This Squad needs…

[Better Red]

As we start to move towards the window in January it’s clear the squad is to light to sustain a season of championship football. 
 

Players coming back won’t help us this year we just don’t have any.

Williams will help as will Seyemyo but that’s it.

Not getting a few loans in the summer is costing us now and it looks a bad decision now as it did then.

We are short at least 4 to give us a chance of being not just competitive but staying up.

Left back - I don’t think we have one at the club. Prefer Pring as an option in midfield and JD is just not up to it.

Holding midfielder - James is to good and important to play that role same for Massengo they need to play further forward. Also we need to allow our fullbacks to get further forward and even dare i say overlap.

Striker - goes without saying. Last night we ended without one the pitch and that played a big part in Forest playing so far forward as not much to worry them about defending.

winger - we need someone who can carry the ball with pace and take us up the pitch and also push the opposition back. An Albert type player someone who actually has pace and can take on a fullback.

Could have written this in the summer and it’s even more obvious now so I’m not calming to be a football genius. But if most of the supporters can see it then not sure why the manager and the club can’t - I hope they do.

Palmer, Simpson, Bakinson and King add very little or nothing to the team so please move them on could also throw in COD but still need a few bodies. 
 

If we don’t make these signings in January loan or perm then pretty sure we are going to finish in the bottom six if not lower.

[BCFCGav]

Would finishing lower than the bottom 6 mean top in L1 and therefore promotion? Get the champagne on ice!

[mozo]

I think we are desperate for some loans in January to give our squad the right balance. 

Hopefully there are experienced players not getting gametime at other clubs that we can persuade to come here.

I want a striker with a physical presence to lighten the load piled up on Martin.

Also a defensive midfielder and a wide player.

Palmer and Bakinson can go out on loan.

[westex red]

13 minutes ago, mozo said:

I think we are desperate for some loans in January to give our squad the right balance. 

Hopefully there are experienced players not getting gametime at other clubs that we can persuade to come here.

I want a striker with a physical presence to lighten the load piled up on Martin.

Also a defensive midfielder and a wide player.

Palmer and Bakinson can go out on loan.

Any midfield would be wonderful, we haven't got anything that resembles one!

[Supersonic Robin]

31 minutes ago, Better Red said:

As we start to move towards the window in January it’s clear the squad is to light to sustain a season of championship football. 
 

Players coming back won’t help us this year we just don’t have any.

Williams will help as will Seyemyo but that’s it.

Not getting a few loans in the summer is costing us now and it looks a bad decision now as it did then.

We are short at least 4 to give us a chance of being not just competitive but staying up.

Left back - I don’t think we have one at the club. Prefer Pring as an option in midfield and JD is just not up to it.

Holding midfielder - James is to good and important to play that role same for Massengo they need to play further forward. Also we need to allow our fullbacks to get further forward and even dare i say overlap.

Striker - goes without saying. Last night we ended without one the pitch and that played a big part in Forest playing so far forward as not much to worry them about defending.

winger - we need someone who can carry the ball with pace and take us up the pitch and also push the opposition back. An Albert type player someone who actually has pace and can take on a fullback.

Could have written this in the summer and it’s even more obvious now so I’m not calming to be a football genius. But if most of the supporters can see it then not sure why the manager and the club can’t - I hope they do.

Palmer, Simpson, Bakinson and King add very little or nothing to the team so please move them on could also throw in COD but still need a few bodies. 
 

If we don’t make these signings in January loan or perm then pretty sure we are going to finish in the bottom six if not lower.

You honestly think that the team currently in 13th is "At least 4 players short of having *a chance* of staying up"? 

Personally I still don't have any major worries about relegation. I'm confident that there's at least 3 teams worse than us.

IMO we should aim to avoid business in January if possible - it's a dreadful market to try and buy in. If something happens to come up then great, but chances are that we'd have to pay over the odds for what we'd want. That includes loans too, which have many associated fees that fans often forget about - they're not free. Unless things go south and we really are looking in big trouble, then I'm happy for us to hold out until next summer for signings. 

[Chicken George]

This squad needs pace, ball retention, composure, creativity and steel. 

