Oł est Johnny Deux?

[Toronto Villa]

I have no issue with us having depth in midfield. The last thing we want is a squad that should there be injuries the quality dips significantly. We'll have a 25 man limit and we need solid cover everywhere.

3 keepers
8 or 9 defenders
8 or 9 midfielders
5 forwards

Also when you have players like Holman or Clark in the squad they are versatile enough to play in others areas of the pitch than they are officially designated to play. In recent years we've been burnt out or suffered key injuries and the players coming in were too green or the quality was much lower than 1st team level. What will make us successful is the strength of our bench as much as the strength of our starting XI which under Lambert will likely vary reasonably often during the season.

[tomd2103]

I know he hardly shone for us in the brief glimpses we saw of him, but I'm beginning to think that we may have missed a trick not signing Michael Bradley last summer.  He'd have certainly helped last season and probably would have fitted in well with Lambert's style of play.  With him in there, we would have been set for central midfielders, but as it is I still think we need one more. 

[Hookeysmith]

Are the players back training in UK?
Is JIIM training with them?
Is there any feedback on his fitness / what PL think about the situation?

very quiet at the moment

[PeterWithesShin]

Squad numbers released today, and no sign of Makoun.

[The Left Side]

Squad numbers released today, and no sign of Makoun.

That is not good

[Shrek]

He is number 17 and is awaiting international clearence. (from the club)

[Toronto Villa]

He is number 17 and is awaiting international clearence. (from the club)

the OS has updated the current squad list to now include Makoun at 17

[Hairbandinho]

He is number 17 and is awaiting international clearence. (from the club)

the OS has updated the current squad list to now include Makoun at 17

Don't think it has, still no number against him when i just looked?

[PaulTheVillan]

As soon as the international clearance comes through, I'd sell him.

[Hairbandinho]

Sell the midfielder who has the ability to make the quickest decisions with the ball before making a pass, in this new system we are playing?

That would be ridiculous. Makoun is the best midfielder we have by some distance imho.

[Toronto Villa]

He is number 17 and is awaiting international clearence. (from the club)

the OS has updated the current squad list to now include Makoun at 17

Don't think it has, still no number against him when i just looked?

Makoun at 17

[Percy McCarthy]

Well, I don't rate him, but I wouldn't be so quick to write him off now we've got a good manager.

[PaulTheVillan]

Sell the midfielder who has the ability to make the quickest decisions with the ball before making a pass, in this new system we are playing?

That would be ridiculous. Makoun is the best midfielder we have by some distance imho.

Not seen him play enough games to make that kinda call.

If Lambert wants to get rid and bring in his own players, then I'll support that.

[Hairbandinho]

I have seen him play maybe 25 times, and for me he is a champions league quality midfielder so surely he is good enough for our midfield. Certainly more technically gifted, and more importantly his football brain is far sharper than everyone with the possible exception of Irelend and KEA.

As long as he lerns he cannot make rash tackles in England he will be valuable to us.

[Toronto Villa]

Sell the midfielder who has the ability to make the quickest decisions with the ball before making a pass, in this new system we are playing?

That would be ridiculous. Makoun is the best midfielder we have by some distance imho.

Not seen him play enough games to make that kinda call.

If Lambert wants to get rid and bring in his own players, then I'll support that.

yep completely agree. He came to the club at the worst possible time. Look at the way things have settled down at the club and the style of football we are trying to play. If he fails now then it was never meant to be. I'm certainly not going to write him off based on Houllier's short era and the disaster of TSM who never even gave him a chance.