Match Day Thread Hull City v Man Utd

But he doesn't suit our set-up. We're high energy and terrier-like. As long as Honeyman plays we can get away with Smallwood because 2/3 midfielders have real quality on the ball and Smallwood's defensive abilities are really good. I'm not sure Tom in that deeper role would give us enough protection and we'd have to change things to accommodate him.

Agree about Tom being a good plan B, I've said similar but when we're heavily restricted for squad numbers, I'm not sure it's possible. We need to use that space on a defensive midfielder that can start every week.

 

Huddlestone won't be a regular starter, but could well be a regular introduction in and around the hour/75 minute mark, either to settle posession down, or pick a forward pass.

The coaching team clearly like him or he woildnt be on the pitch.

 

US

 

A key part of City's game is distribution to the wings. Huddlestone can play a part in that, but he's going to take a lot of attention as the opposition try to take him out to cut out the supply. He'll either need to learn to cope with that, or City will need a plan B to make the most of the other opportunities created while the oppositions focus is on Tom.

 

Think Paul McShane is a tad over 23.
As for Tom. It's a no brainer for me. Just to have him as part of the club is a bonus if he plays or not. And he can play, there is no doubt about that. The role of club ambassador has never been filled since Deano's contract ran out, so there is one opening, but Tom is capable of far more then that.
It will be down to wages which makes yesterdays decision to play that game behind closed doors look so odd. The gate money from that alone would have gone a long way to paying Tom' salary for the year.
Sign him up before someone else does.

 

Rest assured. The Allams won't pay big money for anyone

 

So,out of interest,what kind of money are we paying the lads or what kind of money did we pay last year?We don't seem to be losing our core players on a daily basis so I assume they consider they're being paid the going rate?

Or should Allam just start throwing fortunes at players and build the debt that bit higher?.Let's face it,we haven't got a clue what Allam pays or whether it's big money,have we?

 

I wouldn't have a clue what they get paid mate.

It was just a reply to people who seem worried we might pay Tom over the odds.

That simply isn't going to happen, is it.

 

If it were my business and I worked within a budget,which most good business' do,then no,it isn't going to happen.My concern wouldn't be whether we pay him over the odds,it would be...Is he looking for over the odds?

 

Difficult. What's the going rate for an 34 year old ex England International. He could be the greatest thing going and have a similar effect to J J Okocha. An inspiration to all. He could be a great coach and club leader. He could make a significant playing contribution. He could also be a complete waste of money. One needs to be nearer to things to have any idea. Also, even if Grant wants him, where are we with the EFL embargo? Interesting times.

 

That's an easy one. If he's asking for too much, we won't pay it. That's my whole point.

 

Let's be honest, if he just wants to play then he's going to be very realistic with his wages demands, he has been without a club for a full season and has no other offers on the table at the min

 

The ideal player for when we are in the lead, looking to keep the ball,looking for a cool head to see the game out and slow it down with a cool experienced head.

Wages? Maybe not as much as people think. He'll have made his money- maybe he just wants to get back into football, as I think he has his coaching badges and this represents an ideal re-entry to a friendly club.

 

Not with a fanbase ( fans buying memberships) the size of GY it isn't.

 

Friendly club !! It’s rotting from the head down they all hate it and can’t wait to leave
And who can blame them

 

You can consider me whooshed As in I honestly don't have a clue what you're talking about.

 

Didn't he get his coaching badges whilst with us? I'm sure there was a number of that squad taking their badges at the same time.

 

I was thinking the exact same thing….
Cannot have two rams in the same herd !!

 

To be honest grant that’s the whole point, plan b needs to be different to plan A
Our midfield needs to prove it has REAL quality on the ball at championship level. Tom however is proven and still is better on the ball than anyone else in that team.
We aren’t going to be as dominating this season as last, Tom can keep the ball