A right back back-up is not a bad shout as Wilson is so much better in midfield (though has improved as a defender for me). But a striker and possibly wingers are essential.
A goalkeeper is certainly not needed IMO as Hamer and Alnwick are more than good enough at this level. Goalkeeper is not the weakness in our team. Unless as some have said Hamer is going to be sold as he is out of contract this summer. I hope not as i like Hamer.
He made his Standard debut in the starting eleven against Lierse on 4 August, producing a calm, assured performance in his preferred position of defensive midfield
What if Cousins got injured, we would go back to relying on Andy Hughes (whom I like but is aging) or Dervite (whom is best at Defender IMHO). Anyway he doesn't want to come to us so boo to him. ;P
Powell also likes to bring on an extra defensive midfielder to shore things up when we are hanging on for one or three points - options are quite thin on the gorund at the moment. (Look what happened when Cousins went off with a knock v Yeovil...)
But anyway, maybe Powell can revert to his own scouting list for that position? Will be interesting to see if that is still an option...
What if Cousins got injured, we would go back to relying on Andy Hughes (whom I like but is aging) or Dervite (whom is best at Defender IMHO). Anyway he doesn't want to come to us so boo to him. ;P
What if Cousins got injured, we would go back to relying on Andy Hughes (whom I like but is aging) or Dervite (whom is best at Defender IMHO). Anyway he doesn't want to come to us so boo to him. ;P
Pretty sure we have danny Hollands back now
He was eligible to play against Wolves on friday night yet wasnt fit for Gillingham
Surely we have a perfectly adequate defensive midfielder in Cousins?
If Ozturk was to come over, I would be worried that we're planning to sell Cousins.
Why would you be worried. I think the new owners plan will clearly be to get bodies in to help us stay up. It'd only be a 6 month loan so he won't go selling anyone yet unless Powell doesn't want them.
I always find it funny when people say we don't need a player based on us already having a player in that position. If you want to succeed you need squad depth. It would be great if we got in another defensive midfielder as competition for our current players
Jeff Vetere was previously a scout here and came in as "Technical Director" in June 2011. Not sure how much involvement he had in signing players as I expect many of them would have already been identified during the season and we were probably already negotiating by then. It wouldn't have taken Vetere to find Stephens, Wiggins etc, they were well known players in League 1.
I am sure I read that Vetere was strong on European players and would have been useful in the Champ/Prem so was bought in for that and let go when KC pulled his money but it may have just been rumour rather than fact!
I am sure I read that Vetere was strong on European players and would have been useful in the Champ/Prem so was bought in for that and let go when KC pulled his money but it may have just been rumour rather than fact!
pretty much this.
I think Jeff Vetere is one of the finest european scouts. Speaks English, French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese fluently. He's set up scouting networks here, villa, newcastle and had a stint at Real Madrid. I think him leaving, like Cash, was not in the masterplan.
'He is a midfielder that can play a couple of roles'said Powell.
'He can be just off the striker as a number 10 or in front of the back four.He is a good passer of the ball-long and short-and pops up with a goal here and there.
He is very adept and comfortable in possession.I knew him when he was very young at Leicester.He went back to Sweden,he played for their Under 21's and he cost Standard Liege just under 2million euros.
He's got to get up to speed with the championship'.
'He is a midfielder that can play a couple of roles'said Powell.
'He can be just off the striker as a number 10 or in front of the back four.He is a good passer of the ball-long and short-and pops up with a goal here and there.
So where does he play for us then, and at the expense of who. Going on the above, they are effectively our two best players (Kermorgant and Cousins).
Kermorgant can be pushed a bit further up the pitch to play alongside a number 9 like Church, but without that no.9 you will have no one making runs, getting behind, stretching the back 4. So i can't see him playing in a false 10 position unless Kermorgant is not playing.
The 'in front of the back 4' i can only see occurring in a 442 unless it is at the expense of Cousins, or by us switching to a 451 with two holders at the base of midfield, or in a 433 which we have never played under Powell.
Maybe the left of a three in midfield 4-3-3? Or maybe he could switch out to left mid and just deliver balls into the box for yann? With wiggins doing the running beyond to add pace. Or maybe hes just a back up for cousins as i doubt the lad would be able to play every game for the rest of the season.
Hamer Solly Morrison Wood Wiggins Cousins Ajdarevic Stephens Kermorgant Jackson Church
No wingers, Stephens and Jackson to play in false attacking positions, constantly switching around the pivot player, similar to the way Citeh, Bayern and Chelsea play (though nowhere near as good) perhaps?
Don't like trying to accommodate a team around this guy though, rather see him play as and when he is required rather than throwing him in at the expense of someone like Wilson or Cousins
He could just be a good squad player to see games out. We only have Andy Hughes as back-up to Stephens or Cousins if one gets injured / suspended / sold.
