Brian's dilemma

[readingbedding]

Waaaaaaaaaahhhhh!

Always happy blogboy!



I demand to be entertained!

[Royalee]

Waaaaaaaaaahhhhh!

Always happy blogboy!



I demand to be entertained!

No rational argument as normal, just as I thought.

[readingbedding]

Why ask then, you complete and utter cretin.

[Royalee]

Why ask then, you complete and utter cretin.

Because you might have something worthwhile to say, but evidently not.

[Chillitsphil]

I think lined up 4-4-2 we'd have beaten Swansea. Their whole game is to pass it around the back 4, two strikers is better for closing down than one.

[Hoop Blah]

I think lined up 4-4-2 we'd have beaten Swansea. Their whole game is to pass it around the back 4, two strikers is better for closing down than one.

It also leaves more space in the midfield for them to pick us off and expose a lack of pace in the back four.

[Chillitsphil]

Yes... but they didn't really pass the ball around the midfield until in control, the first 30 minutes was spent with the centre backs tapping it back and front.Stop them doing this and settling on the ball and we might have been able to commit a few more men forward when they did make mistakes, and have a chance to go 1 up and thus win the game.

[Hoop Blah]

Yes... but they didn't really pass the ball around the midfield until in control, the first 30 minutes was spent with the centre backs tapping it back and front.Stop them doing this and settling on the ball and we might have been able to commit a few more men forward when they did make mistakes, and have a chance to go 1 up and thus win the game.

But from the keeper forwards their very comfortable with the ball. They keep it across the back four looking to drag the midfield and defence out of position. If you take that extra man out of the midfield (and you're not as good at winning it back or keeping it) you just make it easier for them so that 30 minutes becomes 10 as they find the space and pull you about quicker!

If, and that's a big if, we were a bit better in the midfield then perhaps we'd be able to cope a bit easier. As it is I think we need that extra man in there against the likes of Swansea unless we can impose ourselves on them more, something I think we've proved we can't do at the moment.

[OLLIE KEARNS]

Interesting debate this one. The 4-5-1 came about in order to accomodate a special talent in a role that suited him best and was the right move without doubt. Continuing with it is a mistake because it takes a unique type of player to play there. But, to be fair to Brian, the money came in right at the end of the transfer window AND he largely still has a squad that he inherited. I'm sure he wants to address that and the Jan window will be interesting. And he will have some money to spend I believe.
I would suspect that he wants to go 4-4-2 but my belief is that his main problem is finding a balance in CM. Jem has pleasantly suprised me this year but still looks cumbersome when it comes to moving the ball around the pitch quickly. BH offers more with the ball but is not so good defensively. Tabb will improve the balance I'm sure but we struggle with the balance of solidity and creativity that will give the wingers a platform to play. Much as Harper and Sidwell provided.
Aside from that I'd offer the following ideas
- Put Chris Armstrong back at LB asap. He is by far our best option there.
- Sell Matt Mills and re invest. Before he is rumbled and becomes worth £100k at best.
- Find a CM who strikes the balance between attack and defence as I think Jay Tabb does better than anyone else we have at present. We need two of them however.
- Take a punt on a striker who's main ability is knowing where the back of the net is.

The side looks to have a solid defensive look to it so I'm sure all of Brian's thoughts are focused on the attacking side of the jigsaw puzzle.

All that said he did buy Marcus Williams as a third choice L.B so maybe us blokes on HNA should spend any money available in Jan Who shall we buy to solve the above !

[Hoop Blah]

Agree with nearly all of that Ollie. One thing though is that the club were well aware of the Sigurdsson situation before the end of the window and they've also got the loan system to fall back on to address the void his departure has left.

[OLLIE KEARNS]

You're right HB and the club did (alledgedly) make bids for two strikers at the end of the window. But the problem is you get held to ransom that late in the day. I also agree with you re loans but i also agree with BM in that he only wants to bring in loans that are likely to become permanent signings. I was just watching Neil Warnock being interviewed and he put QPR's good start down to having signed players permanently as opposed to bringing in lots of loanees. Vey hard to strike a balance I guess

[savage 4 england]

I think we lack someone in the middle that can pass and create. Brian Howard is meant to be that player, but I personally don't think he is good enough. His passing isn't up to scratch.

[Snowball]

I think we lack someone in the middle that can pass and create. Brian Howard is meant to be that player, but I personally don't think he is good enough. His passing isn't up to scratch.

Kish?

[dobcheck]

I am just throwing this one out there and not saying its the answer but Robert Pires is free, he could fill the sig role perfectly. We gave Lee Hendrie a trial so why not him?

[Hoop Blah]

I agree with the clubs view on the loan market Ollie, at least to an extent. We have an obvious short term problem (well hopefully short term) where we needed some real quality to replace Sigurdsson. One of the forwards I'd heard we moved for would've been very interesting, but once that fell through I think it's been a bit of a mistake to follow the 'go with what we've got' mantra that seems to have got us here in the first place.

[Millsy]

I think we lack someone in the middle that can pass and create. Brian Howard is meant to be that player, but I personally don't think he is good enough. His passing isn't up to scratch.

Kish?

Central defender in midfield? And what about when we need him to play CB like..... now!

[Snowball]

Kish can play defensive midfield

and we have Pearce-Mills and Ingi for CBs (and Harte)

[Hoop Blah]

When did he last play central midfield though? Let alone for us! Same can be said of Armstrong of course.

What is the fascination with playing players out of position? Is it just because we don't have enough players or quality in the squad?

[Snowball]

When did he last play central midfield though? Let alone for us! Same can be said of Armstrong of course.

What is the fascination with playing players out of position? Is it just because we don't have enough players or quality in the squad?

He was breaking from defence in the last 10-15 v Swansea and looked another step up in class.

It isn't "playing him out of position


QUOTE (Club website)

Georgian international defender with a wealth of experience in the game.

Khizanishvili is captain of his national team and can play anywhere at the back or in a holding midfield role. He has excellent experience in the top flight and in the region of 300 career games under his belt, including almost 70 caps for his country and games in both the Champions League and UEFA Cup.

[Wycombe Royal]

When did he last play central midfield though? Let alone for us! Same can be said of Armstrong of course.

What is the fascination with playing players out of position? Is it just because we don't have enough players or quality in the squad?

He was breaking from defence in the last 10-15 v Swansea and looked another step up in class.

It isn't "playing him out of position


QUOTE (Club website)

Georgian international defender with a wealth of experience in the game.

Khizanishvili is captain of his national team and can play anywhere at the back or in a holding midfield role. He has excellent experience in the top flight and in the region of 300 career games under his belt, including almost 70 caps for his country and games in both the Champions League and UEFA Cup.

We need creativity in central midfield not another defensive option......