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

[pauliewalnuts]

why not try jonathon hogg as defensive midfielder

I rate Hogg too, but if McLeish did he'd have had a run-out by now.

I like Hogg's tenacity. I like most of all that the very first thing he did when coming on against Small Heath was run over and go right through that repulsive scrote Lee Bowyer.

I'm not sure if he's good enough for us, though.

[PeterWithesShin]

I was quite impressed with what I saw of Hogg last season, be nice to think he'll get a chance to show if he's good enough or not.

[johncvilla88]

Worried McLeish might use Clark as the defensive midfielder. Not sure anyone else did but I was much happy when he came on for Dunne!

[Concrete John]

If you think of the attacking portion of our midfield being made up of Ireland, N'Zogbia, Albrighton and Bannan, with any 2 or three of them playing depending on formation, then we need to form a competitive DCM pairing from Petrov, Makoun, Delph, Hogg and Herd.  The key to me is Petrov, as we know what he can do, which is reading the came well, intelligent interceptions and then using it well, but there is a question mark over his stamina.  Take 3 years off of him and I don't think we'd be having these concerns.  My take is that we start him, but then if/when his legs start to go get him off and put fresh legs on.  Against the lesser teams you'd hope we'd be in a controlling position to be able to do that and then see out the game, but against the Man Us and Chelsea's that's unlikely.  So maybe we should not play hin, due to the extra chasing you'd expect out mifield would need to do, and instead pick the extra energy of a player like Hogg? 

[eastie]

hogg is interesting and worth a go , i was impressed last season at times by him , i dont think petrov should start regularly as his best days are now behind him and see him as a squad player.

hogg and makoun could work well, if we dont sign anyone else.

the metro reports that liverpool are interested in signing warnock .

[Caiphus]

Herd is quite combative as well, and probably better on the ball then Hogg.  Shame is they are both almost as short as Bannan.  It would of been good if Bradley had shown enough to stay because at 6'2" he would of given us some much needed height in midfield.  On that note I think we should go for Etienne Capoue from Toulouse.

[villan1975]

Worried McLeish might use Clark as the defensive midfielder. Not sure anyone else did but I was much happy when he came on for Dunne!

Agree with this.Feel Clarke looks a class act in the centre of defence.Not a fan of making any young player a utility player,he at the stage of his career where he should be specialising and learning.

[Greg N'Ash]

Had enough of us putting square pegs in round holes during MON's time.  AM needs to get someone experienced in who can play the role, not convert some youngster. Hopefully Lerner will realise this is not a position where we can make do and mend.

[Mister E]

If you think of the attacking portion of our midfield being made up of Ireland, N'Zogbia, Albrighton and Bannan, with any 2 or three of them playing depending on formation, then we need to form a competitive DCM pairing from Petrov, Makoun, Delph, Hogg and Herd.  The key to me is Petrov, as we know what he can do, which is reading the came well, intelligent interceptions and then using it well, but there is a question mark over his stamina.  Take 3 years off of him and I don't think we'd be having these concerns.  My take is that we start him, but then if/when his legs start to go get him off and put fresh legs on.  Against the lesser teams you'd hope we'd be in a controlling position to be able to do that and then see out the game, but against the Man Us and Chelsea's that's unlikely.  So maybe we should not play hin, due to the extra chasing you'd expect out mifield would need to do, and instead pick the extra energy of a player like Hogg? 

Agreed. Petrov is still a v useful player in our midfield but is a 60-minute man. As long as we have cover on the bench, with Hogg and Herd, and we use it at the right time in a game, we have a decent starting position.
The rpoblem for me is that with 3-4 injuries our squad starts to look very thin ... hence the need for one or two additional reinforcements.

[UsualSuspect]

What other teams in the PL would start with a central midfielder who they know will be fucked after an hour of every game?

Petrov at best should be getting plenty of splinters in his arse. If we have a central midfield of Petrov, Ireland and one other we are fucked

[Merv]

I can see Hogg and Clark both having roles in midfield this season, from time to time. I think we'll actually see Clark used most games in a variety of roles - if he's not at CB, wouldn't surprise me if he's involved in midfield, maybe from the bench. There are a handful of players who'll need to 'multitask' in the squad this season and Clark is one of them.

[Olneythelonely]

Petrov played more than 60 minutes in both our Asia games and was our best midfielder. I know they were only friendlies but the conditions were pretty horrific.

I still think there's a place in the starting line up for him.

[Chris Smith]

Worried McLeish might use Clark as the defensive midfielder. Not sure anyone else did but I was much happy when he came on for Dunne!

Agree with this.Feel Clarke looks a class act in the centre of defence.Not a fan of making any young player a utility player,he
 at the stage of his career where he should be specialising and learning.

Didn't do Barry any harm. Clarke is a talented player and playing in different positions will only aid his development.

[Concrete John]

As it stands, Clark is cover for LB and CB and Cuellar is cover for RB and CB.  That's a defensive squad of 6 good players, so we can handle too injuries and and still be pretty secure at the back.  In midfield we don't have an issue over numbers, but rather quality, as none of ours are good enough in that DCM/ball winning role.

1 utility defender and 1 DCM and I think we'd all be feeling quite a lot happier about our chances this season.   

[Arsey]

why not just go for a midfield of Alb, Bannan, Gardner and N'Zog.  Give them the experience they need?