Is it a concern than we need new players already?

[Prodigal Son]

I would sign a big striker as an option B, A central defender who can win the ball in the air and at least 1 full back. I would send Lua Lua back to Newcastle as he has lost his pace and is not any better or dangerous than Noone who is ours. I would also look to off load on loan at least, Sparrow Navarro and Jamie Smith and 2 of the four keepers, probably Walker and Poke.

I agree with BG on this.

 

[catfish]

Interesting what u say about a tall strong striker.....am i correct in that we have only scored once with a header this season and that was Sunderland.

And against Blackpool.

 

[LamieRobertson]

And against Blackpool.

Doh...make that 2...but we don't seem to win much in the air at corners etc

 

[BensGrandad]

we don't seem to win much in the air at corners etc

either ours or against us.

 

[fataddick]

After the arrivals of CMS, Vicente, Lua Lua, Harley, Hoskins and Buckley, is it a concern to hear that we need new players?

After making so many 'high profile' additions already, it appears that Gus is saying that last year's squad is simply not good enough, and that he needs even more 'new' players?

If those players are not good enough IHO why has he not shipped the out already?

Chris Powell at Charlton signed 17 new players to get the squad he wanted.

20 in and 19 out this summer. Not really a fair comparison. Powell only had this summer to build a squad - he signed no-one at all last season (BWP deal was agreed before Powell was appointed) and we only had five pros still under contract for this season, hence the high turnaround. I think you have a good mid-Championship squad. Some clubs are desparate to go up this season to offset debts etc, you aren't. Seriously, the PL is a poisoned chalice for so-called 'smaller' clubs, don't spend your pants off to get there. Build the fanbase/capacity first, then just let it happen. Or get a flukey play-off win and start running subsidised coaches to steal other clubs' fans. Your choice.

 

[TotallyFreaked]

After watching them today I really feel quite clueless about what we need and might have to cancel my team talk with Gus tomorrow. We are a newly promoted team playing seasoned championship teams many with ex premiership players. I am not sure it's just a matter of bringing in new players but maybe a bit of head scratching by Gus and experience by our players in the championship and were by back to winning ways.

 

[Mustela Furo]

xxx

 

[Mr Burns]

I had big doubts over some of the players and their ability to step up a level.

But Gus has given them a chance, and a few are badly lacking. Even before the bad run that has left us 5th... YES 5th in championship (lets not forget that), I had big concerns over Dicker, Painter, Greer (believe it or not), and the rest of the central midfiled bar Bridcutt. I didnt think Barnes would be near the side, and its only injuries that have allowed him to start, but as much as he tries, he's not up to this level.

I think whilst we have the numbers, we seriosuly are lacking in central midfield.

We also miss Glenn Murray. For the sake of 2k a week, I think Gus' biggest cock up to date was not matching Palaces offer and giving him two years.

Imagine where we would be with CMS playing off of Murray. Probably away at the top of the table.

I think the difference this season, is we are getting punish for mistakes, whereas last season we created so many chances, we could get away with it.

Still think we will finish around the play offs, but I think there could be a few shocks for a few players coming up in the next few weeks.

Gus has the contacts, he can get in loan players at will, he just has choosen not to. I think any player that loses their place in the next month to loanees, could find themselves out of the club in January.

The system works. The players are not up to the system at the moment.

 

[Binney on acid]

I think that the system only works at this level if you are playing with two wingers, especially at home. We are so one dimensional it's embarrassing. There doesn't appear to be a plan "B". The team selection against Palace simply surrendered the initive before kick off. Everyone in the stadium saw a Palace equaliser as an inevitability, yet three substitutions couldn't prevent it. Tactically inept, lightweight and ponderous. Mid table would be an achievment.

 

[Discodoktor]

No because if we want promotion it's true. And we all thought it until we started so well. It's the reality check.

 

[Weststander]

After the arrivals of CMS, Vicente, Lua Lua, Harley, Hoskins and Buckley, is it a concern to hear that we need new players?

After making so many 'high profile' additions already, it appears that Gus is saying that last year's squad is simply not good enough, and that he needs even more 'new' players?

If those players are not good enough IHO why has he not shipped the out already?

Chris Powell at Charlton signed 17 new players to get the squad he wanted.

All the way back in April, I said we needed fullbacks both sides in case Painter or Calderon injured, and a new no.1 goalie.
I've since revised this, that we need replacement fullbacks with class and pace.

Utility man Vincelot looks like not the solution.

And Dicker found out.

Trouble was in the Summer, Gus had a budget, and it went on forwards/midfield.

