I say sell. We have enough lightweight, inconsistent and supposedly attacking midfielders already - if we sell him we might free up some cash for some decent defensive midfielders.
A team has to be just that ....... a team, with players complementary to each other and balanced. That was Curbs' strength.
Wasn't it Lawrie McMenemy, managing Southampton to top flight runners up in the 70's, who said: "I need 9 virtuoso's in my team ........ and 2 roadsweepers"
You can't just select your 11 best individual players and hope it gels. Pardew tried to do that at times last season.
And why our midfield was often physically swept aside from time to time, despite good performances from individuals themselves.
Individually our midfielders are good players, whatever some supporters think. They wouldn't be playing at this level otherwise.
That includes Holland, Ambrose ..... and of course ZZ.
I don't understand why ZZ has been open to as much criticism as he has from supporters since the sale. He's an honest player, who adds skill with a deft touch, and misses the occassional sitter. For his nine goals last season, he scored first in the Carling Cup win over Stockport, then in the draw away at Colchester, then got a point for Charlton at home versus Barnsley, then as part of two victories: home against Cardiff, away against Preston, then won another point against Norwich away on boxing day, then one in the FA Cup match at the Valley versus WBA, followed by two versus Blackpool the next Saturday, and that was it for the year. With a side that seemed to struggle to find the net most of the year, particularly towards the end of the season (setting to one side the disastrous away fixture against Blackpool and the final fixture against Coventry, Charlton managed just 16 goals in the 17 league matches after ZZ's two at home).
Should the Gray/Varney partnership blossom as anticipated, perhaps the same issues will not be raised this year, but absent some assurance, I would rather have ZZ's threat to the netting on the pitch for Charlton than not.
He and Ambrose are the only midfielders who manage a shot on target more than once in a blue moon. Thomas should be doing a lot more shooting and crossing.. Sam does some but tails off badly too often.
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That was Curbs' strength.
Wasn't it Lawrie McMenemy, managing Southampton to top flight runners up in the 70's, who said: "I need 9 virtuoso's in my team ........ and 2 roadsweepers"
You can't just select your 11 best individual players and hope it gels. Pardew tried to do that at times last season.
And why our midfield was often physically swept aside from time to time, despite good performances from individuals themselves.
Individually our midfielders are good players, whatever some supporters think.
They wouldn't be playing at this level otherwise.
That includes Holland, Ambrose ..... and of course ZZ.
Should the Gray/Varney partnership blossom as anticipated, perhaps the same issues will not be raised this year, but absent some assurance, I would rather have ZZ's threat to the netting on the pitch for Charlton than not.