I've been think about our squad, especially with a manic summer transfer window looming. I think our squad is great, there's only a couple weaknesses that can easily be rectified (apart from one which is slightly harder: attacking midfielder).
I think Mancini will find the players and sort out our tactics though!
So anyway, slightly long post but please have a read through.
(A summary for those who’s too lazy: It’s great but I think we need a attacking midfielder and a left back plus possibly a right midfielder!)
Let's see if we can get a nice long thread with some intelligent and proper discussion going!
Goalkeeper: Shay Given will hopefully be ready for next season. He does have some weaknesses but he's saved us more times than I care to remember. I hope during pre-season Mancini will take a real good look at Hart and Given then make a choice who will be number one and stick with whoever of the two he picks. As third choice Taylor is very dodgy, perhaps we could sign Fulop, he's decent and doesn't seem to mind warming benches?
I also hope Gunnar Nilsen gets a run in cup games etc, would be great to see him some more.
Left Back: I honestly think we need a player here: a true "Brazilian-style" fullback. Young with plenty of pace. Balanced player who's equally good defending as going forward. Ideally should be able to overlap and put in quality crosses.
I don't think Bridge is good enough. He's not quite fast enough and he seem to let people put in far too many crosses. Garrido is young but I'm not quite convinced yet.
Right Back: Keep faith in Zaba! Think how much he's improved under Mancini this season, with even better players and longer for Mancini to influence him, how knows how good he'll become? If anything we need more Argentines in our side not less.
Centre Backs: I honestly don't see the need for signings here. Kompany is amazing and will only get better. Pair Kompany with a fully fit Lescott and we've got a fantastic pair. Toure if he keeps improving and becomes a better alternative. Then of course there is the exciting Boyata which has looked a huge prospect when he's played.
Right Midfield/Wing: I like Johnson and I think we should trust him. I'll concede he's been less impressive against top sides but he's only been here for 6 months. He's very young and I think he'll improve rapidly under Mancini.
Left Midfield/Wing: Is Bellers leaving? Who knows... I can see SWP getting the boot/leaving though. Either way there's a lot of quality right-footed midfielders who can cut in, fairly easy position to replace. Could even go for someone British, shouldn't need an exotic import!
Defensive Midfielder: De Jong is the man for me, when he's on top form he's one of the best at his role. Sweeping up and protecting the back four, hounding and tackling. There is a reason he's consistently picked for Holland you know?
I actually would like Vieira to stay on for one more season, then perhaps after 2011 he could be integrated on the coaching side. I've got a strong feeling he'll one day become a fantastic coach/manager!
Now Barry I don't know, I've been slightly disappointed. I probably just had very high expectations as he was fantastic for Villa for so many seasons. With Villa he seemed to command the midfield, drive attacks forward and help defend. He was a bit “box to box” but for us he’s been a bit of everything but not inconsistent and never been instrumental to our attacking play. I’d LOVE nothing more than for him to have a blinding second season, I’ll happily eat humble pie!
Attacking Midfielder: For me the big absolute top priority. If we can get the right type, he could link up midfield and attack thereby allowing Tevez to stay higher up. This season Tevez has performed a lot better when he doesn't need to track all the way back to the centre circle to get the ball.
I don't know if we need a "box to box" player as De Jong seems capable of covering our back-line, but at the same time we can't have someone like Robinho with not one defensive fibre in his body. Genuinely "box to box" midfielders are extremely rare and I'd dare to say that most players who get put in this category isn't actually a box to box player. We shouldn't be to hung up on this box to box concept. It's much more important that he needs to be able to make great forward runs and passes. Drive the midfield forward whilst still being mindful to the defensive side of things.
Strikers: If we could get someone amazing like Torres or Villa then yes please.
I do however think we should give the Tevez-Ade partnership a real chance. If we sort out the midfield they'd be able to stay closer together on the pitch. I know Ade has had some sub-par performances but I believe in him, especially if you look at some of the stellar games he's had for us. This has been the toughest year he's ever had to go through: injured, banned and then the Angola tragedy. He's a quality striker, at least give him to January then we could buy someone if it's not working out.
