the saint in winchester Posted 10 May, 2011 Posted 10 May, 2011 Connolly - Yes. Absolute class. Fittest and best striker we have. Injuries are behind him if he plays regularly, and if I have my way, he'd be first choice striker. The rest can rotate. Forget PAYP. If we don't offer him a good contract, someone else will. Jaidi - No. Legs are gone, thanks for the memories, but pacy strikers in the Champo would embarrass him - and us. Gold watch time. Harding - Unquestionably. First choice LB and can play LM. 2 for the price of one. Butterfield - Yes, probably unless someone marvellous appears. Gobern - No. A squad player but will never be first choice. Martin - Yes. High time he became first choice and by releasing Jaidi he may become that.
Lighthouse Posted 10 May, 2011 Posted 10 May, 2011 we are looking at this in a very simple fashion, assuming that we can find " better " replacements who will fit in. If you end up with "another " Puncheon (assuming this one will go ) ...or another Forecast ..or Pulis then the whole balance of the squad , and the dynamics in the dressing room is lost. The key issue is not finding 11 players who can play 46 games of 100 minutes a match, but getting cover for eventual injuries, suspensions or loss of form. Whilst some of us were looking for another striker to be signed in the January window, what we got was an almost legendary performance by sub. Jonathan Forte who came off the bench (in MK Dons game ) and scored twice in a couple of minutes and "perhaps" won a match that helped get us promoted instead of looking at play-offs. then our " new signing" appeared in the form of the almost forgotten, now fit David Connolly who scored a couple of very valuable goals. INSTEAD : our real problem suddenly became ; MIDFIELD. In the space of a few games, we lost Schneiderlin, Chamberlain, Lallana... then replacement Stephens ..and then Barnard. Fortunately the likes of Chaplow and Guly were good enough to fill the void for a few games, whereas we might have lost 9-12 points had we been forced to use untried Academy lads... We need depth in the squad - at least for one more season, and those we know can fill the breach in an emergency. If we are promoted next season , or not ..we will def. need new faces to push on / and stay up / in the Prem. We won't get another Puncheon, Forecast or Pulis though. Puncheon was signed by Pardew and clearly never looked happy once he'd left. Forecast and Pulis were two completely retarded transfers and God only know's what Rupert was thinking when he bought them. Quite how a sh*te goalkeeper is better than a sell on clause for Gareth Bale I have no idea. Anyway, I digress; Cortese and Adkins are in charge and have been fairly sensible in the transfer market. You will always get the occasional transfer which doesnt work out, it happens. I wouldn't get quite so excited about Forte and Connolly's contribution either. Other than those 2 minutes against the Dons, Forte has done bugger all else of note. Connolly has come riding in on a white horse at the end of the battle, but the rest of his season has been a nightmare. I'd much rather have someone like Nugent, CMS etc. than both of those players. We need reliable players. DC isn't and neither is Forte, although I would give the latter a second chance. Your statement about the midfield just illustrates exactly why we need someone fitter than DC in the squad. What if Lambert and Barnard both got injured? Connolly would most likely be injured too, leaving us with Guly as the only striker left. That would kill our promotion chances stone dead.
Matthew Le God Posted 10 May, 2011 Posted 10 May, 2011 Harding - Unquestionably. First choice LB and can play LM. 2 for the price of one. In which games has Harding played left midfield for Saints? It is Dickson that does both, not Harding.
shurlock Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 I wouldn't get quite so excited about Forte and Connolly's contribution either. Other than those 2 minutes against the Dons, Forte has done bugger all else of note. Connolly has come riding in on a white horse at the end of the battle, but the rest of his season has been a nightmare. I'd much rather have someone like Nugent, CMS etc. than both of those players. We need reliable players. DC isn't and neither is Forte, although I would give the latter a second chance. Riding a white horse at the end of the battle?!?! I wouldn't characterise his goals against Brighton and Brentford like that. Have you seen him play? How many games would you expect from Connolly to make a new contract good value for money? And what makes you so sure that Connolly will be injured again? He's fit now and he didn't suddenly appear out of nowhere when he appeared 'on his white horse'. Apparently, he he had been ready for a while.
