I don't remember seeing Godfrey at LB but if he can play there then it would make room for Gibson at LCB. Stieps didn't do well in that position before and I don't think he liked it too much. He has something to offer at ACM at this level especially with our speed on the wings.
According to Whoscored, no Norwich player has managed a single through ball in either of our league matches so far. Unbelievable.
I thought Todd made one to Onel vs Hudders? Maybe it didn't the definition of a thru ball. Steips has a different rhythm and a way of kicking the ball forward and chasing it that can discombobulate the oppo giving our speedsters a chance move into open areas. I would still rather see Dowell earn the starting spot, but I hope Marco is not forgotten about.
For me, Stiepermann is absolutely critical for our creativity at Championship level. His struggle to step up consistently to the PL level was IMO the single biggest player factor last season.
Couldn't agree more. Without him, Cantwell and Buendia look like little boys lost, and Pukki's supply lines are cut.
Stieperman has strengths, but he also has weaknesses, the same as most players. His disappointing performances in the PL suggest that he is unlikely to be involved in City's long term future. Dowell's injury may give him another chance, but we'll have to wait and see.
No doubt about that, he has some major weaknesses - though for me it's primarily inconsistency. I don't see how you come to the conclusion that his PL performances put into doubt his long term future - we're in the Championship and he's 29. If he finds some form again, then the only reason he wouldn't be involved is if we get promoted and find a suitable replacement. I see him as a poor man's Kaka (OK, a very poor man's Kaka...) but it's a fairly unique style and difficult to replace. Our best football in the last two seasons, including last year in the PL, were when he is on the pitch. Sure, some of our worst performances too - but for me that means trying to find a way to get him playing well more consistently, rather than trying to shoehorn other players into his position.
Last season we had a centre back crisis even fielding Amadou and Tettey at one point out of position and 2 games into the season we have Quintilla who is new to the side and the league so too soon to judge and enormous interest for Max with no tried and tested back up, Mcallum has been loaned out so this could be a massive problem. I have high hopes of Mumba but he's not ready to step up to fill Aarons boots yet .
While I do feel that Marco can make a contribution this season, I also think that he will not be offered a new contract. Our new signings are indicative of a change in long term strategy. Like Trybull and Leitner, Stieperman came in to fill the void after the clearout of expensive players. We are now targeting players who can make a difference if we are promoted again. IMO, Marco will not be part of of City's post promotion squad.
You could well be right, but if so then I fear our post promotion squad, if promotion happens, will struggle in exactly the same way as last season unless we find some sort of replacement for the skills Stiepermann brings when he’s performing well. None of our signings are even close to that as far as I can tell, as they are all in other positions.
They are also indicative of a change in playing style. The football that had many people saying was the best they'd ever seen us play was orchestrated by the players now being jettisoned. As I feared, the baby is being thrown out with the bath water.
I agree that AM is a key position but we can't progress without change. Marco was a major disappointment (one of many) last season. Cantwell was a striking contrast, rising to the occasion and improving throughout the season. Buendia also rose to the occasion, albeit with a few glitches, but, like Todd, he had the technical skills to raise his game to PL standard. Marco is a good player and hopefully he'll recover his game this season. Leitner and Trybull are good players as well, but both are now being moved on. Dowell has been brought in as a younger option with potential to develop. His best position is CAM and he needs time playing there. He's not nearly as effective playing WR.
That football worked well in the Championship, but failed completely in the PL. Signing another CB was needed last season, as were better counter-attacking players. Hopefully we've learned from that.
We don't have good enough players to play fast free flowing attacking football and win in the Premier League, the gulf is enormous. The sides that survive usually have a strong defensive set up and pick up wins by frustrating the opposition. Farke's throw caution to the wind approach was refreshing at first but naive in the long term leaving the players devoid of confidence and surrendered without a fight. He mentioned many times that we don't have the players to "park the bus " which was true, we knew going into the season that we needed to strengthen in the centre back position as Klose was injured early on , when Zimmermann was also injured early on we were screwed. We could have stayed up with modest sensible strengthening but we'll never know. The most important thing for us is keeping the club financially buoyant and that has been successful so far .
If we were promoted again, I'd hope we would play 3 at the back with WBs and counter-attack from a 3-4-2-1 formation with a deep playmaker/pivot to support attacks with penetrating through balls. Gibson, Godfrey and Zimmerman would be well suited to that with Max supporting the attack and Xavi being more cautious and dropping back beside Gibson when we lose the ball.
That sounds horrendous and they would have us over a barrel if Max spends the season on the bench or God forbid gets injured. Sending arguably our best player on loan to Barcelona would be pretty much waving the white flag for promotion this season. I'm hoping this is just bollocks .