Where can we improve?

[WhiteHart4Ever]

With the transfer window coming up there is as always plenty of speculation, though a bit less than usual as most people understand that January is hardly the busiest of windows, and that we're hardly desperate to buy anyone at the moment. However, in a longer-term perspective: what positions can we improve in the next 3-4 transfer windows?

To start of, here's what I consider the first 11 at the moment, with back-up/rotation:

Gomes (Pletikosa)

Hutton (Corluka) Dawson (Kaboul) King (Gallas) BAE (Bassong)

Lennon (Bentley) Huddlestone (Palacios) Modric (Jenas) Bale (Kranjcar)

VDV (Crouch)
Defoe (Pav)

Now, where can we improve? If we start with the first 11 it's near impossible to improve on Gomes, Modric, Bale, VDV, Dawson, BAE and Lennon - there are very few better players around and they'd be tough to get. There will also be little need to replace any of those players due to age. So, for the first 11 the only positions that can be improved are RB, CB, CM and ST.

RB: At RB we have excellent depth with Corluka, Hutton and Walker, but I'd say this is the position with most obvious room for improvement. Corluka is to defensive, Hutton's all-round play is not quite good enough (I like him, but this is based on us being title contenders for years, not a good PL side) and Walker looks promising though yet to be truly tested.

CB: With King and Woodgate out of the picture at the moment, the likes of Gallas, Kaboul and Bassong provide excellent cover. In terms of depth we're probably best of in the Premiership at CB. Still, if we exclude King there's a marginal room for improvement on a first choice pairing for Dawson.

CM: As with CB, we have two excellent players in Huddlestone and Palacios to partner Modric that I'm more than happy with. I expect Huddlestone to develop further and become impossible to replace, but I'd say at the moment there's still room for improvement in this position.

ST: I think we all agree we need a new top notch striker.

Back-up/the squad:

We also have an impressive strenght in depth, particularly at RB, CB, CM and ST. However, we are practically without cover at LB (I had to insert Bassong in lack of other options (as Bale's a LW)), and as it should be expected that the likes of Kranjcar, Bentley and Gio will move on players like Rose and Townsend not looking like world-beaters yet a couple of wingers (preferably young) should be on the scouts' agendas.

Then there's always the possibility we will lose players. I'd say Bale, Modric, VDV and possibly Huddlestone are the only candidates to be tapped up by clubs big enough to lure them away (if we keep delivering, that is), this only underlines the need to look at future options across the midfield and up-front.

So, to conclude:

Priorities: New first choice striker, first choice RB and back-up wingers
Other first-choice improvement possibilities (though would require top, top signings): CM and CB

 

[danielneeds]

I don't think there are any outstanding right backs in the league at the moment. Hutton's current form definitely puts him up there in the top 4 or 5.

Ideally we could do with a real superstar at centre half - a non-injured King or Woodgate or younger Gallas.

The need for a top striker has been pretty obvious all season

 

[michaelden]

I disagree we need a RB. Both Hutton & Corluka are very good with different strengths.

A ST is desperately needed.

next I'd say a CM like L. Diarra.

I'd say JJ, Gio, Bentley, Krancjar, Woodgate, Keane and Palacios might all be up for sale. Add either Crouch or Pav to that list too.

 

[KILLA_SIN]

Impossible to improve on Dawson? Bold statement. Obvious position that needs improving is RB, but most of the top sides in Europe are trying to improve that one position where top quality players are elusive. So very unlikely IMO that we will be signing any new RB's this Jan.

A striker is an absolute necessity, none of our current forwards inspire confidence, But again who and at what price?

A decent back-up to Lennon would be nice because Bentley really should be moved on now, I would rather he be paid by someone to sit on their bench.

I think we have more than enough players at CM for that not to be priority position which needs upgrading.

 

[kcmei]

Striker who is out of this world

 

[Mr-T]

We could improve - as fans and therefore as a club - by not slagging off players for no reason other than a temporary dip in form. I'm thinking the likes of Hutton, Jenas, Lennon and more recently Palacios and Gomes.

Bitching and booing only makes it harder for them to rediscover confidence and makes our fans look like numpty fairweather pussyholes that have little to no knowledge of the game of football - no better than a goon a chav or a manc.