woodsaint Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 Would definetly offer a new contract to Jaidi. Would aim to bring in a new first choice CB but would keep him as backup (loan out Martin). His experience at playing at the top level would help. Many old, slower players have did well in the NPC this season - Derry (QPR) is a good example
NickG Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 Trouble is, if we keep Connolly, Harding, Butterfield, Gobern, Hammond, Martin an thecrest, then we have more than two players for every position, and who or where do we bring in new players who are expected to be better? Therefore, the knife has to be but through some. I'd start with Seaborne, and reluctantly, Holmes. Butterfield and Connolly must be in doubt if better is available. we don't need three right backs, for instance. As for strikers, any chance of Mackail-Smith joining? I don't really rate Bannard, and certainly seen nothing in Forte. Wouldn't weep buckets if either was replaced by someone better. At the end of the day, we need 22 good players...so any surplus is, well, surplus!! QPR used 22 first team players this season. The club have already said some of our U21 players will be used for first team next season. We already have pretty big squad. Unless there are going to be mass departures I don't expect many news faces
doddisalegend Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 Riding a white horse at the end of the battle?!?! I wouldn't characterise his goals against Brighton and Brentford like that. Have you seen him play? How many games would you expect from Connolly to make a new contract good value for money? And what makes you so sure that Connolly will be injured again? He's fit now and he didn't suddenly appear out of nowhere when he appeared 'on his white horse'. Apparently, he he had been ready for a while. Which begs the question as to why he was only used once Barney was injuried? everyone keeps saying he is a class above yet by all accounts when Nigel had to choose between Barnard and Connolly (who has been fit for months allegedly) he chose Barnard.
dubai_phil Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 QPR used 22 first team players this season. The club have already said some of our U21 players will be used for first team next season. We already have pretty big squad. Unless there are going to be mass departures I don't expect many news faces "We are looking to bring in some quality" "We wish to keep the excellent team spirit" Paraphrasing Adkins in the parks the bus interview Pretty obvious we will get Quality not quantity when the man in charge says it about 3 times in the same interview! There will be games against big lump CF's where we will need Jaidi, and there will be games when we will need someone with pace alongside Fonte. NA may think he has the cover now with Seabourne & Martin. Think the only two areas will be Midfield & up front. Seeing as Ryan Dickson tells us that we now play 4-5-1 in the Sky interview and that Lambert seems to now play the "Teddy Sheringham" role. Think we'll see only the fringe players leaving tbh
dubai_phil Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 fringe players out, about 3 new in? Would be my guess, maybe only two IF Nige thinks we have the cover at the back. Although I expect a lot depends on any other departures, maybe Mancs or Arse will really stump up big bucks for AOC. Maybe Forte will surprise us all and step straight into his shoes......
doddisalegend Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 fringe players out, about 3 new in? Do we really have any fringe players? Most of the team have stepped in and done a job at some stage over the season. Last season we got rid of 14 players I don't think there are to many left to get rid of.
NickG Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 Not sure which but from comments from the club they expect more than one younger player to move up to be part of first team squad Dean, Stephens, Argent, McNish, Reeves, Ward-Prowse, Garod? Guess Stephens is most likely and gather his favoured position is RB.
Dan Johnson Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 Connolly - Yes if only just for backup. We're short on experience strikers at the level. Gully seems to be deployed as a winger these days. Keep Connolly, get another striker in. Jaidi - Yes/No - I'm not Jaidi's biggest fan, if we're looking to improve the starting 11 then he is certainly where we should start. HOWEVER that all depends on what players are availble, get 1 CB in and we'd probably need to keep him as cover, get 2 in and we can let him go. Harding - Has certainly been improving, although again I think if we're looking to progress then we could probably do better. Butterfield - Same as above really, has been solid although if we want quailty in Gobern - undecided, not seen enough of him to comment really. Martin - Yes and loan him out
Charlie Wayman Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 The problem with all of this is if we want new players to come in then we have to reduce the wage bill and so a lot of these will have to be moved on. It is easier and cheaper to move on players who are out of contract so i don't expect many or any of these to say - certainly connolly on a one-year and maybe jaidi - but not the others. Sorry for the caps - not shouting, just finger trouble this morning.
mattyd Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 Squad and bit players in League 1 will go. I do not think the loan signings have made it. Fonte shows what a good player at Championship level is like and we need more of his class. I think Gobern is nver going to make it at that level, Martin is not quite ready, Jaidi is too slow for the good Championship teams. Remember the stated policy is to buy for the league above the one we compete in. Expect ex prem players who are not in the first 25? Look at Bellamy at Cardiff as an example.
