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

[Baaaald]

This is a really good debate. Think Sparrow is a player we would rather have in our squad than not, but do agree with the points that buying a CM is absolutely vital to our success this coming season. As for a striker i am not so sure. CMS deserves another year, Barnes love him or hate him scores goals and Hoskins and Toby clearly have potential for the future.

Oh and yes Harley must go - he really is s**t!

 

[Napper]

Worth remembering that for a small period last season , Sparrow was class and our best player. Unfortunately he got injured or sent off ? and never got back to where he was. Certainly showed he can be a real handful in this league but for me as a back up.

 

[prawnsarnies]

Time for Crofty to come back, Gus knows exactly what he's getting with him.

 

[JBizzle]

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.

I think its because in the games when he was good (e.g. Southampton) he was absolutely excellent. If he hadn't been sent off, he would have been in the team for much longer. I actually think this will be a very good season for Sparrow.

In terms of the line up, I think it will likely be the following:

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

Don't get me wrong, if a new MF comes in, it'll likely be Sparrow that drops out but I think Barnes is a more guaranteed starter than CMS now.

 

[Mackenzie]

I'd have a Shaun Derry/Andrew Crofts type in the middle to compliment Vicente.....nothing spectacular but does the nuts and bolts of the game really well.

 

[MattBackHome]

I'm also not convinced that Dicker provides adequate cover here.

 

[Mellotron]

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

A better put version of what I've been trying to say to anyone who'll listen on here over the last 2-3 weeks. Would still like new CM if poss though, and I would also say that bringing Kusz in will make a difference, as bringing Casper in did at League One level.

 

[One Love]

For me, for us to go up we definitely need a new centre midfield and a new centre forward.

 

[Stat Brother]

CM is essential.

An attacking formation will create more chances, so I don't think it would be the end of the season if a CF, didn't arrive.

 

[Turkey]

A new centre mid and striker would certainly add to the squad and make us better but we do already have a decent side it has to be said. It's a good position to be in! Looking forward to whatver Gus has up his sleeve in terms of additions though.

With regards to full backs, we improved so much when Reyes and Mattock came in last season, so fully agree I think with Bruno and Bridge we should hopefully already be at that level now. So any further signings only a good thing to push us on even further. Quite excited about this season, only concern is we don't have the promotion/new ground moment and unknown quantity factor that gave us such a good kick start last season. A few tricky ties to start off with and need to get some points from them!

 

[Mellotron]

For me, for us to go up we definitely need a new centre midfield and a new centre forward.

I would bet money we could go up without a new striker. Between them;

CMS
Barnes
Hoskins
Vicente
LuaLua
Buckley
Noone
Sparrow
New CM

Could easily get us enough goals to be promoted.

 

[Fitzcarraldo]

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.

That is because Sparrow made the step up. There were games last year, around Christmas time, he looked the best player in the team. The midfield players you are referring to, presumably Dicker, never did.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

For me, for us to go up we definitely need a new centre midfield and a new centre forward.

Agree. Without, in a much stronger league, we'll be mid-table again. Remember we only scored 53 goals all season with just 16 of those coming away from home, a risible amount. A new striker and midfield powerhouse both essential.

 

[Silent Bob]

A better put version of what I've been trying to say to anyone who'll listen on here over the last 2-3 weeks. Would still like new CM if poss though, and I would also say that bringing Kusz in will make a difference, as bringing Casper in did at League One level.

I agree with what you've been saying about strengthening at the back allowing us to be more free going forward. You've made the comparison between doing that this summer and doing it the summer before last and then winning the title, but the difference is the midfield. That year we had Dicker and mostly Bridcutt (also Kishishev at times and as backup) with Bennett kind of starting on the right but with a pretty free role and often playing through the middle. Firstly whatever combination you make of Bridcutt and one other they are not as good at this level as Bridcutt and Dicker were at League One level. Secondly you can say if we go back to that system Vicente will play how Bennett did but Vicente won't offer as much when we are out of posession. So the midfield is still a lot weaker.

 

[Codner pharmaceuticals]

Agree with OP, unless there is the unlikely event of anyone getting injured, suspended, or we have to play away from home.

 

[Silent Bob]

That is because Sparrow made the step up. There were games last year, around Christmas time, he looked the best player in the team. The midfield players you are referring to, presumably Dicker, never did.

Well he did have that run of three or so games where he played well, until getting sent off stupidly two games in a row. Dicker had as many if not more good games than Sparrow last seaosn and unlike Sparrow even when he's not at his best he can do something good, whereas Sparrow just disappears from games.

 

[Mellotron]

I agree with what you've been saying about strengthening at the back allowing us to be more free going forward. You've made the comparison between doing that this summer and doing it the summer before last and then winning the title, but the difference is the midfield. That year we had Dicker and mostly Bridcutt (also Kishishev at times and as backup) with Bennett kind of starting on the right but with a pretty free role and often playing through the middle. Firstly whatever combination you make of Bridcutt and one other they are not as good at this level as Bridcutt and Dicker were at League One level. Secondly you can say if we go back to that system Vicente will play how Bennett did but Vicente won't offer as much when we are out of posession. So the midfield is still a lot weaker.

Bridcutt is still very young, and improving all the time. He was very good at Champ level last season, who's to say he won't be even better?

I think you slightly underrate Sparrow. Given a number of games under his belt, he was starting to prove a very good midfielder indeed.

I think he COULD have a very good season. Will he? Dunno.

 

[Silent Bob]

Bridcutt is still very young, and improving all the time. He was very good at Champ level last season, who's to say he won't be even better?

I think you slightly underrate Sparrow. Given a number of games under his belt, he was starting to prove a very good midfielder indeed.

I think he COULD have a very good season. Will he? Dunno.

I've got no problem with Bridders, he was very good last season, his form dipped a little bit at times hopefully this season that won't happen with him having a full season at this level under his belt. He was immense at times last season.

With Sparrow I think he is an attacking midfielder, his good games last season were as the furthest forward of three midfielders with Bridcutt and Caskey (and maybe Navarro I don't remember) behind him. But I doubt he's ever going to be first choice in that position (especially as he's had plenty of indifferent to bad games in that role too) and in the middle of the pitch I think his general play, especially his passing, isn't really good enough.

 

[Fitzcarraldo]

Well he did have that run of three or so games where he played well, until getting sent off stupidly two games in a row. Dicker had as many if not more good games than Sparrow last seaosn and unlike Sparrow even when he's not at his best he can do something good, whereas Sparrow just disappears from games.

When Dicker is at his best he can do somethings good, not great, good. I thought his main problem last season was that he was playing against players beyond his physical limitations. He hasn't got enough pace, speed of thought or ability to harry and tackle back. He is also a bit of a Jonah with us not winning for something like 11 games when he was in the starting 11 - a run that stretched before and after his leg break.

Sparrow on the other can give winning contributions to games - think the Southampton game at home. He is also stronger in the tackle and better at driving the team forward. I agree he has gone missing from games in the past but when got a run in the team he just looked a far superior player to Dicker. To claim that Dicker should perhaps not get such a knocking because he contributed to a title in the league below, two years ago, is ludicrous. Football moves on. Dicker isn't good enough anymore.

 

[B.W.]

This shouldn't turn into a slagging-off session of our current players... Dicker and Sparrow are both good squad members... however, Gus has recognised that a first-choice midfield player needs to be brought in... I see this powerhouse midfielder as the top priority signing we MUST make to improve on last season... as for the striker, we DO need a plan B, and a target man, which we don't have on our books, provides that... Gus sees this, not sure why the OP and others on here don't TBH?