[Redstart]

4 minutes ago, Supersonic Robin said:

IMO we should aim to avoid business in January if possible - it's a dreadful market to try and buy in. If something happens to come up then great, but chances are that we'd have to pay over the odds for what we'd want. That includes loans too, which have many associated fees that fans often forget about - they're not free. Unless things go south and we really are looking in big trouble, then I'm happy for us to hold out until next summer for signings. 

I agree with you about the January market being dreadful and I also believe there are 3 worse teams than us. My concern though is if we actually finished just above the relegation zone it will affect the quality of the players we could attract in the summer. 

I think we really do need to get a couple of signings in the Jan window, we have to give ourselves the best chance of finishing as high up the league as we can this season, which will hopefully help us with the quality of the summer signings. 

[Supersonic Robin]

Just now, Redstart said:

I agree with you about the January market being dreadful and I also believe there are 3 worse teams than us. My concern though is if we actually finished just above the relegation zone it will affect the quality of the players we could attract in the summer. 

I think we really do need to get a couple of signings in the Jan window, we have to give ourselves the best chance of finishing as high up the league as we can this season, which will hopefully help us with the quality of the summer signings. 

I see where you're coming from - we have become a significantly less attractive prospect in the space of the last year. That does concern/depress me too. However, money is (and will continue to be) SO tight that making a couple of signings in January may prevent us from being able to do any notable business in summer anyway.

If we were to make signings in Jan they'd almost certainly have to be Tanner types - players for very low fees who we don't expect to have an immediate impact (I appreciate Tanner's impact has come sooner than we might have expected).

[Better Red]

25 minutes ago, Supersonic Robin said:

You honestly think that the team currently in 13th is "At least 4 players short of having *a chance* of staying up"? 

Personally I still don't have any major worries about relegation. I'm confident that there's at least 3 teams worse than us.

IMO we should aim to avoid business in January if possible - it's a dreadful market to try and buy in. If something happens to come up then great, but chances are that we'd have to pay over the odds for what we'd want. That includes loans too, which have many associated fees that fans often forget about - they're not free. Unless things go south and we really are looking in big trouble, then I'm happy for us to hold out until next summer for signings. 

Yes very sure. We are staring a relegation fight if we don’t recruit.

Give it another 6 games and the table will show us where we are.                     I will be amazed if we are more than 3 or 4 points above the team in the last relegation place then hopefully we will all release where we are.

We are short of players in few roles which is causing problems in selections and in substitutions.

Like I said we don’t really have anyone to come back from injury so with one or two more injuries the squad looks wafer thin at best.

[Posset red]

We need a Paterson guys on fire another goal and assist 

[Merrick's Marvels]

32 minutes ago, Enter Sandman said:

This squad needs pace, ball retention, composure, creativity and steel. 

Jesus is there anything it doesn't need?!

[Taz]

9 hours ago, Posset red said:

We need a Paterson guys on fire another goal and assist 

Until he goes missing for 5 or 6 games.

His ability was never in doubt. An in form Paterson is a great player at this level.

Unfortunately an in form Paterson is also quite rare.

[Waconda]

10 hours ago, westex red said:

Any midfield would be wonderful, we haven't got anything that resembles one!

Massengo.

10 hours ago, Enter Sandman said:

This squad needs pace, ball retention, composure, creativity and steel. 

and coaching

[Robbored]

10 hours ago, Enter Sandman said:

This squad needs pace, ball retention, composure, creativity and steel. 

That applies to all clubs.

[Bris Red]

10 hours ago, Posset red said:

We need a Paterson guys on fire another goal and assist 

In good form he may well be but i can guarantee he can’t/won’t keep it up. We all saw him show glimpses here of being a top class championship player but for whatever reason he cannot consistently do it. Fair play to him and Swansea if they can get consistency out of his game but i just don’t see it happening especially when he bas never done it in his career to date.

[Super]

We def need some pace this must be the slowest City team i can remember.

[downendcity]

Love, sweet love

It's the only thing that there's just too little of. 

