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Post by jimexotic on Aug 21, 2023 18:20:28 GMT
Whatever happened to Matt Smith, is he out of the picture now? He's joined SPL side, St Johnston, where he plays with Luke Jephcott. I have a feeling his career is going to fizzle out and by the age of 28 he'll be one of those players who has enough ability to play just for the money but not enough drive and desire to go further. |
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Post by allezlesrouges on Aug 21, 2023 21:18:09 GMT
Disappointing to hear about Taylor's injury, I still think he will come good long term tho. Unfortunately we need players for the here and now, so based on the start of this season that's Savage and Sheehan. If both keep playing regularly in L1 then that really means they are candidates to start the next game imo Morrell red card has opened up a spot alongside Ampadu that needs to be filled. Can't be Ramsey. Page needs to be brave and throw someone in there who is a regular starter at club level this is a massive problem for us right now we have a huge hole where allen left and we have no one who can do his job. Its so apparent when we play right now the midfield is over run. Ultimately we need a top end championship player or someone with real quality coming through? Oli Cooper maybe? Ive not seen him play but he's central midfield is he too attacking? He's an attacker. We need round pegs in round holes. Beyond Ampadu & Morrell we have no one proven, and you have to go through the levels to find the best players who play regularly whoever they may be This season this would probably be the power ranking; 1. Ampadu 2. Morrell 3. Sheehan (219 EFL apps) 4. Savage (19 EFL apps) 5. King (403 EFL apps) 6. Vaulks (392 EFL apps) Those are the only options when it comes to regular playing midfielders who are currently fit |
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Post by surge on Aug 22, 2023 9:33:44 GMT
this is a massive problem for us right now we have a huge hole where allen left and we have no one who can do his job. Its so apparent when we play right now the midfield is over run. Ultimately we need a top end championship player or someone with real quality coming through? Oli Cooper maybe? Ive not seen him play but he's central midfield is he too attacking? He's an attacker. We need round pegs in round holes. Beyond Ampadu & Morrell we have no one proven, and you have to go through the levels to find the best players who play regularly whoever they may be This season this would probably be the power ranking; 1. Ampadu 2. Morrell 3. Sheehan (219 EFL apps) 4. Savage (19 EFL apps) 5. King (403 EFL apps) 6. Vaulks (392 EFL apps) Those are the only options when it comes to regular playing midfielders who are currently fit And I still think Ampadu is probably better as a defender  |
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Post by welshwhite on Aug 22, 2023 18:29:43 GMT
this is a massive problem for us right now we have a huge hole where allen left and we have no one who can do his job. Its so apparent when we play right now the midfield is over run. Ultimately we need a top end championship player or someone with real quality coming through? Oli Cooper maybe? Ive not seen him play but he's central midfield is he too attacking? He's an attacker. We need round pegs in round holes. Beyond Ampadu & Morrell we have no one proven, and you have to go through the levels to find the best players who play regularly whoever they may be This season this would probably be the power ranking; 1. Ampadu 2. Morrell 3. Sheehan (219 EFL apps) 4. Savage (19 EFL apps) 5. King (403 EFL apps) 6. Vaulks (392 EFL apps) Those are the only options when it comes to regular playing midfielders who are currently fit Sheehan is playing the Allen role atm, but as amply demonstrated Saturday he needs someone like Ampadu in a two, he can't hold a defensive point on his own, I would say Allen was much better at that. But he can move and shift the focus of play like nobody else we have available at the moment other than a fit and firing Ramsey, and he barely misplaces a pass. |
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Post by iot on Aug 22, 2023 19:41:05 GMT
