No More Signings Expected (5 Viewers)

[Nick]

INTERVIEW: No more signings expected, confirms City boss Robins

I think centre midfield may be a bit of a worry, but I am not too sure how players like Andreu would slot in there or if he could play 1 of Doyle / Kelly and then Andreu just in front or something.

 

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[covcity4life]

SISU OUT

i agree cm is a worry, i imagine vicente will come in as he can be a lil physical too,then stevenson and last shipley. mayve andreu can drop back but we really need bite this season.

worse comes to worse through macdonald in there, that guy is quite cultured too lol

 

[oucho]

Yeah - if MR considers Stevenson and Shipley as the main cover for Doyle and Kelly, we may be in trouble if Tuesday night is anything to go by, if Doyle/Kelly are unavailable.

Fair play to the bloke though, he said he wanted 12 and he's got em!

 

[junglej13]

Fair enough really. Still think a Championship club may come in for Stevenson. Also I'm not quite sure Kwarme will get much of a look in so wouldn't be surprised to see him offloaded.

 

[Nick]

I'm not too sure about Stevenson, pre-season and the game on Tuesday he looked awful and lost.

If Kelly was injured and he was played just in front of Doyle with a kick up the arse and Doyle talking him through the game it might be a different story.

 

[mark82]

Andreu seems to have played mostly CM

 

[Otis]

Happy with what we've got, but worried about lack of cover for Kelly and Doyle.

 

[I_Saw_Shaw_Score]

I would still like cover at CB

Willis, McDonald & Pearson all prone to injury probs.

 

[Skyblueweeman]

MR and TW have done an amazing job. I say that, they all need to perform over the season before we can truly judge the success of the summer but getting so many players in, the majority on 2yr deals, releasing dead wood, only losing one player who was half decent last season and not relying on loans, I can only congratulate them.

The lack of loans is the main thing for me...these are our players (bar the Wolves lad). I reckon if anyone picks up an injury in the next few weeks, we might see him delve into the loan market.

 

[Nick]

Andreu seems to have played mostly CM

So he could just use him to be slightly more attacking than Doyle / Kelly. Even if he does drop a bit deeper he may be a better option than shipley / maycock at the minute while they develop.

 

[Otis]

I would still like cover at CB

Willis, McDonald & Pearson all prone to injury probs.

Stokes can play CB though. He's done very well there. Means we've got 5 for 2 places.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

If people leave this will change.

Can still see Willis and Stevenson leaving before end of August

 

[mark82]

So he could just use him to be slightly more attacking than Doyle / Kelly. Even if he does drop a bit deeper he may be a better option than shipley / maycock at the minute while they develop.

Yeah, think he'll play mostly behind the striker but looks like he can drop back.

 

[CCFC_Charlie]

Surprised that we're not looking to bring in any more loan to supplement the squad.

 

[Otis]

Surprised that we're not looking to bring in any more loan to supplement the squad.

I'm kind of glad though. Loans come and go and can be recalled and you just never quite know how committed they are to your cause.

Much prefer our own players and I do believe it will stand us in good stead.

 

[CCFC_Charlie]

I'm kind of glad though. Loans come and go and can be recalled and you just never quite know how committed they are to your cause.

Much prefer our own players and I do believe it will stand us in good stead.

Same here, but wouldn't mind some more loans in the mould of Nazon who are here to be squad players rather than crucial to the first team. Think it would give us a bit more depth.

 

[standupforcity]

Surprised that we're not looking to bring in any more loan to supplement the squad.

Glad we're not...we don't want to be obligated to play them as part of the deal...which seems to have happened in the past. We need to establish a constant and regular team from our own players...

 

[skybluegod]

Nick weren't you knocking me yesterday for saying that the budget was low just messing...
But think it's no surprise the budget is gone. 12 experienced players have come in, with only one loan. Think we should have enough about us even if we are light at CM to get us through the season.

 

[fernandopartridge]

I really don't understand why anybody thinks we'd sign any more players. We've got cover in every position. There is a lot of knee jerk stuff again about the midfield. Stevenson is more than adequate cover and the young players will improve. They were up against a high quality Blackburn midfield (players like Mulgrew are Championship level).

