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Will our forwards score enough goals to keep us in the Premiership?
Austin is a great finisher and often only needs 1 chance to score. I think he will get a few goals (maximum 10) but I don't think he has the quality or the pace to be a genuine threat all of the time at this level. Simply put Zamora would not be at the club had he not scored the winner in the final. For me our Premiership survival literally hinges on whether we can keep Remy. I think if we do we will just stay up, there will be many tight games against the likes of Burnley, Leicester, WBA, Stoke etc and Remy's class alone will be enough to nick us the odd goal and earn us an extra 15 points. I hope he stays.
Will our midfield be strong enough?
The area of the team that gives me the most concern both defensively and attacking. Barton and Faurlin's work ethic and long passing abilities cannot be questioned but they both lack the engine and pace to get box to box, and the guile to create chances with incisive passes out of nothing. More worryingly Krancjar and Morrison, our 2 genuine creative midfielders, have both gone leaving us woefully short in this option. The friendly games have really highlighted this. We are gambling a lot on Jordan Mutch, who undoubtedly had a great season last year, but was very ordinary on loan at Watford and Doncaster before that. Here's hoping he's the answer. As for the wide men the jury is still out. Hoilett, Traore and SWP all flatter to deceive,Matt Philips is always injured and when fit has done nothing to make you think he's the player we were all led to believe he was. Adel will go and I can't comment on Isla although I've heard good reports.
The defence of the defence?
Caulker is a great signing and will only benefit from playing alongside Ferdinand. Ferdinand is a great signing in every way except for his waning footballing ability. His experience will be of great organisationally across the back four, he will talk and lead. I also think that Onuhoa is probably our best defender and he too will benefit as previously mentioned. I actually expect Nedum to be in the England squad at some stage this season. Simpson is a steady Eddie that performance rating never budges from 6 or 7 out of 10. Hill and Dunne will become bit part players. I'm still not convince by Rob Green and think that he always has a mistake in him, he gets away with it in the Championship as he has less to do. He will cost us a few goals this year. Cesar is a better bet for me.
4-4-2, 5-3-1-1, or 3-5-2?
It is clear from Harry's rushed attempt to get Glenn Hoddle on board that he is struggling to get the team to adapt to 3-5-2. This is primarily because we do not have natural holding defensive midfielders to protect the back 3, Faurlin and Barton see themselves as play makers and not play breakers and there is no-one else to break up opposition attacks and play the simple short ball. I expect us to conceded lots of goals on the break as the back 3 get exposed after we've given the ball away in the opponent's half.
So will we stay up?
I think we have a fighting chance if we keep Remy. It's clear we need another 2 midfielders, 1 purely defensive and 1 purely attacking. I think De Guzman would be a great addition in the attacking role. The defensive midfielder is less clear. I would like us to go for Wanyama from Southampton but can't see that happening. If Remy goes we need 2 forwards, if he stays then Deeney may just suffice. I think the Ajax forward would have been a really good signing too. I hope that re-surfaces.
Come on you R'sss
Austin is a great finisher and often only needs 1 chance to score. I think he will get a few goals (maximum 10) but I don't think he has the quality or the pace to be a genuine threat all of the time at this level. Simply put Zamora would not be at the club had he not scored the winner in the final. For me our Premiership survival literally hinges on whether we can keep Remy. I think if we do we will just stay up, there will be many tight games against the likes of Burnley, Leicester, WBA, Stoke etc and Remy's class alone will be enough to nick us the odd goal and earn us an extra 15 points. I hope he stays.
Will our midfield be strong enough?
The area of the team that gives me the most concern both defensively and attacking. Barton and Faurlin's work ethic and long passing abilities cannot be questioned but they both lack the engine and pace to get box to box, and the guile to create chances with incisive passes out of nothing. More worryingly Krancjar and Morrison, our 2 genuine creative midfielders, have both gone leaving us woefully short in this option. The friendly games have really highlighted this. We are gambling a lot on Jordan Mutch, who undoubtedly had a great season last year, but was very ordinary on loan at Watford and Doncaster before that. Here's hoping he's the answer. As for the wide men the jury is still out. Hoilett, Traore and SWP all flatter to deceive,Matt Philips is always injured and when fit has done nothing to make you think he's the player we were all led to believe he was. Adel will go and I can't comment on Isla although I've heard good reports.
The defence of the defence?
Caulker is a great signing and will only benefit from playing alongside Ferdinand. Ferdinand is a great signing in every way except for his waning footballing ability. His experience will be of great organisationally across the back four, he will talk and lead. I also think that Onuhoa is probably our best defender and he too will benefit as previously mentioned. I actually expect Nedum to be in the England squad at some stage this season. Simpson is a steady Eddie that performance rating never budges from 6 or 7 out of 10. Hill and Dunne will become bit part players. I'm still not convince by Rob Green and think that he always has a mistake in him, he gets away with it in the Championship as he has less to do. He will cost us a few goals this year. Cesar is a better bet for me.
4-4-2, 5-3-1-1, or 3-5-2?
It is clear from Harry's rushed attempt to get Glenn Hoddle on board that he is struggling to get the team to adapt to 3-5-2. This is primarily because we do not have natural holding defensive midfielders to protect the back 3, Faurlin and Barton see themselves as play makers and not play breakers and there is no-one else to break up opposition attacks and play the simple short ball. I expect us to conceded lots of goals on the break as the back 3 get exposed after we've given the ball away in the opponent's half.
So will we stay up?
I think we have a fighting chance if we keep Remy. It's clear we need another 2 midfielders, 1 purely defensive and 1 purely attacking. I think De Guzman would be a great addition in the attacking role. The defensive midfielder is less clear. I would like us to go for Wanyama from Southampton but can't see that happening. If Remy goes we need 2 forwards, if he stays then Deeney may just suffice. I think the Ajax forward would have been a really good signing too. I hope that re-surfaces.
Come on you R'sss
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