I hope Butcher stays - he did not turn into a bad midfielder overnight, probably just rusty and lacking in confidence. He was an integral part of a very successful run last season.
No, not controversial, but personally I don't see it - I feel like West Ham would feel that he has further to develop as a player and that they may yet be the ones to reap the benefits.
I don't think we need another centre forward. We should have Vokes back from injury soon, as he's back training again. Udoh and Lubala are also both very capable. Like many others, I don't really understand why Hanlan is often used as a Kone back up. Good as a wide forward, but he's just not good enough with his back to goal in my opinion to be playing in the centre forward role.
I don’t think any of Udoh, Lubala or Hanlan can effectively play the centre forward role, despite playing well in other positions. It is an area we should be looking at.
The weird situation is that of goalkeeper. Rav has done pretty well to keep the number of clean sheets he has and along the way made some brilliant saves. However, we all know he is not a commanding keeper from corners and other crosses into the box. The mistake against Huddersfield, is in my opinion, not enough to move him aside for Nathan Bishop or Shamal George as he has a bit of credit in the bank. Probably something to keep a close eye on though as we cannot afford many slips going forward, especially when we have two good back up keepers.
I certainly agree about Hanlan but I think Udoh can. He's very strong for a hold up player even though we never employ a front 2. And he has a decent finish. Is he Kone? No. But he's a massive upgrade on Hanlan in that role.
Lubala looked fine at CF when he came in last season. I think Kone, Udoh and Lubala are the strongest combination of strikers we've had for a very long period. Peak Bayo and Kashket maybe offered more options but with our style of play (on a good day) I'd expect our current CF options to score more on average.
As a "creative" user of words - I just find it a betterings way of conducting myself, mixing your forum user name in with a word is absolute Tier 1 creative genius.
Sadlier was delivering before his injury. Consistent crossing, neat passing, a far more effective wide front man than others maybe with the exception of GMac.
Hanlan has never delivered. He’s never had a rich vein his never been consistent. He’s had a goal v Ipswich that was outstanding and a winner v the horse punchers which was fantastic for the sole reason that it p1ssed off Barton so much.
I think he is just hot-and-cold for me. Not clinical enough to be a 9, does not create enough consistently to be out wide. I posted something similar recently, but here is the strike rate (at least per appearance, not sure of the per 90) for our main goalscorers:
Kone: 20 in 55 appearances - 0.36 goals per appearance.
Lubala: 12 in 38 appearances - 0.31 goals per appearance.
Vokes: 30 in 139 appearances - 0.21 goals per appearance.
Udoh: 6 in 31 appearances - 0.19 goals per appearance.
Hanlan: 16 in 110 appearances - 0.14 goals per appearance.
I am sure there is some context if you get into goals per 90, or how often someone has played the 9 v wide, but I would guess the above stats would mostly bear out what we have seen with our own eyes bar Udoh, who I think is more clinical than the numbers give him credit for, owing to playing out wide an abnormal amount for his skillset.
Hanlan actually has the same strike rate as Kieran Sadlier, who exclusively plays out wide. I think Mustard was good as a second option in the prime Vokes years, but with the quality we have now, the stats above would put him as our 5th option to play as a striker.
The above is also the reason I keep banging on about Lubala being our backup 9 - he is more clinical than anyone bar Kone, but does not offer anywhere near as much out wide. There is a pretty significant caveat of him feasting for 4 goals in one game against kids in the Pizza McCheckatrade, but that is probably balanced out by how often he has been played out wide recently.
Comments
I hope Butcher stays - he did not turn into a bad midfielder overnight, probably just rusty and lacking in confidence. He was an integral part of a very successful run last season.
I must admit I like our squad and am pretty confident they can all fit in when needed.
Agreed and he made a major contribution to getting us to the Wembley BSM final.
Gentle reminder without letting one or more players go we only have one slot available for players over the age of 21....
I wouldn’t rule out Gideon Kodua being signed on a permanent basis.
Controversial?
No, not controversial, but personally I don't see it - I feel like West Ham would feel that he has further to develop as a player and that they may yet be the ones to reap the benefits.
Thought it would be good to revisit this.
The following incomings are needed:
A right back (possibly Danny Imray)
A right centre back (but only if Joe Low departs)
Aaron Morley (or an Aaron Morley clone)
A substitute centre forward for Kone (possible loan)
So really only three more needed should Low stay.
Other than Low, possible departures are Tafazolli, Hartridge, Wheeler, Butcher, Hanlan, Vokes.
I think we are in a good shape should we get a handful of quality players over the line.
(There may be question marks over the goalkeeping position but not expecting a change now).
