what do we need?

[lukespurs7]

What positions/type of player do we need to sign?
Last summer IMO Bent was a wrong signing and we didn't address the LM problem.

This summer I'd say priority is CM,CB and GK with the possibility of a ST if Berby leaves.
Please could someone actully clear up where Modric and Dos Santos play. I get the impression Modric is a CAM/LM and Dos Santos is actually a RM(LEFT-footed) in the Ashley Young mould in that he COULD play up front or off the striker.

If this is the case are we not signing players in positions we don't particualrly need again? Don't get me wrong, brilliant signings-don't forget he needs to agree medical terms still.

Saying Dos Santos is agreed what do we still need in your opinion to take us up that level and complete us.

IMO:
GK-Coupet for example
CB-Unless King proves his fitness.
CM-Unless Modric will play there(He will probs play LM)
ST-Unless Berbatov is staying.

So is this our team?:

--------------------------New GK-------------------------

-----Hutton--------Woodgate----King(or new CB)----Bale--

-----Dos Santos----Zokora-------New CM/Jenas---Modric--

------------------Berbatov/new ST--Keane----------------

All a bit confusing really.
views?

 

[DC_Boy]

JJ to start - with Zoko/DM being the question mark

 

[KeaneIsKeane]

We're going to play with two holding midfielders. If we don't I'll be absolutely shocked. I can see Zokora being our Poulsen and Jenas being our Keita in that sense, but I'm not sure if it is as simple as that. We need someone who can distribute to our flanks well. Neither of them have proven they can do that.

 

[Michey]

We must get rid of Jenas then we might be alright in the middle........thats the key

 

[KeaneIsKeane]

Also, Bale will feel like a brand new signing and we know that boy can perform, at least in attack.

 

[walworthyid]

JJ to start - with Zoko/DM being the question mark

We are clearly going to have a very different type of team this season and that is not just in terms of personel. I don't think that JJ will be starting at all, his ball retention abilities are just not good enough, besides which we now have Dos Santos and Modric.

People are saying that Dos Santos is not going to feature in the first 11 straight away but why would he swap the bench at Barca for the bench at Spurs? He wouldn't. I am not saying that he has a clause in his contract that he must start every game but he will have been brought in with the promise that he will be playing ALOT of games.

The creativity will undoubtedly be provided by Modric and Dos Santos and this may see us play a 4-4-1-1 or perhaps 4-3-1-2 or similar. Our team will be based on keeping the ball not giving it away and I am afraid I see Zokora getting far more game time than JJ for that very reason.

 

[joey55]

We must get rid of Jenas then we might be alright in the middle........thats the key

But surely Jenas is the last CM we currently have that we need to get rid of.

 

[walworthyid]

We're going to play with two holding midfielders. If we don't I'll be absolutely shocked. I can see Zokora being our Poulsen and Jenas being our Keita in that sense, but I'm not sure if it is as simple as that. We need someone who can distribute to our flanks well. Neither of them have proven they can do that.

JJ is not anywhere near the class of Keita I am afraid. He has the attributes but is not composed enough in possession. Zokora could quite easily sit and distribute the ball to the flanks but not JJ. I would look to replace both of them in all honestly but replacing JJ would be my first priority.

 

[simyid]

what is with everyone thinking that modric plays on the left and gio on the right as that is not there positions we will have lennon on the right gio on the left and modric and a dm in the centre clearly



lennon....................DM/jenas...................modric...................gio

 

[walworthyid]

But surely Jenas is the last CM we currently have that we need to get rid of.

Why? With creativity in the middle and on the flanks through Bale, Hutton, Modric and Dos Santos surely we need holding players of which JJ is not one?

 

[chrissivad]

lining up as a 433

New_Keeper
Hutton Woodgate King/new_CB Bale
Jenas New_CM/DM Modric
Lennon/Malbranque Dos Santos
Berbatov

But it will probably still be a 442

Realy hope we upgrade on Zokora though. Played well towards the end of the season, but still dont think he is what we need if we are to realy push in Europe and the league.
​

 

[paul_m2k5]

We must get rid of Jenas then we might be alright in the middle........thats the key[/quote :bs:

Don't you mean Zokora mate.
Jenas has played some of his best football under Ramos.
God knows why everybody loves Zokora.
He isn't good enough,plain and simple.
Thats why we had to splash the cash on Modric.

We need a new goalkeeper,and a new centre back as cover for King.
And if Berbatov goes,a top quality replacement.

