Is it just me or, other than a class forward (ideally 2) and a playmaker / central midfielder with energy and a bit of pace, we look like having a healthier 1st eleven than we've had in a few years going into the close season?

 

I remember thinking at the end of the last 2 seasons we had a huge rebuilding job on our hands and we never did it.

 

This time around we have younger and better players in our previous weak positions in Steinssen, Cahill, Taylor and maybe Guthrie.

 

No summer uncertainty over Anelka too.

 

We just have to worry about Diouf going but with Taylor wide left it still just leaves us needing 2 out and out forwards and a class central midfielder.

 

Course, if Diouf stays then great but it won't be panic stations if he did like Anelka was.

 

Jussi - if he goes then we have Al Habsi.

 

Personally, I feel Megson has identified and bought in most of the areas were both BSA and LSL didn't see we were weak or didn't have the funds to rebuild.

 

YES, for one reason or another, we didn't get the forward we craved but providing we stay up that will definitely be addressed in the close season.

 

We were a forward and maybe a good midfielder away from it being a cracking January of transfers in for us. Overall I think it was an above average to good January for us and we definitely have a lot stronger defence and more balanced midfield.

 

Get me a season ticket in the North Stand for the 08/09 Premier League season.

 

C'mon you white men

you need to make that if bigger.

Is it just me or, other than a class forward (ideally 2) and a playmaker / central midfielder with energy and a bit of pace, we look like having a healthier 1st eleven than we've had in a few years going into the close season?

I agree, we have shipped a lot of goals early on this season, but now our back four looks better than it has ever been.

 

The first step to turning this around is to stop conceding goals, i'm confident that we will get goals from midfield.

At the start of January the defence and midfield weren't good enough but the attack was.

 

Now the defence is good enough,but the midfield and attack isn't.

 

It costs more money to buy a midfield or attack than a defence,so i don't think we are better off

At the start of January the defence and midfield weren't good enough but the attack was.

 

Now the defence is good enough,but the midfield and attack isn't.

 

It costs more money to buy a midfield or attack than a defence,so i don't think we are better off

 

but that hasn't changed?

but that hasn't changed?

As i said the midfield wasn't good enough and still isn't

 

All we have done is added Taylor.We still haven't replaced Okocha (or Hierro) or brought in a winger

but that hasn't changed?

 

Megson's changed the personnel in there and settled the in one game out the next that Lee was adopting. Natural left midfielder in Taylor, thankfully Speed has gone, Campo back in as defensive midfielder and Guthrie is starting every game.

 

It's a stark contrast from the start of the season.

 

Hopefully Diouf will be pushed into a more forward role (maybe link between midfield and Davis) at the expense of McCann?

I wish I could see this all new impregnable defence that some of you leep banging on about.

 

Two clean sheets against crap like Fulham and Newcastle does not mean the corner has been turned. I really hope Villa's 4th choice central defender is as good as you think.

 

Personally, I expect to conceed at least 3 at Reading and 2 at home to Portsmouth.

Personally, I expect to conceed at least 3 at Reading and 2 at home to Portsmouth.

you're a cheery fellow aren't you. I certainly don't expect us to concede "at least 3" against a poor Reading side. I'm not saying we'll win, but I will be very dissapointed if we concede 3 goals

Is it just me or, other than a class forward (ideally 2) and a playmaker / central midfielder with energy and a bit of pace, we look like having a healthier 1st eleven than we've had in a few years going into the close season?

I remember thinking at the end of the last 2 seasons we had a huge rebuilding job on our hands and we never did it.

This time around we have younger and better players in our previous weak positions in Steinssen, Cahill, Taylor and maybe Guthrie.

No summer uncertainty over Anelka too.

We just have to worry about Diouf going but with Taylor wide left it still just leaves us needing 2 out and out forwards and a class central midfielder.

Course, if Diouf stays then great but it won't be panic stations if he did like Anelka was.

Jussi - if he goes then we have Al Habsi.

Personally, I feel Megson has identified and bought in most of the areas were both BSA and LSL didn't see we were weak or didn't have the funds to rebuild.

YES, for one reason or another, we didn't get the forward we craved but providing we stay up that will definitely be addressed in the close season.

We were a forward and maybe a good midfielder away from it being a cracking January of transfers in for us. Overall I think it was an above average to good January for us and we definitely have a lot stronger defence and more balanced midfield.

Get me a season ticket in the North Stand for the 08/09 Premier League season.

C'mon you white men

 

Very perceptive, Phoenix. BSA and LSL both ignored glaring defensive weaknesses.

BUT ...

We can't rely on Guthrie improving a lot, or of even being around, next season.

Campo is practically dead on his legs now, so next season he's a no-no.

Getting Nolan fitter (fit again ?) could give us practically a new attacking midfielder, if it's achievable.

Strengthening midfield creativity/pace and up-front goalscoring/pace will both be expensive upgrades, as someone else has pointed out.

There are reasons to be positive IF we stay up, but it's a big 'if' and there's still money to be spent to make us more than a Premiership struggler next season.

Should be an interesting 3 months or so now, though probably very painful to watch.

i think we've a squad with decent depth and strength

 

unfortunately the positions left to fill are probably the most difficult to fill