What do we need?

[RamBamFan]

Simple answer: No one.

I've seen us linked with Forestieri, Gunter, Anichebe etc. in the past week and I can't help but think we don't need any of them.

The only thing we need at the moment is a manager to get the players we have playing well. The truth is that each player in our squad on their day is easily Premier League standard. It's just a matter of getting them performing on a regular basis.

Any new additions would only bloat the squad even more. I don't think any of the players we've been linked with are better than we already have. So the way, I see it unless we're signing a proven Premier League player then don't bother.

[Andy_Faber]

A Stimac

[AdiSalisbury]

It depends on what system the manager is playing.

If we go the same as previous, the only weakness I see is Thorne (based on his fragility).

If we go with this new system, Ince isn't as good as he thinks he is at no. 10, and we need wide players to service Bent, as we don't have any.

I think we've seen the last of the fancy if inconsistent football we've enjoyed the last few years.

[KingCharlieGeorge]

We need a manager that knows what he is doing! So far it doesn't seem that he does.

Am I mistaken in thinking that Hendrick played the DM in out final game against Hull and played it very well? It seems odd to me that after that the manager plays Bryson there; a position we know he doesn't like or perform in. We also know Hughes and Bryson gel together. Hughes speeds our game up with his vision and ability to pass well, but doesn't get picked?!

The modern game requires overlapping backs but we seem intent on not using that option, which will make us predictable but possibly more solid. It's early days but it seems we are not going to play the "Derby" way. I am not feeling very optimistic at the moment.

What do we need? What we have always needed to do; play the pressing game, move the ball quickly but still retain possession, and to shoot more frequently than we have in the past.

[macstheman]

We need width!! Whichever system is used all successful teams incorporate width into the system. It stops teams getting bogged down in the middle of the park and allows movement and pace to follow. Defenders don't like teams that get round the back they want the opposition in front of them, once you get round the back defenders begin to panic and lose shape!! Yes, a bit more pace down the middle in offensive situations would'nt go amiss neither!!

[mistaram]

Rambam Think your wrong we need as many as we can afford Having seen us 5 times already I'm convinced that we've seen the best from 6 or 7 these players and time to move them out I won't name them because any none sentimental fan can name them As for them being Prem players Shackell us the rest doubt it Confident Pearson will sort but by the end of January half the players will be gone

[ramAnag]

Mention of 'A Stimac' I presume means...'a leader'. Totally agree...a Stimac or a Van der Laan, someone to organise, cajole and boss players on the pitch is what we've been crying out for for far too long now.
Also agree with KCG...need the manager to have some clear ideas about what he is aiming for. Very, very early days but not much sign yet...bit like when Jim Smith started, but he did have the sense to rapidly acquire two very strong leaders.

[mistaram]

Anagram Agree we desperately need leaders we are far to nice to play against I'm confident Pearson will sort it he was a leader himself Leicester were going nowhere till he bought Morgan in

[Andy_Faber]

Mention of 'A Stimac' I presume means...'a leader'. Totally agree...a Stimac or a Van der Laan, someone to organise, cajole and boss players on the pitch is what we've been crying out for for far too long now.
Also agree with KCG...need the manager to have some clear ideas about what he is aiming for. Very, very early days but not much sign yet...bit like when Jim Smith started, but he did have the sense to rapidly acquire two very strong leaders.

Stimac, VDL, Gemmell, Mackay, Hindmarch/Wright, even McGrath briefly and he could barely move, they all had something that none of our current team have. The point at which IMO our train fell off the tracks two seasons ago was at Fulham where old crock Paul Parker energized Fulham just by being a class act. Not sure who's available though, much as I despise him John Terry might have been a fit

[ramAnag]

My thoughts exactly AF, including those about Terry. Think, albeit in a less successful era, you might also add Ian Taylor to that list. We might have sunk a lot lower without him. Given McGrath's state of 'health' when we had him, his performances were nothing less than miraculous.

Is Leon Osman too old or has someone else already poached him?