 

[walworthyid]

We must get rid of Jenas then we might be alright in the middle........thats the key[/quote :bs:

Don't you mean Zokora mate.
Jenas has played some of his best football under Ramos.
God knows why everybody loves Zokora.
He isn't good enough,plain and simple.
Thats why we had to splash the cash on Modric.

We need a new goalkeeper,and a new centre back as cover for King.
And if Berbatov goes,a top quality replacement.

So Modric was brought in to replace Zokora? It all makes sense now:duh:

 

[DC_Boy]

Hi Walworth - time will tell I'm absolutely convinced (fitness aside) that JJ will start more games than Zokora -

I actually think JJ will start more games than any other mid we currently have (fitness aside) - but I know that's more of a long shot - still that's my bet

 

[paul_m2k5]

So Modric was brought in to replace Zokora? It all makes sense now:duh:

I know im going to get battered for this,but i really don't care.

It sounds like your another one who has been fooled in to Zokora's ability (lack of).
I'd rather have Micheal Brown in the middle than him.

give me one reason why he should even be in our team,let alone starting.

 

[cnyy12]

We need a top class ball winner in the middle, and another winger, I think.

 

[walworthyid]

DC and MK25

It is not that I don't think that JJ is a "better" and more talented footballer than Zokora, because he clearly is, it is that Zokora can perform a more limited role in the team better than JJ. When Zokora is playing deep and can see the game in front of him he has been excellent, hence why he has been so good at CB, he can get it and give it simple and his reading of the game is actually very good there. JJ on the other hand is not at his best in a deeper position or when the pace of the game is slow. His distribution and close control is simply not good enough. The trouble with playing him further forward is that he lacks composure on the ball and tends to either stand still when he receives it looking confused or he knocks 30 yards ahead of himself and runs with his head down.

I can assure you that like all top teams Ramos is going to base our entire game around keeping the ball, not just aimlessly knocking it around at the back, but being able to keep it high up the pitch. This keeps teams on the back foot, gives us territorial advantage and without the ball the other team will struggle to score. JJ, in the many, many games that I have seen him play has never shown the ability to receive the ball, look up and make a clever pass high up the field. He either passes it back/sideways or kicks it too far ahead.

Yes he is a good player, but he does not have the skills to play in the kind of way that Ramos will want.

If we have not bought a better player Zokora will start first.

The players we have bought are more likely to replace Jenas because it is his role to provide creativity and he has not done so.

GK
Hutton Woody King Bale

Zokora New DM

Lennon Dos Santos

Modric

Berba

 

[DC_Boy]

Hi WY - Very good points - you've kind of convinced me re JJ - but I won't change my mind just yet - may do if the pre-season shows that's how JR sees it

tho I absolutely disagree that AL GDS and Modric will all be regular starters - just don't see that

 

[lukespurs7]

We're going to play with two holding midfielders. If we don't I'll be absolutely shocked. I can see Zokora being our Poulsen and Jenas being our Keita in that sense, but I'm not sure if it is as simple as that. We need someone who can distribute to our flanks well. Neither of them have proven they can do that.

O right, this is the kind of thing i'm getting at. Does anyone have any knowledge or strong suspictions as to a new formation or the role in which players may be implimented.

Did Sevilla play 4-4-2 or a 4-2-3-1.

And surely we can't just play Berbatov on his own, you just can't leave Keane out!

 

[lukespurs7]

We are clearly going to have a very different type of team this season and that is not just in terms of personel. I don't think that JJ will be starting at all, his ball retention abilities are just not good enough, besides which we now have Dos Santos and Modric.

People are saying that Dos Santos is not going to feature in the first 11 straight away but why would he swap the bench at Barca for the bench at Spurs? He wouldn't. I am not saying that he has a clause in his contract that he must start every game but he will have been brought in with the promise that he will be playing ALOT of games.

The creativity will undoubtedly be provided by Modric and Dos Santos and this may see us play a 4-4-1-1 or perhaps 4-3-1-2 or similar. Our team will be based on keeping the ball not giving it away and I am afraid I see Zokora getting far more game time than JJ for that very reason.

Yea good insight.

I should really change this thread to HOW will we play not what do we need.

And if we were to line-up 4-3-1-2, how would the midfield look? Modric or Dos Santos behind the front 2 and i assume Zokora in the middle holding but who on the right and left of him? Jenas and Hudd/Malbranque. hmmm.