 

[LondonBristolian]

I think the reality is that the team that we all expected to be a lower midtable team in a season of transition has proven to be a lower midtable team in a season of transition.

We need to turn around our home form and we need Williams, Massengo and Semenyo fit. 

O'Dowda and Palmer are going nowhere unless somebody agrees to pay their wages, let alone a fee. I'm guessing Simpson and King are here as low cost cover options. Moving them on is all well and good but we'd need to replace them AND stay within budget.

I don't think anyone - either in terms of fans or the management of the club - is under any illusions about where the weaknesses of the team lie. I don't think addressing those weaknesses whilst staying within budget is anywhere near as easy as some supporters think. 

[Northern Red]

Football Manager and FIFA have so, so much to answer for.

[Edgy Red]

17 hours ago, Enter Sandman said:

This squad needs pace, ball retention, composure, creativity and steel. 

Thats basically a completely different squad then!

[Rocking Red Cyril]

17 hours ago, Merrick's Marvels said:

Jesus is there anything it doesn't need?!

It needs a home win 

[Red_Alligator]

To be functioning as best as it can, in it's various forms, until NP can rebuild completely. 

He started, so lets hope the owner backs him appropriately. 

Otherwise, he's likely to walk, in my opinion. 

Which would be a sad reflection on the club.

[lenred]

1 hour ago, LondonBristolian said:

I think the reality is that the team that we all expected to be a lower midtable team in a season of transition has proven to be a lower midtable team in a season of transition.

We need to turn around our home form and we need Williams, Massengo and Semenyo fit. 

O'Dowda and Palmer are going nowhere unless somebody agrees to pay their wages, let alone a fee. I'm guessing Simpson and King are here as low cost cover options. Moving them on is all well and good but we'd need to replace them AND stay within budget.

I don't think anyone - either in terms of fans or the management of the club - is under any illusions about where the weaknesses of the team lie. I don't think addressing those weaknesses whilst staying within budget is anywhere near as easy as some supporters think. 

May as well copy this answer as it’s going to need to be used time and time again. People just don’t or don’t want to get what this season is about unfortunately.  

[Simon bristol]

18 hours ago, Merrick's Marvels said:

Jesus is there anything it doesn't need?!

Leadership?

[alexukhc]

19 hours ago, Merrick's Marvels said:

Jesus is there anything it doesn't need?!

A cross

[Chicken George]

11 hours ago, Robbored said:

That applies to all clubs.

It does. Most of them have at least one or more of those traits. We have none of them. 

[Merrick's Marvels]

1 hour ago, alexukhc said:

A cross

We all have our crosses to bear. 

Ours is the City! 

[Redrascal2]

On 20/10/2021 at 20:05, Better Red said:

As we start to move towards the window in January it’s clear the squad is to light to sustain a season of championship football. 
 

Players coming back won’t help us this year we just don’t have any.

Williams will help as will Seyemyo but that’s it.

Not getting a few loans in the summer is costing us now and it looks a bad decision now as it did then.

We are short at least 4 to give us a chance of being not just competitive but staying up.

Left back - I don’t think we have one at the club. Prefer Pring as an option in midfield and JD is just not up to it.

Holding midfielder - James is to good and important to play that role same for Massengo they need to play further forward. Also we need to allow our fullbacks to get further forward and even dare i say overlap.

Striker - goes without saying. Last night we ended without one the pitch and that played a big part in Forest playing so far forward as not much to worry them about defending.

winger - we need someone who can carry the ball with pace and take us up the pitch and also push the opposition back. An Albert type player someone who actually has pace and can take on a fullback.

Could have written this in the summer and it’s even more obvious now so I’m not calming to be a football genius. But if most of the supporters can see it then not sure why the manager and the club can’t - I hope they do.

Palmer, Simpson, Bakinson and King add very little or nothing to the team so please move them on could also throw in COD but still need a few bodies. 
 

If we don’t make these signings in January loan or perm then pretty sure we are going to finish in the bottom six if not lower.

Isn't it the case that Lansdown will not fund it. He has done the same with the Bears. They lost two England internationals who played massive roles last season and neither were replaced. They made no significant signings at all. 

