Before the transfer deadline. I don't want a large 5-6 number of changes. I would like to see in... Strong Experienced striker. Someone who can bully the defenders, offer something of a threat from set pieces and add experience to the team. we don't need any resale value here just a 1-2 year contract where the investment is left on the pitch. Pacey striker / winger. Someone who can get behind the defence and create or score goals. Someone who can offer something different and replace Sam and compliment him. Think we missed out on Cole here, but could add Jackson if we can't find anyone that fits better. Left Back. Someone who can play a modern left back role. I.e. Defend well but good enough to carry the ball out, pace down the flank and can cross. Smith is ok here in the traditional sense but needs to develop more in the attacking side while Nayatanga is out of position. The good thing re Nayatanga is he adds height and can be a goal threat. Goalie. Be good to get Townsend in an get a loanee off the books. good to see the young lad get a pro contract and Dibble now playing out on loan. However Townsend looked really good vs S****horpe and brings competition. Outs:- If we succeed in the striker area we have to decide if Wilkinson is contributing. So far I wish we had retained Oates in that role. Also Rothwell looks busy and has effort but not much comes to anything, has the tendency for a few stray passes etc. Not saying he is bad and clearly is a good player who can develop, but if we get a winger in I think we could let him back and see how Digby, Abbot do in backing up this area. We need to hold onto Hourihane, Roberts, Winnall who have all been subject to transfer speculation last few weeks. Also ofthe loanees, Pearson, Crowley are just keeps and Harris is too early to judge. I guess the loanee situation is something we won't know due to contract clauses. I think the priority is up from where we don't have any real options other than Sam and Marley up front right now.
For the absolute minimum is another striker and a left back. Failure to strengthen in these areas will cost us a lot of points.
Two wingers, two full backs, two strikers, Rothwell and Wilkinson to return to their parent clubs. None of this will happen.
it has been clear al summer we need strikers, it as a fan is so frustrating as not only are we weak we have no back up.
We don't need 6 players in. Left back, striker and winger/striker. Sent from my GT-I9195 using Tapatalk
We definitely need another striker and a left back to compete with Smith so Nyatanga can just play as a centre back Would be good if we could sign Townsend as it would make our goalkeeping department look very strong and would mean we don't have to leave a loaner out of every squad In terms of outs the only thing I can see is if fringe players such as Abbott leave on loan. Hopefully no first team players will be leaving such as Hourihane
We definitely need a big striker, a proper left-back and a winger. If we're being greedy, another striker with some pace would be good. Giving Simeon Jackson a six/twelve-month deal might not be a bad shout. I'd like to see us tie up one or two of the loans on permanent deals, Townsend and Pearson preferably. That way we're not up sh*t creek if we get a couple of injuries and have to use the loan market before January.
Would you drop Roberts or Mawson for Nyatanga? Personally I would let the current partnership develop. Roberts was poor along with everyone else on Sat but has been outstanding so far. Mawson captain so can't see him sitting it out.
Nyatanga and Roberts from what I've seen. All three look pretty good players and Nyatanga has actually been the poorer of the three so far, but that's because he has been played out of position. Nyatanga would the first player on my team sheet, at centre back, because I want that experience in the team. Him and Cranie were excellent at guiding Bree, Holgate and Smith last season. It's then Roberts or Mawson to partner him and so far I think Roberts has edged it in terms of performances. Not that Mawson has done anything wrong, but I want to see players in their proper positions and in a back four there is only room for two centre halves. I don't think we should pick a formation around accomodating all three. Mawson will get his chance again soon enough through injury, suspension or loss of form from one of the other two.
The experience is a valid point, but I would invest more time in Roberts & Mawson together. They can only get better. I like Nayatanga, but he is less comfortable on the ball than Mawson and given our game plan is to play it out might fit best right now. Nayatangas height adds something but he had a habit of heading a lot of defending balls down at the edge of his own area. It's a good dilemma to have though and one we haven't had for ages at centre half.
If you want two centre halves who are comfortable on the ball then Mawson and Nyatanga are probably the best duo. As good as Roberts has been he's still very raw and made numerous errors when trying to play out of defence against Rochdale. My first choice back four would be Wabara, Mawson, Nyatanga and a new left back. If we don't get a new left back in then it's a toss up between playing Nyatanga there and Roberts in the middle and dropping Roberts and playing Smith. Also, Nayatanga?
So most, if not all people posting on here are in agreement that we need priority 1 - a forward of proven quality and experience, priority 2 - left back, priority 3 - winger. But does LJ agree? or is he the one person in the whole of Barnsley who disagrees? only time will tell
You wouldn't pick a team based on Rochdale performances. Everyone was poor. You might however drop players on that performances but everyone was poor. Everton put pace up against Nayatanga and he struggled. Having said that anyone would with Deulafeo wide, supported by Lakaku who pulled right. I think LJ was planning Nayatanga and Mawson but Roberts has been the best of the 3 over the season so far.
Not at all. If the play Mawson and Roberts but of course there will be injuries and suspensions throughout the season