 

[Manchester_sky_blue]

Maycock is a centre mid isn't he? So that's Maycock, Shipley and Stevenson all as cover for Doyle/Kelly. Plus, we then have the option to put players like Finn on the wing which would allow VIncenti to play centre mid should we need him too. Given that we still have loan slots available should we need to bring in injury cover i think we are OK. I'd rather not pay wages for players who won't see much game time when we could be developing our youth instead.

 

[Nick]

Maycock is a centre mid isn't he? So that's Maycock, Shipley and Stevenson all as cover for Doyle/Kelly. Plus, we then have the option to put players like Finn on the wing which would allow VIncenti to play centre mid should we need him too. Given that we still have loan slots available should we need to bring in injury cover i think we are OK. I'd rather not pay wages for players who won't see much game time when we could be developing our youth instead.

It's a good mixture and I think with the experience of the older players like Doyle, Kelly etc it will help players like Shipley and Stevenson improve even if they aren't playing week in week out. If one of them was alongside in midfield talking them through the game it would have made a massive difference.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

I'm happy with what we've got. I don't think we have any 'needs' left to fill our squad up. As for CM, I think a lot of people are being harsh on Stevenson and Shipley after Tuesday and I don't think they did that bad against a Blackburn side who should be looking to get promoted this season. The reality is, they won't come up against such quality this year in the league. Especially considering they weren't playing alongside an experienced player. Besides, I think Vincent is our CM cover if Kelly or Doyle get injured as we have options for the wings.

As it stands, I think competition for the match day 18 is pretty fierce as it is, and any more additions could harm squad cohesion and possibly prevent our younger player's development. I'd like to see of the likes Ponticelli, DKE twins, Shipley, Stevenson etc. to get some good quality game time as the season progresses.

 

[I_Saw_Shaw_Score]

Stokes can play CB though. He's done very well there. Means we've got 5 for 2 places.

And 4 who've all spent long terms out very recently with injuries. That's my concern

 

[Manchester_sky_blue]

It's a good mixture and I think with the experience of the older players like Doyle, Kelly etc it will help players like Shipley and Stevenson improve even if they aren't playing week in week out. If one of them was alongside in midfield talking them through the game it would have made a massive difference.

Agree, i was a little bit surprised to see both Doyle and Kelly dropped for the Blackburn game, although i understand the need to save them for the league. Had one of them been playing alongside Shipley/Stevenson we could have seen a very different game.

 

[Otis]

I really don't understand why anybody thinks we'd sign any more players. We've got cover in every position. There is a lot of knee jerk stuff again about the midfield. Stevenson is more than adequate cover and the young players will improve. They were up against a high quality Blackburn midfield (players like Mulgrew are Championship level).

Yeah, but I think the concern is if both Doyle and Kelly are out. Very feasible that one could be injured and the other suspended.

I wouldn't be too worried if Doyle was out and Stevenson came in alongside Kelly, or if Kelly was out and Shipley came in alongside Doyle.

I WOULD be worried though if once again if both were missing and it was Shipley and Stevenson in for the pair.

Looking at the squad we just don't seem to have like for like players for those two key players.

That is the concern.

 

[Nick]

Yeah, but I think the concern is if both Doyle and Kelly are out. Very feasible that one could be injured and the other suspended.

I wouldn't be too worried if Doyle was out and Stevenson came in alongside Kelly, or if Kelly was out and Shipley came in alongside Doyle.

I WOULD be worried though if once again if both were missing and it was Shipley and Stevenson in for the pair.

Looking at the squad we just don't seem to have like for like players for those two key players.

That is the concern.

That's where I think somebody like Vincenti or Andreu would slot in.

 

[Otis]

That's where I think somebody like Vincenti or Andreu would slot in.

Agree, but neither seem to be tenacious or hard tackling, or break downers of play.

Maybe they are, but never seen that mentioned anywhere in their make up.

Doyle and Kelly are what we have been crying out for years for. We have had Vincenti's and Andreu's (albeit maybe not of the same quality) for a number of years and it has never come off for us.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Yeah, but I think the concern is if both Doyle and Kelly are out. Very feasible that one could be injured and the other suspended.