I think Mancini will find the players and sort out our tactics though!
So anyway, slightly long post but please have a read through.
(A summary for those who’s too lazy: It’s great but I think we need a attacking midfielder and a left back plus possibly a right midfielder!)
Let's see if we can get a nice long thread with some intelligent and proper discussion going!
Goalkeeper: Shay Given will hopefully be ready for next season. He does have some weaknesses but he's saved us more times than I care to remember. I hope during pre-season Mancini will take a real good look at Hart and Given then make a choice who will be number one and stick with whoever of the two he picks. As third choice Taylor is very dodgy, perhaps we could sign Fulop, he's decent and doesn't seem to mind warming benches?
I also hope Gunnar Nilsen gets a run in cup games etc, would be great to see him some more.
Left Back: I honestly think we need a player here: a true "Brazilian-style" fullback. Young with plenty of pace. Balanced player who's equally good defending as going forward. Ideally should be able to overlap and put in quality crosses.
I don't think Bridge is good enough. He's not quite fast enough and he seem to let people put in far too many crosses. Garrido is young but I'm not quite convinced yet.
Right Back: Keep faith in Zaba! Think how much he's improved under Mancini this season, with even better players and longer for Mancini to influence him, how knows how good he'll become? If anything we need more Argentines in our side not less.
Centre Backs: I honestly don't see the need for signings here. Kompany is amazing and will only get better. Pair Kompany with a fully fit Lescott and we've got a fantastic pair. Toure if he keeps improving and becomes a better alternative. Then of course there is the exciting Boyata which has looked a huge prospect when he's played.
Right Midfield/Wing: I like Johnson and I think we should trust him. I'll concede he's been less impressive against top sides but he's only been here for 6 months. He's very young and I think he'll improve rapidly under Mancini.
Left Midfield/Wing: Is Bellers leaving? Who knows... I can see SWP getting the boot/leaving though. Either way there's a lot of quality right-footed midfielders who can cut in, fairly easy position to replace. Could even go for someone British, shouldn't need an exotic import!
Defensive Midfielder: De Jong is the man for me, when he's on top form he's one of the best at his role. Sweeping up and protecting the back four, hounding and tackling. There is a reason he's consistently picked for Holland you know?
I actually would like Vieira to stay on for one more season, then perhaps after 2011 he could be integrated on the coaching side. I've got a strong feeling he'll one day become a fantastic coach/manager!
Now Barry I don't know, I've been slightly disappointed. I probably just had very high expectations as he was fantastic for Villa for so many seasons. With Villa he seemed to command the midfield, drive attacks forward and help defend. He was a bit “box to box” but for us he’s been a bit of everything but not inconsistent and never been instrumental to our attacking play. I’d LOVE nothing more than for him to have a blinding second season, I’ll happily eat humble pie!
Attacking Midfielder: For me the big absolute top priority. If we can get the right type, he could link up midfield and attack thereby allowing Tevez to stay higher up. This season Tevez has performed a lot better when he doesn't need to track all the way back to the centre circle to get the ball.
I don't know if we need a "box to box" player as De Jong seems capable of covering our back-line, but at the same time we can't have someone like Robinho with not one defensive fibre in his body. Genuinely "box to box" midfielders are extremely rare and I'd dare to say that most players who get put in this category isn't actually a box to box player. We shouldn't be to hung up on this box to box concept. It's much more important that he needs to be able to make great forward runs and passes. Drive the midfield forward whilst still being mindful to the defensive side of things.
Strikers: If we could get someone amazing like Torres or Villa then yes please.
I do however think we should give the Tevez-Ade partnership a real chance. If we sort out the midfield they'd be able to stay closer together on the pitch. I know Ade has had some sub-par performances but I believe in him, especially if you look at some of the stellar games he's had for us. This has been the toughest year he's ever had to go through: injured, banned and then the Angola tragedy. He's a quality striker, at least give him to January then we could buy someone if it's not working out.