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Post by davejohnno1 on May 2, 2017 20:26:58 GMT
I'm sure we all reflect on our club and where it is heading on the field of play at times when we are supposed to be working on when the kids are in bed and your are left watching the shit tv our wives like (just as I'm doing now).
In our darkest days I feel like we are a million miles away and only wholesale changes will bring about the performances we all want to see.
On others, I remain convinced that we have the nucleus of a squad that could turn in effective, positive and entertaining football with the best manager we could wish for.
In our darkest days I think we've spent too much on poor signings and on others I think 18m for imbula is chicken feed compared to what other clubs are spending.
So which is it?
It is a game of fine margins and those fine margins sway opinion dramatically.
One player could make all the difference and transform us and make some of our struggling players better than they actually are.
If we could somehow locate the proper midfielder that we are clearly crying out for I'm inclined to believe that the rest of our players are more than good enough to replicate the performances we were seeing 18 months ago. That one player would bring out the best in everyone.
The question, is where on earth we start in finding that one player who could transform our current fortunes.
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Post by crouchpotato1 on May 2, 2017 20:33:23 GMT
Another manager could also do that dave,just a thought
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Post by timbo1988 on May 2, 2017 20:35:20 GMT
A change of manager could change our fortunes with this squad of players.
£18million on one player will never be spent by our club again and Hughes has completely messed that up add that to poor performances for last 12 months means we should be looking for a new manager in my opinion
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Post by bayernoatcake on May 2, 2017 20:38:10 GMT
We need 2 midfielders and 2 full backs or this team just doesn't change.
Slow and cumbersome and lacking in quality players that in the modern game are vital.
We don't have a full back in the senior squad is fit for purpose really.
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Post by davejohnno1 on May 2, 2017 20:39:02 GMT
A change of manager could change our fortunes with this squad of players. £18million on one player will never be spent by our club again and Hughes has completely messed that up add that to poor performances for last 12 months means we should be looking for a new manager in my opinion I bet we do spend that amount, and more on a player. |
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Post by davejohnno1 on May 2, 2017 20:44:38 GMT
We need 2 midfielders and 2 full backs or this team just doesn't change. Slow and cumbersome and lacking in quality players that in the modern game are vital. We don't have a full back in the senior squad is fit for purpose really. When fully fit and training regularly, there isnt much wrong with Johnson and pieters for me though granted, both have been in poor form since the turn of the year. One proper midfielder would surely make one of Allen or Cameron (or both) look a whole lot better than they are and perversely would probably improve our full backs and centre halves as well, not to mention the obvious benefits to what are surely good attacking players. A midfielder and a flying winger with Adam, Ireland, bardsley and one forward departing would do for me, assuming of course Bruno arrives as seems likely. |
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Post by potterinleeds on May 2, 2017 20:46:50 GMT
A change of manager could change our fortunes with this squad of players. £18million on one player will never be spent by our club again and Hughes has completely messed that up add that to poor performances for last 12 months means we should be looking for a new manager in my opinion I bet we do spend that amount, and more on a player. I totally agree. Assuming that we stay in the premier league, and the money keep on going up, and everyone else coming up from the Championship is spending to stay up, I don't think £18 million will look like a lot of money in a few years time. I'm still not convinced Imbula was worth that amount, mind. |
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Post by bayernoatcake on May 2, 2017 20:48:30 GMT
