| Mick Mills comments - and squad assessment 15:40 - May 26 with 2155 views | LegendofthePhoenix |
Listening to BBC Suffolk on the way home yesterday, I thought Mick Mills made some very insightful comments. I was a bit surprised that he described Sir Bob as an “average” coach, but what he said was that Sir Bob’s brilliance was recruitment – buying and selling the right players. So inevitably that leads in to assessing our squad the season they have had and where we need to strengthen. Here’s my take as a S/T holder who has only made it to one away match:
1 Muric – many of his early season performances were top drawer in terms of shot stopping command of his area, and kicking I thought was ok. But the brain farts obviously a big concern – was it confidence? Or does he have an inability to concentrate? Only those in the club will know if this is something that can be fixed. If so, he is our #1 keeper. If not he needs to go.
2 Harry Clarke – he is a squad / back-up at Champ level. Can have decent games, but he was liable to get exposed even in the Champ. Worth keeping but not as a starter, and with a view to upgrade.
3 Leif – Absolute star at Champ level, was decent in Prem but due to coaching/instructions he was often too far forward and without adequate cover behind but he is one to keep if we can
5 Morsy – my fave player of the last 4 years – superb captain and can still run the midfield at times even in the Prem. But can also be bypassed by the better midfielders. He definitely has a role next year, probably more as back-up, but maybe he will surprise us again.
6 Woolfenden – I’ve been impressed whenever he has played in the Prem, decent back-up in Prem, and good as a starter in the Champ.
7 Burns – One of the most surprising for me at how well he stepped up. He showed physicality like few of our players, the way he dealt with Cucarella was superb. What a shame he got injured we needed him badly. He will be great to compete with Ogbene on the right wing.
8 Phillips – obviously going back to Citeh. Glimpses of his quality, but that was all we got really. This is where we need to spend big - need a real quality midfielder who will be able to embed a style of play that we can take back into the Prem in a year’s time.
9 Enciso – showed some amazing talents, and would definitely take him back, albeit he is a tad selfish. But expect him to go on loan to a newly promoted team.
10 Chaplin – I hate to say this as I love the man to bits. But he is not Premier League quality, and whilst he is good back-up for the Champ, this is a position where we need to be building ready for the Prem again, and that is why I think he can only be back-up. Simply not physical enough for the top level.
12 Cajuste – probably the best quality midfielder this season, really good on the ball and good enough for a lower Prem team. If we can keep him would love to see that.
13 Slicker – have seen him play a couple of times and he is a decent keeper, but I can’t ever see him being better than 3rd choice. He just isn’t tall enough to command the area in the modern game against players who are 6’5” or more.
14 Taylor – he’s had plenty of opportunities now, and I’m always left just a bit underwhelmed. Not Prem quality, so in my view with our ambition he could be decent back up in the Champ but more likely be replaced as we need to build a midfield for the Prem.
15 Burgess – I never thought he’d be good enough for the Prem but what a lovely surprise – his experience and reading of the game, his ability to concentrate for every second of every match, he has proven himself to be a really solid Prem centre back. He also plays so well with Leif – they know each other’s game so well. I so hope we can keep him.
18 Johnson – At first I was underwhelmed, but he has grown on me. He’s not flashy, and he can do several jobs on the right side and gets forward at the right time. Will he be happy to stay in the Champ? He still won’t be a guaranteed starter, but he’s a great player to have in the squad.
19 Delap – What a revelation it’s been to see him grow this season. He is destined for great things if he keeps his head. We have zero chance of keeping him, so I wish him all the best and that he goes to Newcastle or Arsenal. We obviously need a replacement, which won’t be easy or cheap.
20 Hutchinson – I’m sure he is disappointed with how the season has gone. He has great skill, but early in the season he was struggling with how physical it is. He has adapted better to the physical side of it, but his confidence seems low – he cuts back too much and seems reluctant to really go for it in the Prem.. Another season in the Champ should do wonders for him to gain confidence and mature more physically, so he can have a real go in the Prem again in a year’s time. Hope we can keep him.
21 Ogbene – He hardly got started before he got injured, so its hard to judge him. He should be dynamite in the Champ, and should be one for the Prem in a year’s time.
22 Townsend – very impressed at how he stabilised the back when called upon. In the Prem, he was more what we needed at left back. His assists will probably never be up there with Leif, but he is good positionally and gives more solidity. Excellent squad player.
23 Szmodics – Love his attitude – he is a real fighter and think he will be terrific in the Champ. Will he have another Prem season in him?
24 Greaves – I’m disappointed. He seems to have all the physical attributes, but like Muric he loses concentration at vital moments, and every time it results in a goal conceded in the Prem. In yesterday’s game he should have been alert to Morsy’s pass, he had yards on Bowen but was caught napping. Burgess is just so much more consistent. I’d sell Greaves, and give Baggott the back-up role to Burge.
