roversfan99

Any defender would look better next to a leader. But even when he plays well, he seems immune to praise, instead it all goes to his partner. We finished 7th.

It seems like he played in a midfield 3. Surely he would be competion for Cantwell. We are light there. Im not convinced he will play on the right, and hope thats not a plan instead of signing a player who naturally plays in that position. But we will see. Mind you, until we do sign a right sided player. I would prefer to try him there over Hedges, but just bring Kargbo in on the left.

Surely not. For all the written down changes in formation, and talk about "creating overloads" and moving "in between the lines" we would still be desperately short of attacking threat with a player who has mainly played left back at his previous club on one side and a central midfielder on the other. I still think that we will sign a right winger, whether he will be any good is another question. Doesnt have to be an out and out old fashioned winger, but we need someone who can give us an extra goal threat and ideally some pace and directness, rather than shoehorning in a central midfielder. I am not sure what the exact plan will be for Henriksson. He is a midfielder who seemingly offers a goal threat so maybe cover for Cantwell, but also seems to be someone who gets stuck in so maybe an alternative to Baradji and either eventual or immediate replacement for Travis. Either way, signing a central midfielder to play on the right seems a bit of a stretch.

Which is probably why my point was that we could do with a good set piece taker to help with that.

Brittain was right up there with the best in the league in that position so it is unlikely that any replacement would be as good.

How did he win player of the season in his first season here then?

Absolutely. It makes no sense beside financial to have an 18 year old as number 2. He either becomes exposed or falls betwen the cracks.

Assuming this Swedish player does sign, that will presumably be 5 players aged 23-24 signed on longer term deals. That in isolation is obviously a positive, question now is are they any good. Added to that, an experienced Championship defender for 2 or 3 years. We have had ripped apart the defensive strength of our team though, to lose Brittain, Beck and Batth is a massive blow (also lost 2 extra bodies who were just cover) and its very, very difficult to see us equalling that quality. The signings we have made do seem to have more filled holes in the squad/replaced outgoings/added depth (which was needed) rather than improved the first 11. As I said, that did need doing. The key 2 objectives though still havent been solved even slightly. Been shot down for banging on about it before but the contract situation still lingers as a gigantic elephant in the room. We have to pay the going rate to get our core of key players sorted, it cant just be put off. If a decent proportion of these younger players come good on top of a core of proven players signed down for the forseeable, then theres reason for optimism. If they leave, then its easy to see an inexperienced group tumble down the league as it did under Tomasson when he was left out to dry. The futures of Tronstad, Travis and Hyam still remain as the key part of the rest of this window, especially as Brittain ws part of that and has left. Our attack wasnt good enough last season and now its much weaker. We have to soon make inroads on fixing that ASAP.

No but you said that you would be comfortable with Michalski as backup.

Hyam was excellent last season. His card for whatever reason seems to have been marked by some, even when he did play well he got no credit based on this theory thats grown legs that Batth did the work of 2. I was merely guessing who his 5 was. Although we havent seen enough either way to be totally sure.

Which would the 5 be? Not disagreeing, guessing the wingers and RB are 3. Wharton and Toth?

If Toth spends any period of time out, then you are really dropping a novice in it. You dont need an expensive player but you need senior cover.

I dont rate Pears but I would still prefer him on the bench to a kid.

So to clarify, everything that happens this summer is because it is exactly what Ismael wanted? If we replace a senior 2nd choice goalkeeper not with a replacement but with an 18 year old untested keeper. Then we are asking for trouble.

Its all well and good having an attacking player given cameos. But having an 18 year old untested 2nd choice keeper is a different story. Its a risk we cant afford to take. Im sure he is doing well in training but if he becomes 2nd choice, you cant convince me that the decision would be anything but financial.

To be fair, they are totally different situations. Walker is older and his game was heavily reliant on pace. That is on the wane and his performances have fallen off a cliff in the last couple of years. Xhaka towards the end of his Arsenal career really improved and played an integral role at Leverkusen especially in their title win. They didnt seem keen for him to go.

That privy is clearly a club plant and comes across terribly. Obviously has information but in exchange for releasing that, has an agenda to make the club seem flawless. Likes to make the issues we face seem out of our hands.

Hopefully Miller will be fit soon. Injured at the moment and even when he is fit will have to quickly get up to speed. I do worry that Ismael will opt for Montgomery over Alebiosu in the mean time which would be asking for trouble. The Miller deal makes sense on paper but to lose the best right back (or if not, then one of) is a massive blow whichever way you look at it. Seems like Miller is athletic, has a good throw and is a threat at set pieces although is prone to issues with concentration and isnt going to offer the same attacking threat. Concerning that his form improved when not playing at right back where he had received a bit of stick. Hibs fans seem sad to see him go (and about the potential of Hanley being his replacement) which is a good sign and at an age where he can improve.

Gigantic blow to lose Brittain. Makes us much weaker and a team competing supposedly in the same area of the league much stronger. In the LT article, none of the others are close to new deals either. Suspect Ismael might soon grow frustrated with that.

He is a great signing but he doesnt push them up that for. Theyve been ambitious in terms of spending but they are still favourites to go down.

Would you be content with an 18 year old goalkeeper with no experience being the immediate back up? One injury and you are throwing him in and its a huge risk. We HAVE to sign another keeper if Pears goes.

So no one should criticise aspects of the performance at the weekend because its pre season, but we should be assured that we suddenly are good at set pieces because of pre season? Ok. It would help to have a better taker. We dont currently have any set piece specialists.

It isnt, of course you can be creative. But it would help if we had a good taker.

Sums up a lack of joined up thinking. Gestede clearly always had intentions of going abroad for players, so why tie down an ESC slot on a punt on a kid nowhere near the team?

We shouldnt need to get shut of Cantwell. We are signing players who will be coming on lesser wages, there should be enough scope to tie these players down. Cantwell is an important player.