We need 2 midfielders and 2 full backs or this team just doesn't change. Slow and cumbersome and lacking in quality players that in the modern game are vital. We don't have a full back in the senior squad is fit for purpose really. When fully fit and training regularly, there isnt much wrong with Johnson and pieters for me though granted, both have been in poor form since the turn of the year. One proper midfielder would surely make one of Allen or Cameron (or both) look a whole lot better than they are and perversely would probably improve our full backs and centre halves as well, not to mention the obvious benefits to what are surely good attacking players. A midfielder and a flying winger with Adam, Ireland, bardsley and one forward departing would do for me, assuming of course Bruno arrives as seems likely. I like Erik but when he's at his best he's solid and that's it. Full backs nowadays need to be more. Johnson's legs have gone. There is no way in hell he should have been given a new deal. He was a joke at the weekend and he will only continue to be. He can't run. I don't think Cameron and Allen should be Premier League regulars. Them as back up I can live with but I'd love a new midfield. It ain't going to happen though. |
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Post by davejohnno1 on May 2, 2017 20:50:35 GMT
When fully fit and training regularly, there isnt much wrong with Johnson and pieters for me though granted, both have been in poor form since the turn of the year. One proper midfielder would surely make one of Allen or Cameron (or both) look a whole lot better than they are and perversely would probably improve our full backs and centre halves as well, not to mention the obvious benefits to what are surely good attacking players. A midfielder and a flying winger with Adam, Ireland, bardsley and one forward departing would do for me, assuming of course Bruno arrives as seems likely. I like Erik but when he's at his best he's solid and that's it. Full backs nowadays need to be more. Johnson's legs have gone. There is no way in hell he should have been given a new deal. He was a joke at the weekend and he will only continue to be. He can't run. I don't think Cameron and Allen should be Premier League regulars. Them as back up I can live with but I'd love a new midfield. It ain't going to happen though. How much of that is down to the fact he's barely trained since the beginning of December? Until that point, I thought he was one of our best players. Depends if you see his decline as permanent or temporary I suppose. |
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Post by cheeesfreeex on May 2, 2017 20:53:42 GMT
That's why I don't think it's anywhere near boring.
The difference between intention and execution, the fine.margins of football.
Butland
Johnson Shawcross Muniesa Pieters
Allen Imbula
Shaqiri Bojan Arnautovic
Berahino
Was the blueprint.
Nths off that.
A window to go too.
Shaqiri.
I'm sticking.
I reckon Hughes and co have wrung far better football out of the old guard.
I'm keeping the faith they'll do similar with the longer term project players.
Like's happened with Arnie.
Patience etc.
Coates has gone balls deep on a longer contract.
Swimming against the Prem tide.
Good to be a Potter.
Overtook Villa, unrest at Soton etc.
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Post by Paul Spencer on May 2, 2017 20:58:57 GMT
We need 2 midfielders and 2 full backs or this team just doesn't change. Slow and cumbersome and lacking in quality players that in the modern game are vital. We don't have a full back in the senior squad is fit for purpose really. When fully fit and training regularly, there isnt much wrong with Johnson and pieters for me though granted, both have been in poor form since the turn of the year. One proper midfielder would surely make one of Allen or Cameron (or both) look a whole lot better than they are and perversely would probably improve our full backs and centre halves as well, not to mention the obvious benefits to what are surely good attacking players. A midfielder and a flying winger with Adam, Ireland, bardsley and one forward departing would do for me, assuming of course Bruno arrives as seems likely.
Are you 100% convinced that Berahino can lead the line on his own Dave, you don't think that he needs a partner or at the very least, a number 10 behind him?
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2017 21:01:06 GMT
My problem with Hughes is he hasn't ever been keen to give young players a chance.
It leads to better depth, young players aren't expecting regular game time but are hungry for it, and that puts pressure on starting players who have little competition (Pieters).
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2017 21:01:39 GMT
When fully fit and training regularly, there isnt much wrong with Johnson and pieters for me though granted, both have been in poor form since the turn of the year. One proper midfielder would surely make one of Allen or Cameron (or both) look a whole lot better than they are and perversely would probably improve our full backs and centre halves as well, not to mention the obvious benefits to what are surely good attacking players. A midfielder and a flying winger with Adam, Ireland, bardsley and one forward departing would do for me, assuming of course Bruno arrives as seems likely.
Are you 100% convinced that Berahino can lead the line on his own Dave, you don't think that he needs a partner or at the very least, a number 10 behind him?
