Oł est Johnny Deux?

[Percy McCarthy]

I feel sure that team selection will be a meritocracy, and whoever proves in training that they're worthy of a starting place will get one. Then it's up to them.

[Concrete John]

I don't think Makoun and Bannan are similar enough to take each others first team chances.  More likely it's Ireland v Bannan and Makoun v Herd/Gardner as the squad currently stands.

[Risso]

He also appeared to struggle a bit with the pace of the PL. Something which may or may not have been an interim state of affairs.

Agreed.

He's not the only player who struggles to adapt to the pace of the PL. Petrov, when he came here, seemed to struggle and took a second too long to do anything, and he was like that for the best part of his first season.

Petrov was played out of position a lot of the time though.  He was an attacking midfield in a much weaker Scottish league, and was then played out wide and as a defensive midfielder.

[Chris Smith]

I don't think Makoun and Bannan are similar enough to take each others first team chances.  More likely it's Ireland v Bannan and Makoun v Herd/Gardner as the squad currently stands.

I just used Bannan as an example. We all know that balancing the books is an issue that a manager has to work with, each salary paid is money not available to spend on anyone else. There are going to have to be outs as well as ins and Makoun seems to me one we could unload without losing too much. I'd rather that Bannan and Herd, for example, be given the chance to prove their worth than him. That's just me though and I fully understand that others might have seen something in JM that they think is worth persevering with.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Can't see him playing for us again. Sorry.

Agree Paul.  I just think it has gone a bit too far and I can see him being sold or used in an exchange deal to bring another player in before the transfer window closes.   

I have to agree with you both. We're turning into Spurs the way we're collecting midfielders. How many do we currently have?

[peter w]

How many good ones?

[Dave]

I'd say most of them have their uses.

In the days that Spurs were collecting midfielders, most of theirs weren't going to be challenging for titles either.

[JUAN PABLO]

our midfielders would be good If we could play 7 in the team , not the TSM way but with a team of 14 players

[Steve R]

How many good ones?

That's possible the biggest problem Lambert has. They are all potentially very good, but none are proven (in the PL)  to the extent that I'd put money on any single individual consistently delivering that potential.

In Ireland, El Ahmadi, Delph, Bannan, Herd, Johnson, Gardner, Carruthers and Makoun we have nine central midfielders contesting two,three or four places depending upon formation.

We all have out 'get rid's and most likely tos amongst that lot, but we have the luxury of being able to blame the manager come next January.

What Lambert has to wrestle with is either :

a) letting our season hinge hinge upon at least three of those being better than the opposition more often than they are not.

b) Getting more players  in and deciding which of the above is not going to get any games .. and possibly cost us dear because we end up letting good players go elsewhere.

[tomd2103]

How many good ones?

That's possible the biggest problem Lambert has. They are all potentially very good, but none are proven (in the PL)  to the extent that I'd put money on any single individual consistently delivering that potential.

In Ireland, El Ahmadi, Delph, Bannan, Herd, Johnson, Gardner, Carruthers and Makoun we have nine central midfielders contesting two,three or four places depending upon formation.

We all have out 'get rid's and most likely tos amongst that lot, but we have the luxury of being able to blame the manager come next January.

What Lambert has to wrestle with is either :

a) letting our season hinge hinge upon at least three of those being better than the opposition more often than they are not.

b) Getting more players  in and deciding which of the above is not going to get any games .. and possibly cost us dear because we end up letting good players go elsewhere.

I really don't think we can afford to go down the route of option a) again as central midfield is such a key area and one in which we have struggled in the last couple of seasons.  I would much prefer us to bring in at least one more established option in there and maybe allow a couple of the younger players go out on loan.  I am relatively hopeful that the fact that he was a central midfielder himself will mean that Lambert will really sort out that area of the team.   

   

[Concrete John]

I think a lot hinges on Makoun.  If Bertie has a look at him and decides to give him a go, then no more signings in that position.  If not, then he'll look to move him on and buy a new midfielder to play with KEA.  Either way there'll be a couple of loan deals available for one or two of our youngsters.

[Mister E]

I don't think Makoun and Bannan are similar enough to take each others first team chances.  More likely it's Ireland v Bannan and Makoun v Herd/Gardner as the squad currently stands.

I just used Bannan as an example. We all know that balancing the books is an issue that a manager has to work with, each salary paid is money not available to spend on anyone else. There are going to have to be outs as well as ins and Makoun seems to me one we could unload without losing too much. I'd rather that Bannan and Herd, for example, be given the chance to prove their worth than him. That's just me though and I fully understand that others might have seen something in JM that they think is worth persevering with.

Tend to agree with this, Chris.
J2M is somewhat unproven in the EPL, in the same way that GG, BB, Carruthers and Johnson are (Herd, Delph and Albie have had enough 1st team football for the new manager to take a view on their long-term potential), and he might be the best option to let go (presumably 'cos he's on higher wages and perhaps more marketable).

[peter w]

i think one more midfielder , a creative one is vital. but, you don't know how they're looking on the training ground with the new set-up. because its been a very long time since we had a team set-up to try and pass to win games.

[Mister E]

So where is he? - is he still with us?

[pedro25]

If he leaves I would expect a replacement to come in, otherwise we are ok for centre mids.  I think one more forward player would be useful, to take Heskey's place in the squad and defensively it will be one out one in, hopefully 3 out, 3 in.