Midfield

I'm expecting a couple of good signings after Duff has assessed the current squad. Matty Wolfe will be first choice as he has potential which adds up to £££s for the owners. Connell is presumaby Styles' replacement. Williams or Brittain on right. Not sure that both Kane and Benson will step up, unless we sign a midfield general like Redfearn. Plymouth away first game will be a marker.

 

We've a decent number of midfield options already.

Kane, Benson, Wolfe, Hondermarck and Connell, Assuming Styles and Palmer depart. We've also Aitchison and Marsh who could play behind the strikers. Thomas could be utilised there too. Brittain has been tried in midfield before. Moon has played a holding role before. We've also Helliwell for who its been suggested he can play right back or midfield. And we've Ackroyd as well who got a tiny bit of game time before being loaned out.

I agree that it would be good to see a midfielder with a bit of quality and experience come in to the centre, but we've got to get our numbers down in just about every section of our squad.

 

Midfield and defence look ok to me.

If we lose Morris. I'd like to see some funds used on a striker. If Morris stays I'd say we have a decent forward line in Marsh, Cole, Iseka and Morris. I know Iseka and Cole have been slated but I think they'd be decent in League 1.

I'm happy with the squad and think if anything it needs trimming down a bit more.

 

I forgot about Hondermarck. My general thought is that one good leader in midfield will make a massive difference. We needed loan players last year to compete (almost compete).

 

We have good options in terms of attacking midfielders like Kane, Benson, Connell etc. but think we are lacking in terms of defensive options. We only really have Wolfe that fits that role. An experienced option in that slot would be ideal whether it be on loan or permanent.

 

I agree about numbers but those midfield options are awful. We had the weakest midfield in the championship if not the entire EFL last season and of styles leaves it's even worse than it was. If it needs to be trimmed in numbers then as harsh as it may be I'd say half of that list need their contracts terminating and get one or two in who a. Know what a football is and b. Give a toss.

 

I'd be amazed if we keep all the bit part players who have had a few games or been loaned out, then see Duff turn them into world-beaters. If one of Kane, Benson, Thomas or Hondermarck is a regular and has a good season I'd be pleased. One solid experienced physical player in the middle could pull us through games like Plymouth, Derby and Ipswich away (first three away games).

 

I don't disagree with you about the calibre of the midfield as it stands. It was unfair to throw a lot of young kids in last year. I'd hope some could develop with a better coach, but we should be under no illusion the size of the task we have. We've got a massive squad. Some of our better players will go. Some of the players we'd like to go may not.

I think a liberal dose of patience will be required to get this squad in a better more balanced state.

 

Is Kane an attacking midfielder? He scored zero goals in 35 games for Oxford and zero in 24 games for us.

 

I agree. We have seen little evidence so far that any of the players you mention would do a really good job for us in midfield.

 

Donny fans used to rave about him when he was on loan there. Not sure how many goals he scored but from memory he seemed to be amongst them fairly regularly

 

We need to unearth a new Mowatt. It is virtually impossible to overstate how much we have missed him since his departure.

 

Well he is not a typical defensive one is he? He isn't known for breaking up play etc. that is the type we are lacking.

 

Your problem is you talk far too much good sense!

 

I think you are right. However, if he is supposed to be an attacking midfielder, you'd hope he might chip in with a few goals.

 

You would hope so. I would hope to see him do more creatively to be honest. If he can set up goals for the strikers etc. that's good enough for me.

 

According to Wikipedia, he scored 4 in 38 at Donny. He also scored 2 in 7 at Hull. His career total of goals thus far is 6 in 104 games. I remember that he was very popular at Donny though, as you suggest, and I believe he won their Player Of The Year award, so he obviously showed more for them than he has done so far for us. I have not written him off. I am hoping he shows the kind of form he must have shown at Donny.

 

The sooner we get him to advanced hair studio the sooner his mojo will return. I don't think he'll be on strictly anytime soon but he might score a few goals.

 

We need to unearth a new Redfearn.

 

Can't disagree with that. Both a Mowatt and a Redfearn would be even better. And why not throw in a Glavin, for good measure?