I wouldn't be too worried if Doyle was out and Stevenson came in alongside Kelly, or if Kelly was out and Shipley came in alongside Doyle.

I WOULD be worried though if once again if both were missing and it was Shipley AND Stevenson in for the pair.

Looking at the squad we just don't seem to have like for like players for those two key players.

That is the concern.

In that scenario, I'd assume Vincenti would partner Stevenson, and we'd have Nazon and Jones on the wing. If it did come to having to put Shipley and Stevenson in CM, I think they have enough about them to cope in L2. If you're in a position where 3 of your top 4 choices are unavailable, you're having a bit of bad luck. Is it worth signing another CM in case? No, because I can't imagine we have a lot left in the budget and I think we have a relatively large squad already to keep happy.

 

[Otis]

In that scenario, I'd assume Vincenti would partner Stevenson, and we'd have Nazon and Jones on the wing. If it did come to having to put Shipley and Stevenson in CM, I think they have enough about them to cope in L2. If you're in a position where 3 of your top 4 choices are unavailable, you're having a bit of bad luck. Is it worth signing another CM in case? No, because I can't imagine we have a lot left in the budget and I think we have a relatively large squad already to keep happy.

Yeah, I kind of agree.

Just saying it looks like we have no like for like cover for Doyle and Kelly and it is entirely feasible that both could be out at the same time. Both are going to receive a number of bookings for the season for sure.

 

[Manchester_sky_blue]

Agree, but neither seem to be tenacious or hard tackling, or break downers of play.

Maybe they are, but never seen that mentioned anywhere in their make up.

Doyle and Kelly are what we have been crying out for years for. We have had Vincenti's and Andreu's (albeit maybe not of the same quality) for a number of years and it has never come off for us.

Vincenti can definitely fulfill that role.

 

[Otis]

Vincenti can definitely fulfill that role.

Yes he can.

I have no doubt on the numbers, just that we don't have like for like.

 

[Manchester_sky_blue]

Yes he can.

I have no doubt on the numbers, just that we don't have like for like.

No, what I mean is I have seen him play the Doyle role for Rochdale lots of times and he can break up play and dominate the midfield should we need him too. He hasn't quite got that "do as your fucking told or I'll rip off your arm and twat you with it" look that Doyle has but more than capable of ruffling feathers if required.

 

[SkyBlueCRJ]

If worst case scenario both Doyle and Kelly were out for long spells, MR would obviously alter the formation. Why put players out of position when he knows it won't work. Managers will have multiple formations that they'll work on throughout the season; if they didn't that's simply poor management on their behalf. I could see MR going with an old school 442 if as previously mentioned Kelly and Doyle were out injured. This is where Stevenson and Shipley would most likely perform better as they're higher up the pitch which gives them the freedom to play to their strengths; rather than play a role they're both simply not suited to. Not only this but other players such as Andreu/Vincenti can fill the role if needs be.

 

[rupert_bear]

What I expected, fingers crossed on the striker front we have the Duck, Kwame Thomas, Biarmou, McNulty, Jones and the emerging Ponticelli so let's hope atleast one of that lot do a bit. I would think we are a equip than a lot in our division.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Yeah, I kind of agree.

Just saying it looks like we have no like for like cover for Doyle and Kelly and it is entirely feasible that both could be out at the same time. Both are going to receive a number of bookings for the season for sure.

No, what I mean is I have seen him play the Doyle role for Rochdale lots of times and he can break up play and dominate the midfield should we need him too. He hasn't quite got that "do as your fucking told or I'll rip off your arm and twat you with it" look that Doyle has but more than capable of ruffling feathers if required.

Otis, looking at Doyle's appearances with Sheffield United and Portsmouth, it's mightily impressive. He missed two league games in two seasons at Pompey and made 43 league appearances 3 of his 4 (the other amassing a mere 40 league appearances) seasons at Sheffield in L1. If he carries on in a similar vain for us, he'll be very reliable appearance wise. I'm going to assume MR had this in mind. He has cut back on cup appearances it would appear in the last two seasons.

MSB, my first impressions of him on Saturday is that he's not afraid to get stuck in then need be. Looks like a very handy versatile midfielder.