He could just be a good squad player to see games out. We only have Andy Hughes as back-up to Stephens or Cousins if one gets injured / suspended / sold.
Spot on as we have the thinnest of squads and Pritch the only other utility midfielder.
Hamer Solly Morrison Wood Wiggins Cousins Ajdarevic Stephens Kermorgant Jackson Church
No wingers, Stephens and Jackson to play in false attacking positions, constantly switching around the pivot player, similar to the way Citeh, Bayern and Chelsea play (though nowhere near as good) perhaps?
Don't like trying to accommodate a team around this guy though, rather see him play as and when he is required rather than throwing him in at the expense of someone like Wilson or Cousins
That's reliant on a hell of a lot of work from Solly and Wiggins to maintain width. Obviously they're our best players so it's good to try and get more out of them but if they struggle to have an impact we might end up playing a very congested game in the middle where we create few chances and get caught on the break out wide. It might get the best out of Jackson and Stephens though. Worth a look.
Powelly didnt want alonso or sordell, so.nothing new with the owner foisting players upon SCP.
He is savvy enough to give diplomatolic soundbites but then doesnt play em
id take any bodies we can. Much as i rate hamer's potential, id snap up any offer of 400K plus (led to believe we paid around 200K for him to reading). Take this thuram fella, he will be decent...troyes are no muggs.
anderlecht and standard liege would win this division by 20 points....shouldnt disrespect the level of the belgian league. We have a tendency to rubbish what we dont know.
Powelly didnt want alonso or sordell, so.nothing new with the owner foisting players upon SCP.
He is savvy enough to give diplomatolic soundbites but then doesnt play em
id take any bodies we can. Much as i rate hamer's potential, id snap up any offer of 400K plus (led to believe we paid around 200K for him to reading). Take this thuram fella, he will be decent...troyes are no muggs.
anderlecht and standard liege would win this division by 20 points....shouldnt disrespect the level of the belgian league. We have a tendency to rubbish what we dont know.
Comments
A goalkeeper is certainly not needed IMO as Hamer and Alnwick are more than good enough at this level. Goalkeeper is not the weakness in our team. Unless as some have said Hamer is going to be sold as he is out of contract this summer. I hope not as i like Hamer.
He made his Standard debut in the starting eleven against Lierse on 4 August, producing a calm, assured performance in his preferred position of defensive midfield
If Ozturk was to come over, I would be worried that we're planning to sell Cousins.
But anyway, maybe Powell can revert to his own scouting list for that position? Will be interesting to see if that is still an option...
Why would you be worried. I think the new owners plan will clearly be to get bodies in to help us stay up. It'd only be a 6 month loan so he won't go selling anyone yet unless Powell doesn't want them.
We know from CP himself that Obika did.
Do you really think that CP picked the new team that took us out of League One ? I can't remember his name but TJ brought in a mate to lead that task.
CP and his team picked nearly all the players and Vetere was very soon gone.
I think Jeff Vetere is one of the finest european scouts. Speaks English, French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese fluently. He's set up scouting networks here, villa, newcastle and had a stint at Real Madrid. I think him leaving, like Cash, was not in the masterplan.
'He is a midfielder that can play a couple of roles'said Powell.
'He can be just off the striker as a number 10 or in front of the back four.He is a good passer of the ball-long and short-and pops up with a goal here and there.
He is very adept and comfortable in possession.I knew him when he was very young at Leicester.He went back to Sweden,he played for their Under 21's and he cost Standard Liege just under 2million euros.
He's got to get up to speed with the championship'.
Kermorgant can be pushed a bit further up the pitch to play alongside a number 9 like Church, but without that no.9 you will have no one making runs, getting behind, stretching the back 4. So i can't see him playing in a false 10 position unless Kermorgant is not playing.
The 'in front of the back 4' i can only see occurring in a 442 unless it is at the expense of Cousins, or by us switching to a 451 with two holders at the base of midfield, or in a 433 which we have never played under Powell.
Anyone else got an thoughts ?
I dont know, we need to see if he is any good first
Solly Morrison Wood Wiggins
Cousins Ajdarevic
Stephens Kermorgant Jackson
Church
No wingers, Stephens and Jackson to play in false attacking positions, constantly switching around the pivot player, similar to the way Citeh, Bayern and Chelsea play (though nowhere near as good) perhaps?
Don't like trying to accommodate a team around this guy though, rather see him play as and when he is required rather than throwing him in at the expense of someone like Wilson or Cousins
He is savvy enough to give diplomatolic soundbites but then doesnt play em
id take any bodies we can. Much as i rate hamer's potential, id snap up any offer of 400K plus (led to believe we paid around 200K for him to reading). Take this thuram fella, he will be decent...troyes are no muggs.
anderlecht and standard liege would win this division by 20 points....shouldnt disrespect the level of the belgian league. We have a tendency to rubbish what we dont know.
not a SCP or mgmt team signing, was a TJ one