JackFrost Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 Connolly - Yes, proved his class at the end of the season, even if he only plays 15-20 games it'll be worth it Jaidi - Yes, give him a one year even if we only use him as a bit part player to bring on in the last 15-20 mins of games when we're camped in our own half, under pressure and defending a lead Harding - Yes Butterfield - Yes Gobern - No, don't think he's good enough Martin - Yes, He did well earlier in the season
VectisSaint Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 Do we really have any fringe players? Most of the team have stepped in and done a job at some stage over the season. Last season we got rid of 14 players I don't think there are to many left to get rid of. Forecast & Pulis. I doubt anyone else in the first team squad will be let go, apart from Holmes, unfortunately and Puncheon, thank goodness. Some people on here are living in the past worrying unduly about increasing wage bill, when we are getting promoted. Thats Lowe thinking. I'm not saying we should blow the wage bill but we don't release decent players to reduce the wage bill any more. We release players because they are not considered good enough. Until we have better replacements there is frankly no-one apart from the 4 mentioned who fit into this category, especially if the loanees are not renewed. Quite frankly people suggesting Connolly or Harding should be released are out of their minds. We should be busting a gut to get them signed up on a new contract as quickly as possible, these are two of our best players who will certainly do well in the Championship and could probably do OK in the Prem. Jaidi will be OK next season, but probably not as first choice. The experience of all these three players is what we desparately need in a higher league. Expect to see 3 new signings at most, striker, wide midfield and central defender, assuming we don't lose Oxo or Lallana.
Patrick Bateman Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 As above, can only see Pulis, Holmes and Puncheon going. We only really need a big rock centre back to learn from Jaidi and take over the reins and also, a mean hard central midfield player.
Viking Warrior Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 pulis -yes extend his contract a star in the making
Chez Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 I'd definitely keep Gobern. I think he's looked alright when he's played and we can always loan him out if he's surplus to requirements. I think he has potential. He's such a tall, fit player that covers the ground very well. To be fair to him he's been slightly underused and almost always played out of position (he's a centre mid for me) this season so it's difficult to judge him. he's very Carlton Palmer-esque. Whether you rated him of not, in the second tier he'd of been some player. I hate to see young players leave. But I'm reminded of Lloyd James last summer. I never really expected him to be let go, but on reflection it was the right move.
Chez Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 Remember the stated policy is to buy for the league above the one we compete in. Expect ex prem players who are not in the first 25? Look at Bellamy at Cardiff as an example. we were buying for the league above whilst in league 1, but is that the plan now we are in the Championship? Bellamy signings are very very expensive. Does our budget stretch to that I wonder?
Window Cleaner Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 we were buying for the league above whilst in league 1, but is that the plan now we are in the Championship? Bellamy signings are very very expensive. Does our budget stretch to that I wonder? Bellamy is on loan at Cardiff, who knows who pays what between Cardiff and Citeh.
SuperMikey Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 Keep Butterfield Harding Martin Jaidi (PAYP) Connolly (PAYP) Get Rid Gobern Cancel Contract/Sell Pulis Forecast Holmes
Lighthouse Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 we were buying for the league above whilst in league 1, but is that the plan now we are in the Championship? Bellamy signings are very very expensive. Does our budget stretch to that I wonder? I think the loss we made last season, despite 2 very lucrative cup runs, shows we need to keep the wage bill down. It's one reason I don't think we can really afford "fringe" players on the squad who can only do maybe 10-20 games a season. People are saying we should keep Jaidi AND bring in someone to replace him. Same with Connolly. Financially I don't think it's viable. Why have 4 high earners on the books, when we could just have two very good players on much less total money? Guly, Lambert, Barnard, CMS (hypothetically) - 4 decent strikers with varying atributes. Sorted Guly, Lambert, Barnard, CMS, Connolly - An unnescessary extravagance.
