winchester_royal Ian Royal I'd really, really like to see us sign at least one more midfielder who is there to pull the strings, or score goals and attack. We're still rather one dimensional there. Albeit with a lot more choice and probably a bit more quality.
I'm going to disagree with you there IR, think we have most bases covered in midfield now.
Why am I not surprised right now?
I think our wings are ok... clear improvements on Kebe and McAnuff would be welcome, but I see the root cause lack of quality possession and ideas in midfield. With that I think we'll see less hoofing, more possession, so less pressure and more opportunities to get wingers forward with more options. Which I think will see them do better.
Agree on Pog. He's not a speedy channel runner, but he's doing a decent job now and with better possession and better passing to feet, I think he'd continue to have a bigger and bigger impact.
I see your list slightly differently. But it's all opinions and you rarely get anyone who's 100% right (hell sometimes 50% would be nice
)
Leigertwood / Akpan: defensive (strength) midfielder who plays it simple, - low goal threat, low creative passing threat. Question marks over quality at this level at best.
Tabb / Karacan: defensive (hastling) midfielder - low goal threat, low creative passing threat.
Good enough with better players around them.
Guthrie: Deeper play-maker - low goal threat, good creative passing threat (when he's on form Brendy)
Carrico seems to me (from the very little highlights), to be like a cross between Guthrie and Legs. Or maybe a less athletic Harper who can tackle. More defensive than Guthrie, but a better passer Legs.
So I think that's 5 players who basically perform the same roll, just in different ways (with Carrico hopefully doing it best). And Guthrie, who is a more traditional all round midfielder, rather than attacking, particularly creative or defensive.
That still leaves a box to box goalscorer (although Akpan *could* be that, I have much less optimism than you. Certainly at this level.) or a more number 10 player. If we could play 4-4-2 I don't think we'd need this nearly as much as we'd have a second striker. But we haven't been able to.
If Carrico can live up to his highlights, my mouth is watering at the prospect of him Guthrie and Tabb in the Championship as a midfield. You may notice I'm really starting to rate Tabb.
Anyhoo. I'm in the Kelly's a good signing camp. No doubt someone will find fault with that.
