Is it the strength of the Euro?

Lack of money?

Lack of ambition?

Not being a big city club?

The media perception of club, manager and fans.

 

But why do we seem unable to attract players?

 

Or are we not really trying?

Is it the strength of the Euro?

Lack of money?

Lack of ambition?

Not being a big city club?

The media perception of club, manager and fans.

 

But why do we seem unable to attract players?

 

Or are we not really trying?

 

We've brought in 6 players, whats your point

We've brought in 6 players, whats your point

 

His point is....... I suspect were still shit, and we still havent found a Creative Midfielder

His point is....... I suspect were still shit, and we still havent found a Creative Midfielder

 

 

Maybe we should look in Tesco?s; they must have a whole aisle full of them

Well at least we got a striker

 

We all need to pull together for the next few games and who knows we might turn it round - if we dont then obviously we will have a new manager to moan at during the next transfer window

 

Pompey here we come

Don't the Chemists in Bolton sell anti-depressants?

Don't the Chemists in Bolton sell anti-depressants?

 

They do, but not as many as are required

I know we aint got a single point yet, but we still IMO have a better squad than at least 3-5 teams in the league. 6 signings which adds depth and a bit more quality, Klasnic and Lee hopefully will get playing time to show what they can do and we become all optimistic again

I know we aint got a single point yet, but we still IMO have a better squad than at least 3-5 teams in the league. 6 signings which adds depth and a bit more quality, Klasnic and Lee hopefully will get playing time to show what they can do and we become all optimistic again

 

 

You would have made a beltin extra for 'One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest' but at least you are positive

I know we aint got a single point yet, but we still IMO have a better squad than at least 3-5 teams in the league. 6 signings which adds depth and a bit more quality, Klasnic and Lee hopefully will get playing time to show what they can do and we become all optimistic again

 

 

We don't necessarily NEED a playmaker, but it will seriously affect the goal return of the strikers not having one. A number of sides score goals without a playmaker, but that is not usually in our system. If we played 4-4-2, that type would be less vital as the creativity down the flanks would compensate. In a 4-5-1/4-3-3 a creative mid becomes less of a luxury and more of a foundation for a side. Megson will, I would think, focus on getting the back 4 settled and keeping a few clean sheets. Last season we failed to retain possession and it put the defense under constant pressure. This season we must hold onto it or no amount of defensive additions will help us.

 

With Muamba finding a new lease of life and Davis looking a good addition (unlucky red) we shouldn't have trouble disrupting the opposition. It will again be ball-retention that is the concern. If we can use Muamba and Davis to cover the midfield passing/running route to the defense and rely upon them every week, then two big defenders in Knight and Cahill should (in theory) be able to handle any long-ball or crosses into our 18 yard box. On paper, we should be able to defend. It comes down to whether Knight and Cahill can form a partnership and whether Muamba continues to improve or drops away.

 

The playmaker issue is a tricky one, but one option would be for Megson to allow Elmander to play his natural game. At Brondby and for his country, Johan was trusted to be one of the major creative forces in the team. He is not an Alan Shearer style of centreforward, he is a creative second striker. With no midfield playmaker to call upon, Johan having a degree of freedom to drift and create may be one alternative.

 

It is Megson's job to get the better players at the club playing. I don't know what the opinion on here is, but I have no doubt that Elmander is one of the most talented players in the squad and getting him playing well will be key if we are to stay up. Whether or not Meggo can do it I do not know.

Are you Megson?

We don't necessarily NEED a playmaker, but it will seriously affect the goal return of the strikers not having one. A number of sides score goals without a playmaker, but that is not usually in our system. If we played 4-4-2, that type would be less vital as the creativity down the flanks would compensate. In a 4-5-1/4-3-3 a creative mid becomes less of a luxury and more of a foundation for a side. Megson will, I would think, focus on getting the back 4 settled and keeping a few clean sheets. Last season we failed to retain possession and it put the defense under constant pressure. This season we must hold onto it or no amount of defensive additions will help us.

 

With Muamba finding a new lease of life and Davis looking a good addition (unlucky red) we shouldn't have trouble disrupting the opposition. It will again be ball-retention that is the concern. If we can use Muamba and Davis to cover the midfield passing/running route to the defense and rely upon them every week, then two big defenders in Knight and Cahill should (in theory) be able to handle any long-ball or crosses into our 18 yard box. On paper, we should be able to defend. It comes down to whether Knight and Cahill can form a partnership and whether Muamba continues to improve or drops away.

 

The playmaker issue is a tricky one, but one option would be for Megson to allow Elmander to play his natural game. At Brondby and for his country, Johan was trusted to be one of the major creative forces in the team. He is not an Alan Shearer style of centreforward, he is a creative second striker. With no midfield playmaker to call upon, Johan having a degree of freedom to drift and create may be one alternative.

 

It is Megson's job to get the better players at the club playing. I don't know what the opinion on here is, but I have no doubt that Elmander is one of the most talented players in the squad and getting him playing well will be key if we are to stay up. Whether or not Meggo can do it I do not know.

 

 

For what it is worth, that is how I see Megson's game plan too.

 

The idea as I see it is to 'crowd out' the midfield and thus nulify the oponents play makers - leaving a couple of big centre backs (Cahill and Knight) to deal with the ariel threat.

 

The idea of bringing in Robinson and Ricketts is that the start of our attacks will probably come from the full backs going down the flanks, in order to get crosses in - so cover over a long season is essential.

 

Elmander as a creative (second striker) behind a target man (Davies) should for me be the attack.

 

I see the new loanee as possibly covering for Elmanders role.

 

But what do I know!