He's an attacker. We need round pegs in round holes. Beyond Ampadu & Morrell we have no one proven, and you have to go through the levels to find the best players who play regularly whoever they may be This season this would probably be the power ranking; 1. Ampadu 2. Morrell 3. Sheehan (219 EFL apps) 4. Savage (19 EFL apps) 5. King (403 EFL apps) 6. Vaulks (392 EFL apps) Those are the only options when it comes to regular playing midfielders who are currently fit Sheehan is playing the Allen role atm, but as amply demonstrated Saturday he needs someone like Ampadu in a two, he can't hold a defensive point on his own, I would say Allen was much better at that. But he can move and shift the focus of play like nobody else we have available at the moment other than a fit and firing Ramsey, and he barely misplaces a pass. That's pretty much Morrell's MO isn't it, only Morrell's been doing it at a higher level for longer, and has 36 caps to his name. Sheehan's also 2 years older. We definitely need an improvement on Morrell, but nothing suggests that Sheehan would provide it |
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Post by vvm on Aug 23, 2023 7:30:56 GMT
this is a massive problem for us right now we have a huge hole where allen left and we have no one who can do his job. Its so apparent when we play right now the midfield is over run. Ultimately we need a top end championship player or someone with real quality coming through? Oli Cooper maybe? Ive not seen him play but he's central midfield is he too attacking? He's an attacker. We need round pegs in round holes. Beyond Ampadu & Morrell we have no one proven, and you have to go through the levels to find the best players who play regularly whoever they may be This season this would probably be the power ranking; 1. Ampadu 2. Morrell 3. Sheehan (219 EFL apps) 4. Savage (19 EFL apps) 5. King (403 EFL apps) 6. Vaulks (392 EFL apps) Those are the only options when it comes to regular playing midfielders who are currently fit King and Vaulks clear standouts in that list. Unfortunately at 34 I don't see a recall for King on the cards. Vaulks really didn't look good in the Czech Republic friendly last year but a season earning promotion with Sheffield Wednesday could mean he's come on a bit in that time. Options are really limited so it could be worth having another look at him in the upcoming friendlies. |
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Post by iot on Aug 23, 2023 8:00:04 GMT
He's an attacker. We need round pegs in round holes. Beyond Ampadu & Morrell we have no one proven, and you have to go through the levels to find the best players who play regularly whoever they may be This season this would probably be the power ranking; 1. Ampadu 2. Morrell 3. Sheehan (219 EFL apps) 4. Savage (19 EFL apps) 5. King (403 EFL apps) 6. Vaulks (392 EFL apps) Those are the only options when it comes to regular playing midfielders who are currently fit King and Vaulks clear standouts in that list. Unfortunately at 34 I don't see a recall for King on the cards. Vaulks really didn't look good in the Czech Republic friendly last year but a season earning promotion with Sheffield Wednesday could mean he's come on a bit in that time. Options are really limited so it could be worth having another look at him in the upcoming friendlies. I very much doubt that King and Vaulks are any different to the players we've seen over the last several years. I know Vaulks has one or two backers here, but he never nailed down a starting spot in a poor Cardiff side and now, having started in League 1 with Wednesday last season, he's been back on the bench in the Championship (he was an unused sub at the weekend). Everything suggests that L1 is his level and the bigger issue for me is that his skillset isn't what we're looking for. We need a distributor to sit beside Ampadu to replace what Allen offered, Vaulks doesn't offer that. The same could be said of King, who wasn't the type of player to get on the ball and keep us ticking even in his prime years, so at 34 I would be really disappointed to see him back. |
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Post by allezlesrouges on Aug 23, 2023 10:49:15 GMT