Window Cleaner Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 Keep Butterfield Harding Martin Jaidi (PAYP) Connolly (PAYP) Get Rid Gobern Cancel Contract/Sell Pulis Forecast Holmes Do pay as you play contracts actually exist?? No player would accept one unless he couldn't get anything else. I'd think offering a PAYP contract to Jaidi after all he's done for us this season would be an insult to him. We either give him a proper contract or free him to sign elsewhere.
Chez Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 Bellamy is on loan at Cardiff, who knows who pays what between Cardiff and Citeh. I'd imagine Cardiff pay him more than we pay any of our players.
Lighthouse Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 Do pay as you play contracts actually exist?? No player would accept one unless he couldn't get anything else. I'd think offering a PAYP contract to Jaidi after all he's done for us this season would be an insult to him. We either give him a proper contract or free him to sign elsewhere. I've often wondered that too. Experienced players aren't going to take home peanuts, regardless of how much or little they play. I can't see too many players signing a contract which might pay them sod all for 3 months if they're injured or not picked. They would probably still want a basic wage of some description and a substantial appearance bonus.
Chez Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 Do pay as you play contracts actually exist?? maybe in the form of a smaller basic salary and a large appearance fee. I agree with you that Jaidi will either get a matching contract to what he has or we will let him go.
Window Cleaner Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 I'd imagine Cardiff pay him more than we pay any of our players. Without a doubt but as he has a contract with Citeh for mega-bucks they probably still pay some fraction of it. If he's on say 40K/week, I'd think that's probably split 25/15
Sour Mash Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 Definitely keep hold of Connolly and Jaidi, they've been two of our best players over the last couple of months and wouldn't have done anywhere near as well without them. You'll struggle to get too much better than those two.
Lighthouse Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 Without a doubt but as he has a contract with Citeh for mega-bucks they probably still pay some fraction of it. If he's on say 40K/week, I'd think that's probably split 25/15 Bellamy has gone from Newcastle to Blackburn, to Liverpool, to West Ham, before signing for Mega Bucks City. I doubt he's taken a pay cut anywhere along the way and I'd say he was on nearer £100k than £40k. No idea how that breaks down with Cardiff as a percentage. I'd guess at 80/20 with Citeh still paying the lions share.
Eastcowzer Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 Forecast & Pulis. I doubt anyone else in the first team squad will be let go, apart from Holmes, unfortunately and Puncheon, thank goodness. Some people on here are living in the past worrying unduly about increasing wage bill, when we are getting promoted. Thats Lowe thinking. I'm not saying we should blow the wage bill but we don't release decent players to reduce the wage bill any more. We release players because they are not considered good enough. Until we have better replacements there is frankly no-one apart from the 4 mentioned who fit into this category, especially if the loanees are not renewed. Quite frankly people suggesting Connolly or Harding should be released are out of their minds. We should be busting a gut to get them signed up on a new contract as quickly as possible, these are two of our best players who will certainly do well in the Championship and could probably do OK in the Prem. Jaidi will be OK next season, but probably not as first choice. The experience of all these three players is what we desparately need in a higher league. Expect to see 3 new signings at most, striker, wide midfield and central defender, assuming we don't lose Oxo or Lallana. Forecast & Pulis. ! Surely they're 'Beyond the Fringe'.
