by Ian Royal »
13 Jul 2012 22:22
It's always difficult to tell how you'll do because it depends on players stepping up and new players gelling. But here's my assessment for what it's worth.
Goalkeeper: OK.
Fed is a good keeper, but he has his weaknesses. This season will be a big test as to whether he is really as good as he, and many others think, or will the weaknesses (positioning, command of his area) he mostly overcame last season be exposed at a higher level? Hopefully McCarthy / Andersen / Taylor won't be needed, I'm not sure either of the youngsters are ready for the Prem for more than the odd game cover.
Centreback: Passable.
Gorkss and Pearce are a good partnership, but I think they'll be found out at this level if played together. Pearce is very slow and a bit ponderous at times. He's clever enough to make up for that most of the time in the Championship, but he'll be up against some of the best strikers in the world in the Prem. Gorkss is better all round but less commanding IMO. The introduction of Marriapa (assuming he signs) is key here. If he starts alongside one of the others, preferably Gorkss and settles in quickly I think we can upgrade this to OK.
Fullback: Weak
At the moment I'm concerned, only one RB is a massive problem. Especially given Cummings was not an automatic pick last year. Get Simpson in and I feel a lot better. Neither Shorey or Harte have pace, not essential, but unless we add pace to the centrebacks it'll be an issue as our defence will be very immobile, finding it hard to cover for each other well enough. Going forward it's not exactly a frightening set of options either. Harte will barely be able to cross the half way line except for set pieces. We've got little idea whether Shorey can return to his former glory and Cummings has never been especially effective going forward.
Wings: Good.
I'm actually very confident with our wingers. Kebe is a mercurial genius well capable of worrying Premier League defences. McAnuff is a solid and reliable player who'll provide creativity going forward intelligently, and also support his full back and midfielders well when needed. McCleary seems a good back up, and I don't think HRK will be particularly affected by the step up as a cameo sub. I think he'll still cause problems with pace, and pop up with the odd goal and assist, while still not quite having the decision making to be a contender to start. Obita and the young crew are good emergency back up here IMO. ot expecting Antonio to be here.
Midfield: OK - this ones hard to call.
Hopefully the addition of Guthrie will help us keep the ball better and play decent football through the middle to add more of a central threat. (preferably) Ledge or Karacan next to Guthrie seems fine to me. If Guthrie is out much I start to worry as we'll be down to a very huff and puff midfield.
Striker: OK
We needed to strengthern here and we have done. But there are question marks about how effective Roberts can be and whether Pog can come close to replicating his sensational start to the PL. Upfront it's all about partnerships and we don't know a lot about any of the possible combinations except Roberts and Hunt. It's a lot to ask ALF to step up, Church as well. Hunt's always been a bit of an effective workhorse a little lacking in quality. Can he make his energy and dertermination count in the Prem? As a sub or back up? I think he can, but no more than that.
Bench: Weak.
If you look at a first team of Fed, Cummings, Harte, Gorkss, Marriapa, McAnuff, Kebe, Guthrie, Ledge, Roberts, Pog. That doesn't leave a lot for subs. Taylor, Pearce, Karacan, McCleary, ALF, Hunt, Shorey. Wouldn't strike fear into me if I was Stoke, let alone Arsenal.
It's looking increasingly likely we'll go 4-4-2 with the lack of a goalscoring attacking midfielder arriving. Which could be a worry if we struggle to keep the ball as badly as we could.
McDermott doesn't have a great record of starting the season well and I think that is likely to be important. But he is a terrific manager and he has a good record at identifying problem areas and fixing them.
My head says this is going to be a bit of a slog this season and we'll be around the relegation fight most of the season. But I am very encouraged by our signings. I think they've all been very good. I was expecting relegation before we started making them. Now realistically I think we're just about going to survive.
Head says: 16th
Heart says: 14th with much less worry about relegation throughout the season.
But then I thought we'd finish 12th first time around.