What's missing?

[earthworm]

Billy talks a lot about being able to play the right type of striker for the right game. He can do that, because he's been able to bring in what he wants.

That's less true of midfield, and not true of defence. So what player attributes are we missing in midfield and defence and what sort of games would they be handy for? Or is it just about sheer number of bodies?

So, for example, we've got Wes, and he's good at dealing with strong long balling teams.

 

[adam09]

I don't think we're missing anything now. You need the next step up in terms of quality to make it in the PL. Eg Fletcher instead of McKenna, Lennon instead of Anderson, Vidic instead of Wes etc etc

But as we are, I think we'd have a good go at surviving.

 

[Timothy Pope]

Naked Cheerleaders at half time - that's what's missing.

You can never have enough naked Cheerleaders. Especially in the winter months.

 

[Jonathan]

The only thing currently missing from our current side is Premiership experience in every position.

 

[RedSector]

Much as I like the guy at this level, the thought of Wes against Jermaine Defoe or Fernando Torres does not make me feel all warm inside! IF we go up, we need a top quality centre half who is strong and mobile.

 

[earthworm]

Who said for the Premier League? In theory we're setting up to be a good Championship side here aren't we?

Do you think when Billy talks about having certain options for certain positions, he's actually talking about the top flight?

As for cheer leaders? Too American, f*** that. I'll settle for a pole dancer on every bar at half time. No hiding those norks behind bloody pom poms.

 

[Carvel]

The defence and central midfield places shouldn't be swapped around like the attackers though. Our midfield and defence has been pretty consitant in who's in it while we've been on this run.

 

[RedSector]

I don't think there is any need to sign anyone that won't cut it in the premiership. We've already got a decent Championship team.

 

[nemesiz]

Billy talks a lot about being able to play the right type of striker for the right game. He can do that, because he's been able to bring in what he wants.

That's less true of midfield, and not true of defence. So what player attributes are we missing in midfield and defence and what sort of games would they be handy for? Or is it just about sheer number of bodies?

So, for example, we've got Wes, and he's good at dealing with strong long balling teams.

Our defence looks extremely vunerable against pace and the counter-attack, so while Wes Morgan and Wilson are sufficient at this level the partnership would be ripped apart by Premiership quality strikers. The main problem currently is the attitude by the players to bulk up to gain upper body strength, and in the case of Wes Morgan the player has lost a certain amount of sharpness, reaction speed and pace as a consequence. Similarly Wilson (our most improved player) has a problem with being out of position after being caught on the hop with the counter attack. Their weaknesses could easily be rectified by changing their training and coaching practices, but neither possess all the qualities needed to make the grade to becomme a top Premiership defender.

Another concern is that our forwards lack certain qualities and skills required to threaten top quality defences. This was demonstrated by Robert Earnshaw falling out of favour when playing for Derby, as he lacked the pace, shooting accuracy, finishing and physical size to worry the Premiership defenders. Similarly our other forwards have these weaknesses and more (conversion rate, positioning, reaction speed, skills and tricks etc) , thus the reason why we were struggling to score at this level (bar the last two matches). So like other Championship teams challenging for the promotion the manager requires a skillful striker that could step up and successfully play in the Premiership, but these players are rare and ultimately expensive.

 

[Snake]

We need a Paul McKenna Jnr who's going to step in WHEN McKenna gets injured/suspended. I wouldn't like to see a Forest side without McKenna given that the backups are Moussi and Perch. I like Moussi but he just doesn't do the same things as McKenna. He's a big guy who plays like a little guy whereas McKenna's the other way round. Ideally, I'd love someone younger than McKenna with the potential to be better than him, but that's like asking for a gold ferrari for christmas.