shurlock Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 (edited) I think he has potential. He's such a tall, fit player that covers the ground very well. To be fair to him he's been slightly underused and almost always played out of position (he's a centre mid for me) this season so it's difficult to judge him. he's very Carlton Palmer-esque. Whether you rated him of not, in the second tier he'd of been some player. I hate to see young players leave. But I'm reminded of Lloyd James last summer. I never really expected him to be let go, but on reflection it was the right move. With Gobern, people are struck by his athleticism and assume there's something to work with - that's been the english mindset. But technically, he's always looked tentative in possession. I had high hopes for him - still remember his role in our fightback at Preston a few seasons ago (where he played left-midfield). However he hasn't hit the same heights since. With midfield a recurring problem and notwithstanding a bad hip injury, Gobern has had opportunities to impress; but at each turn, hes been overlooked and instead new faces -Hammond, Chaplow, Stephens etc- have come in pushing him further down the line. Even James started ahead of Gobern in CM while he was at the club. Its a tough call - I was quite happy to see James leave since I had two seasons to watch him develop (or not). That's not the case with Gobern. Either way he needs greater match time, especially as there are decent youngsters coming up behind, so if a decent loan can't be lined up, I would look to move him on. Edited 11 May, 2011 by shurlock spellink
shurlock Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 I think the loss we made last season, despite 2 very lucrative cup runs, shows we need to keep the wage bill down. It's one reason I don't think we can really afford "fringe" players on the squad who can only do maybe 10-20 games a season. People are saying we should keep Jaidi AND bring in someone to replace him. Same with Connolly. Financially I don't think it's viable. Why have 4 high earners on the books, when we could just have two very good players on much less total money? Guly, Lambert, Barnard, CMS (hypothetically) - 4 decent strikers with varying atributes. Sorted Guly, Lambert, Barnard, CMS, Connolly - An unnescessary extravagance. Guly and Lambert can also play in different positions (also true with Forte who you've left off but arguably strengthens your point about freeing up room). Of course, the biggest extravagence would be to pay £3m or so for CMS and accompanying wages- that's the elephant in the room.
Lighthouse Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 Guly and Lambert can also play in different positions (also true with Forte who you've left off but arguably strengthens your point about freeing up room). Of course, the biggest extravagence would be to pay £3m or so for CMS and accompanying wages- that's the elephant in the room. Guly yes, he can play accross the front 6 if needed. Lambert, not sure what you're refering too, I've only ever seen him play up front. Yes he can drop deep and drift out wide, but he is a striker. Forte I'd consider a more likely prospect on the wing, but yes he is another striking option. CMS other otherwise is likely to involve a considerable transfer and wage packet. Another reason we can't have any extravagances with the squad.
doddisalegend Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 Guly yes, he can play accross the front 6 if needed. Lambert, not sure what you're refering too, I've only ever seen him play up front. Yes he can drop deep and drift out wide, but he is a striker.Forte I'd consider a more likely prospect on the wing, but yes he is another striking option. CMS other otherwise is likely to involve a considerable transfer and wage packet. Another reason we can't have any extravagances with the squad. Lambert played half his footballing life as a CM he only started playing as a striker while at Stockport.
david in sweden Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 Trouble is, if we keep Connolly, Harding, Butterfield, Gobern, Hammond, Martin an thecrest, then we have more than two players for every position, and who or where do we bring in new players who are expected to be better? Therefore, the knife has to be but through some. I'd start with Seaborne, and reluctantly, Holmes. Butterfield and Connolly must be in doubt if better is available. we don't need three right backs, for instance. As for strikers, any chance of Mackail-Smith joining? I don't really rate Bannard, and certainly seen nothing in Forte. Wouldn't weep buckets if either was replaced by someone better. At the end of the day, we need 22 good players...so any surplus is, well, surplus!! I think you overlook the fact that outside forces, such as legal matters / court cases, injuries (short or prolonged), suspensions and loss of form are all factors that cannot be avoided in any club. I was one of those who was hoping for a striker to be signed in January, not because I was disatisfied with Barnard / Lambert duo, but because - as we saw- Barnard was victim of a serious injury(which hopefully may be short-lived) but I only hope his court case can be resolved in an equally short time, but I doubt it. Fortunately...David Connolly recovered and played 4 games , got two goals ..just at the time that Guly was injured. NOT TO MENTION ..the horror of having FOUR midfielders injured at the same time in March/ April. Fortunately thier replacements didn't let us down. IF he did nothing else Jonathan Forte's "super-sub". performance v. MK Dons won that game for us and perhaps saved us the suspense of a play-off series for 3rd spot. SORRY, but ...faced with those sort of situations...A good-sized squad is essential if we are to impact CCC which is also 46 games and considerably better opposition that we have had to play against this season. (22 players "good" or even passable ") isn't going to be enough to be sure.
