Let's assume for a second Saiz and Pontus aren't at the club, I'm looking at the squad and thinking are we in a relegation scrap?
Pablo will be a year older, Ayling (hopefully back to form) our only decent first choice defender.
No keeper
Vieira and Forshaw in the middle (convinced Vieira will come good again) seen him boss too many not to do imo Midfield sorted
No strikers other than Roberts (unknown quantity) Ekuban back at best but could come good.
Alioski who burns hot and cold.
Other than Dallas who is solid we don't have anyone else.
I don't see how we can keep our two best players at the end of the season, then we're back to signing more dross to replace them.
Really angry after tonight and I don't think we are finishing any higher than we currently are.
Next season
posted on 3/3/18
We were poor last night, very poor. Most of the team have played much better with some very good performances earlier this season.
Lassoga was isolated last night. Probably the only one who could come out of last night's debacle without too much criticism.
posted on 3/3/18
Dallas didn’t do much wrong to be fair to him.
Still think this squad is four players from being a threat
Winger
Midfield general
Leftback
Goalkeeper
And that’s the problem, we have spent millions yet are still incredibly poor across the park
posted on 3/3/18
I think we have wingers already here and capable of delivering. Forshaw could be the heart of what goes on but much depends on formation. 442 for me but who partners Forshaw? Saiz or Hernandez?
I've never liked one man up front. We need a good second striker, that could be Roberts.
I'm not sure we've really seen the best of De Bock at left back but we've got youngsters and Berardi in reserve. Anita is definitely not the answer.
And yes, a goalkeeper. We've nothing at ER at the moment that inspires confidence....
posted on 3/3/18
One man upfront if you have the wide players to help him out
Five in midfield actually gives you the choice of moving into a 433 by using wingers or moving an attacking midfielder up to just behind the front man affectively having a 442.
But you need the players for it.
posted on 3/3/18
Indeed but Leeds United is better for a 442 formation, history says so.....!
posted on 3/3/18
In all fairness if free movement is shelved it could have a real impact on youth development.
We saw with that Japan lad bringing in players who haven’t hit quotas means they have to go out on loan till they get enough time under their belt for a permit.
That’s not an issue with eu players, however Brexit it could be.
Now what that does for the quality of the league and youth players is up in the air...
posted on 3/3/18
Wrong thread sorry...
posted on 3/3/18
I suspect we'd see a return to better quality home grown players coming through the system having more chance with less overseas competition.
I'm about to start working with a new football agency that works across all tiers of football here and abroad. There's a general fear that good talent at grass roots level is not being seen or getting the chance to progress.
They have a really good IT-based solution to, erm, level the playing field for all.
posted on 3/3/18
Me too
posted on 3/3/18
It must be very difficult for central defenders when having a car crash behind and very little in front of them.
Certainly is affecting their form.