The Weak Links

[number 9]

We’re on the brink of being a very good team if not already. So, who are the weak links? What do we need to make us better? What players & positions need an upgrade? We’ve all acknowledged we probably need defensive cover. I think we’re set for forwards, which leaves the midfield. Personally I’d like a few upgrades, but in fear of reprisals I’ll keep my cards close to my chest.

What do you think??

[shabba]

No weak links seen yet as such and too early to answer but maybe the following questions will arise:

- is burns good enough, he did well on the weekend but I feel if we could get another of Broadhead level (no easy task) then that would be some attack,

- CB injury could cause us issues

- how good will Taylor be once he is upto KM’s training/match levels.

- is Freddie good enough as a backup striker, maybe we need a forward who can play upfront and RW.

Overall the depth needs to be tested/seen at this level before we can really judge - but those coming off the bench have been good enough so far.

This season injuries will have a much bigger impact than last year, as we were so head and shoulders above teams in league one.

[Bluemike]

I was talking about this to the guy next to me Saturday and on the day it was clear that Janoi Donacien was the weakest player, several times he was caught out of position and "up field " or dragged inside, clearly Clarke would be in there if fit.

Burgess stood out for some very wayward passing too but had a decent game aside from that.

Much talk has been about another wide man to challenge Burns but Saturday Burns had a good game and looked a threat so who knows there.

I think its pretty obvious we need another striker to boost numbers in that department, we only really have Hirst and Ladapo as out and out strikers, we need Three, Jackson is more of a wide man these days.

[shabba]

Spot on Mike.

[hallamblue]

I’d say if we’re looking to “ upgrade” in certain positions on what we currently have, that clearly means players brought in would be ahead of what we have already got in the first 11, in those specific positions needing an upgrade .

So, I’d say ….assuming all players were fit

GK : close call now between Walton / Hladky

RB: Clark (JD as back up) but does he need replacing? I’d say no.

CB Rt side: Woolfie ( needs competition not sure Ball is that) so need another CB Rt

CB Lt Burgess ( Edmundson back up) We need a Left CB and to sell Edmundson .

LB: Davis (Leigh) sorted!

CMF: Morsey / Luongo: sorted! (back up Taylor and 1 other ) loan out Humphries as not strong enough yet.

Front 3: Burns(back up Raki? Or Jackson), Chaplin (back up Hutchinson or Jackson?) & Broadhead (back up Harness)

Striker: Hirst (back up Ladapo) we either potentially need another 3rd striker who can lead the line or who could also play central in the frint 3.

All in all a
1) a CB Rt or Lt (ideally both)
2) a Rt side MF
3) a central Front 3 attacker


That’s my two penneth

[Ricco]

It's hard to separate needs, wants and luxuries isn't it? I'm far more concerned about depth this year than quality, and that's not because I think we aren't blessed with depth, but more that it's going to be a very long and very hard season, especially if the teams will continue to be asked to play 100+ minute games. We're not going to have the possession we had last year, we are going to be spending a lot more of this season chasing and harrying.

We need to be able to rotate (god forbid) or rest players when they need it, or injuries will happen and that is what will sink us. There are very important players in the squad that have less than exemplary injury records in recent seasons, Luongo and Broadhead are the first to mind, they must be protected. So I'd say we need more depth in the engine room primarily, because if that goes, we're struggling, wouldn't it be nice to have another Morsy or Luongo?

[hallamblue]

But that’s the problem Ricco isn’t it. We do need both quality and depth . I think it’s generally quite noticeable when McKenna changes the whole front three at once. Although this didn’t seem quite so obvious on Saturday. But often when he gif it last season we lost momentum . I’m sure this will be more noticeable in the Championship. It was at Sunderland the week before. And as you rightly say , we could do with another Morsey / Luongo combination.

Whilst In defence right now, we actually can’t afford another injury because what’s left to come in is very much a sticking plaster I feel. But is Town a club that can afford to keep very good players sat on the bench, or not automatic 1st choice, I doubt it .

[number 9]

Agree with most of the comments so far. First & foremost, we need defensive cover. Clarke’s injury is concerning, it will probably resurface at some point in the season. For me, JD is not a 90min player anymore. Edmundson is not a viable back up. Jackson is not a viable backup for Burns. And who do we have if Hirst or Ladapo go down with injuries?

What we need: At least one CB if not two. Another attacking midfielder or striker. If Morsy goes down, we’ll need a viable replacement. We don’t have that right now.