 

[VegasII]

Joe Jordan needs to stare the opposition more.

A top notch striker & a healthy defence.

 

[onthetwo]

backup for BAE is what we need and stand a chance of getting

 

[DoublePivot]

I think the biggest improvement we could make would be to have a healthy and stable central pairing. One of the big reasons we can't keep a clean sheet is that nobody is forming a partnership back there. The last time we had a good run of clean sheets was when Seb/Dawson had a consistent run last year around this time.

 

[Darrkespur]

A super striker and some back up at rm/lm and lb would be fine. Hutton got into Sky Sports' team of 2010 this week - I think his poor form before his sunderland loan has coloured his judgement of what has been a very good season for him so far, and Corluka is just as good in a different style. Like others are saying, our centre backs just need a few injury free months, we won't get much better than what we have there.

 

[ethanedwards]

With the transfer window coming up there is as always plenty of speculation, though a bit less than usual as most people understand that January is hardly the busiest of windows, and that we're hardly desperate to buy anyone at the moment. However, in a longer-term perspective: what positions can we improve in the next 3-4 transfer windows?

To start of, here's what I consider the first 11 at the moment, with back-up/rotation:

Gomes (Pletikosa)

Hutton (Corluka) Dawson (Kaboul) King (Gallas) BAE (Bassong)

Lennon (Bentley) Huddlestone (Palacios) Modric (Jenas) Bale (Kranjcar)

VDV (Crouch)
Defoe (Pav)

Now, where can we improve? If we start with the first 11 it's near impossible to improve on Gomes, Modric, Bale, VDV, Dawson, BAE and Lennon - there are very few better players around and they'd be tough to get. There will also be little need to replace any of those players due to age. So, for the first 11 the only positions that can be improved are RB, CB, CM and ST.

RB: At RB we have excellent depth with Corluka, Hutton and Walker, but I'd say this is the position with most obvious room for improvement. Corluka is to defensive, Hutton's all-round play is not quite good enough (I like him, but this is based on us being title contenders for years, not a good PL side) and Walker looks promising though yet to be truly tested.

CB: With King and Woodgate out of the picture at the moment, the likes of Gallas, Kaboul and Bassong provide excellent cover. In terms of depth we're probably best of in the Premiership at CB. Still, if we exclude King there's a marginal room for improvement on a first choice pairing for Dawson.

CM: As with CB, we have two excellent players in Huddlestone and Palacios to partner Modric that I'm more than happy with. I expect Huddlestone to develop further and become impossible to replace, but I'd say at the moment there's still room for improvement in this position.

ST: I think we all agree we need a new top notch striker.

Back-up/the squad:

We also have an impressive strenght in depth, particularly at RB, CB, CM and ST. However, we are practically without cover at LB (I had to insert Bassong in lack of other options (as Bale's a LW)), and as it should be expected that the likes of Kranjcar, Bentley and Gio will move on players like Rose and Townsend not looking like world-beaters yet a couple of wingers (preferably young) should be on the scouts' agendas.

Then there's always the possibility we will lose players. I'd say Bale, Modric, VDV and possibly Huddlestone are the only candidates to be tapped up by clubs big enough to lure them away (if we keep delivering, that is), this only underlines the need to look at future options across the midfield and up-front.

So, to conclude:

Priorities: New first choice striker, first choice RB and back-up wingers
Other first-choice improvement possibilities (though would require top, top signings): CM and CB

I believe Kaboul and possibly Bassong are as good and potentially better than Dawson, no need for an upgrade at CB, unless Baresi can shed a few years.

 

[brett.spurs]

Super striker - Llorente possibly 1st choice

Marin to cover Bale/VDV/Lennon and push for a starting place

 

[Kalim]

Super striker - Llorente possibly 1st choice

Marin to cover Bale/VDV/Lennon and push for a starting place

Yes

 

[Bus-Conductor]

I think the biggest improvement we could make would be to have a healthy and stable central pairing. One of the big reasons we can't keep a clean sheet is that nobody is forming a partnership back there. The last time we had a good run of clean sheets was when Seb/Dawson had a consistent run last year around this time.

Last time we had a decent run of clean sheets was when we had two deep CM's protecting the back four (Palacios/Hudd/Jenas), with Modric on the left and we weren't playing gung ho football.

