ROTHERHAM

[Yankee_Jack]

@ivoralljack ... excellent summary. Our midfield were on the dire end of the spectrum in general performance. And we failed to believe and function against Brentford. For next season, Andy Pandy is running out of kids he’s managed to bring on board.

After looking at the highlights again, and again, mostly at Fulton’s goal, I see a lot of under utilized capability in him. He typically always plays neat and tidy, one touch is excellent, doesn’t mind getting stuck in, can shoot (but rarely does), can head the ball. But, that goal showed that there’s something more. His work rate to go from lower right in our own half, cross field, to near post. His vision of what space to attack. His touch to score. How can we get him to be less playing within himself and more to his full potential. I think he could play #9 for us. And, I wouldn’t be the least bit hesitant at putting him there ... he would do a solid job.

 

[CroJack]

I'm not trying to be a rank pessimist, just attempting to be pragmatic. We do have the basis of a decent Premier League squad but undoubtedly we will need HUGE player investment to give us a realistic chance of staying up.

I disagree. What you are saying here ^^^ is contradicting this :

When we were promoted under Rodgers we had realistic hopes because we were different, almost continental in the way we played hence the nickname we eventually acquired, SWANSELONA - and we literally gained worldwide acclaim and praise at the highest levels from pundits and famous international players.

Rodgers didn't make huge investments in the squad when we got promoted.

It's not about players so much as it is about the style of play and manager. We simply HAVE TO go back to possession based football, high passing accuracy, and pass & move football. You can add here improved physical levels, constant running and high pressing off the ball.

Or, at least, we can continue to play good defensive football, but then we need a really good counter-attacking strategy and players with an extreme pace and skills both in midfield and up front. Even this approach doesn't require huge investments, but rather SMART investments.

 

[CroJack]

His touch to score. How can we get him to be less playing within himself and more to his full potential. I think he could play #9 for us. And, I wouldn’t be the least bit hesitant at putting him there ... he would do a solid job.

I said long time ago that Fulton is wasted in defensive midfield.

 

[ivoralljack]

Or, at least, we can continue to play good defensive football, but then we need a really good counter-attacking strategy and players with an extreme pace and skills both in midfield and up front. Even this approach doesn't require huge investments, but rather SMART investments.

I did say that the style of football we played was vital to our success but I also believe that we had a better balanced squad than we do now well versed in playing proper football. You say that we will need players with "extreme pace and skills both in midfield and up front", well I agree but EVERY TEAM is looking for such players and consequently they won't come cheap, so we WILL need huge investment - by our standards at least. You refer to "smart" investments but again every team is looking to do that and I'm not convinced that we would be smarter than anyone else at finding them. Even if we did find such players what about salaries? There's no way we'll pay as much as other clubs will/can unless the owners fund it; and they won't.

I do agree that we possess a good defensive unit but that's by Championship standards and there's no guarantee they'd be anything like as good at the top level facing top players week in week out. With that in mind it'll be really interesting to see how they'll cope against Citeh and needless to say, I'm hoping they'll do very well.

 

[Behindthegoal]

Well put, Ivor.
This reinforces my oft stated opinion that while we are suffering the current owners I would hate to be playing in the PL.
I am quite enjoying this season. I like to watch my team win 3-1 then read you guys moaning that it should’ve been 0-2, or maybe 5-0.

 

[ivoralljack]

Well put, Ivor.
This reinforces my oft stated opinion that while we are suffering the current owners I would hate to be playing in the PL.
I am quite enjoying this season. I like to watch my team win 3-1 then read you guys moaning that it should’ve been 0-2, or maybe 5-0.

Oh, c'mon, BTG, there's nothing like a good moan is there?

 

[Behindthegoal]

No, all for it, me. My big moan is all you guys looking forward to the PL like turkeys voting for Christmas.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

A day in the Prem looking down at Cardiff, way way down, is better than anything