He's an attacker. We need round pegs in round holes. Beyond Ampadu & Morrell we have no one proven, and you have to go through the levels to find the best players who play regularly whoever they may be This season this would probably be the power ranking; 1. Ampadu 2. Morrell 3. Sheehan (219 EFL apps) 4. Savage (19 EFL apps) 5. King (403 EFL apps) 6. Vaulks (392 EFL apps) Those are the only options when it comes to regular playing midfielders who are currently fit Sheehan is playing the Allen role atm, but as amply demonstrated Saturday he needs someone like Ampadu in a two, he can't hold a defensive point on his own, I would say Allen was much better at that. But he can move and shift the focus of play like nobody else we have available at the moment other than a fit and firing Ramsey, and he barely misplaces a pass. He is certainly my pick to come in at the most, the best stylistic fit and I'd be happy to see him play alongside Ampadu in Morrell's absence |
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Post by allezlesrouges on Aug 23, 2023 10:49:58 GMT
He's an attacker. We need round pegs in round holes. Beyond Ampadu & Morrell we have no one proven, and you have to go through the levels to find the best players who play regularly whoever they may be This season this would probably be the power ranking; 1. Ampadu 2. Morrell 3. Sheehan (219 EFL apps) 4. Savage (19 EFL apps) 5. King (403 EFL apps) 6. Vaulks (392 EFL apps) Those are the only options when it comes to regular playing midfielders who are currently fit And I still think Ampadu is probably better as a defender I agree but we NEED him badly as a midfielder right now. Maybe in the future when our midfield options improve he can move back, but can't see that happening for a little while |
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Post by allezlesrouges on Aug 23, 2023 10:52:05 GMT
Sheehan is playing the Allen role atm, but as amply demonstrated Saturday he needs someone like Ampadu in a two, he can't hold a defensive point on his own, I would say Allen was much better at that. But he can move and shift the focus of play like nobody else we have available at the moment other than a fit and firing Ramsey, and he barely misplaces a pass. That's pretty much Morrell's MO isn't it, only Morrell's been doing it at a higher level for longer, and has 36 caps to his name. Sheehan's also 2 years older. We definitely need an improvement on Morrell, but nothing suggests that Sheehan would provide it No we need a deputy for Morrell whilst he's banned, and for me at the moment it has to be Sheehan or we take a risk on Savage. Leaning towards the experience of Sheehan personally, but would have Savage on the bench too. We need an improvement on Morrell, but currently one doesn't exist unfortunately |
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Post by ddirpytnop on Aug 23, 2023 11:06:33 GMT
King and Vaulks clear standouts in that list. Unfortunately at 34 I don't see a recall for King on the cards. Vaulks really didn't look good in the Czech Republic friendly last year but a season earning promotion with Sheffield Wednesday could mean he's come on a bit in that time. Options are really limited so it could be worth having another look at him in the upcoming friendlies. I very much doubt that King and Vaulks are any different to the players we've seen over the last several years. I know Vaulks has one or two backers here, but he never nailed down a starting spot in a poor Cardiff side and now, having started in League 1 with Wednesday last season, he's been back on the bench in the Championship (he was an unused sub at the weekend). Everything suggests that L1 is his level and the bigger issue for me is that his skillset isn't what we're looking for. We need a distributor to sit beside Ampadu to replace what Allen offered, Vaulks doesn't offer that. The same could be said of King, who wasn't the type of player to get on the ball and keep us ticking even in his prime years, so at 34 I would be really disappointed to see him back. I suspect Dylan Levitt would have been recalled to the squad for the September internationals with a view to him performing the playmaker role. Recognise that wouldn't have gone down well with some on this board but that is his game. It's important to remember with Levitt and others like Matondo, that their senior international appearances have occurred when they have been 21 or younger. One shouldn't really make too many long term judgements about inexperienced players of that age. As it happens, Levitt is now injured, so somebody else is going to get their chance to shine. |
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Post by hooky on Aug 23, 2023 11:06:57 GMT
Lets prey Charlie Crew develops exponentially in his late teens!