[Dr Balls]

I would suggest that NP still isn’t quite sure which combination of players gives the right balance between any sort of an attack and being able to defend. Can you have Wells, Martin and Weimann as a front 3? What is our best midfield combination if all the players were fit? Do we need 2 or 3 central defenders?

I still think having Bentley as captain is the wrong call as well. Usually you would say a goalkeeper isn’t involved much in the game, so it’s not a good idea. In Bentley’s case, he is too regularly having to focus so much on his own performance to even keep us in games that again it doesn’t seem a good fit.

[The Dolman Pragmatist]

7 hours ago, Dr Balls said:

I would suggest that NP still isn’t quite sure which combination of players gives the right balance between any sort of an attack and being able to defend. Can you have Wells, Martin and Weimann as a front 3? What is our best midfield combination if all the players were fit? Do we need 2 or 3 central defenders?

I still think having Bentley as captain is the wrong call as well. Usually you would say a goalkeeper isn’t involved much in the game, so it’s not a good idea. In Bentley’s case, he is too regularly having to focus so much on his own performance to even keep us in games that again it doesn’t seem a good fit.

If that is the case, it’s pretty damning on Pearson.

The lack of leadership on the field is plain to see.

[Clutton Caveman]

9 hours ago, Dr Balls said:

I would suggest that NP still isn’t quite sure which combination of players gives the right balance between any sort of an attack and being able to defend. Can you have Wells, Martin and Weimann as a front 3? What is our best midfield combination if all the players were fit? Do we need 2 or 3 central defenders?

I still think having Bentley as captain is the wrong call as well. Usually you would say a goalkeeper isn’t involved much in the game, so it’s not a good idea. In Bentley’s case, he is too regularly having to focus so much on his own performance to even keep us in games that again it doesn’t seem a good fit.

I think the Captains role on the field is almost extinct. If a Bobby Kellard type gave a typical player of today a dressing down on the field he would probably be off for 6 months on stress leave.

[Red-Robbo]

I think we'll be unlikely to get a new striker in January. At least not one good enough to walk into the first team.  

I'd be delighted to be proved wrong there, but I think this player will only be sourced next summer.

What we could get, and I'd be happy with, is a defensive midfielder.

Matty James is decent in this role, but he isn't fast and he needs a suitable replacement being available from time-to-time. Bakinson doesn't cut it for me and I don't like Vyner in MF and none of our other midfielders particularly fulfil that role of providing a last-ditch barrier in front of our defence.

[Northern Red]

4 hours ago, The Dolman Pragmatist said:

If that is the case, it’s pretty damning on Pearson.

The lack of leadership on the field is plain to see.

Let's be honest though, you consider everything to be damning on Pearson. Including the weather, the price of petrol and food shortages.

Just admit you want him sacked instead of all these little digs.

[Mad Cyril]

22 hours ago, Red_Alligator said:

To be functioning as best as it can, in it's various forms, until NP can rebuild completely. 

He started, so lets hope the owner backs him appropriately. 

Otherwise, he's likely to walk, in my opinion. 

Which would be a sad reflection on the club.

Any oaf can buy a new team. I would hope to see a manager earn his salary by the ability to improve what he has. I am not convinced Pearson is really doing this.... I have no idea what sort of football he aspires us to play

[Red_Alligator]

2 hours ago, Mad Cyril said:

Any oaf can buy a new team. I would hope to see a manager earn his salary by the ability to improve what he has. I am not convinced Pearson is really doing this.... I have no idea what sort of football he aspires us to play

Nice one Cyril! Bit harsh on Mr Lansdown though. Keep the faith!

[mozo]

4 hours ago, Red-Robbo said:

I think we'll be unlikely to get a new striker in January. At least not one good enough to walk into the first team.  

I'd be delighted to be proved wrong there, but I think this player will only be sourced next summer.

What we could get, and I'd be happy with, is a defensive midfielder.

Matty James is decent in this role, but he isn't fast and he needs a suitable replacement being available from time-to-time. Bakinson doesn't cut it for me and I don't like Vyner in MF and none of our other midfielders particularly fulfil that role of providing a last-ditch barrier in front of our defence.

