Time to face it..

[hal9thou]

So, less than a week now before it all starts again and the one thing that a lot of people see as being central to requirements has not been sorted.

There are some decent signings and a couple of smart 'frees' but at the end of it all we have a strong midfield, one quality striker, and a gaping hole where you least need it. There are the players to cover but that is not the same thing as a specialist CB with enough pace and distribution skills not to be a liability. The other thing a decent CB would have brought to the party was tactical flexibility, ie the possibility of adopting smart game plans like the Wigan 3 CB foundation which not only saved them but looked real quality. Wherever you look these days the game is getting smarter, more tactically flexible, but there is only so much you can do without a solid foundation. And that comes from the back. Plus Rob Green strikes me as a the type of keeper who needs solidity in front of him, unlike some GKs you wouldn't say he oozed confidence.

It could be that a Samba deal has been done but can not be finalised until January, but the reality is that we have a vacancy. Does anyone else feel that its all been a bit smoke and mirrors and that key weaknesses have not been addressed?

[Tarbie]

Calm down dear...........the transfer window is open for another 17 days!

We should count ourselves lucky, this time last year we were still owned by Tango and Cash and our marquee signing was Jay Bothroyd!

[QPRDave]

We got Matt Connelly what more do you want?
more worried about the keeper tbh

[QPRDROG]

So, less than a week now before it all starts again and the one thing that a lot of people see as being central to requirements has not been sorted.

There are some decent signings and a couple of smart 'frees' but at the end of it all we have a strong midfield, one quality striker, and a gaping hole where you least need it. There are the players to cover but that is not the same thing as a specialist CB with enough pace and distribution skills not to be a liability. The other thing a decent CB would have brought to the party was tactical flexibility, ie the possibility of adopting smart game plans like the Wigan 3 CB foundation which not only saved them but looked real quality. Wherever you look these days the game is getting smarter, more tactically flexible, but there is only so much you can do without a solid foundation. And that comes from the back. Plus Rob Green strikes me as a the type of keeper who needs solidity in front of him, unlike some GKs you wouldn't say he oozed confidence.

It could be that a Samba deal has been done but can not be finalised until January, but the reality is that we have a vacancy. Does anyone else feel that its all been a bit smoke and mirrors and that key weaknesses have not been addressed?

You have got to be joking? I have no idea what first 11 or formation Mark Hughes is going to pick but this is by far the best squad we have had for years and possibly the best backroom setup we have ever had . The board have very much walked the walk. I have no doubt they know we need a CB but its not as simple as Football Manager on the PC.

-----------Green----------------

Fabio Onuoha Ferdinand Traore

Park Diakite Faurlin Hoilett

---------Taarabt------------

----------Cisse--------------

Subs

Nelson, Derry, Dyer, SWP, Mackie, Ehmer, Connolly, Ephraim, Doughty, Harriman, Johnson, Zamora

[Johnnykc]

So, less than a week now before it all starts again and the one thing that a lot of people see as being central to requirements has not been sorted.

There are some decent signings and a couple of smart 'frees' but at the end of it all we have a strong midfield, one quality striker, and a gaping hole where you least need it. There are the players to cover but that is not the same thing as a specialist CB with enough pace and distribution skills not to be a liability. The other thing a decent CB would have brought to the party was tactical flexibility, ie the possibility of adopting smart game plans like the Wigan 3 CB foundation which not only saved them but looked real quality. Wherever you look these days the game is getting smarter, more tactically flexible, but there is only so much you can do without a solid foundation. And that comes from the back. Plus Rob Green strikes me as a the type of keeper who needs solidity in front of him, unlike some GKs you wouldn't say he oozed confidence.

It could be that a Samba deal has been done but can not be finalised until January, but the reality is that we have a vacancy. Does anyone else feel that its all been a bit smoke and mirrors and that key weaknesses have not been addressed?

Christ mate.......I am so much happier where we are now compared to last year when warncock did his last minute supermarket dash.....

Relax...MH knows what we need and when we need it....

[Shania]

Hiil and Ferdinand in the heart of the defence is what I predict for the Swansea match. But I´m sure we will by a commanding and skilllfull CB this week already. Gut feeling.

[pblockranger]

Not a chance faurlin will start

[Hitman34]

So, less than a week now before it all starts again and the one thing that a lot of people see as being central to requirements has not been sorted.

There are some decent signings and a couple of smart 'frees' but at the end of it all we have a strong midfield, one quality striker, and a gaping hole where you least need it. There are the players to cover but that is not the same thing as a specialist CB with enough pace and distribution skills not to be a liability. The other thing a decent CB would have brought to the party was tactical flexibility, ie the possibility of adopting smart game plans like the Wigan 3 CB foundation which not only saved them but looked real quality. Wherever you look these days the game is getting smarter, more tactically flexible, but there is only so much you can do without a solid foundation. And that comes from the back. Plus Rob Green strikes me as a the type of keeper who needs solidity in front of him, unlike some GKs you wouldn't say he oozed confidence.

It could be that a Samba deal has been done but can not be finalised until January, but the reality is that we have a vacancy. Does anyone else feel that its all been a bit smoke and mirrors and that key weaknesses have not been addressed?

ye of little faith.

one or two of the following this week.

Mbia, Yevhen Khacheridi, Richardson, Kurt Zouma, gallas


agree with shania. hughes is no mug, we have a true professional running tings now.

[hal9thou]

Hiil and Ferdinand in the heart of the defence is what I predict for the Swansea match. But I´m sure we will by a commanding and skilllfull CB this week already. Gut feeling.

I really hope you are right..... yes, the window is still there, but its only a few weeks since everyone was applauding Sparky for his intention to get business done early doors.... this particular issue must have slipped his mind, because if the list of CBs we're supposed to be looking at is correct, it has become a frantic search for anyone who might fit the bill.

The Mexican kid (19 years old) who took command against Brazil.... still plays for a SA club.... now that would be a phenomenal signing.

[LBLOCK]

Yes I agree

We are relegation certs

And anyway, even if we signed a "decent" CB, a £35M striker and a thousand high class escorts to fellate us all at half time then I'd still moan about the quality of our tea lady and the essential need for the players to have a decent brew

FFS Hughes sort it out

Did the last 16 years actually happen?

[hal9thou]

Did the last 16 years actually happen?

No.

But we still need a decent CB.