One or two signings, and the kids will be alright!

[Ricco]

So 3 games in, what are we thinking now? I've not seen enough to really comment, so I'm after opinion. From a website that rates players, the only 2 starting players to score less than 7/10 are Hirst 6.69 and Donacien 6.42. Donacien can be excused, I like him a lot, but he's probably playing at the limit of his abilities in the Championship and is to be replaced if Clarke stays fit.

So the question is, is Hirst good enough to lead the line if no one else comes in. He could have bagged two or three so far and he puts in a real shift, so is his rating a little unfair? Next up were Burgess and Luongo, but I'd suggest they're playing well enough that there's no real worries there at this stage.

[Bluemike]

For me Donacien is the weakest player, if there is such a thing, for me Clarke has to play if fit. Hirst absolutely ran his socks off Saturday and any criticism is unfounded, Broadhead barely had a kick Saturday so it will be interesting to know what the experts gave him.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

well for me, on Saturday Burns was definitely the weakest link - missed a sitter, almost gifted them a goal, and I don't think he took on his marker and beat him once. I know I keep banging on about him, but I just do not think he's anywhere near good enough, and in my defence I said I was not impressed when we got him and he's given me no reason to change my opinion.

[Bluemike]

He certainly didn't have a good game for sure.

[Ricco]

For me Donacien is the weakest player, if there is such a thing, for me Clarke has to play if fit. Hirst absolutely ran his socks off Saturday and any criticism is unfounded, Broadhead barely had a kick Saturday so it will be interesting to know what the experts gave him.

Broadhead was given a 6.07 for QPR, looks like 6 is about baseline and you only really go below if your errors give away chances, goals or cards. Burns was given a 6.44 Rossi.

I don't often give too much credit to ratings, they're often pretty subjective, but it's an extra way I can keep track on things as I can't watch much, and they seem to be pretty accurate ratings considering what I hear on here and reports and highlights I see. Ratings for the starting team so far this season if it interests anyone:

7.56 Woolfenden
7.54 Morsy
7.43 Burns
7.41 Hladky
7.29 Broadhead
7.21 Davis
7.16 Chaplin
7.10 Luongo
7.01 Burgess
6.69 Hirst
6.42 Donacien

[Bluemike]

Well my best Two players of the season so far are without doubt Morsy and Woolfenden so read into that what you will.

[hallamblue]

You’ve sustained a head injury?

[Ricco]

You’ve sustained a head injury?

I think it must be Mike who is setting the ratings?

[Bluemike]

Mine would be a little different to some of those, not much mind.

[hallamblue]

Twas only pulling your leg Mikey!

I’m really chuffed as nuts that Hladky has come out all guns blazing. It’ll increase competition for Walton (he needs it). Woolfie is developing for sure, but he lacks pace and Aerial assuredness fir me. But the attacking side of his game is good. I still feel we need a CB as when that ball is in our box I don’t think any of our CBs are too hot in dealing with it.
Another striker is a given, as is a right winger.

I see there are noises now that Greig Leigh might be sought after. I’m not surprised . But wouldn’t really want to see him leave tbh.
A busy final 10-11 days I think !

[Bluemike]

If you get a chance watch the game back again, aside from when Armstrong left woolfy and Clarke for dead Woolfy had a really good game and did get his head to a fair bit, it was better than I actually thought on the day, you know I'm with you in as much as he's been awful in the past but last dozen or so games last season and start of this one I've been impressed, that said I would still like another CB in as Edmundson just isn't up to it at L1 level never mind the Championship.

[Dubai Blue]

Personally I think that we have stepped up a level from League 1 (obvious I know) and some players know the Champ while others may take time to adjust if needed and this is where our top rate backroom staff comes in. As long as they are coached forwards to Champ level we don't really have any in the current starting XI that are not up to it, as well as some great subs on the bench. The trick is to keep performance levels consistently high and this seems to be something that KM is especially good at.

I don't feel that its time yet to judge if we have any weak links in terms of ability. So far we are looking pretty convincing.

[number 9]

I don't feel that its time yet to judge if we have any weak links in terms of ability. So far we are looking pretty convincing.

Completely agree there will be an adjustment period for several players, but in my opinion we should still strengthen the squad with a few more additions. A couple significant injuries could make us vulnerable especially in this league, so I'd feel more comfortable with a bit more quality for depth.

[Dubai Blue]

Can't argue with that