TangerinePeel
Well-known member
RETURNING FROM INJURY:
Sullay Kaikai (Winger)
Matty Virtue (Defensive Midfielder/Centre Mid)
RECENT SIGNINGS:
Daniel Gretarson (Centre Half)
Danny Ballard (Centre Half)
Kenny Dougall (Defensive Midfielder)
Ben Woodburn (Winger/Attacking Midfielder)
I think it is interesting to consider that we essentially have 6 players there who should definitely be in and around our Starting XI once they are back to full fitness/ready to join the fray. A change of 6 players is a big'un and should significantly impact the squad (for better or worse).
We've all noticed in the past few games teams stick 2/3 players on Hamilton. The introduction of Kaikai/Woodburn who are both creative/skilful attacking minded players should force teams to spread themselves back out to cover our other threats, or suffer the consequences of allowing those lads that much freedom/space. My only worry with that is, I hear Woodburn is injury prone and we know Kaikai is - if they are injured we may be in the same boat as we are now, too reliant on Hamilton which is easily nullified.
Hopefully Ballard and Gretarson will be the Northern Irish/Icelandic League One answer to Ferdinand and Vidic. Ekpiteta looks to be steadily improving and with three decent centre half options we won't be playing a full back there anymore! The benefits of a more solid back four are obvious, just have to hope it is so!
Virtue and Dougall both defensive midfielders, Virtue has a few goals in him as we've seen and Barnsley fans couldn't stop singing Dougall's praises on twitter. I saw one lad describe him as a "no nonsense defensive midfielder who isn't afraid of a tackle". A bit more grit in midfield, just what we bloody need!
I haven't completely lost faith in the Critchley/Sadler masterplan yet, especially when I considered these 6 who need to be introduced/reintroduced. My worry with this is that it puts us at a step back in terms of the squad gelling with 4 new players and 2 players returning from injury. It should give Critchley a bit of a headache in terms of squad selection (which isn't a bad thing) - I'm curious to see how he works all these new options in.
What we all reckoning then, are these lads our saving grace to the issues at hand or can no-one save us .
(everything I've said here is of course hypothetical, merely an optimistic look at how things could shape up)
Sullay Kaikai (Winger)
Matty Virtue (Defensive Midfielder/Centre Mid)
RECENT SIGNINGS:
Daniel Gretarson (Centre Half)
Danny Ballard (Centre Half)
Kenny Dougall (Defensive Midfielder)
Ben Woodburn (Winger/Attacking Midfielder)
I think it is interesting to consider that we essentially have 6 players there who should definitely be in and around our Starting XI once they are back to full fitness/ready to join the fray. A change of 6 players is a big'un and should significantly impact the squad (for better or worse).
We've all noticed in the past few games teams stick 2/3 players on Hamilton. The introduction of Kaikai/Woodburn who are both creative/skilful attacking minded players should force teams to spread themselves back out to cover our other threats, or suffer the consequences of allowing those lads that much freedom/space. My only worry with that is, I hear Woodburn is injury prone and we know Kaikai is - if they are injured we may be in the same boat as we are now, too reliant on Hamilton which is easily nullified.
Hopefully Ballard and Gretarson will be the Northern Irish/Icelandic League One answer to Ferdinand and Vidic. Ekpiteta looks to be steadily improving and with three decent centre half options we won't be playing a full back there anymore! The benefits of a more solid back four are obvious, just have to hope it is so!
Virtue and Dougall both defensive midfielders, Virtue has a few goals in him as we've seen and Barnsley fans couldn't stop singing Dougall's praises on twitter. I saw one lad describe him as a "no nonsense defensive midfielder who isn't afraid of a tackle". A bit more grit in midfield, just what we bloody need!
I haven't completely lost faith in the Critchley/Sadler masterplan yet, especially when I considered these 6 who need to be introduced/reintroduced. My worry with this is that it puts us at a step back in terms of the squad gelling with 4 new players and 2 players returning from injury. It should give Critchley a bit of a headache in terms of squad selection (which isn't a bad thing) - I'm curious to see how he works all these new options in.
What we all reckoning then, are these lads our saving grace to the issues at hand or can no-one save us .
(everything I've said here is of course hypothetical, merely an optimistic look at how things could shape up)