I think he needs a number 10 but he can clearly lead the line on his own, the chances he has had for us thus far confirm that for me. |
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Post by bayernoatcake on May 2, 2017 21:02:32 GMT
I like Erik but when he's at his best he's solid and that's it. Full backs nowadays need to be more. Johnson's legs have gone. There is no way in hell he should have been given a new deal. He was a joke at the weekend and he will only continue to be. He can't run. I don't think Cameron and Allen should be Premier League regulars. Them as back up I can live with but I'd love a new midfield. It ain't going to happen though. How much of that is down to the fact he's barely trained since the beginning of December? Until that point, I thought he was one of our best players. Depends if you see his decline as permanent or temporary I suppose. I think Bardo has been better for 12 months easy and I'd rather see Diouf at right back after this season. I just think he's gone. And if he hasn't trained since December then I question the managers decision even more to give him a new deal. |
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Post by davejohnno1 on May 2, 2017 21:03:31 GMT
When fully fit and training regularly, there isnt much wrong with Johnson and pieters for me though granted, both have been in poor form since the turn of the year. One proper midfielder would surely make one of Allen or Cameron (or both) look a whole lot better than they are and perversely would probably improve our full backs and centre halves as well, not to mention the obvious benefits to what are surely good attacking players. A midfielder and a flying winger with Adam, Ireland, bardsley and one forward departing would do for me, assuming of course Bruno arrives as seems likely.
Are you 100% convinced that Berahino can lead the line on his own Dave, you don't think that he needs a partner or at the very least, a number 10 behind him?
The key is who is behind him isnt it, as you allude to. A real midfielder would allow us to free up that position for a bojan, a shaqiri or both and one or both of those on form, with Arnie, would surely provide enough service for berahino to thrive? As I say in my positive mode, I'm sure this is the case. In the darker days, maybe not. |
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Post by davejohnno1 on May 2, 2017 21:05:22 GMT
How much of that is down to the fact he's barely trained since the beginning of December? Until that point, I thought he was one of our best players. Depends if you see his decline as permanent or temporary I suppose. I think Bardo has been better for 12 months easy and I'd rather see Diouf at right back after this season. I just think he's gone. And if he hasn't trained since December then I question the managers decision even more to give him a new deal. Johnson is far superior to bardsley in my opinion. |
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Post by Glory Hunter on May 2, 2017 21:12:11 GMT
Johnson is better going forward, but Bardsley is a better defender.
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Post by march4 on May 2, 2017 21:12:18 GMT
We need a new manager to see if Hughes' expensive misfits can actually play football.
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Post by Paul Spencer on May 2, 2017 21:12:23 GMT
Are you 100% convinced that Berahino can lead the line on his own Dave, you don't think that he needs a partner or at the very least, a number 10 behind him?
The key is who is behind him isnt it, as you allude to. A real midfielder would allow us to free up that position for a bojan, a shaqiri or both and one or both of those on form, with Arnie, would surely provide enough service for berahino to thrive? As I say in my positive mode, I'm sure this is the case. In the darker days, maybe not.
Yeah I was making the point about a number 10 because you said you didn't think we'd need any more players in beyond the ones you had identified.
Hughes seems to have no inclination whatsoever to play Shaqiri there and Bojan is clearly not in his plans, so that would indicate we'd need a new number 10 too.
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Post by bayernoatcake on May 2, 2017 21:15:25 GMT
I think Bardo has been better for 12 months easy and I'd rather see Diouf at right back after this season. I just think he's gone. And if he hasn't trained since December then I question the managers decision even more to give him a new deal. Johnson is far superior to bardsley in my opinion. He was but Bardo has easily outperformed this season and for half of last too. |
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Post by davejohnno1 on May 2, 2017 21:23:27 GMT
The key is who is behind him isnt it, as you allude to. A real midfielder would allow us to free up that position for a bojan, a shaqiri or both and one or both of those on form, with Arnie, would surely provide enough service for berahino to thrive? As I say in my positive mode, I'm sure this is the case. In the darker days, maybe not.
Yeah I was making the point about a number 10 because you said you didn't think we'd need any more players in beyond the ones you had identified.
Hughes seems to have no inclination whatsoever to play Shaqiri there and Bojan is clearly not in his plans, so that would indicate we'd need a new number 10 too.
