(That long since we've had any, couldn't find the thread)

Alan Nixon: "Top Liverpool starlet Cameron Branagan will Ben allowed out on loan in Jan.

Bolton lead the race for the 20 year old midfielder"

Edited December 11, 20169 yr by Ratwhite

So we’ve got 2 proper wingers, with Des and Schon seemingly as back up / challengers for those spots. Likely leaving CMG as free to go.

We’ve got 2 ball playing centre mids in Morley and Sheehan.

We’ve got 1 of the 2 ‘big’ more defensive minded centre mids in Simons and are clearly looking to add a second.

We’ve got 2x no.10s who could be considered starters in Randall and McAtee. Clearly neither could be in SS’s mind but on the face of it they would be the best options at the moment. Leaving Lolos as surplus to requirements.

We’ve only got 1 big lad up top. Unless he sees Dan as the back up option then there’s surely another coming in and I’d imagine Dan is free to go (god knows on Vic).

More than enough centre backs, with possibly 1 likely to leave.

JDC as the lone right back. Wouldn’t be surprised to see another come in.

Left back is an interesting one. He could be happy with Conway and GT as his options, or he might not be keen on either in which case there’s a couple to come in.

And then keepers, TSL is clearly first choice. Wouldn’t surprise me to see ‘Hutch’ play second fiddle and get some game time in the cups.

So I reckon we’ve got 1 striker, 1 right back and 1 centre mid to come in, unless we see others go that aren’t surplus to requirements (Lolos and CMG).

It's a double act between a winger and a midfielder. Remember Per Frandsen and Johansen.  Exacting the right paced ball for him to run onto and beat the full back. Without that a winger is a wasted space.

1 minute ago, passmosster said:

It's a double act between a winger and a midfielder. Remember Per Frandsen and Johansen.  Exacting the right paced ball for him to run onto and beat the full back. Without that a winger is a wasted space.

I might be getting ahead of myself now that I’ve not watched our shower of shit for a few months, but imagine Sheehan / Morley being able to actually use their passing range to put 2 genuine wingers with real pace in behind a full back.

Nixon’s bit in paper today is that Huddersfield have Thomason as an alternative in mind if they can’t sign Potts from Preston.

58 minutes ago, Eddie said:

So we’ve got 2 proper wingers, with Des and Schon seemingly as back up / challengers for those spots. Likely leaving CMG as free to go.

We’ve got 2 ball playing centre mids in Morley and Sheehan.

We’ve got 1 of the 2 ‘big’ more defensive minded centre mids in Simons and are clearly looking to add a second.

We’ve got 2x no.10s who could be considered starters in Randall and McAtee. Clearly neither could be in SS’s mind but on the face of it they would be the best options at the moment. Leaving Lolos as surplus to requirements.

We’ve only got 1 big lad up top. Unless he sees Dan as the back up option then there’s surely another coming in and I’d imagine Dan is free to go (god knows on Vic).

More than enough centre backs, with possibly 1 likely to leave.

JDC as the lone right back. Wouldn’t be surprised to see another come in.

Left back is an interesting one. He could be happy with Conway and GT as his options, or he might not be keen on either in which case there’s a couple to come in.

And then keepers, TSL is clearly first choice. Wouldn’t surprise me to see ‘Hutch’ play second fiddle and get some game time in the cups.

So I reckon we’ve got 1 striker, 1 right back and 1 centre mid to come in, unless we see others go that aren’t surplus to requirements (Lolos and CMG).

I am thinking along the same lines, and I reckon the striker will be the celtic lad on loan,  Brendan Rogers has said he wants to see him in pre season games and there is a good chance he goes on loan to get minutes.    

Just now, Deanu said:

Nixon’s bit in paper today is that Huddersfield have Thomason as an alternative in mind if they can’t sign Potts from Preston.

 

Can have him for 1.5

B team played 4-3-3 yesterday and in possession the defensive midfielder dropped back deep,  centre backs were wide and full backs were over half way line and overlapped wingers sometimes. Transition forward is fast, and need fast mobile centre backs. Won't be so much sideways build up this season I reckon.

 

1 hour ago, Eddie said:

So we’ve got 2 proper wingers, with Des and Schon seemingly as back up / challengers for those spots. Likely leaving CMG as free to go.

We’ve got 2 ball playing centre mids in Morley and Sheehan.

We’ve got 1 of the 2 ‘big’ more defensive minded centre mids in Simons and are clearly looking to add a second.

We’ve got 2x no.10s who could be considered starters in Randall and McAtee. Clearly neither could be in SS’s mind but on the face of it they would be the best options at the moment. Leaving Lolos as surplus to requirements.

We’ve only got 1 big lad up top. Unless he sees Dan as the back up option then there’s surely another coming in and I’d imagine Dan is free to go (god knows on Vic).

More than enough centre backs, with possibly 1 likely to leave.

JDC as the lone right back. Wouldn’t be surprised to see another come in.

Left back is an interesting one. He could be happy with Conway and GT as his options, or he might not be keen on either in which case there’s a couple to come in.

And then keepers, TSL is clearly first choice. Wouldn’t surprise me to see ‘Hutch’ play second fiddle and get some game time in the cups.

So I reckon we’ve got 1 striker, 1 right back and 1 centre mid to come in, unless we see others go that aren’t surplus to requirements (Lolos and CMG).