Even on loan RR?

[Red-Robbo]

Just now, mozo said:

Even on loan RR?

I'd love it, but I reckon we'll just have Wells/Martin + Semenyo when available all season.

[Selred]

I think our main loss is width, I think we desperately need wide players who can attack and push the opposition back, as well as create chances.

Let's be honest, we have some very good CMs (when fit), and Wells, Weimann and Martin can all score in this division. But we just don't create chances. 

We stick LB Pring on left wing, or are stuck with ODowda. And right hand side bar Semenyo, we start Williams there vs B'Mouth!!!! 

[Davefevs]

1 hour ago, Selred said:

I think our main loss is width, I think we desperately need wide players who can attack and push the opposition back, as well as create chances.

Let's be honest, we have some very good CMs (when fit), and Wells, Weimann and Martin can all score in this division. But we just don't create chances. 

We stick LB Pring on left wing, or are stuck with ODowda. And right hand side bar Semenyo, we start Williams there vs B'Mouth!!!! 

For info, Pring was a winger initially, then a WB.

[westex red]

On 21/10/2021 at 07:27, VT05763 said:

Massengo.

and coaching

Massengo for sure, the coaching, not so sure.

[westex red]

On 21/10/2021 at 08:12, Super said:

We def need some pace this must be the slowest City team i can remember.

I think NP has sped the passing up, however the players lack the skills to carry it out with accuracy.

[Son of Fred]

18 hours ago, Red-Robbo said:

I don't like Vyner in MF

Or anywhere else.....one to move on.

[Son of Fred]

14 hours ago, Selred said:

I think our main loss is width, I think we desperately need wide players who can attack and push the opposition back, as well as create chances.

Let's be honest, we have some very good CMs (when fit), and Wells, Weimann and Martin can all score in this division. But we just don't create chances. 

We stick LB Pring on left wing, or are stuck with ODowda. And right hand side bar Semenyo, we start Williams there vs B'Mouth!!!! 

One thing we lack above all else ???

Pace.

[LondonBristolian]

19 hours ago, Red-Robbo said:

I think we'll be unlikely to get a new striker in January. At least not one good enough to walk into the first team.  

I'd be delighted to be proved wrong there, but I think this player will only be sourced next summer.

What we could get, and I'd be happy with, is a defensive midfielder.

Matty James is decent in this role, but he isn't fast and he needs a suitable replacement being available from time-to-time. Bakinson doesn't cut it for me and I don't like Vyner in MF and none of our other midfielders particularly fulfil that role of providing a last-ditch barrier in front of our defence.

If either of King or Bakinson are likely to leave in the summer then I agree a defensive midfielder makes sense. Assuming we aren’t in the relegation mire, I’d like to see a Tanner type signing of a player who can do a job this season whilst developing to be a key player for the future.

To be honest, I don’t reckon we’ll get new strikers until Martin and Wells are out of contract.

[Davefevs]

2 hours ago, LondonBristolian said:

If either of King or Bakinson are likely to leave in the summer then I agree a defensive midfielder makes sense. Assuming we aren’t in the relegation mire, I’d like to see a Tanner type signing of a player who can do a job this season whilst developing to be a key player for the future.

To be honest, I don’t reckon we’ll get new strikers until Martin and Wells are out of contract.

Martin OOC in the summer.  Has a year option, but we might not trigger it necessarily.

[Red-Robbo]

4 hours ago, LondonBristolian said:

If either of King or Bakinson are likely to leave in the summer then I agree a defensive midfielder makes sense. Assuming we aren’t in the relegation mire, I’d like to see a Tanner type signing of a player who can do a job this season whilst developing to be a key player for the future.

To be honest, I don’t reckon we’ll get new strikers until Martin and Wells are out of contract.

 

I don't think either King or Bakinson do that DM role very well.   In King's case it might just be age catching up with him.  When he's on the pitch with Matty James we have probably two of the slowest midfielders in the division.

I just don't think Bakinson is Championship standard. 

[Merrick's Marvels]

1 hour ago, Davefevs said:

Martin OOC in the summer.  Has a year option, but we might not trigger it necessarily.