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Post by welshwhite on Aug 23, 2023 11:25:12 GMT
Sheehan is playing the Allen role atm, but as amply demonstrated Saturday he needs someone like Ampadu in a two, he can't hold a defensive point on his own, I would say Allen was much better at that. But he can move and shift the focus of play like nobody else we have available at the moment other than a fit and firing Ramsey, and he barely misplaces a pass. That's pretty much Morrell's MO isn't it, only Morrell's been doing it at a higher level for longer, and has 36 caps to his name. Sheehan's also 2 years older. We definitely need an improvement on Morrell, but nothing suggests that Sheehan would provide it I'm not suggesting that either, neither are good enough to be long term options, but the well is pretty dry at this moment in time. I don't think there's much between Morrell and Sheehan tbh. Both have failed to make much of a career above League 1 level, Sheehan is older, but has more league experience and is a bigger goal threat. What disappoints me is that in recent squads there has been no alternative to Morrell, and this ultimately cost us in Turkey. I still think Sheehan is more mobile and a more thoughtful footballer than Morrell but that's just my opinion.
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Post by iot on Aug 23, 2023 11:42:07 GMT
I was thinking more longer term i.e. who the answer is going to be for the next 5-10 years. I don't think we need to be too concerned with the remaining qualifiers as, realistically, I can't see how we finish above Turkey at this point - so part of me thinks let's just experiment with the likes of Savage or James over the next 6 games (friendlies included). That said, the playoffs will be in March, so that's what we need to be working towards. Even if Savage has a decent spell with Reading up to that point, I don't think he will have done enough to start those games, so maybe the priority should be to look at more short-term alternatives to Morrell, such as Sheehan.
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Post by jimexotic on Aug 24, 2023 20:38:21 GMT
If Charlie Savage starts showing very promising signs I'd rather fast track him than play someone who is almost certainly going to be of no use to us in three years time like Sheehan. It's not Sheehan's fault, he's had very bad luck with injuries, it's just no good looking to people like that if there's young players playing regularly showing promise. We just need someone to make things easier for Ampadu, lighten his load a little, Morrell can't consistently do that.
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Post by janglingjack on Aug 24, 2023 20:45:22 GMT
could jordan james be adapted to play there,i really think he is going to turn out to be a big player for us down the line,but i suppose he likes to get forward too,but if we are playing well ha can do that to
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Post by robin1864 on Aug 26, 2023 10:19:26 GMT
I've said it a thousand times, get Josh Sheehan & Lee Evans in to shore us up on experience alongside Ramsey, then blood in whoever looks the best from the rest. Give me someone who's actually had a career in the game, as opposed to someone who did a few fancy flicks in their academy days and dined off that reputation for the past 5 years with 15 appearances and a general downward trajectory in the time since.
As good as they *might* be, Levitt, James, Howley, Savage, Taylor, Smith, Cooper and Harris are all far too inexperienced to carry us on their own, and it only takes some mediocre 32-year-old Bulgarian midfielder to make fools of them.
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Post by jimexotic on Aug 26, 2023 14:23:25 GMT
Let's be honest, the options are crap in the grand scheme of things, a collection of inexperienced, unproven and stagnating lads and players that just haven't cut it for various reasons. We get rinsed with the current set up if we bring in players like Sheehan, the only way it works is if we have a very good coach and tactician rather than a guy who loves Wales.
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Post by surge on Aug 28, 2023 12:18:51 GMT
To be fair to Giggs, he did spot this as a longer term problem and try to fix it while we were in Group B for Nations League. Imagine where we'd be now if Man City trained Matt Smith and Man United trained Dylan Levitt (still some hope) had managed the step up well?
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Post by janglingjack on Sept 11, 2023 19:29:48 GMT
i have had a few drinks tonight so probably being an idiot but i did forsee it a few posts above,yeah ok i'll get my coat:)
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Post by jimexotic on Sept 11, 2023 22:07:44 GMT
Jordan James and Ampadu sitting, yes please.