I actually think GT would make a good LB. He's athletic , good left foot, combative and isn't small. I think he might suit it in the same way nunes at city has since playing there. He'd have more chance to use that left foot to deliver balls into the box. Now we have a proper target to get on the end of them.

Edited July 6, 2025Jul 6 by Arrested development

24 minutes ago, Deanu said:

Nixon’s bit in paper today is that Huddersfield have Thomason as an alternative in mind if they can’t sign Potts from Preston.

 

Fair difference in age.

4 minutes ago, Arrested development said:

 

I actually think GT would make a good LB. He's athletic , good left foot, combative and isn't small. I think he might suit it in the same way nunes at city has since playing there. He'd have more chance to use that left foot to deliver balls into the box. Now we have a proper target to get on the end of them.

I said it last season when it got trialled. I agree, really like the idea. I know I make it sound like I’m not a GT fan, but I actually am, I just don’t think he’s a centre mid - his limitations (every player has them) are just not the ones that you want your centre mid to have in my opinion.

As a left back, the game is in front of him, which he’s far better at reading, he doesn’t need that 2-3 yard burst of pace, he’s got a decent defensive mind, his athleticism is more suited to longer distance up and down a wing rather than short court sprint type runs, he’s good enough on the ball, he’s got a decent delivery on him and he’s big enough that he’d add a decent physical presence to the back line in a position that is usually a smaller player. Clearly he’s also a brilliant character to have around the place.

If we started the season (given there would still be some of the window left to rectify if it didn’t work out) with him and Conway as the 2 left back options, then it wouldn’t concern me at all.

24 minutes ago, Arrested development said:

 

I actually think GT would make a good LB. He's athletic , good left foot, combative and isn't small. I think he might suit it in the same way nunes at city has since playing there. He'd have more chance to use that left foot to deliver balls into the box. Now we have a proper target to get on the end of them.

He started at Blackpool as a kid at left back..I always thought he would end up back there, but my would he concede some penalties

I think Thomason has ome good qualities but I'm not convinced athleticism is one

28 minutes ago, Eddie said:

he doesn’t need that 2-3 yard burst of pace

Id say thats exactly what it needs and he hasnt got it

In games we dominate and id expect plenty of them, im sure he would be fine, but the games that decide the top 6, its a no from me

15 minutes ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said:

I think Thomason has ome good qualities but I'm not convinced athleticism is one

Well that’s too much pre season internet for me today 

21 minutes ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said:

I think Thomason has ome good qualities but I'm not convinced athleticism is one

Really ?? I would love to see the yards run by players last year would be amazed if Legohead was not top by a country mile. 

12 minutes ago, Casino said:

Id say thats exactly what it needs and he hasnt got it

In games we dominate and id expect plenty of them, im sure he would be fine, but the games that decide the top 6, its a no from me

Yeah, he's a grafter no doubt but he's not got the speed required for what I think SS would want in someone in that position

Just now, Ani said:

Really ?? I would love to see the yards run by players last year would be amazed if Legohead was not top by a country mile. 

I'm referring to the ability to get up and down the pitch in the left-back/left wing-back role

He puts more of a shift in than any of our players but that's a different thing

3 minutes ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said:

I'm referring to the ability to get up and down the pitch in the left-back/left wing-back role

He puts more of a shift in than any of our players but that's a different thing

You mean he ain’t fast enough then, I agree with that when it comes to a wider role

He is left sided midfielder imo not a wing back/winger. 

As previously said. I like him but no one is untouchable.

 

 

1 hour ago, Eddie said:

I might be getting ahead of myself now that I’ve not watched our shower of shit for a few months, but imagine Sheehan / Morley being able to actually use their passing range to put 2 genuine wingers with real pace in behind a full back.

In theory that was the case last season too - not many players are faster than Tutu and Williams, nothing to suggest the two new signings are faster?  And Schon and JDC have plenty enough pace for L1.  I'm less concerned about having "fast" players, more what they can do with the ball when they get in those positions ie quality of crossing, passing, shooting.   And are they strong enough to hold players off.  I still think Tutu will have plenty of game time and may be more effective if he's no longer having to think about full back duties.

48 minutes ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said:

I think Thomason has ome good qualities but I'm not convinced athleticism is one

More of a super tanker, than a patrol boat.

Whereas Taylor has the LB traits and likes to get forward. Given the number of CBs we have, he may be an option at LB but I’ve no idea what Schuey is planning.

That said, the B team playing 433 may well be a clue.

Our central defenders are Forrester, Taylor, Forino, Johnston, Inwood, Toal. I would say that is about the right number of we intend a back three. To be honest even if we play 442 I would be loathe to lose any of them as a number can also play in other decisions. We could perhaps loan Inwood out.

Central defence is the last place to cut corners. I have seen us do it before and other than the time Simon Charlton had to be converted to centre half, it never ends well.

2 hours ago, peelyfeet said:

B team played 4-3-3 yesterday and in possession the defensive midfielder dropped back deep,  centre backs were wide and full backs were over half way line and overlapped wingers sometimes. Transition forward is fast, and need fast mobile centre backs. Won't be so much sideways build up this season I reckon.

You can't possibly understand how much of a hard on this has given me.

NO MORE FUCKING ABOUT.

Robust.

Dynamic.

Bosh.

I reckon SS will slot him in somewhere due to his ability to link up play, his commitment, effort and he is capable of scoring the odd goal. But maybe he'll be on the bench more often.