Dunne.........Warnock

.....................Makoun....Delph.........................

Albrighton.............Ireland................N'Zogbia

.............................Bent.................................


This would be by no means a weak team, but lacks an obvious captain, and we're still short of real quality in depth IMHO. Clark can cover LB, CB and DM, but only one at a time, Gabby can cover RW and ST but only one at a time. There is no obvious cover for LW. When injuries and suspensions kick in, we're awfully lightweight.

It's pretty decent if we assume that a) Warnock, Dunne, Ireland are back to their best, and that b)Makoun and/or Delph suddenly discover hitherto unseen ball-winning abilities.

I'm prepared to give 'a)' the benefit of the doubt, and feel strangely confident that our back five will be up to scratch this season. I'm also hoping and praying that Ireland can come good.
It's the 'b)' that bothers me; I still believe we should buy a NRC replacement/upgrade.

As for cover, I think Bannan, Delfouneso and the boys will be the back up and that's not too shabby.

[Shrek]

.............................Given.................................

Young...........Collins........Dunne.........Warnock

.....................Makoun....Delph.........................

DELFOUNESO.............Ireland................N'Zogbia

.............................Bent.................................


Team to start against Fulham, although I expect Petrov to be in instead of Clark.

Fonz is far more skillfull than Albrighton. Just a thought, Marc grabbed his chance last season against West Ham under new management, Maybe Nathan can do the same?

Delph is ready in my opinion.

[spangley1812]

Skysports.com understands that Nigel Reo-Coker has agreed terms with Bolton ahead of a likely switch to the Reebok Stadium. The midfielder has attracted widespread interest since being released by Aston Villa earlier in the summer.

[taylorsworkrate]

Good solid player for Bolton to get on a free.

[Toronto Villa]

Skysports.com understands that Nigel Reo-Coker has agreed terms with Bolton ahead of a likely switch to the Reebok Stadium. The midfielder has attracted widespread interest since being released by Aston Villa earlier in the summer.

No he hasn't which is exactly why he's at Bolton. A good solid player that needs to fire his cock of an agent as soon as possible.

Newsflash: SKY really do talk bollocks a lot of the time

[BedsVillain]

.............................Given.................................

Young...........Collins........Dunne.........Warnock

.....................Makoun....Delph.........................

DELFOUNESO.............Ireland................N'Zogbia

.............................Bent.................................


Team to start against Fulham, although I expect Petrov to be in instead of Clark.

Fonz is far more skillfull than Albrighton. Just a thought, Marc grabbed his chance last season against West Ham under new management, Maybe Nathan can do the same?

Delph is ready in my opinion.

Wouldn't disagree with you Shrek, The Fonz would be a very good option in that line up or even an out and out 4-3-3, a bit like we played when MON first started.

.............................Given.................................

Young...........Collins........Dunne.........Warnock

       Makoun..........Petrov............Bannan/Delph

Delfouneso.............Bent............Agbonlahor

[ozzjim]

.............................Given.................................

Young...........Collins........Dunne.........Warnock

.....................Makoun....Delph.........................

Albrighton.............Ireland................N'Zogbia

.............................Bent.................................


This would be by no means a weak team, but lacks an obvious captain, and we're still short of real quality in depth IMHO. Clark can cover LB, CB and DM, but only one at a time, Gabby can cover RW and ST but only one at a time. There is no obvious cover for LW. When injuries and suspensions kick in, we're awfully lightweight.

It's pretty decent if we assume that a) Warnock, Dunne, Ireland are back to their best, and that b)Makoun and/or Delph suddenly discover hitherto unseen ball-winning abilities.

I'm prepared to give 'a)' the benefit of the doubt, and feel strangely confident that our back five will be up to scratch this season. I'm also hoping and praying that Ireland can come good.
It's the 'b)' that bothers me; I still believe we should buy a NRC replacement/upgrade.

As for cover, I think Bannan, Delfouneso and the boys will be the back up and that's not too shabby.

Not strange for me, I think the back 5 will be back to MON form or better with Eck in charge, I think the will to play, coupled with being happier with the regime they will perform much more solidly.

IF Zog signs, then I think Albrighton and he, coupled with accomodating Ireland will mean we are creative enough for Bent. Thus that leaves the 2 central midfield players in behind. For me Petrov starts, as the deepest lying and the captain. His last 7-8 games last season earned him the right IMO, I thought he led from the front superbly and was a big reason our form improved.

Alongside I would start with Makoun, with Delph as the back up. That leaves us terribly light though, if 3 of our 4 are going to start. Bannan would be first reserve for Ireland, while Clark has proved he can step into midfield comfortably before. My biggest concern is that if Petrov AND Makoun are out for example, we are wafer thin through the middle. This is where I think we should have kept hold of  Reo Coker. Tackling ability is not the only pre requisite in there, ideally someone who reads the game and can start our attack. Maybe someone like Hitz would have been a good addition, or maybe the Mariga fella we have been linked with a number of times from Inter would be a good start?Even on loan, I think we need something to augment what we have.

The other worry is when Albrighton or NZogbia are done in. Without alternatives, Fonz and Gabby will be playing wide a few times I reckon, although McFadden on a free as a back up may again not be a bad idea.

[eastie]

Molumbu has today signed a new contract at west brom so he can be ruled out!

For me of the current squad the two central midfielders would be Makoun and Delph, I see petrov more as a sub than starter- with nzogbia, Ireland and albrighton providing for bent I think we would be  a decent team with a solid spine.

[Concrete John]

 

.............................Given.................................

Young...........Collins........Dunne.........Warnock

.....................Makoun....Delph.........................

DELFOUNESO.............Ireland................N'Zogbia

.............................Bent.................................


Team to start against Fulham, although I expect Petrov to be in instead of Clark.

Fonz is far more skillfull than Albrighton. Just a thought, Marc grabbed his chance last season against West Ham under new management, Maybe Nathan can do the same?

Delph is ready in my opinion.

Wouldn't disagree with you Shrek, The Fonz would be a very good option in that line up or even an out and out 4-3-3, a bit like we played when MON first started.

.............................Given.................................

Young...........Collins........Dunne.........Warnock

       Makoun..........Petrov............Bannan/Delph

Delfouneso.............Bent............Agbonlahor

When you go through it, we really do have more option than we at first think.

As per the above, we have for those three forward positions (tempting fate slightly here) N'Zogbia, Bent, Gabby, Albrighton and the Fonz.  OK, some aren't abale to play in all three and certain combinations lean distinctly towards a 4-3-3 or 4-5-1, but the options are there.

[KRS]

The Fonz has greater skill and pace than Albrighton but doesnt come close when it comes to crossing. I would say most of Downings goals last season were put on a plate for him by Albrighton. I wasnt particularly impressed with Albrighton at Walsall, but he is needed out wide and the Fonz will get more than his fair share of chances as back up for Bent and Gabby.

[Shrek]

The Fonz has greater skill and pace than Albrighton but doesnt come close when it comes to crossing. I would say most of Downings goals last season were put on a plate for him by Albrighton. I wasnt particularly impressed with Albrighton at Walsall, but he is needed out wide and the Fonz will get more than his fair share of chances as back up for Bent and Gabby.

That's true, but Albrighton has really struggled of late to get past his man