 

[Forever Forest]

Our defence looks extremely vunerable against pace and the counter-attack, so while Wes Morgan and Wilson are sufficient at this level the partnership would be ripped apart by Premiership quality strikers. The main problem currently is the attitude by the players to bulk up to gain upper body strength, and in the case of Wes Morgan the player has lost a certain amount of sharpness, reaction speed and pace as a consequence. Similarly Wilson (our most improved player) has a problem with being out of position after being caught on the hop with the counter attack. Their weaknesses could easily be rectified by changing their training and coaching practices, but neither possess all the qualities needed to make the grade to becomme a top Premiership defender.



certain qualities and skills required to threaten top quality defences. This was demonstrated by Robert Earnshaw falling out of favour when playing for Derby, as he lacked the pace, shooting accuracy, finishing and physical size to worry the Premiership defenders. Similarly our other forwards have these weaknesses and more (conversion rate, positioning, reaction speed, skills and tricks etc) , thus the reason why we were struggling to score at this level (bar the last two matches). So like other Championship teams challenging for the promotion the manager requires a skillful striker that could step up and successfully play in the Premiership, but these players are rare and ultimately expensive.

Agree, Torres, Defoe, Drogba, Adebyor et al would have a field day against our defence. At the minute we are building a quality Champioship team - however thats where it ends. If we manage to get out of this divsion then we will need to rebuild again. Wes / Wilson would be ok against the Hulls, Burnleys / Wolves etc but we would need to significantly improve if we are do anything other than 'just survive by the skin of our teeth'. The gulf is huge now. We do have a lot of players who could potentially do well in the prem, but without players beside them who have been there and done it, it would be too much for a team so young and with so little experiance.

However, I dont agree with you about Earnshaw. The reason he didnt score at Derby, and this isnt just because I hate them, they were/are the worst team in Premiership history. Torres would struggle to score with the likes of eddie Lewis as the main supply line! Earnshaws finishing is quality given the supply. i could see him scoring a few should we get up. Put it this way, out of all our current strikers, he's the one who could potentially score the goals in the prem.

 

[Dadford]

Ketchup.

 

[Flaggers]

Much as I like the guy at this level, the thought of Wes against Jermaine Defoe or Fernando Torres does not make me feel all warm inside!

Possibly - but how many defenders in the Premier League (or in Torres' case, Europe) are able to deal with them either?

 

[mouldy]

In midfield for me we are missing a winger who is a consistently good crosser. i.e. Southall, Commons and Reid.

In the centre I don't think we are missing too much though.

At the back we need more agression. Gunter is obviously agressive when he wants to be but someone who when he gets agressive is going to scare the living daylights out of a striker. Who is going to be crunching tackles in from the start right through to the finish.

And then once we have a decent keeper we have the ultimate championship squad IMO.

All can easily be done in january.

 

[Flaggers]

In midfield for me we are missing a winger who is a consistently good crosser. i.e. Southall, Commons and Reid.

I agree. That Anderson can't cross worth a damn, nor can Tyson. McCleary's gash too....

</sarcasm>

 

[chandler]

think we are missing a top quality centre half, didn't we have Terry and Upson (not for long) when they were youngsters after a bit of first team football. Thats what we need, a youngster with that level of ability on loan from January.

 

[dbarraclough]

A top quality CB with experience (Daws), a left wing with skill and pace (Bale) and an allround quality striker (?) That with securing Shorey and Raddy would give us Prem survival at least IMO.

 

[Deforest]

think we are missing a top quality centre half, didn't we have Terry and Upson (not for long) when they were youngsters after a bit of first team football. Thats what we need, a youngster with that level of ability on loan from January.

I remember Terry playing for us but not upson - wikipedia says he played one game for us in 2000

 

[EpicLulz]

I remember Terry playing for us but not upson - wikipedia says he played one game for us in 2000

Yes, and David Platt put him the centre of midfield.

 

[RedSector]

[quote='Sir' Flagman. ]
Possibly - but how many defenders in the Premier League (or in Torres' case, Europe) are able to deal with them either?
[/quote]

Fair point, I guess what I mean is we're going to need someone more mobile but still just as strong in the premiership. I feel like the majority of the rest of our team has at least the potential to improve and step up to that level but I think we're definitely a top centre back short of competing in the prem.

 

[Jelly Bean]

I don't think you can say that certain players won't be good enough for the prem until they've been tested. Just a personal view but i reckon Wes could cut it.

 

[RedSector]

I don't think you can say that certain players won't be good enough for the prem until they've been tested. Just a personal view but i reckon Wes could cut it.

Wes has a chance but I think he needs the right type of guy next to him.