Naby Keita

[danperkins]

Henderson doesn't tackle though, I think we need to stop pretending that he can provide a viable option to Fab. Look how much we were all ****ting it for the CL final when Fab got the hamstring injury. Hendo is a massive step down as a number 6.

Id say we dont have a useful backup for Trent (and Fab...).

If he got injured long term, that is half of our assists gone, and our major supply line.

There is no way Gomez is anywhere close to a like for like replacement on a tactical level.

I dont think Hendo tackles or reads the game as well as Fab. Fab has a knack for being in the right place to cut out through balls. I just dont think Hendo has the same instinct.I also think he is slowing up a bit. I thinkif he is in the tram he should be further forward as he can cross and thread through balls, works and presses at his best

he's so easily bypassed, it's fairly frustrating watching him over commit and opposition just side step him.

[Charly]

Id say we dont have a useful backup for Trent (and Fab...).

If he got injured long term, that is half of our assists gone, and our major supply line.

There is no way Gomez is anywhere close to a like for like replacement on a tactical level.

I dont think Hendo tackles or reads the game as well as Fab. Fab has a knack for being in the right place to cut out through balls. I just dont think Hendo has the same instinct.I also think he is slowing up a bit. I thinkif he is in the tram he should be further forward as he can cross and thread through balls, works and presses at his best

[danperkins]

Matip is world class too.

I think partbif the problem is we have Keita or Henderson... and City have De Bruyne.

I think that is where the only obvious "gap" in quality between us, and somewhere most if us agree we need to improve if we want to finish above City. I think Keita is a decent player, but I also think we need better for our first 11.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Henderson doesn't tackle though, I think we need to stop pretending that he can provide a viable option to Fab. Look how much we were all ****ting it for the CL final when Fab got the hamstring injury. Hendo is a massive step down as a number 6.

For domestic cup games and dead rubber games he would be a viable stand in.

I'm not calling him a like for like for Fab, just that he could play as a number 6 in our second string when we want to play the second string in comps.


Personally we need two CMs. One being of starter quality and a right sided number eight and the other maybe a younger player who can cover a few roles but that is good at CDM.

If I was raiding Serie A then maybe Barella and Tonali

[rudedog]

Henderson can cover Fab to a decent level.


The one missing natural cover would be Salah.


Ali - Kelleher

Trent - Gomez or Ramsey if we get him

Robbo - Tsimikas

VVD - Matip or Konate or Gomez

Fab - Henderson

Thiago - Keita

Mo - Whichever left winger that did not start.



Got me thinking about the second string if the transfers we think ( and hope in the case of a starting CM coming in) will come up do.

We could start the season with a second string that resembles this.


------------------------------Kelleher----------------------------
Ramsey------------Gomez-------------Matip or Konate-------Tsimikas
----------------------------Henderson-----------------------------------
----------------Elliot----------------------Keita--------------------------
Minamino------------------Firmino---------------------------Jota


The likes of Milner, Carvalho, Jones etc could be switched in and out of the above.

Not bad at all and handy for saving the legs of the first choice XI by starting the above in the domestic cups and dead rubber CL games

That cover for Salah bit does stand out a lot for me though.

Henderson doesn't tackle though, I think we need to stop pretending that he can provide a viable option to Fab. Look how much we were all ****ting it for the CL final when Fab got the hamstring injury. Hendo is a massive step down as a number 6.

[Doc_Piptorious]

And of all those the only one we don't have decent cover for is Fab. Really need to sort that this summer!

Sent from my V2006 using Tapatalk

Henderson can cover Fab to a decent level.


The one missing natural cover would be Salah.


Ali - Kelleher

Trent - Gomez or Ramsey if we get him

Robbo - Tsimikas

VVD - Matip or Konate or Gomez

Fab - Henderson

Thiago - Keita

Mo - Whichever left winger that did not start.



Got me thinking about the second string if the transfers we think ( and hope in the case of a starting CM coming in) will come up do.

We could start the season with a second string that resembles this.


------------------------------Kelleher----------------------------
Ramsey------------Gomez-------------Matip or Konate-------Tsimikas
----------------------------Henderson-----------------------------------
----------------Elliot----------------------Keita--------------------------
Minamino------------------Firmino---------------------------Jota


The likes of Milner, Carvalho, Jones etc could be switched in and out of the above.

Not bad at all and handy for saving the legs of the first choice XI by starting the above in the domestic cups and dead rubber CL games

That cover for Salah bit does stand out a lot for me though.

[Fosterbloke]

Matip is world class too.

I think partbif the problem is we have Keita or Henderson... and City have De Bruyne.

I think that is where the only obvious "gap" in quality between us, and somewhere most if us agree we need to improve if we want to finish above City. I think Keita is a decent player, but I also think we need better for our first 11.

I think the Nunez signing will unlock the Leipzig Naby for us. I'm getting excited for the next season again!

[Charly]

Matip is world class too.

I think partbif the problem is we have Keita or Henderson... and City have De Bruyne.

I think that is where the only obvious "gap" in quality between us, and somewhere most if us agree we need to improve if we want to finish above City. I think Keita is a decent player, but I also think we need better for our first 11.

[Frog83]

Correct - I think we have 7 players who would be world 11 candidates - slightly biased of course



Ali

Trent

Robbo

VVD

Fab

Thiago

Mo

And of all those the only one we don't have decent cover for is Fab. Really need to sort that this summer!

Sent from my V2006 using Tapatalk

[Doc_Piptorious]

Correct - I think we have 7 players who would be world 11 candidates - slightly biased of course

Ali
Trent
Robbo
VVD
Fab
Thiago
Mo

Same Magnificent Seven for me. Hell of a spine isn't it?

[Irishnev]

So if Keita or Henderson, whichever starts, is the weakest in our starting XI, it begs the question as to who is the next weakest player in our best XI?

Diaz or Jota maybe? Depending on which one is seen as a starter.


Speaks volumes about our best starting XI is we are going to be calling players like that our weakest

Correct - I think we have 7 players who would be world 11 candidates - slightly biased of course

Ali
Trent
Robbo
VVD
Fab
Thiago
Mo

[Doc_Piptorious]

Weakest of the 11 - doesn’t make them bad but clearly the weakest of the strongest 11

So if Keita or Henderson, whichever starts, is the weakest in our starting XI, it begs the question as to who is the next weakest player in our best XI?

Diaz or Jota maybe? Depending on which one is seen as a starter.


Speaks volumes about our best starting XI is we are going to be calling players like that our weakest

[Irishnev]

I don't agree that Keita or Henderson are weak links but we are one midfielder away from having the perfect squad.

Weakest of the 11 - doesn’t make them bad but clearly the weakest of the strongest 11

[poorscousertommy]

I don't agree that Keita or Henderson are weak links but we are one midfielder away from having the perfect squad.

Agreed, I would really like us to add some goals in there. We don't score enough from Midfield.

[Buzzo]

I don't agree that Keita or Henderson are weak links but we are one midfielder away from having the perfect squad.