It was a dull, gloomy day in September and two teams were bidding for our prised assets. My how we have progressed since.

To recap, Tyrone Mings and David McGoldrick could have gotten us £10 million between them, and our academy had missed out narrowly on a Category One status. An unnamed academy product had only played once in the league for us. Daryl Murphy and McGoldrick had only two goals between them, and we were languishing in the bottom half of the table, and were winless in four league matches, and five in all competitions.

Fast forward to the next transfer window, and a lot has changed since. We find ourselves in a barely recognisable position of being a point back for the leaders, with a game in hand. Not for a wee while has this been the case.

To go with this, we actually have a squad with options almost everywhere, and we have seen the blossoming of that academy product mentioned before. Teddy Bishop's arrival on the scene, coupled with the addition of David Wright to our youth staff, means that the achievement of Category One academy status looks almost a formality.

We have seen experience and quality added to our ranks, in Paddy Kenny, Noel Hunt, Darren Ambrose and Freddie Sears, as well as some come and go, like Jack Collison and Sean St Ledger. And, undoubtedly the most important (for me), Daryl Murphy. The improvement made this season has been immense and indispensible in equal measure.

However, there is a new challenge. How do we maintain our top two push?

Well, the necessity for a back up for our striking options looks as if it has been answered by the signing of Freddie Sears. Undoubted quality, scoring goals in every other appearance at as side near the bottom of League One, and a great assist on his half-hour début. This signing looks as if it will pay dividends. There is an argument that we will lack physicality if/when something happens to Murphy, however we have until the end of March to allow for this.

Goalkeeping options have been added to, with Paddy Kenny's arrival, which will push both Dean Gerken and Bartosz Bialkowski to maintain their current level. It also allows for Michael Crowe to go out on loan and gain that experience needed to start for us in the future.

The only worry in defence, for me, is the need for cover at right-back. We have Jonny Parr as cover if and when something happens to Luke Chambers (who for me has been excellent at right-back) or one of Smith and Berra. However, he is also our main cover at left-back for Tyrone Mings. Matt Clarke has also played at left-back in the League Cup, and did make is League debut as a midfielder, but he is a central defender. I would look at adding to this area if and when the possibility arises.

Now, we have the most complex area of this debate. Midfield. To begin with, we have seen Jay Tabb and Paul Anderson improve greatly. They have always been great for their hard work, and now we are seeing them create more going forward. Stephen Hunt has also raised his level dramatically and Cameron Stewart has looked very good in his cameo appearances.

Now, we have five options for the centre of midfield (not including Jay Tabb). Luke Hyam, Kevin Bru, Teddy Bishop, Cole Skuse and Darren Ambrose. Skuse is very important in our midfield. When he is absent there is a distinct lack of shape to our midfield compared to when he plays.

We have Hyam who, although he hasn't been stunning recently, has an engine and gets about the pitch. We have Bru who is very composed on the ball and can play a number of passes. There is Bishop who is a very raw talent, who doesn't shy from a tackle, tracks back a lot, and who can dribble like nobody we have, and we have Ambrose who has a lot of experience.

However, we can almost all agree on this one thing. If this Town squad really needs something, it is a spark in midfield. A player who is unpredictable. Jonny Williams has been linked, Jack Grealish likewise. Personally, I would look at Grealish, as he would add pace as well as an X factor we may not have.

So. What do you think we should do? Where do we need to strengthen? You've seen my opinion. Do you agree?

All opinions welcome, as well as feedback.

Reecex28 added 20:38 - Jan 21 Great article and in my opinion we need at least two of the midfield four in any game to have the confidence/ability to turn and run/pass forward. Trouble is MM wants this type of player to have a strong work ethic as well. Understand this but these players are rare and very expensive. That's why a multi-million price tag already on Teddy Bishop's head.
1

MVBlue added 08:57 - Jan 22 With Jonny Williams we began our surge to the top two. Without him we are not certain to be there. Bring back Jonniesta.
3

rickw added 10:20 - Jan 22 This is the way forward!!! ;-) BialkowskiParrChambersBerraMingsSkuseBishopTabbSearsMcGoldrickMurphy Substitutes: Kenny   Smith   Clarke   Bru   Anderson   S. Hunt   N. Hunt    We seemed a lot more impressive earlier this season with 4-3-3, playing a high pressing game and able to control more of the possession with 3 in the middle. After this break hopefully the players will be able to press again like they did before xmas. Parr coming in as a more natural full back than Chambers, so Smith is the unlucky one to miss out. Bru also just as unlucky, but I think we need Skuse's defensive awareness, Tabb's workrate and Bishop gets the nod because of his class! Ambrose unlucky to not even make the bench!

0

saffronblue added 16:54 - Jan 22 Good blog, I agree we need a more creative/sparky midfielder, whilst Williams did look good when on loan, he was a little light weight and subject to injury. I would try and get Jesse Lindegard from MU on loan. Rickw, I like your team but would replace Tabb with Bru as whilst he does not work as hard and provides a bit more composure on the ball.
1

Blogs 295 bloggers