Mcleish has got nothing to lose. Petrov, Collins, Warnock, Dunne, & Heskey are finished or there about, it might be the master stroke he has been planning all along. Said with a touch of sarcasm.
Herd I still feel is limited, but if he continues to work could be something of a Scott Parker, a player who, later in his career, becomes very useful to a top side because he does certain things very very well.Albrighton is a talent, and those who feel he works better on the right and can't on the left would do well to remember several games, such as Wolves away recently and his breakthrough display against West Ham, where his cutting in from the left was terrific. His problem isn't the side he's cutting in from, it's confidence and decision-making. Too often he'll take on a man on the halfway line as if he were getting to the by-line, too often he'll just cross for the sake of it. He needs to start playing with his head up a bit more and his brain engaged.Clark is great, centre-back or centre-midfield, this guy's got it. His decision-making, in contrast with Marc's, is top-notch already, he reads the game very well and is technically very assured. He's also better in the air than he's often given credit for. I think he's the 'modern', ball-playing centre-back we've been crying out for for some time.Gardner and Bannan, I believe, are our star duo, if we know how to use them. Gardner's talents are generally applicable enough that he can play in our current, stilted system and look fine, but Bannan's main problem to me seems to be that we are not the team for him, at the moment. We don't look like a team who practices quick-fire passing triangles in training, we don't look like a team built around when to play slow and when to play fast, who understand the nuances of possession football. Bannan is a player who has the gifts to flourish in that sort of game, but who needs that training to unlock the best of him. At the moment, he looks like a loose cannon, just playing Big Passes without any sort of structure to his game. He needs other players to play off and make the runs, something which comes with training, as is the case for all playmakers at all levels: Xavi is great, but he needs Iniesta, Busquets and Villa to make the movement.Gardner, too, would flourish in such a system. His movement, carrying the ball, shot, pass (long and short), two-footedness and determination and intelligence are all very good for his stage. However, he also has something else, something about him, a sort of X-Factor, which radiates confidence, assurance and leadership. We need to make sure we get the best out of him before someone else gets him and does so.
next season , ok a bit inexperienced but good fun Given Lichay Cuellar Clarke Stevensalbrigfhton herd Gardner Nzog Bannan Weiman
Agreed. The good thing is Marc and Herd are first team regulars, and Wee Barry, Gardner and Weimann should be assured of a place on the bench and at least plenty of cameos before the season ends. Sounds like a good scenario for the McMinors(c). When is Clark back?
Quote from: PercyN'thehood on March 12, 2012, 07:01:44 PMAgreed. The good thing is Marc and Herd are first team regulars, and Wee Barry, Gardner and Weimann should be assured of a place on the bench and at least plenty of cameos before the season ends. Sounds like a good scenario for the McMinors(c). When is Clark back?You may have copyrights to McMinors, Percy, but I've got the McLeish Minors.
I'd respond with two comments here, Monty; you speak - as ever - alot of sense. I'd add though that (i) if you saw Herd pinging the ball about in the first half against BRFC I'm surprised you call him limited. And, (ii) Bannan's biggest problem is his phsyique; but he'll overcome that with experience.
With Ireland's current form, would anyone be brave/stupid enough to have Bannan as a deep lying CM. If we're playing 4231 or 433 I'd like to see him picking the ball up off the centre backs and trying to dictate the tempo of the game from there. I think this position might suit Bannan as he'll be (mariginally) out of the hussel and bussle of the congested areas and crucially he'll be able to play with his head up and the options in front of him. I think him and Ireland could form a very creative spine down the centre of the pitch.Look how much more effective Modric and Arteta look when they're playing this role compare to when they play on the wing or as the #10. Crucially they both have Parker/Song alongside them but I think Herd could be the ideal destructive partner for Banana.
I still think Bannan will be better long term as a deep lying playmaker rather than just off the forward.