I don't think we need a new CT/CM to go up, and here's why.

[Biscuit]

One of the first things Gus did when he took the Brighton hot seat was bring in League One standard full backs. Painter and Calderon supported the midfield, with their movement to ability to make themselves available for the pass.

Now we've stepped up a level, and after an excellent first campaign, Gus has again decided to readdress the full-back issue at this higher level. This time bringing in players of clear Championship standard in Bruno and Bridge.

This, I believe, will be the key to a successful season.

Everyone is obsessing about needing a new CM and ST and Gus has said himself that he'd like to bring them in. However, with our improved full-backs, I don't think it's as vital as many on here seem to think. I think we stand a cracking shot next season, and any more signings would be the icing on the cake.

Sparrow is a class act with an eye for goal. If he sits in the center of the park alongside Bridcutt, I think it could work very, very nicely. I'd like tosee him given a real shot of it, with competition from Dicker if his form dips. We have plenty of attacking options to serve up in the shape of Noone, Buckley, LuaLua and Vicente. Further more, there will be less defensive errors with two quality full backs and a top rate 'keeper. Let's not forget how many points we dropped last term due to late defensive slip ups.

Equally, I don't see the signing of a new striker as 'vital' either. CMS has bundles of talent, Barnes' record is fantastic and he plays 'the Gus way'. Hoskins is getting a solid preseason in which I think will make him the difference off the bench next season for us.

As things stand I can see us lining up like this for the forth coming campaign, and I honestly believe it's a side capable of getting us into the Premiership regardless of the new ST/CM. So let's not worry ourselves too much NSC, and enjoy arguably the best Albion side in decades!

Kuszczak
Bruno, El-Abd, Greer, Bridge
Buckley, Bridcutt, Sparrow, Vicente,
Barnes, CMS

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

A CM is vital we have no one in the centre of the park that can hold on to the ball.

 

[Napper]

A central pairing of Bridcutt and Sparrow is not a top 6 pairing IMO. We have seen Bridcutt can get over run when alongside Harley/Sparrow/Dicker etc etc

I'm pretty sure to accommodate Vicente we will go with 1 up top and GP will bring in a 2nd midfielder to sit / box to box.

New CM is essential if we are to achieve top 6.

I think we could be a play off side without a new striker but we are then banking on Hoskins / Adgestein stepping up / being a capable back up

 

[NickBHAFC18]

Too many games last season where we we're completely bullied around the midfield, it was so frustrating to watch. We definitely need a CM.

 

[Marshy]

I agree with a lot of your points.

Another top quality footballer in the middle of the park is my main priority, someone to go with Vicente and Bridcutt and just dominate possesion of the ball for long periods higher up the pitch to get CMS and Barnes in better scorng positions with more chances.

 

[Bruntburger]

Too many games last season where we we're completely bullied around the midfield, it was so frustrating to watch. We definitely need a CM.

This

 

[Silk]

We definitely need that midfielder. We might get away without the striker but I'm not so sure.

 

[ees complicated no?]

spaz is sh!t him and HArley need to go .... I'd rather play Dicker or JFC ahead of him (yes I know JFC gone on loan).

We 100% need a new CM that should be our next key signing.

But I agree we have a good strike force With the 4 main fowards we have but if by any chance we could sign a proven goal scoring I'd hope we do a deal.

 

[Silent Bob]

Sparrow as one of a midfield two is not even close to good enough.

 

[algie]

Sparrow has never been a class act for us. I was delighted when we first signed him but what a let down he has been overall. He needs to be offloaded along with Harley.

 

[Marshy]

Spaz is far from shit.

A very very handy player to have in our squad.

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

I like Sparrow a lot and think he has a part to play but if we want to realise the potential of all our attacking players we need someone strong in the middle.

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

Id rather Sparrow than Dicker in midfield.... Not impressed at all with Dicker when he came back last season for the run-in.

 

[Daffy Duck]

We definitely need a midfield bully. Poor Bridders was pretty much a one-man midfield for a lot of games last season.

 

[We're the Stripes]

It's a nice positive post, but clearly the need for a strong, all-action central midfielder is something that Gus and the vast majority of our fans are in full agreement on. And for good reason.

 

[Perkino]

3 of the best wingers in the league and you'd play Sparrow in the centre of a 4-4-2...
I'd love to see us play that formation like this:
Kuszczak
Bruno, Greer, Dunk, Bridge
Buckley, Bridcutt, Vicente, Lualua
Barnes, CMS
I think we may get over run in midfield due to Vicente's runs leaving the centre exposed. I'd love to be wrong in which case a new CF would be superb.

More likely is we will play like this:
Kuszczak
Bruno, Greer, Dunk, Bridge
Buckley, Bridcutt, Sparrow, Vicente, Lualua
CMS
With Vicente having a free role and popping up in front of the midfield while CMS plays of the last defender. in this formtion Sparrow is the weakest link so a new CM is required.

What i am certain about is that any new players will be significantly better than those who we already have

 

[Monsieur Le Plonk]

Spaz is far from shit.

A very very handy player to have in our squad.

Very useful.
There were moments last year when he fulfilled the potential of the box-to-box CM that we needed but they were moments only. Think he gets found out defensively too often with some poor tackling and too many cautions. If he can sort those problems out and up his consistency then who knows.

 

[Philzo-93]

We need a Razak like player! Someone who can bully the midfield an allow Bridcutt to maximise his potential! Let's just hope Gus picks a player that won't cause conflict with the back room staff like Razak!

 

[Bruntburger]

Strike force is looking good, Hoskins and Tobi will be like new signings if they get their chance.

Midfield lacks presence! Need someone strong, powerful and who can play the easy ball.

 

[Silent Bob]

I'm not quite sure why so many people still like Sparrow whose good games for us you can count on one hand whereas integral title winners are constantly bashed.