I don't think we need another centre forward. We should have Vokes back from injury soon, as he's back training again. Udoh and Lubala are also both very capable. Like many others, I don't really understand why Hanlan is often used as a Kone back up. Good as a wide forward, but he's just not good enough with his back to goal in my opinion to be playing in the centre forward role.
I don’t think any of Udoh, Lubala or Hanlan can effectively play the centre forward role, despite playing well in other positions. It is an area we should be looking at.
Agree with most of this.
The weird situation is that of goalkeeper. Rav has done pretty well to keep the number of clean sheets he has and along the way made some brilliant saves. However, we all know he is not a commanding keeper from corners and other crosses into the box. The mistake against Huddersfield, is in my opinion, not enough to move him aside for Nathan Bishop or Shamal George as he has a bit of credit in the bank. Probably something to keep a close eye on though as we cannot afford many slips going forward, especially when we have two good back up keepers.
If we can't send Bishop back, then we need to send George out on loan to get some game time
Have you changed your mind on Lubala as you were very pro on him previously . Or just that he should be one of the wide starters not a striker?
I would start him on the left.
Poor old Franco, except for the clean sheets and the saves...he's just not up to it.
I certainly agree about Hanlan but I think Udoh can. He's very strong for a hold up player even though we never employ a front 2. And he has a decent finish. Is he Kone? No. But he's a massive upgrade on Hanlan in that role.
Udoh is an out-and-out CF. Hanlan absolutely is not.
Lubala looked fine at CF when he came in last season. I think Kone, Udoh and Lubala are the strongest combination of strikers we've had for a very long period. Peak Bayo and Kashket maybe offered more options but with our style of play (on a good day) I'd expect our current CF options to score more on average.
Hanlan was the answer to our problems when he was injured, not so much now. Sadlier next up.
I agree that Udoh for Kone and vice-versa is what got us here isn't it?
Yep.
Although the whole gasroom (cue someone claiming they always saw the logic) originally thought Scowen playing further forward in midfield was madness.
So maybe Hanlan will surprise us as a genuine option in the centre.
Sadlier always felt more a solid option before our eyes were widened with the summer signings.
He'll have to go some to match some of the expectations being put on him
@Malone I just worry about the weight that has been put on his returning shoulders...
It definitely has.
Althoguh 98% of that is from @Shev 😘
Sads can deal with a little Shevspectations.
As a "creative" user of words - I just find it a betterings way of conducting myself, mixing your forum user name in with a word is absolute Tier 1 creative genius.
Glad I steered clear of narcissistic!
I know a 61 year old runner who posts videos of him taking ice baths dressed just in his pants, so you'd have some way to go to match that!
Sadlier was delivering before his injury. Consistent crossing, neat passing, a far more effective wide front man than others maybe with the exception of GMac.
Hanlan has never delivered. He’s never had a rich vein his never been consistent. He’s had a goal v Ipswich that was outstanding and a winner v the horse punchers which was fantastic for the sole reason that it p1ssed off Barton so much.
Usually season-long loans have a two-week recall window in January which has passed.
So Nathan Bishop, Gideon Kodua and Cameron Humphreys should be with us for the rest of the season along with Sonny Bradley.
A reminder that only five loans are allowed in match day squad.
I wonder if George injury changes anything re transfer policy because as it stands Bishop will now be in every matchday squad.
I don't understand why so many people can't see what a good player Hanlan is
I think he is just hot-and-cold for me. Not clinical enough to be a 9, does not create enough consistently to be out wide. I posted something similar recently, but here is the strike rate (at least per appearance, not sure of the per 90) for our main goalscorers:
Kone: 20 in 55 appearances - 0.36 goals per appearance.
Lubala: 12 in 38 appearances - 0.31 goals per appearance.
Vokes: 30 in 139 appearances - 0.21 goals per appearance.
Udoh: 6 in 31 appearances - 0.19 goals per appearance.
Hanlan: 16 in 110 appearances - 0.14 goals per appearance.
I am sure there is some context if you get into goals per 90, or how often someone has played the 9 v wide, but I would guess the above stats would mostly bear out what we have seen with our own eyes bar Udoh, who I think is more clinical than the numbers give him credit for, owing to playing out wide an abnormal amount for his skillset.
Hanlan actually has the same strike rate as Kieran Sadlier, who exclusively plays out wide. I think Mustard was good as a second option in the prime Vokes years, but with the quality we have now, the stats above would put him as our 5th option to play as a striker.
The above is also the reason I keep banging on about Lubala being our backup 9 - he is more clinical than anyone bar Kone, but does not offer anywhere near as much out wide. There is a pretty significant caveat of him feasting for 4 goals in one game against kids in the Pizza McCheckatrade, but that is probably balanced out by how often he has been played out wide recently.