Campbell and Meyler


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Those three teams (well the first two definitely) have more creativity in their midfield, and I would like to see us catch up in that department.

I think that's a bit harsh on us to be honest. We have a young player (Henderson) who seems to be craved by the top teams and, I'd imagine, would walk into their teams if they are going to spend £20m on him. He's going to be a great intelligent passer and if that's not creative I don't know what it is. We have another young player (Cattermole) who is obiously not the creative type but has also been occasionally linked with a big move. Elmo is a young, pacy, direct winger. Malbranque is an old-fashioned ball playing genius (let down by his final ball, unfortunately, a lot of the time). We also have Meyler to come back, Reid not even getting on the bench, and Riveros. At least two of those have creativity. And we have Richardson. It's probably a better midfield 'squad' than all but the very best PL teams. They don't score enough, I agree, but they aren't lacking in creativity IMO, and certainly given their youth there is room for improvement. I'm not sure we should be adding to it at the moment, not unless we are planning to ship someone out (eg Reid). And considering the last few SAFC games, they've certainly done well enough for anyone's liking.

My view on the squad overall is this: it's at the stage where there's no need to go out chasing transfers. We don't 'need' anyone really. What we need to do now is slowly improve things: one in, one out, think ahead, be sensible, take good opportunities as they arise (eg Bramble), and don't chase specific players if their clubs seem to be demanding too much money (which could be the situation with N'Zogbia, or which we arguably needed to do with Gyan), unless injuries force us down that route.
 
You expect them both to be back in January?

Campbell only fucked his at the end of summer. January should be too early for him surely?

Similarly Meyler will have been out for about 8 months and knee ligaments are usually a minimum of 12 months unless you have a Kenwyne Jones / Marvin Andrews type of "miracle".



I wouldn't go that far. It's pretty good but still painfully short of real class and cutting edge in the midfield. Just look at our opponents on Monday. What we would give to have Cahill, Pienaar or Arteta.

This
 
Bear with me on this;

When you redecorate one room in your house, it makes the other rooms look bad - so you want to redecorate the other room - then the other, and so on.

So sometimes I think it's that attitude I have with the team - new, better players make others seem inadequate. We will always want to improve the squad and will always find areas of 'weakness'.

Having said that I personally would only really like a really attacking left back and I'd be happy.

This squad is absolutely awesome.

Some people will never appreciate and enjoy what they have ..but i look upon it as a constant work in progress.. like a revolving door as better players come in the others (who on the whole, were good for us ) can be released and we then go on to look for better players
 
There's talk of Stephen Ireland who on his best form can score goals on a regular basis providing he plays regularly. So who do you leave out? Unless we're in Europe then there's no point in having such a huge squad of unhappy players. Hendo will want to leave if he's not playing week in week out.

The system most on this board, and Bruce appears to favour this month is 2 up, so chances for the likes of Riveros look bit part. He got a change against Spuds & never had the space to shine in the crowded midfield.

I doubt there's any money or any need to add to the squad in January as there's ample cover in all positions. Bruce will have to sell if there's any chance of him bringing anyone else in.

Write Campbell of for the season as hopefully we'll be well covered up front and we can ease him back in. Meyler will find it tough to break back in, bar injury or suspensions. Remember two of our most creative midfielders who were stalwarts at the start of the campaign are struggling to get back in the starting 11 with Bruce likely to start with the same 11 as Chelski.

Exciting times ahead I think we'll all agree. There seems to be a greater tenacity within the squad where we're closing games out a lot more than last season. Adding goals from midfield and defence from set pieces is probably the only missing piece of he jigsaw to attain the 'next step'.
 
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