I agree about the continuity thing though.

 

[philbcn]

Only area that is letting us down is the forwards really. It's pretty much plain for everyone to see and most people on sc seem to agree.

Whether that improvement can come from within or needs a new signing in order to improve the 1st XI is open to question. I tend to think we could really go places with a top striker to replace Keane and that would be a huge improvement in the 'forwards department' overall.

And who would be this super signing that would be willing to join us, that his club would be prepared to let go at this point in the season, with fee we're comfortable with (as Harry's said he wouldn't be happy spedning 30m+ on one palyer), fitting into the pay structure etc. is the tough part. I don't think Dzeko is coming to us, nor that Llorente or Benzema will be available.

Also, getting a new stiker would mean probably all of Defoe, Crouch and Pav spending a majority of their time on the bench. (Assuming VdV plays as second striker in the majority of games). We need to remember that all of those three are pretty good overall and in some cases very good at something, just none of them seems to be that complete package forward who does everything (scores goals, terrorizes defences with his physical presence, sets up chances, holds the ball up for others to join etc.). If any of these could step up some areas of their game where they're lacking, hit form and score a shed load of goals then we may not need to make a signing in any case.....although I'd definitely prefer one!

 

[DEFchenkOE]

If we sell GDS/Bentley/Kranjcar then a Marin would be a must, but I think a striker is more importan.

Also I'd like us to get another left back. I think we can all admit that at the moment Bale must continue where he is (although I still see him as a left back in the future). But if Benny gets injured then we have no cover for him and it would mean putting Bale back there and then we'd need to put someone else at left wing.

Another thing is that I like the way we're playing with the 4-4-1-1. But it might be worth having an understudy to VdV who can play the same role by drifting between midfield and attack. So then if VdV is injured we have a like for like swap. You could argue that GDS/Krancjar could do this but neither are settled so might be better for Harry to sign someone unless we have any youngsters that could step up to the plate. Not sure if the likes of Mason, Bostock could do the job, would think they're not ready yet.

 

[guate]

As much as I would like a strong "old English style" centreforward to help us get to the next level we all know that one "special player" is not easy to find. However where I think we can improve still is by being more consistent as there are still days when I sense that we're really not up for it.
Admittedly these days have become less and less as our confidence grows but there's still the odd blip against teams that we should be beating and until we become more consistent I suspect we'll have a few more.

 

[WhiteHart4Ever]

Impossible to improve on Dawson? Bold statement. Obvious position that needs improving is RB, but most of the top sides in Europe are trying to improve that one position where top quality players are elusive. So very unlikely IMO that we will be signing any new RB's this Jan.

A striker is an absolute necessity, none of our current forwards inspire confidence, But again who and at what price?

A decent back-up to Lennon would be nice because Bentley really should be moved on now, I would rather he be paid by someone to sit on their bench.

I think we have more than enough players at CM for that not to be priority position which needs upgrading.

Well, name one that we could get that are better. Possible alternatives will be players like Hangeland, Shawcross and Cahill - I'd say by no means better than Daws.

I think the biggest improvement we could make would be to have a healthy and stable central pairing. One of the big reasons we can't keep a clean sheet is that nobody is forming a partnership back there. The last time we had a good run of clean sheets was when Seb/Dawson had a consistent run last year around this time.

Agreed. Based on this season I'm very tempted to say that King should be back-up only, and that Kaboul/Bassong should be left to fight it out to be his partner. All this shifting around at the back is really messing our defence up and as Gallas isnt gonna be around forever wouldnt mind a stable partnership for quite a few seasons to come.

 

[Breezer]

I'd love to see us sign a all round top quality centre mid. Someone who can put in a tackle and also drive the team forward. Palacios plays the holding role, however as much as i love his passion, he's simply not good enough with the ball!

Gerrard would be the ideal player who would complete our midfield but obviously thats unrealistic! Parker? Diarra?

 

[stevenurse]

I still dont see why bale is going to be a left back? hes mugged off most defences this year and ripped the best right back in the world to pieces. Is our top scorer and is the boy everyone is talking about. If it aint broke dont fix it. If harry played him at left back from now on id be livid.