25 Massimo – farewell Mass, we wouldn’t have done this without you. In my book, Morsy takes on the role Mass/Taylor had this season. So depending on what happens with Cajuste, that is 3 central midfielders we need to replace Philips/Morsy/ Taylor.
26 O’Shea – can we keep him? If we can, he’s our captain next season. Despite successive relegations on his cv, he is a top player, and will be the heart of our team next season and beyond.
27 Hirst – has proven that he has the quality to play at Prem level, he will probably be sought after by some lower Prem teams. If he can stay fit, he will be a beast in the Champ. Due to his injury record and the heavy schedule in the championship, we need someone to compete for that no. 9 shirt.
28 Walton – I believe his contract is up. Time to say thanks and goodbye. At best, a middling championship keeper.
29 Philogene – He really underperformed when he played this season. He seemed pretty lightweight up against the specimens in the Prem. I would expect him to be far more effective in the Champ, but I don’t think he will ever be physical enough for the Prem so wouldn’t be too disappointed if he went at some point in the next 12 months.
31 Palmer – he came in at a tough time, and added some stability. Clearly a very good championship keeper, so happy that we have him between the sticks competing with Muric next season. But if I’m honest, he was one of the weaker Prem keepers, so over the next 12 months we really need to find someone who will be a solid Prem level keeper, when Palmer could be the back up.
33 Broadhead – he has looked classy in recent weeks and we know he is a very strong Champ level player. Hope he stays, and could again be a squad player if/when we go up.
40 Tuanzebe – brilliant at right back, he has been classy all season in the Prem, we are so much more solid with him.
44 Godfrey – send back to Italy.
47 J Clarke – he has grown as the season has gone on, one of our most improved players. He may well want to move to the Prem, but f we can keep him he will be great and part of the future.
Cam Humphreys – we know he has excelled in L1, so he definitely deserves a chance in the Champ as a squad midfielder next season.
We don’t know yet who will stay and who will go so we can’t say how many players we need in each department, but overall if we can keep most of the ones identified above, and replace the ones who do go, we will be in great shape.
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| Mick Mills comments - and squad assessment on 18:23 - May 26 with 1425 views | Churchman |
A lengthy (I know all about those😃), interesting opening post. I saw most of the home games but none of the away so your take is probably more worthy than my tripe.
1-8 agreed
9. Encisco is a great talent and when he learns to play as a team member he will be terrific.
10. Chaplin - when he’s played I think he’s done ok. Good link up player and the soul of the club
12. Cajuste - in the minority, not a fan. According to the internet 1 goal 0 assists in 30 games. Just doesn’t hurt teams.
13-28 agreed
29 Philogene was here 5 mins before injury playing for a bad team. Disliked by the supporters from the off, I think we need to see out England u21 properly before judging.
Agree with the rest bar Tuanzebe. A real Premier L player, but oh, those injuries. We need fewer injury prone players. But I’d retain him if he wants to stay. And that’s the key - any player not committed, get rid ASAP.
Bobby Robson? Heard that said about him before. And if Mick says it I’m not going to contradict our club legend! I guess the game was so different back then. |  | | |
| Mick Mills comments - and squad assessment on 18:29 - May 26 with 1376 views | _clive_baker_ |
Agree with most of that. Muric is absolutely done here though, I don’t see any way back for him at all and I’d be very surprised if he’s not sold or loaned out this summer.
Burns I agree, he’s not the most technically gifted player in the squad but his defensive discipline is unrivalled. We’re a much better side when he’s in it.
I’m more bullish on Philogene, I think he’s got huge potential and I’m confident we’ll see that come to fruition next season. I just hope we keep hold of Hutchinson as well, the 2 of those next season if fit and firing are real differentials at championship level. I don’t believe there’s a side outside the premier league that they wouldn’t get in. |  | | |
| Mick Mills comments - and squad assessment on 18:48 - May 26 with 1268 views | Bugs |
Everyone seem to forget how good Greaves had been up until his injury, and I thought he was good yesterday. Blaming him for the goal from Morsys back pass is more than a stretch, and perhaps shows your bias for Morsy.
Talking of Morsy, and he will always be a town legend in my book, but he is a little slow in thought when going forward. I have had this opinion of him for a while, fantastic midfield battler but when he's in space and there needs to be a quick pass made to an unmarked player or a player making a run, more often than not he doesn't see it or if he does, it's too late. But with that said, I would be very surprised if he's not getting game time next season due to his positive attributes. [Post edited 26 May 18:49]
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| Mick Mills comments - and squad assessment on 19:06 - May 26 with 1155 views | Garv |
Am I an arse hole for suggesting paragraphs? |  |
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| Mick Mills comments - and squad assessment on 19:18 - May 26 with 1063 views | Sharkey |
That second line is interesting. But on reflection, I guess Brian Clough can hardly be called a coach at all! Different times. |  | | |
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