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Post by hooky on Sept 11, 2023 22:33:52 GMT
Jordan James and Ampadu sitting, yes please.  |
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Post by conwy10 on Sept 11, 2023 23:00:06 GMT
Jordan James and Ampadu sitting, yes please. The overwhelming positive to come out of these last 2 games. Our weakest position now seems not too much of a concern. James and Ampadu with Morrell filling in seems fine at the moment. Could always do with some others coming through. |
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Post by jimexotic on Sept 11, 2023 23:24:24 GMT
Something tells me that Savage might emerge and become undeniable within the next year, as a back up, I think Morrell could be gradually phased out. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the work Joe has done for us in recent years but he's proven recently that over a period of time he's not reliable, that's why he's never going to play any higher than League One regularly. The way James switched the play and sprayed passes out wide with ease was very pleasing on the eye, it also helped Ampadu play his game more, I think they were both decent enough tonight and could grow into a very good pairing.
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Post by manulike on Sept 12, 2023 10:17:26 GMT
Looked to me that JJ has built a nice understanding with Amps and actually was very disciplined in playing simple and not going forward too often.
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Post by 1gwaunview on Sept 12, 2023 12:04:35 GMT
Jordan James and Ampadu sitting, yes please. The overwhelming positive to come out of these last 2 games. Our weakest position now seems not too much of a concern. James and Ampadu with Morrell filling in seems fine at the moment. Could always do with some others coming through. Agree, central midfield has been a weakness of late, and those two seem to be forming a good combination. The weakest and a worrying position now is goalkeeper. No one seems to be coming through the ranks and the current crop of club 2nd/3rd choices don't inspire much confidence. |
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Post by conwy10 on Sept 12, 2023 12:38:04 GMT
The overwhelming positive to come out of these last 2 games. Our weakest position now seems not too much of a concern. James and Ampadu with Morrell filling in seems fine at the moment. Could always do with some others coming through. Agree, central midfield has been a weakness of late, and those two seem to be forming a good combination. The weakest and a worrying position now is goalkeeper. No one seems to be coming through the ranks and the current crop of club 2nd/3rd choices don't inspire much confidence. Goalkeeper does look like a worry. A patch uk job for a few years I think. |
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Post by jimexotic on Sept 12, 2023 22:24:09 GMT
Agree, central midfield has been a weakness of late, and those two seem to be forming a good combination. The weakest and a worrying position now is goalkeeper. No one seems to be coming through the ranks and the current crop of club 2nd/3rd choices don't inspire much confidence. Goalkeeper does look like a worry. A patch uk job for a few years I think. I'm convinced, after seeing that interview, that Eddie Beach is going to be between the sticks within two years. The confidence of the boy, Alan McKnight remarked on his career stating that being a goalkeeper is 70% confidence and 30% ability, McKnight lost his much in the same way that Ward has appeared to be losing his. Eddie Beach has basically said it's on, it's happening, it's only a matter of time, he's going to be in goal for Wales, lad! |
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Post by allezlesrouges on Sept 12, 2023 23:50:59 GMT
Goalkeeper does look like a worry. A patch uk job for a few years I think. I'm convinced, after seeing that interview, that Eddie Beach is going to be between the sticks within two years. The confidence of the boy, Alan McKnight remarked on his career stating that being a goalkeeper is 70% confidence and 30% ability, McKnight lost his much in the same way that Ward has appeared to be losing his. Eddie Beach has basically said it's on, it's happening, it's only a matter of time, he's going to be in goal for Wales, lad! He needs to push for a football league loan. If he could get regular minutes in League Two, even the National League then he's probably only a couple of seasons away from being our best option |
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Post by conwy10 on Sept 13, 2023 9:01:41 GMT
Goalkeeper does look like a worry. A patch uk job for a few years I think. I'm convinced, after seeing that interview, that Eddie Beach is going to be between the sticks within two years. The confidence of the boy, Alan McKnight remarked on his career stating that being a goalkeeper is 70% confidence and 30% ability, McKnight lost his much in the same way that Ward has appeared to be losing his. Eddie Beach has basically said it's on, it's happening, it's only a matter of time, he's going to be in goal for Wales, lad! Got to be honest I had to Google who he was. Hopefully he can push on and do well. Bought back memories of Rhys Taylor who I was always expecting to eventually come through for us. |
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