Think we really need a defensive midfielder next. IF it's true the club are close to signing Bradshaw they are getting a decent team. Still expect the club to full up on loans over the next few weeks.
Not a priority for me. Moncur and Hourihane in a midfield two, Scowen and Harris providing cover. Another CM like Ledson signing on loan.
not one defensive player amongst them. Harris and Moncur are both AM's. Scowens an attack type of player. Hourihane,, think he will struggle without the ball if he gets given that role.
I do think signing an out and out defensive midfielder would allow flexibility in formation if we ever wanted to play with someone shielding the back 4. Unless we sign Kevin Long and if we ever play an out and out defensive midfielder Alfie steps in
I'd say a couple of midfield recruits including a Defensive midfielder are essential whether on loan or permanent and a couple of wingers plus better defensive cover.
we had Pearson and Brownhill that played it. Plus it's a different game at this level. The last time we did well was when Perkins just sat in that position. Just turned over play so much.
Having been to both Stalybridge and Guiseley, I agree the squad needs a more defensive minded central midfielder. I think they are trying to teach Moncur how to play deeper but he has all the look of a no. 10. His creativity in an advanced role will be essential in the Championship. Harris has potential but hasn't kicked a ball for the first team yet. Hopefully Caenepeel will be the right winger we need and Bradshaw the striker. We could start the season without another CB depending on what happens with Nyatanga. Other than that I think the squad is strong enough to compete.
Brownhill was seen as a CAM. That's where he played 40+ games for PNE. The same concerns were brought up when we signed him. Hourihane has really grown as a CM and is now a decent tackler of the ball. I'm sure that we'd be fine with the CM's mentioned. Most of the time when we played a CDM last season we were just awful and without the arrival of AH & the switch in formation we would most likely be preparing for life in League 2 or at best League 1 after a very poor season.
We were dogshit with Pearson holding midfield. Looked a better player when allowed to go forward. And Brownhill didn't play holding midfield, not in the many games I saw anyway. Both he and Conor played centre mid, old skool - one went, the other stayed. Pretty much how Conor and Moncur played on Tuesday night, dovetailed nicely. And it really isn't a different game. It's the same game. The most successful sides in England last season played 4-4-2.
Brownhill was very comfortable in their. Others aren't really. What you thought of them without the ball in league ones nothing to what they are going to be like in the champ. We've gone from been the attack to the pray. Any weakness will be noticed, attacked and exploited.
Oscar Gobern? Free agent, decent laiker, right age (25yo), a big presence and experience at this level
No no no no no. We do NOT need a defensive midfielder. I was sick to the back teeth of us signing these so called "defensive" midfielders, players like Frimpong, David Fox, Stephen Dawson, David Perkins, Jonathan Greening etc etc. These players were very limited players, sideways and backwards passing, slowing play down, basically getting us nowhere.
Leicester didn't and it's known they didn't. The player map's show this and they had the best defensive midfielder in the league. One's that's been linked to PSG, Arsenal and Chelsea at 30 million now. He was massive for them. If you can't see that playing Newcastle, Aston Villa or QPR will be different to playing crewe, colchester and Blackpool. Looking at the first three Fixtures. Ipswich, Derby and QPR. That hole between midfield and defence will be massive. All three teams will be looking to get players on the half turn and will look to dictate play in their. Last time we were in the champ. The last time we had a good squad was: ----Davies/ Gray Vaz Te Butterfield O'brien ----Perkins Drinkwater. We are staring to get that sort of look. But we still need players. ----Bradshaw/ Payne Hammill Moncur Watkins ----***** Hourihane
Talented lad but awful fitness record, only played about 20 games in the last three seasons. Just recovered from a cruciate injury too. I'd be surprised if we were interested but he is talented, saw him play next to Jacob a few times at Huddersfield and he oozes class.