Patience
During the last four or five transfer windows Moyes has had to try and obtain players that would improve every area of the pitch. Right now this would appear to have come to fruition with our defence and our forward line.Our defence is getting better by the week, as are it's reviews. And when you consider that it has not been as settled as we would like it is even more impressive.
Our forward line is starting to score goals, despite not having a settled front two and two young players in Vaughan and Anichabe. (I'm purposely veering away from calling them inexperienced as I think that they are both a step up from that description at this stage.)
This obviously leaves the midfield and to most of us, it is the weakest link at the moment. Because of this I think that Moyes will concentrate on it alone over the next two transfer windows. I'm not going to give a huge list of players that we should buy as it's pure speculation at this stage but I will say that Pienaar is an obvious signing. A long term replacement for Carsley is also a must. ( Vogel, if true that we're taking him, may give a season to eighteen month's breathing space on this.) An aggessive central midfielder would also be on my wishlist if not two.
When it comes to it, I just hope that whowever Moyes does buy, they are out and out midfielders. I think that this season up to now has shown that the squad has developed beyond needing or relying on utility players. With all our players available, we have talent all over the pitch and are playing some excellent football. When we have some of our first choice midfielders out, our football regresses in a big way. Having utility players as backup in midfield is actually now proving to be a hinderance to how the team and squad are progressing as a whole.
I think as fans we have to be patient though and just see how Moyes gets on with this. Our expectations have risen beyond all belief this season and we will all feel very hard done by if we reach the middle of May without at least UEFA cup qualification in the bag. However, I don't think we should look for anyone's head if things don't pan out. With just the midfield to focus on, we should be in position to really make a go of things next August and that is when I would be making demands for a trophy.
Reader Comments
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
And don’t get the wishes for trophies to far away with thinking of next season. Chelsea look very vulnerable at the back last weeks. With some composure and a bit of luck we’re off to Wembley in just a few months!
But let’s just take it one game at a time. The gunners never like to come to the north, COYB!
Your sentiments regarding any new signings are spot on in my opinion. We are a good side but to improve we must not sign any more of these jack of all trades - master of none type players. As Moyes is probably all to aware you only get succcess by developing a side where each and every player understands their role-and can successfully perform to the best of their ability within that framework.
I feeel we are getting closer each season but we do lack real quality in depth. Look at the injection of class that a quality finisher like Yakubu has done recently in attack, or the threat and intelligent defending of Lescott in defence - we need that type of impact in midfield. We did have that player I beleive but for whatever reason he went to Valencia.
Fact is we should sign a player high in quality and established and comfortable in a central midfield role-nothing else.
But can we please draw a line under this vain nonsense of telling DM who to buy and what "weaknesses" he needs to addresss in his squad, please?
Because you?d have to admit he really does seem to know what he?s doing.
So, maybe he?s best left alone to just get on with things, wouldn?t you say?
Just a thought, like.
Now we are signing to many "jack of all trades, master of none" type players. How many of these players have we actually signed - Neville, Jagielka (who had an outstanding game yesterday).
Oh yeah I forgot that useless Spaniard Arteta - can play on the left, right or through the middle. Yes guys, you are absolutely right yet again - no more of these utility squad players, please.
Andy Mac. Lescott is a centre back, it?s his preferred position and his best one. Why play him in a position that?s not his best. The same goes for Neville, he?s a better right back than midfielder. If you play players out of position like this do you not think it weaken?s the team when you are playing several players out of position like this?
We’re having the worst season in living memory!
The manager can’t do anything without my advice!
Plus I know absolutely everything that goes on in the boadroom! Honest!
Etc, etc
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
No one ere is having a dig at moyes, I was responding to a very valid point by Keiran about how IN MY OPINION we should strengthen with quality players proven and accustomed to a position. The jack of all trades comment was not a dig, it has been proven to work in some cases but you tell me what happened to the performances this season when we played Neville or Jags centre mid? Where they good enough? No-simple as. As Moyes is well aware, If we want to crack on and compete on the next level we wont get there unless we add quality to each position.
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
1 Posted 26/12/2007 at 19:12:15
Report abuse