Id like to see us get a solid centre half and a right back before they go away on their Spanish trip.
Re: Id like to see us get a solid centre half and a right back With Wiseman Hills first choice and back up in Hassell, Collins and Stones with even Perkins as an emergency fill in, I'm pretty sure another right back isn't on the shopping list.
Re: Id like to see us get a solid centre half and a right back Big proper nasty centre half is what we need, christmas party will be mental.
Even KH may have to concede That if Wiseman starts the season as he ended last (defensively) then he'll have to have a rethink. Wiseman's a right sided midfielder not a full back imho.
Re: Even KH may have to concede If Bobby Hassell is fit, and NOT our first choice right back, then I fear for us. I'm not suggesting Bobby is the best full back in the division, but even in his limited appearances last season, he was twice the player that Scott Wiseman was, and, will ever be (defensively). I know Jim O'Brien came on a hell of a lot after a year at this level, but Wiseman would need to eclipse that, and then some. Keith knows he'll be out on his ear by xmas if he fcuks up this year, so if he persists with the weak-link then he's either very brave, or very stupid. I agree with other posters though with regards to a big fecker at the back. Until we sort out the defence my ST money stays in my pocket.
Re: Even KH may have to concede "The Star understands Hill still wants a left-sided midfielder, although another defender is on the manager’s radar if the right quality if available" Basically just copying what Keef said in his Chronicle column last friday. Gives the Star an excuse to post up a 'new' article though where they can get more traffic I suppose.
Agree with all that Wiseman will certainly have to raise the bar with regards to his performances from last season. I don't know that he can't make that step up, though.
Re: Even KH may have to concede I don't understand why Wiseman gets so much stick. I'm not saying I think he's great because he's not, but I don't see why he is singled out when he's about at the same standard as the majority of Keith Hill signings. He's just one of many very average players. McNulty had an appalling second half to the season. Months of abject performances. So did Craig Davies come to that. For every decent game Matty Done produces there are 5 where he gives nowt. Golbourne gave nowt at all. Dagnall is just woeful. Dawson didn't look up to championship football. And the many loan signings were a complete waste of everyone's time, effort and money. But every time it seems to be Wiseman who gets it in the neck. If we're going to progress as a team next season and achieve a higher place in the division then we're going to have to see a massive improvement from a lot of our players, not just Wiseman.
Re: Even KH may have to concede Dawson - captain/player of the year Wiseman - sold to Everton in January McNulty - laiking in World Cup 2014 Done - 15 goals from wide left Dagnall - Championship top scorer Davies - sold to Derby Summary of next season.
If you review the goals we conceded in the last 10 home games there is a consistent theme in the majority - from our right side, Wiseman either out of position, allowing the winger too much space, not cutting out a cross or not tracking his man on set pieces. Thats why he's singled out, he's at fault for a lot of goals. Not disagreeing with the comments on the other players, but in the scheme of things, they havent made as many goal-costing mistakes.
Re: Even KH may have to concede Dunno maybe its because he plays right back and at Oakwell its a tradition... Nicky Eaden etc...
Re: If you review the goals we conceded in the last 10 home games I think you're putting the failings of the team as a whole on the shoulders of one player.
Re: If you review the goals we conceded in the last 10 home games A lot of goals did come down our right side, but I think collectively we were poor and it's often easy to single out one player. Let's give him a chance and see if he's been able to learn and adapt. I think a rest and a chance to regroup this close season will have helped massively. If we can get an organiser in at centre back, McNulty, Golbourne and Wiseman could all improve as a result.
Re: Even KH may have to concede I think with more work and experience Wiseman can become a good full back for us. He's about twice as quick as Bobby which makes it near impossible to beat him down the line provided his initial position is half decent, and he offers much more of an attacking threat as he can just breeze past defenders when at full speed. His positioning has been poor and has cost us a few times (Blackpool away springs to mind) but that can be worked on. Also, he wants to get up field to help the attack so should we lose the ball in midfield (which we did at regular times towards the end of last season) he's not going to be able to get back. Bobby just doesn't offer anything going forwards so is always in the right position and ready to defend. Yes he also appeared to be playing as a centre half at times when their winger was attacking down our right but I was always taught that the cardinal sin was to be too wide/tight where the ball can be played between the full back and centre half for them to run on to. Bobby is the better defender now but he's past his best and won't last much longer, the one thing you can't learn is pace, and Wiseman has loads of it.
Re: If you review the goals we conceded in the last 10 home games If you review the goals we conceded in nearly ALL of our games (that Wiseman played in) there is a common trend - he's usually culpable. That's maybe harsh to hear/read for some on here, but I'm only saying what I see. Still can't believe I haven't reeled Hemsy in on this one. I've usually got a "Bobby was crap at London Road" bite by now. Must be still in his pit. Lazy fecker.
Re: If you review the goals we conceded in the last 10 home games Still not actually convinced at all we have enough up front, especially if the Mido gamble doesn't pay off, a massive amount of responsibility is on the inconsistent Davies. But agree about a centre half. A no nonsense centre back and a creative midfielder for me.
Re: Even KH may have to concede 'Loads' is an exaggeration. He's got very good acceleration over a short distance, but I wouldn't say he's particularly fast when trying to track back, and I can't recall him breezing past defenders very often either. If he's near impossible to beat down the line - providing he's well positioned - how come I remember him getting turned this way and that continually, and constantly showing quality wingers onto their strongest foot? He's never a full back, and your comments serve only to prove that. Then there is this myth that he's some sort of attacking threat. Yet for the majority of the season he used to run down the flank, then either run the ball out over the byline, or play a short ball backwards. I lost count of the amount of times the Ponty screeched at him to go at the opposing full back, but he rarely did. And on the rare occasions that he did, he hadn't the nous or skill to beat said full back. He's also 6ft tall or more, yet is an absolute joke in the air. He's a pussy in a tackle also. NOT a defender. "Bobby just doesn't offer anything going forwards" - another fabrication of the facts IMO. I remember his 50 yard cross-field pass to Vaz Te against Leeds, before Ricardo blasted it in. Was it the final home game with Brighton where Bobby had a spell in midfield? We then began to create chances, as Bobby sprayed the ball about. John Stones nearly profited from it late on. And to clarify, I'm not suggesting Hassell at 31 is our future. I'd like us to give either Stones or Lee Collins the right back berth eventually, unless we can recruit someone of better quality. But what I will suggest, is that while ever we employ both Scott Wiseman and Bobby Hassell, there can be no decision to make at right back - Sir Bobby every time. IMO like. Good post though Blivy, enjoy a debate on a morning.