January and the three weaknesses

[pagl]

Originally Posted by subbuteorob

As I think someone pointed out we shouldn't forget players that are here already and sort out contract extensions before January for those we aim to keep.

The striker position does need resolving. Too much rotation. Only Beavon stands out as class but he is not a prolific goal scorer. Beavon with Quigley might work. I would (subject to availability) make Blackpool a cash offer then see if they can sort something out with Port Vale. Give him an 18 month contract - no longer.

Send out or back : Deverdics, Burgess, Hinds, Leo Smith. Retain Walker if possible.
I doubt we are going to find a creative midfielder so maybe look at moving LukeYoung or Summerfield higher up the field and use JMD more as a winger.

I see contract extensions for Pearson and Manny as critical in Jan as I am sure Sam would like the security of knowing these would still be here in his 2nd and 3rd year in the job. Making Lainton a permanent signing would also be good and make space in the loan numbers.

Walker I think has done enough to extend and is also versatile as defensive cover. Seems Burgess loan has been reduced from end of Dec to end of Nov now so it would seem likely he is surplus. Hinds is the mystery with the rumour he goes back in Jan.

For me Deverdics and Holroyd could easily be replaced and I don't understand some of the opinions that its unlikely we can improve the squad/team in Jan as only cast offs are going to be available. There will be good players available or could be tempted to a team that has promotion/play off ambitions.

Good point about Quigley but whether Sam wants him and we could tempt Blackpool with an offer are separate points but my understanding is that we don't think he is available.

[John Neals Dynasty]

This is just a personal view not anything I've heard but I've a feeling Manny won't be offered a new contract...... Now I know fans are going to say bollocks etc, but 3 good Centre halves + Tharme who just needs games? Lawlor is on a 2 yr deal just with us having a small squad that's a lot of permanent centre backs. Now this isn't saying I don't want him to be offered a deal because Manny is a consistent defender.

As for signings in January we had this a year ago when near the top of the league and Keates struggled to find someone and ended us signing an overweight bouncer from Harrogate.
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[redfronner]

After reading 4 pages..

Agree we need a striker - not hard to see

Midfield I feel is being judged on the games without Luke Summerfield ie the last 3 games.
He is our creative spark. With Luke Young next to him and either Wright/Walker behind i think this is better then what people think. We have not played well recently and still managed to get results. Paul can also go in as well as Luke Young who has done a great job in the middle when called upon.

Back 4 and keeper all beautiful, we have cover with walker, and 30 mins a month from Doug.

Joint top of the league although that means nothing until at least Feb.

Quality over quantity and live within our Budget, just because we might have a spare 20 in our back pocket does not mean we should spend it.

[simon4012]

Originally Posted by Rhys's Daddy

I think we only need 2

1 defensive midfield to protect the defence and win ugly in the centre in park
1 creative midfield who can put the foot on the ball, look up and play a perfect pass - not had this since Darren Fergerson

Keates, fowler, little ?

[Cress]

More pace and creativity please.

[redavid]

Originally Posted by Birdy

- Playmaker (a la Fowler) who can pick it up from back four and start attacks

- Striker who can score

- Winger with pace who can actually enable us to counter attack


Get those three and play offs will be a certainty with title a possibility based on the quality of the above.

Oh and dock the wages of anyone who passes is back and sideways more than 10 times in a match.

What a wasted talent Fowler was

[Dead eye Dixie]

I still big Mike will come good if we brought someone like Scott Quigley on to support him up front.
Imagine having to keep those 2 quiet for 90 minutes.
At Chesterfield we took Fondop off and had nothing up front. That allowed them to put pressure on us in the final 30 minutes.
The best form of defence is to attack.
Any loose ball from defence will always have a runner to close down the opposition in their own half .
We would score more goals and probably concede less as well.
Quigley has played 5 games for port vale and not scored.
He can't be happy. Here he was loved and scored around 8 goals in 16 games.
What matters is what you do in the final third of the field.
So come on let's bring it on.
What do we have to lose.

[138+NotOut]

The idiocy of this thread is staggering. All the next Pep you lot are
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[Congy Red]

IF it is true that we have three major weaknesses (I can see that isn't agreed from the above posts) then our situation demands we firstly get a better defensive midfielder. Why?


We are in the almost unique position of getting to January with loads of money, being fantastically placed, and succeeding ahead of our manager's schedule (He doesn't say two year plan, but he does say hold your horses).

To get a season changing attacking player would require a massive fee, a massive salary AND a long contract. The long contract is the deal breaker because it doesn't suit the point in Ricketts development cycle. A 2/3 year deal might land us with an expensive flop we can't shift.


I honestly believe we could attract one of the best Second Division defensive midfielders, on a great salary with the carrot of playing in front of massive crowds and heading for promotion.