david in sweden Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 Forecast & Pulis. I doubt anyone else in the first team squad will be let go, apart from Holmes, unfortunately and Puncheon, thank goodness. Some people on here are living in the past worrying unduly about increasing wage bill, when we are getting promoted. Thats Lowe thinking. I'm not saying we should blow the wage bill but we don't release decent players to reduce the wage bill any more. We release players because they are not considered good enough. Until we have better replacements there is frankly no-one apart from the 4 mentioned who fit into this category, especially if the loanees are not renewed. Quite frankly people suggesting Connolly or Harding should be released are out of their minds. We should be busting a gut to get them signed up on a new contract as quickly as possible, these are two of our best players who will certainly do well in the Championship and could probably do OK in the Prem. Jaidi will be OK next season, but probably not as first choice. The experience of all these three players is what we desparately need in a higher league. Expect to see 3 new signings at most, striker, wide midfield and central defender, assuming we don't lose Oxo or Lallana. ....that goes along with my thoughts, too Vectis. except that I'd persist with Holmes, at least one more season. He really has been unlucky with several totally unrelated injuries that have kept him out of the reckoning. I'm reminded of players like Matt Oakley, who was out for a whole year with ligament problems and was slow to regain form when he did return over a year later. We offerred him a sh*t contarct and his move elsewhere only went to prove that he was good enough to play at a higher level..but sadly it wasn't with us.
Lighthouse Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 Lambert played half his footballing life as a CM he only started playing as a striker while at Stockport. Never saw him play for Stockport, but I really can't see us using him in midfield any time soon. ....that goes along with my thoughts, too Vectis. except that I'd persist with Holmes, at least one more season. He really has been unlucky with several totally unrelated injuries that have kept him out of the reckoning. I'm reminded of players like Matt Oakley, who was out for a whole year with ligament problems and was slow to regain form when he did return over a year later. We offerred him a sh*t contarct and his move elsewhere only went to prove that he was good enough to play at a higher level..but sadly it wasn't with us. He's played 24 games in 3 years here. What makes you think that's going to change any time soon?
shurlock Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 Guly yes, he can play accross the front 6 if needed. Lambert, not sure what you're refering too, I've only ever seen him play up front. Yes he can drop deep and drift out wide, but he is a striker. Forte I'd consider a more likely prospect on the wing, but yes he is another striking option. CMS other otherwise is likely to involve a considerable transfer and wage packet. Another reason we can't have any extravagances with the squad. Depending on the other midfielders, its not inconceivable that Lambert could play at the tip of a diamond with two strikers in front of him. Lambert remains an AM and that gives you more optioons than someone like Barnard. Because of the style of play of the championship with teams willing to give you more possession and the importance of pace, I wouldn't be surprised if Lambert drops deeper than he has this season.
suewhistle Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 Forecast & Pulis. ! Surely they're 'Beyond the Fringe'. I don't think Pulis is even mentioned on the OS list of players so hopefully Lowe's contract for him has finally expired. A very good example of what is wrong with nepotism. With Forecast it's equally difficult to know what he was thinking about: the story being that he asked the goalkeeping scout to go and do some research on him. "He's crap" was the immediate reply. "How do you know?", says Lowe. "It's my job" said the scout. And we still signed him.... Jaidi: hmm - with pace alongside maybe, and as back-up, purely from the ageing legs point of view. Hopefully money for Puncheon. Holmes no doubting the hard work but we can do better and cheaper (in terms of games played!). Hmm, Gobern, still not sure. He's only 20 and I think he might be a late developer, even physically, in growing into his gawky frame. Keep and loan out for some regular games and see after a few more months. Incidentally, whatever has happened to Mills up at Doncaster. I think he's been a regular there so why don't the clubs involved sell/buy?
Matthew Le God Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 Never saw him play for Stockport, but I really can't see us using him in midfield any time soon. He already has played in midfield in a few Saints games.
