(15-08-2021, 10:29 AM)Simon Wrote: Think with a couple of quality additions we will be competitive this season.
We looked ok in spells yesterday with out creating much but that will come.
Bournemouth were a niggly team and could have been down to 10 much sooner if the ref had booked the player for pulling zinc (I think it was ) back by the neck in the first 10 mins. Few late tackles all over the pitch after that.
I do agree.
I think if we can add a LB with an engine and turn of pace so he can get forward to support Mighten and then deliver quality from the touchline, that will be a big tick. Mighten is excellent at driving inside, drawing 2/3 opposition players into him, if he had an outlet to drop it off to for a cross, it would be fabulous.
We then obviously need a #6 to get on the ball in our half and either drive forward with it, or play switches so we can spring counters effectively and prevent the opposition setting up. Colback and Yates together mean the ball doesn't go forward into feet quick enough, it's so easy to defend against.
Then i'd love a #9 who can stretch defences.
Ultimately, we will be hindered by Hughton's over caution. I think he could adapt and play Fornah alongside Yates, and we'd progress the ball more quickly and effectively than we do now. But Hughton hasn't changed before and he wont now.
So a #3 and #6 are what we need to hope for to become competitive. By competitive I don't mean a promotion side, just one who every game you think, 'we might win this'. Right now it's very much the opposite. We're currently playing a system that is focused on being defensively responsible with a RB who is not yet at the level defensively he needs to be (will he ever be?) and a RB at LB who has to alter his natural body position. Then our 4th choice CB to boot.