Can the player trigger it if he plays a certain number of games? 

Can't remember if I read that somewhere or just imagined it. 

I like him but we desperately need to freshen up the strikers. 

[Davefevs]

7 minutes ago, Red-Robbo said:

 

I don't think either King or Bakinson do that DM role very well.   In King's case it might just be age catching up with him.  When he's on the pitch with Matty James we have probably two of the slowest midfielders in the division.

I just don't think Bakinson is Championship standard. 

King isn’t a DM….he’s always been a midfielder who likes to get up and around the attackers, contribute goals etc.  Bakinson is a deep midfielder rather than a defensive midfielder, likes to have to play in front of his, but does not have defensive awareness.  James defensive skills are based on reading the game / anticipation and then intensity in closing down the “problem”.

[Davefevs]

Just now, Merrick's Marvels said:

Can the player trigger it if he plays a certain number of games? 

Can't remember if I read that somewhere or just imagined it. 

I like him but we desperately need to freshen up the strikers. 

Will depend on the terms.  Quite conceivable that Martin’s one year option has that.  Ashley Williams allegedly had that in his short term deal, although I think City would’ve exercised it regardless.

[Red-Robbo]

3 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

King isn’t a DM….he’s always been a midfielder who likes to get up and around the attackers, contribute goals etc.  Bakinson is a deep midfielder rather than a defensive midfielder, likes to have to play in front of his, but does not have defensive awareness.  James defensive skills are based on reading the game / anticipation and then intensity in closing down the “problem”.

 

Well, exactly. That's the crux of the problem.  To put it simply, we need a new Korey Smith. 

[Davefevs]

Just now, Red-Robbo said:

 

Well, exactly. That's the crux of the problem.  To put it simply, we need a new Korey Smith. 

Do you know what, I don’t think Korey was either.  Korey was a “rat”, sniffing out trouble anywhere in midfield, tended to play higher than Pack who screened (under Johnson) the CBs.  In his last season here when he returned from injury he did play what we all call DM though.

I agree, a Korey type would be useful.

[LondonBristolian]

28 minutes ago, Red-Robbo said:

 

I don't think either King or Bakinson do that DM role very well.   In King's case it might just be age catching up with him.  When he's on the pitch with Matty James we have probably two of the slowest midfielders in the division.

I just don't think Bakinson is Championship standard. 

I think Bakinson is a decent player but not a Nigel Pearson player. If we’re aiming for a high intensity team that work hard, put teams in pressure and break quickly then that isn’t Bakinson.

For me, it is not that I don’t rate him but that he and we would be better off   letting him move to a team that suits him rather than trying to make him something he is not.

[LondonBristolian]

19 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Do you know what, I don’t think Korey was either.  Korey was a “rat”, sniffing out trouble anywhere in midfield, tended to play higher than Pack who screened (under Johnson) the CBs.  In his last season here when he returned from injury he did play what we all call DM though.

I agree, a Korey type would be useful.

Yeah -I always saw Pack as the “sitter”. I thought that was the problem in LJ and Smith’s last season. Neither Nagy and Smith were natural holding players and both would have preferred running around the pitch than sitting deep. Smith did it out of necessity but it did not get the best out of him or the team.

[Henry]

33 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Do you know what, I don’t think Korey was either.  Korey was a “rat”, sniffing out trouble anywhere in midfield, tended to play higher than Pack who screened (under Johnson) the CBs.  In his last season here when he returned from injury he did play what we all call DM though.

I agree, a Korey type would be useful.

Agree that Smith rarely sat in midfield.

I think the ‘plan’ was that Nagy replaced Park and Massengo replaced Smith. I’d argue Massengo has that bite, but needs a season or two to develop that.

[westex red]

On 21/10/2021 at 07:27, VT05763 said:

Massengo.

and coaching

Massengo is probably our best player, but not on his own!

[Jerseybean]

This squad needs….. 

width

to get crosses in the box 

to be able to retain possession or pass the ball

a goal scorer

to afford the opposition much less time on the ball

That would be a reasonable start