Alanh Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 I think just looking at the out of contract players is too simplistic. You need to look at the squad and work on the principle that we need 2 good players to compete for every position. GK - Davis, Bart LB - Harding, Dickson RB - Richardson, Butterfield CB - Fonte, Jaidi, Seabourne, ? LM - Lallana, ? RM - Chamberlain, ? CM - Hammond, Chaplow, Schneiderlin, ? CF - Lambert, Guly, Forte, ? For me we need to send Martin out on loan for the season and get a new first choice CB to partner Fonte, Get in two new wingers, one each side and let Puncheon, N'Guesson and Holmes leave. Let Gobern go and get in a new CM. Let Connolly and Barnard go and get in a proven goalscorer. Much as Connolly and Barnard have made a big contribution I think we need more reliable and better players respectively for next year. Forte is obviously seen as a prospect (rightly or wrongly) and can deliver the pace that we will need on occasion, but we should find someone who is more of a proven goalscorer at a higher level that Barnard. All of the new players in should be able to command a first team place in the relevant position rather than be squad players, i.e.a left winger good enough to come in and play as first choice when Lallana is moved to the centre or is out. All of the new
david in sweden Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 Never saw him play for Stockport, but I really can't see us using him in midfield any time soon. He's played 24 games in 3 years here. What makes you think that's going to change any time soon? Holmes came on as sub.on 9 occasions this season and was more or less regular reserve since Adkins arrived until he was injured in the FA Cup game v. Cheltenham. Hardly his fault that he couldn't break into a side that lost only 2 games in a run of 14 matches around that time, besides having Barnard and Connolly on the bench alongside him in that same spell. Bad luck, maybe..but I do think that he deserves a run.
Matthew Le God Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 someone who is more of a proven goalscorer at a higher level that Barnard. 5 of the 14 top scorers in the Championship this season, were in League One last season! Lambert outscored all of them, Barnard outscored all of them except Holt.
Lighthouse Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 He already has played in midfield in a few Saints games. Never seen that personally, but it's not th point I'm trying to make anyway. I'm saying we just need one more quality striker with or without Connolly. Having Connolly will just add another chunk to the wage bill, without really making a difference on the pitch. I think just looking at the out of contract players is too simplistic. You need to look at the squad and work on the principle that we need 2 good players to compete for every position. GK - Davis, Bart LB - Harding, Dickson RB - Richardson, Butterfield CB - Fonte, Jaidi, Seabourne, ? LM - Lallana, ? RM - Chamberlain, ? CM - Hammond, Chaplow, Schneiderlin, ? CF - Lambert, Guly, Forte, ? For me we need to send Martin out on loan for the season and get a new first choice CB to partner Fonte, Get in two new wingers, one each side and let Puncheon, N'Guesson and Holmes leave. Let Gobern go and get in a new CM. Let Connolly and Barnard go and get in a proven goalscorer. Much as Connolly and Barnard have made a big contribution I think we need more reliable and better players respectively for next year. Forte is obviously seen as a prospect (rightly or wrongly) and can deliver the pace that we will need on occasion, but we should find someone who is more of a proven goalscorer at a higher level that Barnard. All of the new players in should be able to command a first team place in the relevant position rather than be squad players, i.e.a left winger good enough to come in and play as first choice when Lallana is moved to the centre or is out. All of the new Barnard has been one of our best players this season. His work rate wont go amiss in the Championship and he is a pretty good finisher too. We've only lost 2 games he has started under Adkins, tough midweek trips up North to Walsall and Rochdale.
Appy Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 He already has played in midfield in a few Saints games. Sorry, When?
Matthew Le God Posted 11 May, 2011 Posted 11 May, 2011 Sorry, When? Adkins uses a number of formations throughout games. In a few, (towards the end of a game) Lambert has been put in central midfield.
Saint Charlie Posted 11 May, 2011 Author Posted 11 May, 2011 Adkins uses a number of formations throughout games. In a few, (towards the end of a game) Lambert has been put in central midfield. Sorry but I have not seen this. He might drop deep or move out to the left but he has never played "centre midfield" for us.
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