If you were allowed to bring in only one player in January

[The Hooded Claw]

One new player is only going to show the deficiencies elsewhere in the team.
I find the lack of pace disturbing...

[Heathblue]

I only see games on the telly so do not see what goes on away from the cameras, but IMO the team requires a player in the centre of the park who can collect the ball from the back four with his back facing the opposition, quickly turn, keep his head up, and either run directly forward with the ball looking for the next forward option or quickly launch the defence splitting ball to a forward player who is actively moving into space and not stationary admiring his marker. Who this player is with a limited budget, I have no idea, I'm thinking back to a Gary O'Neil clone.

[Moodybluebird]

[QUOTE=Nelsonca61;5040061]I only see games on the telly so do not see what goes on away from the cameras, but IMO the team requires a player in the centre of the park who can collect the ball from the back four with his back facing the opposition, quickly turn, keep his head up, and either run directly forward with the ball looking for the next forward option or quickly launch the defence splitting ball to a forward player who is actively moving into space and not stationary admiring his marker. Who this player is with a limited budget, I have no idea, I'm thinking back to a Gary O'Neil clone.[/QUOTE


I have to say, Gary O'Neill was probably the best loanee we ever had at the club, even surpassing Koumas. His skill, speed of thought and positional sense was head and shoulders above what we had at the time. No wonder we had no chance of securing his services from Pompey on a permanent basis. Yes, one possibly two Gary O'Neill clones would do nicely thank you very much.

[Des Parrot]

I agree with the Barry Bannan response. We've played a number of sides with players of his nature who drop deep, find time and can orchestrate from midfield. A Whittingham or McPhail character please. Gary O'Neill an ideal example.

Our currently midfield crop instil panic and lack of confidence,

[the other bob wilson]

There's this centre forward at Blackpool.

[dembethewarrior]

There's this centre forward at Blackpool.

And a centre half at Djon

[alan_corneli]

And a centre half at Djon

Scored today in a 5-0 French Cup win.

[blueblade]

Kemar Roofe

Can play as a striker or a winger.

[life on mars]

If it's one player then were fooked

[dembethewarrior]

Scored today in a 5-0 French Cup win.

Happy for him.

If the reasons touted are true, family, then I understand completely, but often were just fed a line.

[goats]

If we sold Etheridge for say 8 million I’d love to think we could get a joe Allen type of midfielder here, I doubt he would come to us but stranger things have happened. Him, Tomlin and ralls would be great I reckon. Heard he has family living in Cardiff so it’s not that hard to imagine.

[B. Oddie]

Doubtless we'll sign someone from Bristol City before the window shuts.

[City123]

Joe Allen. Him, Ralls and Tomlin would be a class midfield

[Llandaff Blue]

Isn't this how Pack tries to play? The problem is that our movement off the ball is so poor that he has very few options in front of him when he tries to pick a pass.

Pack is too slow and limited on the ball to do the role JR is talking about. He wants far too many touches and passes before releasing a pass and gets caught out too many times.

Our movement is definitely not helping him but the guy plays the game at a snails pace so even if we did have our attackers moving properly he’d still look for the safe pass. Bristol try to play a bit of football and they binned Pack off because he doesn’t suit their style, says all you need to know

[Rock_Flock_of_Five]

I'm digressing slightly here, but this was posted on the Birmingham City forum by one of their fans...

"Look how Cardiff were able to get the ball to feet in our box. Look at the constant movement they had. We do not have this. We had a wonder strike from Bella out of nothing and a header from Juke but we do not create chances in open play."

Yeah, I know, I had to read it twice too..

https://www.smallheathalliance.com/read.php?1,2795130

[Bald Barry Bastad]

The contract length is a but fishy but I actually think Bacuna's done alright for us. To answer the OP's original question, a CM that can create. If Tomlin doesn't play it's hard to see where our goals come from

Bacuna had a spell around September time where he was brilliant for 3 or 4 games. Why can't he play like that!?!

[jon1959]

Bacuna had a spell around September time where he was brilliant for 3 or 4 games. Why can't he play like that!?!

You could make the same point about a lot of the squad.

Most of them are capable of more than they have shown this season. That is down to them in part (accepting that injuries and passing years have an impact) but it is mainly down to the manager and his coaching team to get them playing to their maximum, in the right shape and with the right attitude. I think the jury is still out with Harries. He talks a pretty good game, and has hinted at what he is trying to achieve with greater possession and quick passing through to the top third (although he could be clearer on his objectives and preferred style), but so far it has only happened in patches on the pitch.