Midfield and our promotion challenge

[fbm]

Promotion depends on how Luggy deals with our midfield over the next month - 6 weeks. Mkandawire and Laird made all the difference and without them or players like them we are just not good enough. We need at least one decent replacement asap. If no-one comes in, we will fall too far behind... simples.

 

[chapperzUK]

Agree, but think we may need at least 2 replacements. Depending on Britt's injury, we may even need to look for a striker as Eastwood seems to always be injured, Harris and Benyon haven't set the world alight here and we can't rely on Corr to play every game.

 

[eastling]

There's a lot of head-scratching to be done for sure. To me midfield is the most pressing as we're back to the situation we had when Kane was sold and looked ridiculously lightweight. With Lairdy injured and Tam having left we're looking exposed in that position.

I'm sure PS knows what he is doing though..........

 

[Angell Delight]

Agree, but think we may need at least 2 replacements. Depending on Britt's injury, we may even need to look for a striker as Eastwood seems to always be injured, Harris and Benyon haven't set the world alight here and we can't rely on Corr to play every game.

If we could get Benson plus two decent midfield replacements we're laughing, sadly I can see only one midfielder in the building and thats it. The finances won't stretch I'm sure.

 

[Jam_Man]

Promotion depends on how Luggy deals with our midfield over the next month - 6 weeks. Mkandawire and Laird made all the difference and without them or players like them we are just not good enough. We need at least one decent replacement asap. If no-one comes in, we will fall too far behind... simples.

We went on our run when they came in and faltering after Mkandawire left. Now Laird is out too I cant see us getting back on track.

Totally agree, Sturrock has it all to do in the midfield.

 

[Silencer]

Depends what the club and board want, if they are happy for mid table league football and low ttendances then leave it as it is because without personal offence to the midfielders that we have but Woodyard and Spicer are simply not good enough. If the board want a cup run and it's rewards along with a promotion push then they have to find the funds and quick. Hall's money? Ferdinands money?

It's no coincidence that when we had a proper midfield (Tamika and Laird central, Timlin left) we scored goals galore, looked solid at the back and had a great shape, balance and fluidity to us - I mean the unbeaten run should be proof enough. Since the departure of Tamika, the team has been unbalanced and lacking quality, Timlin is being moved all over, the protection for the defence has taken an impact. We haven't won since Boxing day!!!!

We need to sign two midfielders before we need to sign a forward

 

[WESTY_SUFC]

The finances won't stretch I'm sure.

Sturrock has a League 2 promotion budget. If there is any any problems then its down to Sturrock not using that budget very well or not getting the value out of the players who are well paid for this level.

 

[mattytheshrimper]

Before we Laid and Tamika we were rubbish and when they don't play we are rubbish. We need someone like Tamika in desperately. Would to get rid of a few hanger oner's in January and clear up some wages to get a couple of players in. It has to happen if we want to get anywhere this season.

 

[chapperzUK]

Sturrock has a League 2 promotion budget. If there is any any problems then its down to Sturrock not using that budget very well or not getting the value out of the players who are well paid for this level.

That is only the case if all transfers are made by him.

 

[The General]

The Tam situation is a wierd one. I reckon we and Milwall are holding off as long as possible and then we will get him back towards the end of the month which seems a tad silly as they arent even using him at the moment.

 

[Angell Delight]

Sturrock has a League 2 promotion budget. If there is any any problems then its down to Sturrock not using that budget very well or not getting the value out of the players who are well paid for this level.

No-one can question that Sturrock knows the right players to bring in, the signings of Tam and Laird were excellent acquisitions. He can't be blamed for Tam being recalled and nor can he be blamed for Laird's injury. The problem is we were only paying a small percentage of Tam's wages so I was told and we still have Laird on the payroll while injured. We're skint enough as it is, I just don't see how the budget will stretch to two more quality central midfielders. I hope I'm wrong I really do or promotion and possibly Wembley will be beyond us. We couldn't have a more shrewd manager in terms of player recruitment and if we fail it won't be because Sturrock has wasted what money we do have, I'm sure of that.

 

[McNasty]

If the rumours of our recent financial situation are true (people being paid late) we will struggle to pay anyone extra.

 

[Tommy2holes]

If the rumours of our recent financial situation are true (people being paid late) we will struggle to pay anyone extra.

Which is why we desperately need to play chelsea or beat orient or both, but without the re-inforcements in the midfield then sadly i cant see us achieving either.

Its whether its worth speculating to accumilate.

 

[WESTY_SUFC]

No-one can question that Sturrock knows the right players to bring in, the signings of Tam and Laird were excellent acquisitions. He can't be blamed for Tam being recalled and nor can he be blamed for Laird's injury. The problem is we were only paying a small percentage of Tam's wages so I was told and we still have Laird on the payroll while injured. We're skint enough as it is, I just don't see how the budget will stretch to two more quality central midfielders. I hope I'm wrong I really do or promotion and possibly Wembley will be beyond us. We couldn't have a more shrewd manager in terms of player recruitment and if we fail it won't be because Sturrock has wasted what money we do have, I'm sure of that.

Its not hard for any manager to bring in the right players if they have a good wage budget. Most of the other managers in League 2 are having to cope with tighter budgets!

Agree with no control over injuries tho.

I don't think he will get much help from old Ron though. He's pretty happy with us league 2 so he doesn't have to pay big wages.

 

[Sea-Sea-Seasider]

Before we Laid and Tamika we were rubbish and when they don't play we are rubbish. We need someone like Tamika in desperately. Would to get rid of a few hanger oner's in January and clear up some wages to get a couple of players in. It has to happen if we want to get anywhere this season.

Easier said than done mate, I expect those who Sturrock would like to get rid of are on a decent wage. The players I listed are who I feel that Sturrock would axe if he could, not my choices although I would only keep Freddy and Harris from the list. Realistically, which league club could afford the sort of wages that Dave Martin, Neil Harris, Freddy Eastwood, Elliott Benyon, John Spicer, Anthony Straker are all on, it's not as though they would be sought after players.

 

[Prawn]

The Tam situation is a wierd one. I reckon we and Milwall are holding off as long as possible and then we will get him back towards the end of the month which seems a tad silly as they arent even using him at the moment.

I think Southend are holding out. Correct me if I'm wrong but if we get Tam back it's only for a maximum of 91 days? In which case we wouldn't want him to come back prior to the end of the month so he'll be available to the end of the season.

I don't know about the rules for loanees for play-off matches?

 

[Harry Bullocks]

Thought I read somewhere recently, that we were prepared to offload Spicer and Benyon in order to balance the books to get a Plymouth midfielder...whose name escapes me at the moment !

 

[A Century United]

I think Southend are holding out. Correct me if I'm wrong but if we get Tam back it's only for a maximum of 91 days? In which case we wouldn't want him to come back prior to the end of the month so he'll be available to the end of the season.

I don't know about the rules for loanees for play-off matches?

As i understand it, if we just take him on another "emergency" loan it's for 91 days, but we could sign him on a season-long deal if Millwall were willing.

 

[jamesmut2000]

On an emergency loan it's a maximum of 93 days and we have already had him for 2 months so we can only have him another month unless it was season long loan.

 

[Prawn]

Thanks for the clarification, hopefully we can get Tam on a season loan. We desperately need him.