Momentum

[Alan Southstand]

IDM, I wasn’t even thinking about Miller, as it wasn’t in the context of what I was saying. Of course Miller could have an influence, but GM would maybe have to change his beloved 4-3-3 system to accommodate him. Likewise, I can see a case for giving Biamou another contract, as he’s ’something different’ to Ironside. But his injuries are a concern. However, if he was used ‘sparingly’ then him signing makes a lot of sense.

The real concern, from an attacking perspective, is the huge ‘creativity’ hole we’d have by losing Biggins/Molyneux/Adelakun and, of course, Craig. Yes, they can be replaced, but, for continuity’s sake, I think it would leave us some serious work to do. It’s far better to build on what you have than to wipe the slate clean and start afresh. We’ve had enough of that over the last 2 or 3 seasons, havn’t we?

[IDM]

I agree about continuity but even if none of those players re-sign, we have plenty of others albeit in different positions.

Maybe Grant will unearth players of similar qualities, the next Wilks/Kane combo.  Or end of season form won’t have gone unnoticed in the wider football context and there will be players wanting to come here, clubs wanting to loan players here too.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

IDM, I wasn’t even thinking about Miller, as it wasn’t in the context of what I was saying. Of course Miller could have an influence, but GM would maybe have to change his beloved 4-3-3 system to accommodate him. Likewise, I can see a case for giving Biamou another contract, as he’s ’something different’ to Ironside. But his injuries are a concern. However, if he was used ‘sparingly’ then him signing makes a lot of sense.

The real concern, from an attacking perspective, is the huge ‘creativity’ hole we’d have by losing Biggins/Molyneux/Adelakun and, of course, Craig. Yes, they can be replaced, but, for continuity’s sake, I think it would leave us some serious work to do. It’s far better to build on what you have than to wipe the slate clean and start afresh. We’ve had enough of that over the last 2 or 3 seasons, havn’t we?

I broadly agree about Biamou. A fully fit Biamou would really give us an extra dimension but by the sounds of it, McCann won't compromise on fitness and trying to 'manage' players through the season. We said much the sane about Anderson and Wood but they've both come through the high intensity run in to the end of the season. Whether David Rennie has been an integral part in keeping them fit, who knows, but his advice to McCann about Biamou could be a big factor in whether he's offered a contract. 

I wonder about Kane, whether he could be persuaded to drop a league to reunite with McCann. The midfield combinations are so important. It took Craig's presence to really see Bailey fulfil what we thought he was capable of and provide a platform for Biggins to improve. Without Craig, finding the right combinations that help us get the ball from back to front, whilst being strong without the ball is the key issue. You wonder how much Close and Westbrook would have benefitted from playing alongside Craig for longer periods but filling his boots somehow will be a priority I hope.

[Chris Black come back]

Are we really going to be prioritising central midfield? He’s given the vote of confidence to Close and Westbrooke with new contracts. Broadbent he continues to defend strongly. And then there is Bailey, our player of the season. That’s four there, all of which next season will be expecting to start.

Laying out on another senior midfielder doesn’t seem realistic at all. Maybe a loan but even then with them all fit, one at least contracted midfielders isn’t making the squad. And that’s assuming Biggins and Rowe don’t re-sign.

[Alan Southstand]

We do not possess a ‘Craig’ in our midfield, currently. Neither Close or Westbrooke are that type of player and I’ve already said in other threads that signing both is a mystery to me, because they’re similar players. If it’s 3 in midfield, we need 6 in the squad.

[Barmby Rover]

The goalkeeper position is the most important one, Jones and Lawlor are of little use to us. They make the back 4 nervous, and mistakes creep in when you know your back up is weak, we have to get rid of Lawlor and replace him with TLT or an extremely good keeper, this is the most difficult one to do, teams are not keen on losing good keepers, it may have to be another loan.

[Jonathan]

Are we really going to be prioritising central midfield? He’s given the vote of confidence to Close and Westbrooke with new contracts. Broadbent he continues to defend strongly. And then there is Bailey, our player of the season. That’s four there, all of which next season will be expecting to start.

Laying out on another senior midfielder doesn’t seem realistic at all. Maybe a loan but even then with them all fit, one at least contracted midfielders isn’t making the squad. And that’s assuming Biggins and Rowe don’t re-sign.

Yes I think we will be prioritising a central midfield player.

[pib]

Are we really going to be prioritising central midfield? He’s given the vote of confidence to Close and Westbrooke with new contracts. Broadbent he continues to defend strongly. And then there is Bailey, our player of the season. That’s four there, all of which next season will be expecting to start.

Laying out on another senior midfielder doesn’t seem realistic at all. Maybe a loan but even then with them all fit, one at least contracted midfielders isn’t making the squad. And that’s assuming Biggins and Rowe don’t re-sign.

Yes I think we will be prioritising a central midfield player.

I think so too.

I can see Grant's first moves being getting in a goalkeeper, centre midfielder, winger (possibly two depending on LM), and possibly another right back, and then build out the strength-in-depth from there as required.

[steve@dcfd]

For me one of the mistakes we made is giving Close and Westbrooke a contract. Our 20 game run started when they got injured and we saw what a good midfield could do instead of accepting average midfield. We needed pace aswell as skill those two don’t have pace. It showed last Friday when Westbrooke came on for Craig he slowed our game down. So yes we need midfield players. If Rowe and Biggins leave and Craig we will need three players all better if we are determined to be Champions as Grant wants. Let’s aim big not settle for second best. Bringing in TLT Craig and Adelakun plus injured players returning to defence showed what a real team could do, wasn’t quite enough but gave us all enjoyment in the process.