Reply With Quoteccfcwelshlad suggested (which is normally a good thing) we were still in for Arter but that doesn’t seem to have gathered any momentum
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If we don’t have at least one central midfield or holding midfield player coming in we’ve got problems I think, particularly as it sounds like Tomlin isn’t part of Warnock’s plans.
We may be able to slot some jack of all trades players into those roles but from what I can see we had Ralls, Camarasa, Gunnarsson and Arter and some jacks of all trades and now we have Ralls and Vaulks and a similar supporting cast of flex players
ccfcwelshlad suggested (which is normally a good thing) we were still in for Arter but that doesn’t seem to have gathered any momentum
Only problem with having arter is that bournemouth would want us to pay all his wages, if I am not mistaken last season we were only pay a large percentage of them.
They want to sell him don't they? So yes, we would have to pay all his wages.Originally Posted by Igovernor
I'd classify Arter as a jack of all trades as well. You could never accuse him of being a ball playing central midfielder. I know they're few & far between but give me a Camarasa over Arter anytime, or Whittingham, McPhail, Koumas even Grujic. We have pace & talent going forward but need to get the ball to them in the right areas (in front of them!)
This story suggests we're going to sign another foreign striker for £2 million, but that will be the end of our incoming transfer business = while I like the idea of another striker, I agree that not bringing in another midfielder will leave us dangerously short in that area.
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/...birds-16677137
Just been thinking about our midfield, could that be where Callum Paterson will be used when he regains fitness?
Of course.
I see it as Ralls and Vaulks. With Reid/Paterson in behind.
It wouldn't surprise me. And it is possible that Paterson would do a good job - at least as a 100% nuisance and wrecking ball in the middle of the park. But it is not a position that looks a good fit for him or one that he has looked comfortable in before (on the few occasions Warnock has played in there). I would prefer him as a striker, support striker, wide right player or right wing back.
He seems to defy categorisation and is always totally committed in everything he does. He can tackle and harass, and head a ball and sometimes hold it up and certainly score goals, but he is not the most defensively disciplined and is not a great passer of the ball. So putting him in centre mid feels like a square peg in round hole situation. Maybe it will confuse the opposition more than our lot?
I'd prefer a team that didn't need Calum Paterson filling the gaps. Maybe he'll work out well as a championship midfielder though.
When you consider all of the Warnock sides we've seen down in Cardiff over the last thirty years or so, you could count the number of Steve McPhail playmaker types on the fingers of one hand. Our manager likes his "bread and butter" central midfielders and I reckon Paterson could fit the bill - we're not talking about the type of players most of us supporters would want in there, but what our manager will expect from his central midfield.
Ralls, Vaulks, Bacuna, Paterson, Damour
Then other options in Nelson, Richards, Bamba, Reid & Tomlin?
One more would be great so we could shift on Damour.
I think the problem will be if Ralls gets injured. Im not convinced by Bacuna.
As for Patterson as soon as hes fit he will be a regular but not with a regular position.
On the flip side Dave Jones persisted with Steve Mcphail as a playmaker.
We were a soft touch in the middle of the park.
Malky and Warnock took a different approach and up we went.
Plus a bread and butter player like Ralls has more goals and probably more assists than Mcphail.
I think you need at least one "classy" midfielder if you are going to mount a serious promotion challenge in this division.
I don't really see any in that list. Maybe Vaulks will turn out to be a "difference-maker" but I think you are struggling after that. The rest are industrious at best (if fully fit).
I suspect NW is looking to the 3 attacking mids to make the difference when it comes to creativity.
He'll have any old pro sitting in behind them.
I'm glad you clarified that Bob cos when I saw your first post, I was about to phone sky to cancel my broadband!
The thought of Callum Paterson as our number 4 would make my eyes bleed! It's probably the most specialist position in a football team and Paterson doesn't have the touch, body orientation, game understanding or passing ability to pull it off.
Gunnarsson has played there with lead in his boots but Paterson is a step down from him. However like you point out, it is unlikely that Warnock would adopt a ball player in that position and whoever plays there is likely to be bypassed 90% of the time.
I only hope that a place is found in the weekly starting 11 for Bobby Reid this season
Arter maybe playing for Bournemouth?Have you seen their injury list ..Brooks and Gosling are both reportedly out for 3 months
He was exposed badly when played in the middle. Headless chicken came to mind. He's a Warnock player but not in the centre of the park.
He was exactly the player I had in mind when I wrote Jack of all Trades but centre midfield as holding or creative is a big stretch
Last edited by StraightOuttaCanton; 01-08-19 at 00:12. Reason: .
I'd imagine a couple of loans will come in, likely to be at the very end of the window. Isn't vaulks supposed to be the gunnarsson replacement? I agree we need cover.
Ideally we can find someone to play next to Ralls/Vaulks that can play but also defend, while having Reid in front. Thankfully, "midfield generals" that can pass, tackle, defend and organise grow on trees and are really, really cheapI'm glad you clarified that Bob cos when I saw your first post, I was about to phone sky to cancel my broadband!
The thought of Callum Paterson as our number 4 would make my eyes bleed! It's probably the most specialist position in a football team and Paterson doesn't have the touch, body orientation, game understanding or passing ability to pull it off.
Gunnarsson has played there with lead in his boots but Paterson is a step down from him. However like you point out, it is unlikely that Warnock would adopt a ball player in that position and whoever plays there is likely to be bypassed 90% of the time.
I only hope that a place is found in the weekly starting 11 for Bobby Reid this season. I'd love for us to sign someone, and I think Warnock probably would too but they're so hard to find. Someone like Hourihane might be available considering Villa have signed about 20 players.
I don't think a 'midfield general' is what I'm talking about but more of a pivot who can see the game and and get us on the front foot.Ideally we can find someone to play next to Ralls/Vaulks that can play but also defend, while having Reid in front. Thankfully, "midfield generals" that can pass, tackle, defend and organise grow on trees and are really, really cheap
There are players like this in every academy in the country at the moment. He doesn't really need to be experienced with the amount of captains in our team.
I do appreciate we like to get the ball quickly though and it's not Warnock's way, however I do think this would be invaluable to us.
Maybe Vaulks can play this role as I've seen so little of him I'm not gonna comment on his attributes but Paterson is a definite no no.
Maybe not a general but Warnock will definitely want the player in his system to be able to put his foot in. Even Faurlin liked a tackle. I'd love someone like him but I can't see it happening. I think Vaulks is seen as that sort but I'm not sure, I've not seen enough of him. The only chance I've had to judge is when he played against Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic etc so it might be a bit harsh to rate him off the back of that!
We were paying them in full last season I thought.
Also, AFCB are hugely fond of Arter and want to what is right by him and make things as easy as possible. The £8m price tag is ludicrous.
A number of injuries to midfielders and some potential additional interest elsewhere could scupper any chance we have.
Fulham apparently wanted Besic as their number one target, which may also have changed.
We certainly are/were in the mix for him.
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