Maybe all that would change with that key midfield acquisition? A very good midfielder, I believe, would transform our team and see our manager revert to being mark Hughes rather than tony pulis  |
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Post by davejohnno1 on May 2, 2017 21:25:21 GMT
Johnson is far superior to bardsley in my opinion. He was but Bardo has easily outperformed this season and for half of last too. I disagree. Save for the odd decent performance (man city away springs to mind) bardsley is no better than wilko was. |
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Post by Paul Spencer on May 2, 2017 21:30:54 GMT
Yeah I was making the point about a number 10 because you said you didn't think we'd need any more players in beyond the ones you had identified.
Hughes seems to have no inclination whatsoever to play Shaqiri there and Bojan is clearly not in his plans, so that would indicate we'd need a new number 10 too.
Maybe all that would change with that key midfield acquisition? A very good midfielder, I believe, would transform our team and see our manager revert to being mark Hughes rather than tony pulis
Berahino is going to need a number 10 behind him mate, if he doesn't play with a strike partner.
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2017 21:32:37 GMT
I honestly think that a new Manager (the right Manager) will be more important than going out and buying the 5 or 6 players people say that we need (which will never happen, btw).
Who is that Manager? I'm not sure tbh.
But I really don't think that the current manager has got anywhere near having this squad play to its potential (I'm including absent players in that).
So...I'd say that we get all of our players back here, come up with a fresh plan, a couple of new faces, and we are not far off.
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Post by fca47 on May 2, 2017 21:35:06 GMT
A year and a half ago we thought we were close to being like Everton, now we are a million miles away from them.
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2017 21:39:46 GMT
As you all know, the F.A. cup is my holy grail. We are a million miles off winning it IMHO. Sitting mid table, or more likely just below, bores me stupid. I said earlier in the season that we wouldn't beat any of the top six, which makes me even more bored. For f--k's sake sort it out Stoke!
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Post by davejohnno1 on May 2, 2017 21:42:03 GMT
Maybe all that would change with that key midfield acquisition? A very good midfielder, I believe, would transform our team and see our manager revert to being mark Hughes rather than tony pulis
Berahino is going to need a number 10 behind him mate, if he doesn't play with a strike partner.
Yes and a real good midfielder would enable us to utilise that player given we have two options many teams would crave when both are fit and firing. I don't for one minute think Hughes has gone from building a team around BMX to abandoning it in his mind completely. Hopefully it is merely circumstance bought about by the lack of a bona fide midfield option to give the whole team the platform it needs to play. |
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Post by Paul Spencer on May 2, 2017 21:51:57 GMT
Berahino is going to need a number 10 behind him mate, if he doesn't play with a strike partner.
Yes and a real good midfielder would enable us to utilise that player given we have two options many teams would crave when both are fit and firing. I don't for one minute think Hughes has gone from building a team around BMX to abandoning it in his mind completely. Hopefully it is merely circumstance bought about by the lack of a bona fide midfield option to give the whole team the platform it needs to play.
So if we get this 'real good midfielder', you think Hughes will play Shaqiri or Bojan as that number 10?
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Post by bayernoatcake on May 2, 2017 22:05:39 GMT
He was but Bardo has easily outperformed this season and for half of last too. I disagree. Save for the odd decent performance (man city away springs to mind) bardsley is no better than wilko was. Wilko has been the best right back we've had in the Premier League. Johnson had 5 good months for us and he was ace but I think overall he's been a poor signing. |
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Post by pottarius on May 3, 2017 0:45:50 GMT
I disagree. Save for the odd decent performance (man city away springs to mind) bardsley is no better than wilko was. Wilko has been the best right back we've had in the Premier League. Johnson had 5 good months for us and he was ace but I think overall he's been a poor signing. Wilko was generally best right back in the changing rooms to be honest! Loved the bloke for his passion, squirmed whenever he attempted a tackle The fact that Wilko is even discussed as possibly our best RB in the PL just shows how poor a selection we've had. The LB position is even worse, Pieters should be DNA tested as I cannot possibly agree he's got any Dutch heritage. We're seemingly stuck with Johnson & Pieters but if we do have a new manager next season I'd wager they'd both normally be found on the bench at best. This area, along with the CM positions, strangle our ambitions further forward |
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