Hopefully with the mega Amex shop, catering sales, and league cup run & TV monies; in January Gus & TB will have a warchest. Please!

 

[Weststander]

I think that the system only works at this level if you are playing with two wingers, especially at home. We are so one dimensional it's embarrassing. There doesn't appear to be a plan "B". The team selection against Palace simply surrendered the initive before kick off. Everyone in the stadium saw a Palace equaliser as an inevitability, yet three substitutions couldn't prevent it. Tactically inept, lightweight and ponderous. Mid table would be an achievment.

First 20 minutes against CP we were on fire.

Then their unoriginal but effective gameplan of 4-5-1 took hold, using what we did last year.

Ball to target man Murray, with runners into space behind causing mayhem (last season, Barnes, Noone, Bennett, LuaLua, Calderon & Co).

The rigid 4-4-2 this year with snail Dicker is now getting destroyed.

 

[brunswick]

we dont need new players.....cardiff away anyone?

what we need is a system that works.

 

[Discodoktor]

we dont need new players.....cardiff away anyone?

what we need is a system that works.

I was at Cardiff away and we scored completely against the run of play. Then it went well. If you think some of our players are premiership contenders then you are just a troll.

 

[Weststander]

I was at Cardiff away and we scored completely against the run of play. Then it went well. If you think some of our players are premiership contenders then you are just a troll.

Opposing managers now have the dvd's of us. Easy gameplan:
1. Let Greer, Dunk & Ankergren pass in a relentless triangle to each other. Just relax & wait for for ball to go midfield.
2. Overrun the excellent Bridcutt with 3 against him, and no need to worry about snail Dicker.
3. Attack with pace the hapless and slow Painter, and Calderon.

Unforrtunately, Allerdyce & Adkins are looking forward to easy 3 points.

 

[Hotchilidog]

Gus at the beginning of the season said he didn't know how good the team was and in time he would find out...i think he has a better idea now than he did a few weeks back...now we have to wait and see what he does about it.

Indeed, Gus has been spending the first 10 games finding out what his squad can do. Now he knows, against some opponents we can be very good against others we look out of our depth. I do not think we are a terrible team, but we are not a top six side either. This squad is good enough for midtable survival but probably not a great deal more. If I was to make one criticism of Gus, it is that he did not increase competition for the fullback position in the summer.

I think Barnes and CMS are just fine as a front two but they are being rendered ineffective by thelack of service from midfield. The centre of midfield has not being strong enough in winning possession or clever enough in distribution to play to their strengths. I think a fit Buckley and an up-to-speed Vicente will go some way to reversing this. I also think if Buckley can play a bigger part it gives the extra option we need up front. However Vincelot aside we have nothing to bring in at fullback, this is a state-of-affairs I see changing pretty quickly.

I'm glad we are doing our soul searching when we are fifth from the top, rather than the usual fifth from bottom panics we've had in previous years.

As for people at the club having problems with Poyet, well the answer is simple, leave! Gus is the boss, the turnaround he has made at the club has been nothing short of miraculous. We look set, at worse, to consolidate our championship status this season, if anyone wants to be part of a successful future with this club, they sure as hell should quit whining and get with the programme, and damn quickly too.

I have every confidence in Gus and Tanno to turn this around and every confidence that Tony Bloom will do what he can to help them out.

 

[Discodoktor]

Im sure you can create a different systems, together with strong motivation that will beat any team on it's day. However, it's a season and to increase your odds on winning regularly you buy quality players. This what all the big teams do. Fact. Individually some of our players will never play in the premiership or be a regular in a promotion to premiership team. GP is acknowledging this like we all did at the start of the season.

 

[Weststander]

Im sure you can create a different systems, together with strong motivation that will beat any team on it's day. However, it's a season and to increase your odds on winning regularly you buy quality players. This what all the big teams do. Fact. Individually some of our players will never play in the premiership or be a regular in a promotion to premiership team. GP is acknowledging this like we all did at the start of the season.

Exactly.
A PL graph of payroll costs (reflecting class of player) versus final league position, has a clear almost straight line correlation.

Quality players is the key in any division.

 

[Discodoktor]

Exactly.
A PL graph of payroll costs (reflecting class of player) versus final league position, has a clear almost straight line correlation.

Quality players is the key in any division.

I can't help feel this acknowledgement that we need quality on the back of a five year deal shows that bloom and poyet have an understanding. The future looks very good.

 

[clippedgull]

we dont need new players.....cardiff away anyone?

what we need is a system that works.

At the moment that is looking like a freak result!